Emmy Berger

As Election Day for the midterms inches closer, the polling industry across the country is focused on getting accurate predictions about what will happen on Nov. 3. In recent years, midterm election polling has proven to be more accurate than presidential election polling. We discuss polling methodology, margin of error, how to interpret poll results and more.

Mail-in or absentee voting for the midterms began in North Carolina in early September. Though not as popular as early or Election Day voting, it provides important access for many, but there have been numerous attempts to curtail mail-in voting and call into question the legitimacy of votes cast in this way. We take a look at those efforts, the new rules in place and what’s behind these efforts.

North Carolina native Nina Simone was a classically trained pianist turned singer who blended jazz, blues, classical, gospel and protest music. She also blended music with her fight for civil rights. In Asheville, while in high school, she met poet and playwright Langston Hughes and formed a decades-long friendship and creative partnership. That's the topic of a new book about them both by NC State professor Jason Miller.

Testosterone is getting a lot of attention these days. The defense secretary pushed for new guidelines on testosterone screening for troops, while young men and boys are increasingly exposed to social media influencers promoting ways to boost the hormone. We discuss the rise of testosterone culture and its health implications.

NASCAR star Mark Martin rose from the small-town tracks of Arkansas to the speedways of NASCAR, carving a career out of consistency and precision. Now, Martin has written about his career, his time living in Charlotte, and his passion for racing. He joins us to discuss “Never Lift.”

As unemployment rates among young people continue to rise, Charlotte sees an influx of jobs going to those 25 to 34. The next challenge is keeping them here for good. We discuss how the Queen City seems to fight the narrative nationally of a hard time to be a first-time member of the workforce.

Charlotte is experiencing a bookstore boom, despite rates of reading for pleasure being down nationally. We explore the impact of AI use, social media and more on traditional literacy.

North Carolina’s hemp industry has largely been unregulated, but that may soon change, and this multi-billion-dollar sector of our state’s economy hangs in the balance. A federal law banning intoxicating hemp products is scheduled to go into effect in November and the General Assembly is considering its own prohibitions. A look at what this may mean for the industry and the 16,000 people working in it.

The General Assembly passed its long-awaited budget last week with bipartisan support — the first in more than two years. The $34 billion plan includes teacher pay raises and additional money for Hurricane Helene recovery, but it also contains a provision that would force Charlotte and other governments to repay money already spent on the rejected I-77 toll lanes.

North Carolina’s outdoor industry continues to grow and contributed nearly $18 billion to the state’s economy in 2024. We explore what’s behind this boom, how to increase accessibility and participation, and practical tips for staying safe outdoors — including how to avoid interfering with wildlife and what to do if you do.