WCNC Charlotte Flashpoint

On a new episode of Flashpoint, WCNC Charlotte's Ben Thompson sits down with incoming Mecklenburg County Deputy Health Director, Dr. Raynard Washington about COVID in the county. Washington said he's not planning any sweeping changes in the county's approach. "The level of transmission in our community remains really really high," deputy director Dr. Raynard Washington said.

Later, Ben with state senate candidate, Brad Overcash about why he’s running and the latest trends within the Republican party. Overcash defended the legislative and congressional maps at issue. "We've never seen a more fair process, not by either side, in the history of North Carolina," he said.

All of this and more on Flashpoint, only on WCNC Charlotte and wcnc.com.

This week on Flashpoint, WCNC Charlotte's Ben Thompson speaks with Catawba College political science professor, Dr. Michael Bitzer about the NC primary being delayed. Candidate filing was put on hold this week after the North Carolina state Supreme Court issued an order that postpones 2022 primaries for two months. The ruling comes amid legal challenges to new Republican-approved congressional and legislative maps.  

Later, Ben talks with Charlotte city councilmembers, Julie Eiselt and Ed Driggs about a variety of topics including transportation and their opinions on the primaries being delayed again.

All of this and more on Flashpoint, only on WCNC Charlotte.

On this episode of Flashpoint, WCNC Charlotte's Hunter Sáenz sits down with US Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg about what's being done to improve transportation and infrastructure in Charlotte and across the country. "We have communities like Charlotte, that are innovating, thinking about the future -- putting their money where their mouth is," Buttigieg said. "But they haven't had the support that they deserve from Washington."

Later, Log Cabin Republicans of North Carolina, a conservative LGBTQ group, is condemning recent remarks by North Carolina Lt. Governor republican Mark Robinson. Several video clips have surfaced in recent months showing Robinson speaking to church groups and conservative gatherings, and insulting LGBTQ people. In one recent clip, he suggested homosexuals are inferior to heterosexuals, saying they serve no purpose.

All of this and more on Flashpoint, only on WCNC Charlotte and WCNC.com.

On a special episode of Flashpoint, WCNC Charlotte's Sarah French talks with experts about the importance of maintaining good mental health. Guests include Jaren Doby, a therapist at Novant Health Psychiatric Associates, Christy Baker, The Director of Development with Hope Haven about what they do, and Dr. Robert Matlack, the creator of "Best Day Psychiatry and Counseling".

Later, Sarah sits down with Coach Lamonte Odums, known for his inspirational YouDay segments on WCNC Charlotte, about his own struggles with mental health.

On this week's episode of Flashpoint, WCNC Charlotte's Ben Thompson is joined by Kelly O'Brien, the chief advocacy and strategy officer for the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance to discuss the Transformational Mobility Network. During the first segment, O'Brien discusses accusations that the project isn't inclusive of all stakeholders and addresses concerns about the future of the Red Line rail project in northern Mecklenburg County. 

The TMN includes having 110 miles of rapid transit corridors like the light rail, 140 miles of bussing, 115 miles of a greenway system, 75 miles of a bicycle network, and more.  

"It has the potential to be the largest economic development initiative in the history of the state of North Carolina," O'Brien said.

Then, Briana Harper has a report on redistricting in the Charlotte area, and why some communities in north Charlotte say redistricting is not what they need in their neighborhoods. 

Finally, Ben has a conversation with Kendrick Cunningham, a candidate running for a seat on Charlotte City Council. 

On this week's episode of Flashpoint, WCNC's Ben Thompson talks with Republican strategist, Larry Shaheen, about what results from the national elections mean for the midterm as well as his trip up to Raleigh to talk to lawmakers about the transformational mobility network. Later, Ben talks with city council candidate, Billy Maddalon about why he’s running. This and more on this week's episode of Flashpoint on WCNC Charlotte!

On this week's episode of Flashpoint, WCNC Charlotte's Ben Thompson talks to Mayor Pro Tem Julie Eiselt about the transformational mobility plan and ARPA funds that City Council approved. Last week, the council was updated on the Transformational Mobility Network, or TMN, a multi-pronged plan for transit and transportation. The plan includes having 110 miles of rapid transit corridors like the light rail, 140 miles of bussing, 115 miles of a greenway system, 75 miles of a bicycle network, and more. 

Next, a former Union County GOP chair speaks on the redistricting process in North Carolina. Dan Barry echoed the demand for a big-picture approach to transit issues, that involves all stakeholders. "We need a serious conversation with the General Assembly, in the urban core, in the feeder areas, about how to get employees to employers, or labor to manufacturing, in an efficient way," Barry said.

All of this and more on Flashpoint, only on WCNC Charlotte!

This week on Flashpoint, WCNC's Ben Thompson talks to Meet the Press moderator, Chuck Todd about NBC News’ County to County project and why Anson County is one of the counties they are focusing on. Todd thinks winning African American support in 2022 will be essential for Democrats.

Then, Ben talks to Catawba College political science professor, Dr. Michael Bitzer about what Anson County can show us, and then transitions into the state’s progress on redistricting for the second half of the interview.

All of this and more on an all-new Flashpoint, on WCNC Charlotte.

October is domestic violence awareness month.

This week on Flashpoint, two city council members debate how to handle vaccine hold-outs among city staffers. According to new numbers released by the City of Charlotte, the Charlotte Fire Department has a vaccination rate under 60%. 68% of CATS workers are vaccinated.  And 67% of CMPD staff are vaccinated.  

All three departments have shown substantial increases in vaccination rates since September 1, but the numbers still rank low in comparison to other city departments.  

On Thursday, the City of Charlotte announced it will require the COVID-19 vaccine for new workers after officials said 70% of the city's workforce was vaccinated, falling just short of their goal of 75%.  

This and more only on Flashpoint on WCNC Charlotte!