On the next Charlotte Talks local news roundup, North Carolina’s budget passes and is signed, sealed and delivered. We dive into the details. Heat continues to plague much of the country including our state where heat indices soared to triple digits, leading to power outages. Plus, a new state law eliminates mandatory parking minimums for the majority of new developments. We examine the possible impact.

We take a political vibe check on North Carolina by examining what the latest Catawba-YouGov poll shows. We’ll separate signal from noise while discussing what these polls really tell us about the state’s electorate as another consequential election season gets underway.

Charlotte now experiences nearly a month of additional dangerous heat days compared to 50 years ago. By the 2060s, state officials expect nearly 40 more days each year when the heat index exceeds 95 degrees. Extreme heat is now considered the top climate-related threat for residents. We explore how that heat is changing daily life for Charlotteans.

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.

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.”

In a world flooded by AI — from useless slop to groundbreaking code — what happens to our human imagination? Charlotte Talks presents a special series: "Wired to Create." Hosted by bestselling author and PBS host Kelly Corrigan — discover the quiet satisfaction and mental health benefits of making things with your own hands. Charlotte Talks returns on Monday, July 6.

In a world flooded by AI — from useless slop to groundbreaking code — what happens to our human imagination? Charlotte Talks presents a special series: "Wired to Create." Hosted by bestselling author and PBS host Kelly Corrigan — discover the quiet satisfaction and mental health benefits of making things with your own hands. Charlotte Talks returns on Monday, July 6.

In a world flooded by AI — from useless slop to groundbreaking code — what happens to our human imagination? Charlotte Talks presents a special series: "Wired to Create." Hosted by bestselling author and PBS host Kelly Corrigan — discover the quiet satisfaction and mental health benefits of making things with your own hands. Charlotte Talks returns on Monday, July 6.

In a world flooded by AI — from useless slop to groundbreaking code — what happens to our human imagination? Charlotte Talks presents a special series: "Wired to Create." Hosted by bestselling author and PBS host Kelly Corrigan — discover the quiet satisfaction and mental health benefits of making things with your own hands. Charlotte Talks returns on Monday, July 6.

In a world flooded by AI — from useless slop to groundbreaking code — what happens to our human imagination? Charlotte Talks presents a special series: "Wired to Create." Hosted by bestselling author and PBS host Kelly Corrigan — discover the quiet satisfaction and mental health benefits of making things with your own hands. Charlotte Talks returns on Monday, July 6.