FAQ City

By WFAE

What's FAQ City about?

"FAQ City" is an online, broadcast and podcast series that invites the community to help shape our news coverage. Send us your question, and we may answer it on an upcoming episode. The series was previously hosted by Claire Donnelly , Nick de la Canal and Alexandra Watts.

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FAQ City episodes:

03.10.2022
We're taking a hiatus. (But we'll be back!)
FAQ City is taking a break until June to work on a brand-new season full of colorful and exciting episodes based on questions from you, our listeners.
02.08.2022
Here’s how to find Charlotte’s biggest, oldest trees
Charlotte is known for its abundance of trees. Where can you find the biggest, most storied ones in the city?
01.25.2022
Here's where to take the best Charlotte skyline photos
Charlotte's skyline is a hit on Instagram. Where are the best spots for panoramic pictures of the city?
01.11.2022
Here's a look inside Charlotte's food truck scene
Charlotte has at least 125 different food trucks serving a wide variety of cuisine. What's it like to run a food truck? And how can you find the food trucks closest to you?
12.14.2021
When it comes to Major League Baseball in Charlotte, if you build it will they come?
Charlotte has quite a few professional sports teams. Of course, there’s the NFL team the Carolina Panthers and the NBA team the Charlotte Hornets. Soon there will also be a Major League Soccer team, Charlotte FC. But why doesn’t Charlotte...
12.01.2021
Answers to your electric vehicle questions — part 2
You’ve probably seen those electric vehicle charging stations outside grocery stores and other businesses. How do they work? And what kind of insurance do you need for EVs? FAQ City powers through more of your questions about electric vehicles.
11.16.2021
Answers to your electric vehicle questions
We’ve all heard of Tesla. What are some other electric vehicle options? How much do they cost? Can you buy used? FAQ City charges into all of your questions about electric cars.
11.02.2021
How many Charlotteans are native?
Charlotte seems to be made up of a lot of transplants, or people who moved here from other parts of the country or world. How many Queen City residents were actually born and raised in Charlotte?
10.19.2021
Queens University of Charlotte is rumored to be haunted. Here's what we found out.
Queens University in Charlotte is rumored to be a major site of paranormal activity. Is there any truth to these ghost stories?
10.05.2021
How can you avoid hitting back-to-back red lights in Charlotte?
When you’re driving, nothing is more annoying than a string of red traffic lights. Why are some Charlotte traffic signals so poorly timed? And is there anything you can do about it?
09.21.2021
Why Do Sidewalks End? Examining Charlotte's Sidewalks To Nowhere
Why do some sidewalks in the Charlotte region come to an abrupt end? This special rebroadcast of an FAQ City episode tells you some reasons why.
09.07.2021
Why are Charlotte's streetlights turning purple?
Some of the Charlotte region’s streetlights are mysteriously changing color. We illuminate why — and how — some people are seeing purple.
08.24.2021
Is Anyone Really Fooled By Those Cell Tower Trees In Charlotte?
There's something awfully suspicious about that pine tree off the side of Interstate 485 in Charlotte. What is it? And why are there more like it?
08.10.2021
Who Coordinates The Lights On Charlotte's Skyscrapers?
If you’ve ever looked at the Charlotte skyline at night, you might have noticed that sometimes all of the buildings are lit up the same color. Who's in charge of deciding when and how the buildings are illuminated?
07.27.2021
What's At The Top Of Charlotte's Bank Of America Tower?
The 60th floor of the Bank of America Corporate Center is a mysterious, mythical place. At nearly 776 feet above the ground, it's one of the highest spots a person can visit in Charlotte. What's up there?
07.13.2021
Why Are There Seagulls In Charlotte?
It's summer, and lots of us are headed to the beach to play in the sand and see the marine wildlife. But some of our listeners say they've seen what they think are coastal creatures right here in Charlotte.
06.29.2021
Have You Ever Wondered How Charlotte Neighborhoods Got Their Names?
WFAE listener Summer Cook wrote to FAQ City wondering where all of Charlotte's neighborhood names came from. For example, who is Elizabeth? Or Cherry? What about Dilworth?
