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On the next Charlotte Talks, with the filing deadline for taxes less than a week away, we explore a topic that is probably top of mind: Why is our tax system so complicated? Why does it take so long to gather the information for your tax preparer? And why do average people with mostly W-2 income need tax preparers — or do we? Can you really do it yourself?

Curtailing gun violence in Charlotte tops the news this week as city leaders wrestle with shootings and youth violence in uptown. Leaders of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools also take up the topic after the death of a Myers Park student and Vice President Kamala Harris visits to talk about federal gun violence prevention and mental health funding. And, mercifully, the Panthers season ends, but not before GM Scott Fitterer is fired.

Andrew Sipowicz discovered the front of his red Mustang was dented. He saw a note handwritten by a student who was riding a Buffalo, N.Y., school bus that allegedly hit the car. The note gave details.

The Taj Mahal reopened at sunrise Monday for the first time since March 17. It is limited to 5,000 visitors a day, and all must wear masks. Before the pandemic, up to 70,000 people visited every day.

Every once in a while, NPR's go-to books guru sends host Steve Inskeep a big stack of books. They're generally "under-the-radar" reads — titles she thinks deserve a little more attention.

This week, Anne Tyler's new novel explores one man's rudderless existence, and Elizabeth Gilbert offers an older and wiser follow-up to Eat Pray Love.

The select committee has announced without explanation that the hearing scheduled for June 15 has been postponed. The next hearing will take place June 16.

Behind closed doors, former White House Counsel Pat Cipollone is expected to talk to the House Jan. 6 panel on Friday. He's considered a key witness to attempts to overturn the 2020 election.

The number worn by the 11-time champion, civil rights activist and Hall of Fame player and coach is being permanently retired by all 30 teams. Russell died July 31 at age 88.

Dr. Mark Hyman is an internationally recognized leader, speaker, educator, and advocate in the field of Functional Medicine. He believes what we do to our bodies, we do to the planet; and what we do to the planet, we do to our bodies. Hyman shares how what we eat has tremendous implications not just for our waistlines, but also for the planet, society, and the global economy.

Dr. Hyman has turned his passion for Functional Medicine, real food, nutrition, and wellness into activism, working to change our food system on a global scale. He is the Head of Strategy and Innovation of the Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine, a thirteen-time New York Times bestselling author and host of one of the leading health podcasts, The Doctor’s Farmacy.

Dr. Hyman will be joined by “Top Chef” and cookbook author Carla Hall. Carla spent 7 years co-hosting ABC’s Emmy award winning, popular lifestyle series “The Chew”, and she currently brightens the mornings of millions as a Culinary Contributor to “Good Morning America”. Her latest cookbook, Carla Hall’s Soul Food: Everyday and Celebration, was published in 2018, landing on annual "Best Cookbook" lists across the country and receiving an NAACP Image Awards nomination.

WFAE is pleased to be a media partner.

The JAZZ ROOM is excited to announce this explosive show featuring your favorite jazz classics performed by the Trumpet Mafia and an assortment of the southeast region’s top jazz trumpeters. Join us as our trumpeters signal and celebrate the relaunch of the JAZZ ROOM. The JAZZ ROOM provides a casual and intimate setting with tables and a full bar, reminiscent of the classic jazz rooms of yesteryear. We welcome the Trumpet Mafia to the stage, led by Musical Director Ashlin Parker. From its organic beginnings in the summer of 2013 as a group of New Orleans trumpeters getting together at Ashlin’s apartment and courtyard to share practice techniques and support each other’s continued growth, the Trumpet Mafia has become a band of uncommon creative excellence and unexpected arrangements that mix traditional jazz and hip hop styles. Members of this group will be joined by other regional star trumpeters. The trumpet is played over a whole range of musical genres, but the most famous trumpet players inevitably hail from the world of jazz, both traditional and modern. The nature of jazz music highlights the full range of sound that the trumpet can produce. The region’s most gifted musicians face off to recreate the music of trumpet masters like Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard, Dizzy Gillespie and Roy Hargrove.

Taylor James Johnatakis of Washington state was convicted of assaulting police on Jan. 6. Would he mobilize again if President Trump asked?

