Steve Harrison

Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles announced her endorsement of Michael Bloomberg as the Democratic presidential candidate for 2020 about two weeks ago -- and immediately began facing some backlash. One of the surprising voices to come out against the support was Lyles' own daughter, Aisha Alexander.

NPR is repeatedly visiting several cities which will play a big role in the 2020 presidential election. First stop: Charlotte to see where voters are on the issues and on the candidates.

The GOP’s Senate Leadership Fund admitted Friday to meddling in North Carolina’s Democratic Senate primary and said it “stole a page out of Chuck Schumer’s playbook.”

State Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey continued testimony Thursday morning in the federal bribery trial of insurance businessman Greg Lindberg. Lindberg and two of his associates are accused of trying to funnel $2 million to Causey in political contributions in exchange for removing a senior deputy in his office who was part of the regulation of Lindberg's insurance companies. WFAE political reporter Steve Harrison spoke to Michael Falero from the federal courthouse in Charlotte. 

Updated 5:53 p.m.

Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey testified Wednesday in the political bribery trial of businessman Greg Lindberg. Lindberg and two of his associates are accused of trying to funnel $2 million to Causey in exchange for removing a senior deputy in his office who was part of the regulation of Lindberg's insurance companies.

WFAE's Steve Harrison has been at the federal courthouse in Charlotte to hear testimony and opening statements. He joined All Things Considered host Gwendolyn Glenn and WFAE's Nick de la Canal for an upate.

Here’s what a typical field office for a presidential candidate looks like: It’s about 800 square feet. Hidden on the second floor of a shopping center, with signs taped to an outside door, directing people inside.

This office – for Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren – was mostly empty one day this week, except for a couple of college-age supporters.

Then there is Michael Bloomberg’s Charlotte office. 

President Donald Trump spoke Friday at the North Carolina Opportunity Now Summit at Central Piedmont Community College, briefly commenting on his impeachment acquittal two days ago and praising North Carolina representatives who supported him, but primarily focusing on the economy and his Opportunity Now initiative in a nearly hour-long speech.

Charlotte is just seven months away from hosting the Republican National Convention – and there are a lot of preparations to make and questions to be answered. WFAE’s new podcast Inside Politics, the RNC in Charlotte, looks at the RNC and the 2020 election through the lens of Charlotte. It launched Thursday.

Joining Gwendolyn Glenn are the podcast’s co-hosts – WFAE’s political reporter Steve Harrison and Lisa Worf, who you usually hear on Morning Edition. 

With a little more than five weeks before North Carolina’s primary, the leading Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate met on stage for the first time Tuesday night at West Charlotte High. 

The Arts and Science Council said Thursday that it will have to continue to cut its operating budget and reduce its operating grants if it doesn’t secure more funding. 

After Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper fired former Head Coach Ron Rivera in December, he said he was leaning toward hiring a coach with NFL experience. But after Tepper and general manager Marty Hurney interviewed Rhule at his home in Waco, Texas, they decided Rhule – a college coach - might be the best fit.