06.15.2021
In Charlotte, Is It Sugaw Creek Or Sugar Creek?
The spelling and pronunciation of Little Sugar Creek, which flows into Sugar Creek (or is it Sugaw Creek?) have been a source of debate for well over 200 years. Which is right?
06.02.2021
FAQ City: Where Are Charlotte's Revolutionary War-Era Buildings?
Last month, Charlotte celebrated what’s known as “Meck Dec Day," the annual holiday in honor of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence. On May 20, 1775 — more than a full year before the United States Declaration of Independence — it's...
05.19.2021
FAQ City: Why Is Disc Golf So Popular In Charlotte?
Charlotte is one of the top destinations for disc golf players, and the sport continues to grow as people across the Queen City — and the world — are playing.
05.04.2021
FAQ City: What's The Deal With All Those Large Rocks Outside Charlotte Schools?
If you travel past schools in Charlotte, you’ve seen the giant decorated rocks outside. But why, exactly, are they there?
04.20.2021
FAQ City: What Do The Bike Route Signs Around Charlotte Mean?
At a time when bicycling is on the rise because of the pandemic, find out the history and future of lanes, routes and cycling infrastructure in the Queen City.
04.06.2021
FAQ City: Why Was 1910 An Important Year To Charlotte?
On the latest FAQ City, take a trip back to an important year in Charlotte’s history — 1910.
03.23.2021
FAQ City: Who Is Sharon, And Why Are So Many Streets Named After Her?
Sharon Road, Sharon Lane, Sharon Amity, Sharon Woods Lane, Sharon Township Lane, Sharon Avenue, Sharon Chase Drive, and ... well you get the point. With so many roads named after her, it's no wonder Charlotteans are curious to know who...
03.10.2021
FAQ City: What Is The Oldest Restaurant In Charlotte?
There are some restaurants from years past that are part of the city's past, present and, hopefully, future.
02.24.2021
FAQ City: What Happened To Grier Heights?
Grier Heights, a historic Black neighborhood in Charlotte, has changed throughout the years. The community is now starting a new chapter of giving back, while remembering its strong history.
02.10.2021
FAQ City: Fit For A Queen
The name "the Queen City," the crowns on everything from street signs to trash cans — there are just some common things associated with Charlotte. We look into why these things represent Charlotte and answer questions about the city’s origins.
01.27.2021
FAQ City: Why Are Many African Americans Reluctant To Get The COVID-19 Vaccine?
In November, The Pew Research Center found that 42% of African Americans would take the COVID-19 vaccine — the lowest among any other racial and ethnic group. Davida Jackson of Charlotte wanted to know why.
01.12.2021
FAQ City: Caps On Or Caps Off? Your Recycling Questions Answered
We get it: Recycling can be confusing. Do you keep the bottle caps on plastic water bottles or take them off? Should you break down cardboard boxes before putting them in the bin? What about office paper with staples? Do...
12.29.2020
FAQ City: Where Are Charlotte’s Biggest Trees?
Charlotte is known for its abundance of trees. Where can you find the biggest, oldest ones in the city?
12.16.2020
FAQ City: Your COVID-19 Vaccine Questions Answered
Across North Carolina, health care workers are rolling up their sleeves to get the COVID-19 vaccine. The first shipments of vaccine doses arrived at hospitals this week after being developed and approved in record time. So how does the vaccine...
12.02.2020
The Best Spots For Charlotte Skyline Photos
Charlotte’s skyline is a hit on Instagram. Where are the best spots to get panoramic pictures of the city?
11.17.2020
How Can You Request To Have A Charlotte Street Renamed?
Lately, there’s been a lot of focus on whose names are in history books and on monuments, streets and buildings, especially after the recent protests over racial injustice. So how can you request to have a Charlotte street renamed?
11.03.2020
Shhhh! Where Is The Quietest Spot In Mecklenburg County?
It’s been a noisy election season. You might be looking for some peace and quiet—a place to get away for a few calm moments amid all of the Election Day news. Or you may just want an escape from the...
10.20.2020
Why Do CMS High Schools Start So Early?
