Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins

The Southern accent — one of the most recognizable in the country — appears to be fading. The shifting of the population seems to be causing us to lose our drawl and with it some of our identity. We explore the evolution of the various Southern accents, how they shape the way we talk today and how accents are a powerful symbol of belonging.

The Southern accent — one of the most recognizable in the country — appears to be fading. The shifting of the population seems to be causing us to lose our drawl and with it some of our identity. We explore the evolution of the various Southern accents, how they shape the way we talk today and how accents are a powerful symbol of belonging.

Larry Sprinkle has been a fixture in Charlotte broadcasting for decades, most recently as the morning weatherman on WCNC. He is entering a new chapter in his long career, and we sit down with him to look back and ahead.

Candidate filing for local elections began Monday. The Monroe City Council held a vote of no confidence in Mayor Robert Burns. Parts of Central North Carolina are recovering from Tropical Storm Chantal. And the NAACP national convention comes to town.

On the next Charlotte Talks, the 116th NAACP Convention in Charlotte. Thousands are expected to be at the Charlotte Convention Center for the event, the theme for which is "The fierce urgency of now.” Martin Luther King Jr. coined that phrase in 1963, but organizers believe it accurately describes conditions today. We get a preview of the convention ahead, and thoughts on its theme and its relevance.

The long-discussed transit plan may be coming to a ballot near you. The referendum for a one-cent sales tax for transit has one more hurdle to clear: the Mecklenburg County Commission. If they say yes, you’ll be asked to vote on it in November. But not everyone is on board for what has been described as a once-in-a-generation opportunity. We’ll talk about pros and cons.

Mosquito-eating bats eat nearly their entire body weight in insects every night, but bats are under threat of extinction. We look at efforts to reverse the trend.

Candidate filing for Charlotte City Council begins Monday. All 11 council seats, the Charlotte mayor’s seat, and six Charlotte-Mecklenburg school board seats will be on the ballot. The mayor has not yet announced whether she will seek reelection, and one council member is under federal indictment but says she plans to run. We look at what to expect during the short campaign filing window.

For years, foreign adversaries have worked to spread misinformation. The German Marshall Fund found that Russia, China and others are becoming more effective at it, targeting state and local governments. North Carolina is one of those targets, and social media is aiding the spread.

Immigration has been at the center of President Trump's priorities in his second term. ICE agents have taken the streets, detaining people around courthouses, workplaces and community gathering spots. We break down the politics of these policies, whether support is waning and how it's impacting economies.

It's been three years since the Dobbs decision overturned Roe v. Wade, unleashing a wave of Southern states to enact restrictive bans against abortion. North Carolina enacted its own 12-week ban, but that hasn't stopped the state from emerging as a Southern hub for out-of-state abortion seekers. We discuss the state of abortion access and care in N.C.

The FIFA Club World Cup concludes its Charlotte stop Monday before continuing in other U.S. cities and wrapping up at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey next month. While the tournament drew fans eager to watch top international teams, it also faced challenges, including extreme heat and concerns over a possible ICE presence at games. The event offers a glimpse at the cultural and economic impact on Charlotte — and what it could signal for the city’s future as a host for major sporting events.

The regional transit bill moves forward in Raleigh, temperatures hit the triple digits in the region this week, Charlotte imposes new restrictions on street vending in NoDa, and the Checkers Calder Cup hopes end. Those stories and more with our roundtable of reporters

Much of the central and eastern U.S. is sweltering under dangerously hot and humid conditions, with temperatures near 100 degrees. The heat index in Charlotte is as high as 108 during the first heat wave of the summer. We examine the impact of excessive heat on health, how to stay safe, and why Mecklenburg is one of North Carolina's hardest-hit counties.

The recent "No Kings" protests resulted in millions of people assembling around the country to take issue with the Trump administration. It’s a constitutional right for people to peaceably assemble and petition the government for a redress of grievances. But do these efforts change things? Do they work? A look at the history of protests.

They got off to a strong start and reached first place in the Eastern Conference, but then came injuries. Several players have also been called up to the U.S. National Team. Good for them, challenging for us. On the next Charlotte Talks, we take stock of the season so far.

From a buttery Bojangles biscuit to a classic cold bottle of Cheerwine — these brands do not just sell a product, they sell the “South.” Through commercials, slogans and stories, we’re diving into the world of Southern brands and how they shape identity, nostalgia, and market the region to itself and all around the world.

The regional transit plan advances in the North Carolina House, new information is revealed about CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings, and the NAACP will not invite Trump to its convention in Charlotte.

We hear from the reporters who worked to reveal how dozens of Black families were denied intergenerational wealth when the federal government took their land after the Civil War.

As both chambers of the General Assembly negotiate a budget to send to Gov. Josh Stein, we examine the major sticking points in the House and Senate versions. Last Friday, Stein signed six bills into law, but did not take action on a concealed carry bill or two immigration bills. Since taking office, he has yet to issue a veto.