Tune in here to this Thursday edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen!

Breaking Brett Jensen kicks off the show by talking with North Carolina state Rep. Allen Chesser, who represents part of Nash County. Chesser reflects on the now-viral moment during the House Oversight Committee hearing Monday, when he asked Mecklenburg County Sheriff Gary McFadden which branch of government he belongs to. He said he was genuinely surprised by the sheriff’s response and did not anticipate getting “caught up” on what he considered a basic civics question.

Later, Jensen talks with Matt Smith, a lifelong Union County resident, who is running in for a seat in the NC Court of Appeals. He currently serves as a North Carolina Superior Court judge. In the interview, Smith explains the key differences between judicial elections and legislative or executive races. He said the role is strictly to apply the law, not to create policy or advocate legislative agendas.

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Tune in here to this ​Wednesday edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen!

Breaking Brett Jensen kicks off the show by outlining a situation involving Mecklenburg County Commissioner Yvette Townsend-Ingram. According to Jensen, an order for her arrest was issued Feb. 5, 2025, stemming from her failure to comply with court requirements related to a 2024 arrest in Gaston County for driving while impaired. Once Ingram pleaded guilty, she was given three months to complete 24 hours of community service. However, Jensen reports that she did not complete the required community service, which led to the order for her arrest.

Jensen then speaks with Gaston County District Attorney Travis Page to clarify the legal situation. Page confirms that she was convicted of DWI in Gaston County and says his office treats DWI offenses seriously. He underscores that Ingram’s status as a county commissioner does not afford her special treatment.

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Tune in here to this ​Monday's edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen!

Breaking Brett Jensen kicks the show off by talking about city and county officials faced pointed questions from lawmakers. District Attorney Spencer Merriweather delivered measured, direct answers that addressed serious challenges with repeat offenders and witness cooperation, earning respect across the board.

Later Jensen highlights the afternoon session of the House Oversight Committee, focusing on Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles and new CMPD Chief Estella Patterson and Gary McFadden as they addressed issues of public safety, crime perception, and collaboration with federal agencies. Patterson emphasized the need to “relearn Charlotte” and work on both the reality and perception of crime, making safety a top priority while reinforcing partnerships with agencies like the FBI, ATF, and HSI to target violent criminals.

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Tune in here to this Friday edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen!

Breaking Brett Jensen kicks off the show by discussing the proposed toll lanes project on Interstate 77 South. He explains that a transit committee is considering plans to add toll lanes running from Uptown Charlotte near the John Belk Freeway to the South Carolina state line at Carowinds Boulevard. He notes that a town hall hosted the previous night by Charlotte City Councilman Malcolm Graham took an unexpected turn when community members voiced strong opposition to the project.

Jensen then speaks with Charlotte City Councilman Ed Driggs, who attended the event and witnessed the chaos that erupted. Driggs says that both he and Graham were surprised by the intensity and anger of the crowd. He adds that while officials were aware of concerns, the emotional response went far beyond expectations.

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Tune in here to this ​Thursday edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen!

Breaking Brett Jensen kicks off the show by talking with Mecklenburg County Sheriff candidate Rodney Collins. Collins, a long-time veteran of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office, says he is running because of his deep knowledge having helped shape policies, growth and operations over three decades. He describes himself as a lifelong public servant, community volunteer and family man who is committed to the “nobility of public service.”

Later, Jensen shares a report from Wilson, North Carolina, about a woman who rescued an abandoned dog and faced legal consequences for doing so. He says the woman, a veterinary technician, found the dog and refused repeated orders from authorities to turn it over, despite being threatened with charges. Jensen also strongly questions the logic of returning the dog to the same person who abandoned it in the middle of a snowstorm.

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Tune in here to this ​Wednesday edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen!

Breaking Brett Jensen interviews Mecklenburg County Sheriff candidate Ricky Robbins, who recently received the Charlotte Fraternal Order of Police’s endorsement. During the interview, Robbins discusses his lifelong ties to Charlotte, his law enforcement experience, and his mission to improve the Sheriff’s Office. He also highlights his transparency and his leadership style as foundational to his record.

Jensen then details a report involving Charlotte light rail stabbing suspect DeCarlos Brown Jr., who was included on a list of 3,500 inmates slated for release in 2021. The agreement, signed by former Gov. Roy Cooper, aimed to reduce jail populations amid COVID-19 health concerns. Jensen notes that while Cooper did not directly let Brown out of jail, Brown was designated for release under Cooper’s administration.

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Tune in here to this ​Tuesday edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen!

Breaking Brett Jensen discusses a 48-page audit of the Charlotte Area Transit System released by the Federal Transit Administration. The audit follows the fatal stabbing of Iryna Zarutska on Charlotte's light rail in August. The federal report identifies 18 failures in safety protocols.

Jensen also examines why Zarutska’s stabbing went unnoticed and details efforts by bystanders and a visiting nurse to administer aid, highlighting the emergency response. He then reviews the audit’s findings, which show crime rates per passenger and crimes against CATS employees exceed national averages.

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Tune in here to this ​Friday edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen!

Breaking Brett Jensen opens the show by discussing former Charlotte City Council member Tiawana Brown, who accepted a plea deal with the Department of Justice in a criminal case involving wire fraud tied to the misuse of PPP loans. Jensen notes the case began under the Biden administration and emphasizes that it is unrelated to President Trump or local U.S. attorneys. He also outlines Brown’s prior legal troubles, details the charges against her and summarizes public reaction to the case.

Later, Jensen shares highlights from a press conference held by Mecklenburg County emergency officials ahead of a winter storm expected to hit Charlotte over the weekend. Wike Graham of the Charlotte Fire Department explains the differences between last week’s ice storm and the current snowstorm forecast. He says warming shelters are open and that communication among public safety agencies will remain active throughout the storm.

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Tune in here to this ​Thursday edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen!

Breaking Brett Jensen opens the show by discussing the Mecklenburg County sheriff’s debate held Wednesday night at the Dubois Center in uptown Charlotte. The debate, which featured four candidates for sheriff, began with tough questions about alleged wrongdoing by incumbent Sheriff Gary McFadden and quickly led to tense exchanges. The most pointed moments involved former Chief Deputy Rodney Collins, who accused McFadden of poor leadership and a lack of competence. Several back-and-forth exchanges highlighted personal tensions between McFadden and Collins, particularly over promotions and leadership credibility.

Jensen notes that the moderators managed the escalating exchanges professionally, allowing candidates to fully respond. The debate also addressed concerns about staffing shortages and jail overcrowding, issues some candidates said have been exacerbated by current law.

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Tune in here to this ​Wednesday edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen!

Breaking Brett Jensen opens the show by discussing an illegal alien who was arrested Monday in Mint Hill on child sexual abuse charges. He recaps a portion of an interview from the previous night with U.S. Attorney for Western North Carolina Russ Ferguson, who said more than 1,300 people have been deported during the past two months from the Western District. He notes that a significant portion of those deported were accused or convicted of crimes involving children, including statutory rape and exploitation.

Later, Jensen examines three contentious sheriff primary races in Union, Gaston and Mecklenburg counties. He outlines the four Democratic candidates seeking the Mecklenburg County sheriff’s office and emphasizes the importance of the Democratic primary as the de facto election because no Republican candidates are running. He also announces plans to interview each candidate on future shows.

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