Wendy Herkey

Friday, July 3, 2020

Everything you need to know about sharks. Despite conditioning from Steven Spielberg, shark expert William McKeever says we shouldn’t fear sharks. We’re more of a threat to them and we find out why.

This show originally aired August 12, 2019.

Thursday, July 2, 2020

It’s summer, and as the economy begins to open up, people tired of being cooped up may want to travel.  As we approach the July 4 weekend, many people are thinking about vacations. Mike Collins asks his guests what is safe to do, where it’s safe to go and stay and more.

Friday, June 26, 2020

Gov. Roy Cooper delays moving to Phase 3 of reopening and mandates masks be worn in public. A block party on Beatties Ford Road turns deadly – with multiple fatalities and no witnesses willing to come forward. CMPD Chief Kerr Putney makes July 1 his last day, and CMS plans to change the names of schools with ties to racism or slavery.  

Thursday, June 25, 2020

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, much of America’s workforce has gone virtual. Working from home took a little getting used to at first. Now it’s working so well that some believe this could become a permanent fact of life. How long might working from home last?  

Friday, June 19, 2020

Charlotte enters its third week of protests over the death of George Floyd and this week, Mecklenburg County Commission declares racism “a public health crisis.” DACA is upheld. A CMS principal is suspended in a controversy over racism.  Questions about broken promises arise over the RNC pullout, and City Council unanimously OKs Eastland Mall rezoning.

Friday, June 12, 2020

Tensions have lessened at Charlotte protests. A block of Tryon Street in uptown became a work of art. The governor pledged to review police policies throughout the state, and the RNC is eyeing Jacksonville, Florida, for its big night. 

Wednesday, June 10, 2020

Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles joins us talks about the police response to recent protests, her business recovery program in the shadow of COVID-19 and where things stand with the Republican National Convention.

Friday, June 5, 2020

Charlotte has joined cities around the nation in protesting the death of George Floyd. Thousands of people have taken to the streets in various parts of town. We update you on the demonstrations – peaceful and chaotic – and the police response. Threats to move the Republican National Convention out of town may become reality, and we'll take a look at the consequences.  Plus, we'll have the latest on the coronavirus — the spike in cases and what that may mean for Phase 3.  

Friday, May 29, 2020

It’s a game of chicken between Donald Trump and Gov. Roy Cooper over the RNC. A recap of COVID-19’s impact on Charlotte. CMS approves next year’s calendar with a starting date of Aug. 17, but we don’t know what form school will take. And the investigation into Sen. Richard Burr’s stock trades continue even as the Justice Department drops investigations into other senators. 

Friday, May 22, 2020

Gov. Roy Cooper decides on a modified Phase 2 reopening of the economy. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department has named its next chief.  NCDOT furloughs 9,300 employees until the end of June. Charlotte's oldest movie theater closes amid the coronavirus outbreak. And less than 100 days before the start of the Republican National Convention in Charlotte, no one will definitively say it will take place. Who will decide?

Friday, May 15, 2020

A week into the first phase of North Carolina's reopening, we get an update on the impact.  Mecklenburg County officials stop issuing projections for the coronavirus after being told they weren’t using the model correctly.  The FBI takes North Carolina Sen. Richard Burr’s cellphone. CMS decides to hold virtual, pre-recorded graduations. And Panthers owner David Tepper believes the NFL will be back this fall — with fans.    

Friday, May 8, 2020

The state begins to loosen coronavirus restrictions Friday. The US is woefully behind other nations in terms of testing and North Carolina is at the bottom of the pile among the states.  We rank 45 out of 50.  A city budget for next year reflects the virus. The bottom line is lower, but no tax increases are recommended.  

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

Chancellor Philip Dubois ends his tenure at UNC Charlotte this summer after 15 years leading the UNC system’s fastest growing university. He joins us to discuss his legacy.

Friday, May 1, 2020

The latest on the coronavirus outbreak in Mecklenburg and beyond, including what initially looked like a challenge to the governor’s stay-at-home ordinance in Gaston County.  Schools will remain closed for the rest of this academic year. CMS makes its request for funds from Mecklenburg County.

Friday, April 24, 2020

Governor Cooper extends North Carolina's stay-at-home order to May 8. Protesters get restless over closures in North Carolina even as South Carolina loosens restrictions.  Atrium Health announces work-hour reductions in a cost-saving measure. McCrae Dowless is in more hot water. And a new draft pick for the Carolina Panthers.

Friday, April 17th, 2020

The latest on the coronavirus outbreak in Mecklenburg and beyond.  Bank of America’s profits are cut in half this quarter.  Small businesses can now apply for low-interest loans in Mecklenburg County.  Plans for the RNC are still moving "full speed ahead," and the Panthers’ Christian McCaffrey is now the NFL’s highest paid running back.

Wednesday, April 15, 2020 

Join Charlotte Talks host Mike Collins for a special broadcast: "Coronavirus In North Carolina: The Statewide Impact Of COVID-19."

Friday, April 10, 2020

Coronavirus cases continue to mount in North Carolina, with Mecklenburg County home to about a quarter of them. Gates to county parks and greenways are closed to limit drivers and to enforce social distancing, which appears to be working in the county. Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles announces a new task force to help small business recover from the pandemic. We tell you about that and more on our local news roundup.

Wednesday, April 8, 2020

Mayor Vi Lyles shares information on how the city is coping with the most serious outbreak of COVID-19 in the state. Have questions for her? Let us know at charlottetalks@wfae.org.

Friday, April 3, 2020

We adjust to the "new normal," sequestering at home, as cases of coronavirus surpass 1,900 in North Carolina.  About a third of those cases are in Mecklenburg County. We update the numbers and detail the impact, and see if people are complying with Governor Cooper's stay-at-home order.  Plus, the Board of Elections makes vote by mail recommendations.