Jesse Steinmetz

South Carolina Republican Lindsey Graham died earlier this month after representing the state for more than 20 years in the U.S. Senate. We look at the candidates vying to fill his seat, examine the power Graham wielded as a senator, and explore what to expect in Congress as the midterm elections approach.

In 1898, a white mob massacred dozens of Black residents in Wilmington, North Carolina. They used a machine gun and stoked fear to stage what is considered the only successful coup in U.S. history. Author Lauren Collins joins Charlotte Talks to discuss the impact.

This year marks the 250th anniversary of the United States. For many Americans, Independence Day means a celebration of hot dogs, fireworks and freedom. For historian Beverly Gage, the holiday is much more complicated. Her new book recounts the long history of the United States through a road trip to places that helped shape the country. She joins us to unpack 250 years of American history in her latest book, “This Land Is Your Land.”

Classes are out at CMS for the summer, but tensions over education policy and administration linger. Superintendent Dr. Crystal Hill was put on paid leave while the board investigates administrative oversight matters. We’ll discuss the latest from CMS, look back at some of the significant events of the last school year, and examine the growing pushback against classroom technology.

Fewer than 6% of American physicians identify as Black, but census data show roughly 12% of the U.S. population is Black. Some experts say that disparity is one reason communities of color tend to experience worse health outcomes in the U.S., including higher rates of high blood pressure, shorter life expectancy and higher risks during childbirth. A new book from a former ProPublica reporter links today’s inequalities to a long history of structural racism — part of which runs through North Carolina.

The Civil War was the deadliest conflict in American history. Yet more than 160 years later, its legacy is still being written, and one historian argues a key part of that legacy involves free people of color. At the beginning of the war, nearly half a million people of color were free, and he says their stories ultimately helped lay the groundwork for a more expansive vision of American freedom.

Over 12% of North Carolinians were living in poverty in 2024. However, a new report finds a much larger group in North Carolina still struggles to make ends meet. An additional 28% of the state’s households earn above the federal poverty threshold but not enough to afford basic expenses. We discuss the study and the affordability crisis impacting families.

As the city grows, getting around has become increasingly challenging. Efforts to relieve congestion on I-77 recently came to a halt when leaders rescinded proposed toll lanes. Public transit has grown slowly, with commitments to build the Red Line and the east-west Silver Line. However, those projects could take a decade or longer to complete. We untangle the ins and outs of transit in Charlotte.

Millions of bison once roamed North America, from Alaska to North Carolina. After being hunted to near extinction, fewer than 1,000 were left by the late 1800s. Today, bison and a handful of other large animals are having a surprising renaissance. We speak with the author of a new book about why many animal populations have plummeted and why some are making an unexpected comeback.

Proposed plans to reduce toxic chemicals in North Carolina’s waterways face pushback from the public because some argue they don’t do enough to stop pollution or hold polluters accountable. Meanwhile, the EPA is in the process of weakening federal chemical regulations.