Astrid “Emily” Francis found herself as the head of household in Guatemala at age 13, supporting and raising her siblings after her mother migrated to the United States. Eventually she guided her siblings through the arduous journey north, arriving as unaccompanied and undocumented minors who spoke no English. At the time, Francis had a 6th grade education.

Now, she is a dual alumna of UNC Charlotte and a nationally-recognized teacher who speaks at venues nationwide to raise awareness of the challenges faced by many children who are new to the United States. She was recognized on “The Ellen Show” for her outstanding work with these children, and is the author of If You Only Knew: Letters from an Immigrant Teacher.

Francis will narrate her experiences for students during her residency in the College of Humanities & Earth and Social Sciences, prior to the on campus lecture. She is highly skilled at interacting with young people and individuals of various backgrounds, especially because her experience intersects that of a large number of students. In particular her narrative will resonate with adults and students who have immigrated to the United States from Latin America, those for whom English is a second language, and those experiencing family separation.

Her work gives voice to many different historically-marginalized identities including Latinx, female, working class, undocumented, immigrant, and first generation college students whose families may or may not share their educational goals. Overall, her journey is one of resilience, persistence, and self-efficacy while overcoming a series of setbacks and obstacles.


Astrid Emily Francis is a nationally recognized English as a Second Language teacher at Concord High School in Concord, North Carolina. She serves students at various English proficiency levels. Francis is originally from Guatemala and her experience as an English Language Learner inspired her to become an ESL teacher. This affords her a deep understanding of the challenges her students must overcome to succeed. As a leader, Francis’ focus is to inspire students to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more. She earned a BA in Spanish and a MAT in ESL from UNC-Charlotte and she serves as a professional development facilitator, motivational and keynote speaker. Francis is part of UNC-Charlotte College of Education’s Advisory Board. She served as teacher liaison to the Cabarrus County Board of Education as a district Teacher of the Year in 2016.

Francis will also narrate her experiences for select classes during her residency in the College of Humanities & Earth and Social Sciences during the week.

Sponsored by The Anabel Aliaga-Buchenau Witness in Residence Initiative, with generous donations from the community and the Dean’s Office of the College of Humanities & Earth and Social Sciences

A police officer defended the Capitol from violent rioters on Jan. 6. With President-elect Donald Trump poised to pardon the rioters, he now asks, "what did I risk my life for?"

It's been nearly a year of gathering information — via depositions, subpoenas, hearings, document dumps and court challenges — for the House select committee investigating the siege of the Capitol.

Chill vibes, and heated rivalries! 🔥 Unleash the power of the Snow Moon at Charlotte Roller Derby's epic season opener. Mark Your Calendars! Don't miss the Snow Moon Showdown – a full day of high-speed, unforgettable roller derby action. On the enchanting day of February's full moon, join us for a triple-header extravaganza.

1 PM: Doors Open
2 PM: Royal Rumble: Purple vs White
4:15 PM: CLTRD Bad Assets vs FRD Rogue All-Stars
6:25 PM: Team North Carolina vs Team Kentucky

Break the ice with the coolest event in town! ❄️ Grab your tickets and join us for a day of thrills, spills, and chills. Proudly sponsored by CrossFit Mint Hill at Mint Hill Functional Fitness. Bring friends, family, and the derby spirit!

Formed in 2007 by mere happenstance, Balsam Range came together during an informal kitchen jam session in the rural depths of Western North Carolina. Since its inception, Balsam Range has become one of the most decorated and award-winning acts in the wide world of bluegrass music, including the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) honors: "Entertainer of the Year" (2014, 2018), "Album of the Year" (2013, 2017), "Song of the Year" (2011, 2015), "Vocal Group of the Year" (2014, 2015), "Male Vocalist of the Year" (2014, 2018) and "Bass Player of the Year" (2018).

Adult: $18 - $48
Youth (18 and under): $10

*Above prices include $3 per ticket facility fee
*PLUS 6.75% NC Sales tax
*All persons must have a ticket, including infants

Moderna is testing its COVID-19 vaccine in children — ages six-months through 11 years old. NPR's A Martinez talks to Dr. Steve Plimpton, who is the principal investigator for the study in Phoenix.

President-elect Donald Trump did his first network TV interview since winning reelection on Sunday. He appeared on "Meet the Press."