WFAE

The latest discussions over thwarting the expiration of the debt ceiling are going down to the wire. An agreement apparently reached between President Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy must still meet approval by Republicans and Democrats in Congress but the deadline for going into default is now June 5. Even if this agreement takes hold, we’ll face a similar crisis in 2024. Why do we keep doing something so important the same way over and over?

County Manager Dena Diorio has told county commissioners that we cannot remain revenue-neutral after this most recent property revaluation. She is predicting that, in order to fund everything on the county’s wish list, 91% of homeowners will end up paying more in property taxes. Since this directly affects you, we’ve invited Diorio to take us through the proposed county budget.

On the next Charlotte Talks... the potential impact of artificial intelligence on education. It’s here, growing quickly and its appearance in the classroom is inevitable. We look at the pros and cons.

Last week, the legislature reduced the time allowed for abortions in the state from 20 to 12 weeks. The governor is sure to veto the bill but, with a supermajority, Republicans are certain to override that veto. GOP lawmakers have framed this as a “mainstream compromise,” but it’s the latest move by an emboldened Republican Party. We look at the impact of this decision.

An examination of the state of America’s mental health. It’s on the decline and appears to be going relatively untreated. How we got here and how we can increase opportunities for treatment.

WFAE CEO Joe O’Connor resigned Monday after eight years on the job.

Members of the men’s basketball team at Queens University of Charlotte delivered gifts to students and staff at Greenway Park Elementary.

Most of the new funding would go toward primary and dental health care.

WFAE climate reporter David Boraks has been chosen for a fellowship by the National Press Foundation. The fellowship’s focus is exploring biomass and climate change.

A winter storm expected to bring ice to the Carolinas beginning Wednesday evening prompted a state of emergency declared by N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper and led Mecklenburg County to cancel COVID-19 vaccination appointments scheduled for Thursday.