Charlotte Blogs

The issue of race in America seems to be a timeless topic but, over the years, the way we approach the discussion has changed. We’ll explore the landmark novel To Kill a Mockingbird, that was part of the library’s Big Read this year, and The Drama Club, a new play at the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte— to see how they propel the national conversation about race.
Guests
Bob Inman – Playwright, The Drama Club
Alan Poindexter – Artistic Director, Children’s Theatre of Charlotte
Arden McLaughlin – Coordinator, Charlotte Reads!
Linda Hagler – High School Literacy Coordinator, CMS
Charles Brown – Director of Libraries, PLCMC

• Information about The Drama Club
• Info on the Library’s Big Read

Click here to add and read comments

Listen to Show

UNC Charlotte Economics Professor John Connaughton shares his predictions for the state’s economy with his latest economic forecast, issued quarterly. Lately the news hasn’t been good; we’ll find out if his predictions from last quarter were true, and see what’s to come.
Guest
Dr. John Connaughton – Professor of Economics, UNC Charlotte

• More information on the Economic Forecast

Click here to add and read comments

Listen to Show

The Whitewater Center, regarded as a crown jewel by supporters, is drowning in red ink. Critics say  the business plan was ill-conceived and the center is awash in debt, owing upwards of 38 million dollars. We’ll talk with the Executive Director of the Center, a member of the US Olympic Committee that sees the center as a valuable resource, and to a County Commissioner with a whole new plan to try and save the center.
Guests
Jeff Wise – Executive Director, Whitewater Center
David Yarborough – CEO, USA Canoe/Kayak & member, US Olympic Committee
Bill James – County Commissioner, 6th District

Click here to add and read comments

Listen to Show

We’ll talk with career experts about what can help job seekers be more employable in tough economic conditions and what jobs are really out there right now. We’ll also talk about what career counselors are telling their students who are about to graduate and enter this economic climate.
Guests
Tom Lane – Management Consultant, Whitehead Associates
Denise Dwight Smith - Director, UNC Charlotte Career Center
Since this is an encore presentation, we won’t be able to take your phone calls.

Click here to add and read comments

Listen to Show

Join us for a conversation about green living- from compact fluorescents to solar panels. We’ll find out how to make your home more energy efficient and ways to make your life more environmentally-friendly. Charlotte Talks recorded this show last weekend at the Southern Spring Home and Garden Show in front of a live audience.

Guests
Dona Stankus – Building Programs Manager, NC Solar Center
Keith Davis – President, Residential Technologies, Inc.
Laurel Elam – Project Manager, Appalachian State University Energy Center

Click here to add and read comments

Listen to Show

It’s the March edition of Average Joes, a panel of WFAE listeners who join us to discuss the issues that are important to them. Some of our topics will include education, the economy, homeowners facing foreclosure, security vs. liberty and the same-sex marriage debate. Join us for the discussion!
Guests: Adam Tyson, Larry Bumgarner and Van Durrett

Click here to add and read comments

Listen to Show

County Manager Harry Jones joins us to discuss the budget for Mecklenburg County. We’ll talk about how the current economy is affecting the budget and about some of the cuts in county funding, including major cuts in the Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools budget.
Guest
Harry Jones – County Manager, Mecklenburg County

Click here to add and read comments

Listen to Show

The rise of social media outlets like Facebook, Twitter and Myspace is dominating the virtual world. These online communities are becoming powerful tools for fundraising, political activism and social change. There are negative effects as well, as critics say such interactions are pulling people farther apart. Social media is also changing the way we write, the way we date and the way we learn. We’ll examine some of the pros and cons.
Guests
Jason Keath – Founder, Social Media Club Charlotte
Angela Benton – Founder, BlackWeb20.com
Anita Blanchard – Assoc. Professor, Organizational Science, UNC Charlotte

• Read the after show online chat on social networking

Click here to add and read comments

Listen to Show

Read the chat with our guests from our social networking show. We examined social  media from Facebook to Twitter in an online chat after the show.

Click here to read the chat

Charlotte has been known as a banking town for many years but our two largest banks, Bank of America and Wachovia, have undergone turbulent times recently. We’ll take a close look at our signature banks to see how they are faring in the face of economic assaults from the global economy and from historic challenges within their own organizations.
Guests
Mark Vitner – Director and Chief Economist, Wachovia
Will Boye – Staff Writer, Charlotte Business Journal
Tony Plath – Professor of Finance, UNC Charlotte

Click here to add and read comments

Listen to Show