This week on Episode 13, we break down three major flashpoints shaping Charlotte’s future—and the surprising way they all collided in one week.

First, City Council used the typically routine “council topics” portion of the meeting to push for a potential moratorium on data centers. We unpack what’s driving the concern, and where the conversation is missing a more strategic path forward, including the role of community benefits and smarter negotiations instead of blanket pauses.

Next, the I-77 toll lane project is back in the spotlight. What happened inside the room, who’s holding the line, and whether this issue could once again become a defining political wedge in Charlotte.

Finally, we dive into the growing tension between the state legislature and local governments over efforts to cap property tax increases.

This episode connects the dots between policy, politics, and long-term growth—giving you the inside perspective on how decisions are really being made and what it means for the region’s future.

Subscribe for weekly breakdowns of the biggest stories shaping North Carolina.

In Episode 12 of R&D in the NC, we bring on our first guest of the rebooted podcast era: Charlotte City Councilman Malcolm Graham.

And we didn’t ease into it.

We asked him point blank: Is he running for Mayor of Charlotte?
From there, we dive straight into one of the most defining issues in the city right now: what actually happens next with the I-77 toll project—and who owns the outcome.

This conversation goes beyond headlines. It’s a candid, inside-the-room look at how decisions are really made, where political alliances stand, and what could shape the next era of leadership in Charlotte.

We also hit the rest of what’s happening around town:

• The latest banking expansion news and what it means for SouthPark vs Uptown
• A quick sports check: Charlotte Hornets fall short in the play-in, while the Charlotte Checkers make a playoff push
• Other key local stories you should be paying attention to

If you want real context—not just surface-level takes—this is one to watch.

Subscribe for weekly deep dives on the people, politics, and forces shaping North Carolina.

Something big just started in Charlotte... and most people probably didn't even notice it.

In Episode 11 of R&D in the NC, we break down what we believe was the first unofficial mayoral debate of the next Charlotte election cycle… even though it wasn’t labeled that way.

Because of our experience inside City Hall, we spotted something others wouldn’t: multiple sitting incumbents (serious contenders for mayor) beginning to draw contrasts, test messages, and position themselves publicly. That moment likely marks the beginning of what will be an 18-month political battle to lead Charlotte.

And here’s why that matters: Charlotte hasn’t seen an open mayor’s race like this in the modern era. No clear successor. Multiple viable candidates. And it’s starting earlier than anyone expected.

If you want to understand where Charlotte leadership is headed—and who might emerge on top—this is the starting point.

In Episode 10 of R&D in the NC, we break down what to watch for in North Carolina’s upcoming legislative short session, including the key issues that could shape policy and business across the state.We also dig into the new I-77 toll design center, a step in giving the public direct access to project details and a real opportunity to provide feedback. What it means, how it works, and why it matters for the region.Plus, a quick Charlotte sports roundup covering recent developments in tennis and rugby.If you want to stay ahead of where policy, infrastructure, and local momentum are headed in North Carolina, this episode connects the dots.

If you live in Charlotte—or honestly anywhere right now—you’ve seen it.

Kids as young as 12, 13, 14 years old riding e-bikes and electric scooters through neighborhoods, sidewalks, and busy streets… often going 20–30 mph.

But here’s the real issue:

These aren’t just bikes.

They’re small motor vehicles—and the rules haven’t caught up.

In this episode of R&D in the NC, we break down:

• The massive surge in e-bike and scooter usage
• Why injuries are rising across the country
• The surprising reality of what’s actually legal (and what isn’t)
• Why most of the concern isn’t about shared scooters like Bird or Lime
• The growing trend of kids under 16 riding high-powered devices
• And what Charlotte—and other cities—should do before this becomes a bigger safety problem

This is one of those moments where technology moved fast… and policy is still trying to catch up.

And the decisions cities make now will shape what this looks like for the next decade.

Natural gas bills are spiking across Charlotte and North Carolina — and people are asking: what’s actually going on?

In this episode, we break down the real drivers behind Piedmont Natural Gas bill increases — from supply costs and infrastructure investments to regulatory dynamics and long-term pricing trends.

But more importantly, we go beyond the headlines:

• Why your bill jumped so dramatically
• What Piedmont Natural Gas can (and can’t) control
• The role of regulators and policy decisions
• What consumers and communities can actually do about it

This isn’t just outrage — it’s a clear, insider-level breakdown of an issue impacting thousands of households across the Carolinas.

We also hit our usual around-the-city updates, sports, and local headlines, but this episode dives deep into one of the biggest cost-of-living issues facing residents right now.

If you live in Charlotte or anywhere in NC, this is one you need to understand.

Episode 7 dives into one of the biggest issues quietly shaping North Carolina’s future: the explosion of data center development.

These massive facilities power the modern internet, cloud computing, and the rapid rise of artificial intelligence. But across North Carolina and the country, communities are pushing back over concerns about energy consumption, water use, noise, and what local residents actually gain from these projects.

In this episode we break down both sides of the debate.

We talk about why data centers are becoming critical infrastructure in the AI economy, why states are competing to attract them, and why the backlash from local communities is growing.

Most importantly, we explore what we believe is the path forward: community benefit negotiations.

If approached the right way, these projects don’t have to be a fight. Communities can secure meaningful local investments and protections, while developers gain the certainty and support needed to build the infrastructure powering the digital economy.

Along the way we also hit our usual Around Town roundup, including sports, local news, and other stories happening across Charlotte and North Carolina.

Topics in this episode include:

• Why data centers matter for AI and the modern economy

• The growing pushback from local communities

• Energy, water, and infrastructure concerns

• Why North Carolina is becoming a major battleground for these projects

• A blueprint for turning conflict into win-win community agreements

North Carolina just had one of its most consequential election nights in years.In this episode, Tariq Bokhari and Larken Egleston break down the biggest winners, surprises, and political shifts from the NC midterm elections, including:• Senate race implications• State legislature control and policy impact• What's next in the Berger-Page showdown• What both parties got right — and wrongWhether you follow politics closely or just want to understand what the results actually mean, this conversation goes deeper than the headlines.New episodes weekly.

Charlotte is at the center of massive shifts happening right now: AI disrupting white-collar jobs, autonomous vehicles arriving sooner than expected, and infrastructure decisions like I-77 that will shape our region for decades.In Episode 5 of R&D in the NC, Tariq Bokhari and Larken Egleston break down the biggest stories Charlotte leaders and business owners should be paying attention to:• Waymo sightings in Charlotte and what autonomous transit really means• AI layoffs and why Charlotte’s workforce is especially exposed• State of the Union takeaways• Hornets momentum, Olympics highlights, and local community stories• The real story behind I-77 toll lanes and what alternatives could look likeWe started this podcast to give Charlotte the conversations we weren’t hearing anywhere else.

Episode 4 of R&D in the NC is live.This week Tariq Bokhari and Larken Egleston break down the viral AI post that shook tech Twitter and explain what it actually means for jobs, businesses, cities, and the future of North Carolina’s economy. If you lead a company, work in government, or care about workforce development, you need to understand what’s coming next.We also cover a full Charlotte news and sports roundup:• Inside look at the upcoming Charlotte city budget process – what’s happening now before June adoption and where citizens and businesses should engage early• Street vendor policy changes moving through City Council• New ownership at Camp North End and what it means for development in Charlotte• NBA All-Star Weekend & Olympics talk.If you’re trying to navigate AI, government policy, or growth in North Carolina, subscribe and reach out. We’re building this platform to connect leaders who want to shape what comes next.👉 Subscribe for weekly episodes👉 Follow clips on LinkedIn, Instagram, and X👉 Reach out to collaborate