School looks different for most students these days because of the coronavirus pandemic. But whether classes are in person or online, a lot of Charlotte-area high schools start very early in the morning.
10.07.2020
Inside Charlotte’s Food Truck Scene
Carolyn Osberger's desire to support Black-owned businesses lead her to food trucks. Charlotte has at least 125 food trucks and they serve all kinds of cuisine: dumplings, tacos, barbecue, empanadas, curry, wings, ice cream.
10.07.2020
FAQ City: Inside Charlotte’s Food Truck Scene
This summer, Carolyn Osberger of Charlotte started looking online for Black-owned businesses to support. She said she was inspired by the renewed focus on racial injustice in the U.S. “As I was searching, I noticed that a lot of the...
09.22.2020
FAQ City: How Does North Carolina Prepare For A Hurricane?
This year’s hurricane season has been one of the most active on record. Scientists blew through the planned list of 21 tropical storm names -- from Arthur to Wilfred -- and now they’ve started using the Greek alphabet. How does...
09.08.2020
FAQ City: Fact Or Fiction? Local Legend Says Concord, NC, Is Built Atop Volcano
Editor's note: A version of this story was originally published in January 2020.
08.25.2020
FAQ City: What Questions Do You Have About Hurricane Season?
It’s hurricane season in the Atlantic, and scientists say this year could be one of the busiest on record. We’ve already had a record number of named storms -- from Arthur to Marco -- and at least five people were...
08.11.2020
FAQ City: Who Coordinates The Lights On Charlotte's Skyscrapers?
If you’ve ever looked at the Charlotte skyline at night, you might have noticed that sometimes all of the buildings are lit up the same color — all red for Valentine’s Day or all blue for a Panthers game.
07.28.2020
FAQ City: Your Questions About Protesting And Policing Answered
It’s been about two months since protests first erupted in Charlotte over the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Here, across the U.S. and the world, people took to the streets to demonstrate against police brutality and the mistreatment...
07.11.2020
FAQ City: Your Questions About Schools And Coronavirus Answered
Schools in Charlotte and across North Carolina have been closed since mid-March because of the coronavirus. Online classes became the new norm. Many in-person graduations, sporting events and proms were canceled. Now, state health officials say North Carolina’s coronavirus trends...
06.27.2020
FAQ City: Your Questions About NC's Mask Requirement, Answered
People in North Carolina are now required to wear face masks in many public places. It’s part of an executive order issued by Gov. Roy Cooper that takes effect at 5 p.m. Friday, June 26. When and where do you...
06.16.2020
FAQ City: What Happened To Charlotte's Earle Village?
Few Charlotteans may remember Earle Village, the public housing community built in First Ward just outside uptown. It was a bustling community that stretched from 6th Street to 10th Street, roughly bordered by Myers Street and Caldwell Street. It was...
06.02.2020
FAQ City: How Are You Feeling?
This weekend... this week... this month... has been a lot.
05.19.2020
FAQ City: Your Questions About North Carolina's Reopening Answered
Gov. Roy Cooper has begun gradually reopening North Carolina in a series of three phases. If you're not sure what to expect under each of those three phases, don't worry! You're not alone. Lots of WFAE listeners have been writing...
05.05.2020
FAQ City: The Story Behind Charlotte's Gold Man Statue
For decades, a four-foot gold statue has stood at the intersection of Queens and Providence roads in Charlotte, his right index finger extended. Sometimes he's dressed up for sporting events or weddings at the Methodist church next door. For an...
04.21.2020
FAQ City: Your Questions About Unemployment And Stimulus Checks Answered
We're now more than a month into the coronavirus crisis in North Carolina with still no end in sight, and the number of people out of work continues to climb higher and higher. According to some estimates, the U.S. unemployment...
04.05.2020
FAQ City: What You Can And Can't Do Under North Carolina's Stay-At-Home Order
Hard to believe that just a month ago, the Charlotte area was still gearing up for all the usual springtime events. Our kitchen calendars still had spaces blocked off for college commencement, spring break, and opening day at the ballpark....

What's FAQ City about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

FAQ City episodes:

We're taking a hiatus. (But we'll be back!)

Here’s how to find Charlotte’s biggest, oldest trees

Here's where to take the best Charlotte skyline photos

Here's a look inside Charlotte's food truck scene

When it comes to Major League Baseball in Charlotte, if you build it will they come?

Answers to your electric vehicle questions — part 2

Answers to your electric vehicle questions

How many Charlotteans are native?

Queens University of Charlotte is rumored to be haunted. Here's what we found out.

How can you avoid hitting back-to-back red lights in Charlotte?

Why Do Sidewalks End? Examining Charlotte's Sidewalks To Nowhere

Why are Charlotte's streetlights turning purple?

Is Anyone Really Fooled By Those Cell Tower Trees In Charlotte?

Who Coordinates The Lights On Charlotte's Skyscrapers?

What's At The Top Of Charlotte's Bank Of America Tower?

Why Are There Seagulls In Charlotte?

Have You Ever Wondered How Charlotte Neighborhoods Got Their Names?

In Charlotte, Is It Sugaw Creek Or Sugar Creek?

FAQ City: Where Are Charlotte's Revolutionary War-Era Buildings?

FAQ City: Why Is Disc Golf So Popular In Charlotte?

FAQ City: What's The Deal With All Those Large Rocks Outside Charlotte Schools?

FAQ City: What Do The Bike Route Signs Around Charlotte Mean?

FAQ City: Why Was 1910 An Important Year To Charlotte?

FAQ City: Who Is Sharon, And Why Are So Many Streets Named After Her?

FAQ City: What Is The Oldest Restaurant In Charlotte?

FAQ City: What Happened To Grier Heights?

FAQ City: Fit For A Queen

FAQ City: Why Are Many African Americans Reluctant To Get The COVID-19 Vaccine?

FAQ City: Caps On Or Caps Off? Your Recycling Questions Answered

FAQ City: Where Are Charlotte’s Biggest Trees?

FAQ City: Your COVID-19 Vaccine Questions Answered

The Best Spots For Charlotte Skyline Photos

How Can You Request To Have A Charlotte Street Renamed?

Shhhh! Where Is The Quietest Spot In Mecklenburg County?

Why Do CMS High Schools Start So Early?

Inside Charlotte’s Food Truck Scene

FAQ City: Inside Charlotte’s Food Truck Scene

FAQ City: How Does North Carolina Prepare For A Hurricane?

FAQ City: Fact Or Fiction? Local Legend Says Concord, NC, Is Built Atop Volcano

FAQ City: What Questions Do You Have About Hurricane Season?

FAQ City: Who Coordinates The Lights On Charlotte's Skyscrapers?

FAQ City: Your Questions About Protesting And Policing Answered

FAQ City: Your Questions About Schools And Coronavirus Answered

FAQ City: Your Questions About NC's Mask Requirement, Answered

FAQ City: What Happened To Charlotte's Earle Village?

FAQ City: How Are You Feeling?

FAQ City: Your Questions About North Carolina's Reopening Answered

FAQ City: The Story Behind Charlotte's Gold Man Statue

FAQ City: Your Questions About Unemployment And Stimulus Checks Answered

FAQ City: What You Can And Can't Do Under North Carolina's Stay-At-Home Order