WCNC Charlotte Flashpoint

Flashpoint is taking a week off for the Olympics, but don't worry, we still have a podcast! On this week's flashback, Ben Thompson is discussing Charlotte's red hot housing market and how difficult it is for potential homebuyers to find property in the Queen City. 

This episode features an interview with David Kennedy, president of Canopy Realtor Association, who says "there's not a quick fix to this." 

So far in 2021, new listings are down nearly 7%, while home sales and listing prices are up. Nearly all homes are being sold for the original list price or higher.

"You will get a great offer on a property you list," Kennedy said.

In her first interview since announcing her retirement, Health Director Gibbie Harris joins WCNC Charlotte's Hunter Saenz on FlASHPOINT to discuss her decision to step down, what's next for the health department and the delta variant. Harris says the pandemic and stress that came from the last year and a half did not factor in on her decision but her family did.

Later, Hunter details Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools officials and Mecklenburg County leader's agreement on the CMS budget after the county restricted $56 million from the district's budget earlier this year. When asked about the decision,  Chairman George Dunlap said, "It's a win for the county because it's a win for the community."

Keep reading: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/politics/flashpoint/gibbie-harris-talks-retirement-future-of-health-department-charlotte-mecklenburg-director/275-c400e22d-0412-4c44-be53-5c66b250035a

This week's guest is Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles! During the interview, Ben Thompson asks Mayor Lyles about controversial votes the city council has made over the past month, including the 2040 future plan and the decision to postpone all city elections until 2022. And speaking of those elections, will Mayor Lyles seek a third term in office? She seems open to the idea but no matter how hard Ben tries, she isn't ready to commit just yet! STORY: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/politics/charlotte-mayor-vi-lyles-re-election-plans-flashpoint/275-5329ca40-b5fc-4ca3-8939-eefd50a4d9ae

In our third segment, Michelle Boudin joins the program to discuss her report this week on the rise of co-working spaces in Charlotte. Even after the pandemic, people are returning to these spaces but businesses are finding a new way to be profitable and give remote workers a new space that isn't their home. STORY: https://www.wcnc.com/article/money/coworking-spaces-comeback-covid-19-pandemic/275-a05d5e87-56e6-4843-89e3-7a10aa5d804e

On this week's Flashpoint, we're talking about the new North Carolina state budget and how it affects teachers. In our first segment, Ben Thompson speaks with Tamika Walker, president of the North Carolina Association of Educators, who says the new proposal favors tax cuts over teacher pay. 

In segment two, Ben interviews WCNC Charlotte's Hunter Saenz about Charlotte City Council's vote on the controversial Future 2040 plan. Plus, we discuss the city's new budget and the upcoming decision about local elections and how it could cost a lot should they be held. 

Next, Nate Morabito joins Ben to discuss a controversial program that puts tablets in the hands of Mecklenburg County inmates. Not only do the inmate connect with their family, they're able to listen to music and watch movies. FULL STORY: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/investigations/mecklenburg-county-inmates-tablets-message-family-listen-to-music-and-watch-movies/275-14ccf9a6-74b0-4d17-9178-1a16c8c3aea7

In our last segment, Ben discusses Las Vegas Raiders player Carl Nassib, who came out as gay this past week. Ben shares his point of view and why Nassib's coming out could lead to more role models and influencers for young people struggling with their identity and sexuality. 

Flashpoint is back in the studio this week! First, Ben Thompson is joined by Dr. Aman Nadhiri, a professor at Johnson C. Smith University, to discuss the history of Juneteenth and the importance of it today. Did you know Juneteenth is the first new federal holiday since Martin Luther King Jr. Day was signed into law in 1983? Dr. Nadhiri discusses how we can use this as a teaching moment about the struggles Black Americans have faced for more than 150 years. READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/politics/flashpoint/johnson-c-smith-university-juneteenth-professor-relfections/275-5f1bb52c-2b90-46b7-a54d-818f4c871526

In our second segment, Ben is joined by Charlotte City Councilman Tariq Bokhari and Kyle Luebke, a local gay Republican, to discuss a non-discrimination ordinance that's being drafted by Charlotte Republicans. This conversation carries over into our third segment, with Ben asking Bokhari if Republicans should have been on board sooner and if this could become another "House Bill 2" controversy. READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/nc-republicans-support-on-citys-non-discrimination-ordinance/275-eef1316d-c3bb-4b7d-bcba-40d191ba7536

For the latest political news from the Carolinas and all things Wake Up Charlotte, follow Ben Thompson on Twitter @Bentnews. Contact Ben Thompson at [email protected] and follow him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

On Flashpoint, two Charlotte city councilmembers say new developments from the federal government show promise, but urge local consensus.

This week's episode is another FlashPOINT Flashback! We go back to April 4, when US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg joined Ben Thompson to discuss Charlotte's controversial 2040 mobility plan.

The city's current plan calls on a $4 to $6-billion investment from the federal government.

"We're in a position to capitalize on that enthusiasm I think, and we've done a lot of the groundwork to make sure we are ready," Egleston said.

But some question if the city, and region, are ready to compete against other states for those federal dollars. A delay in 2020 census data is likely forcing the postponement of a 1-cent sales tax referendum originally scheduled for the November ballot.  Another obstacle, consensus among the state and neighboring towns about the costs of a regional transit system.   

We're also joined by Charlotte City Councilmen Tariq Bokhari and Larken Egleston to get their point of view on Charlotte's transportation plan and whether the Silver Line rail system will become reality. That plan also includes streetcar, bike lanes and greenway. 

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/politics/flashpoint/flashpoint-politics-charlotte-transit/275-f31da8b9-e7db-48a0-8603-622f0808ff6d

On this week's show, Ben Thompson discusses potential new LGBTQ protections in Charlotte as we kick off Pride Month. 

First, we're joined by City Council members Tariq Bokhari and Larken Egleston to discuss if the city will ever pass another non-discrimination ordinance after the fiasco that was House Bill 2 following Charlotte's first non-discrimination bill several years ago. The council members also discuss their upcoming votes on the controversial 2040 plan that has all of the city talking. 

Then in our second segment, Ben chats with Matt Comer, communications director for Charlotte Pride, about why LGBTQ citizens are calling on city leaders to implement a new non-discrimination order and why those protections are necessary. 

And then in our third segment, there's another issue dividing the county. Mecklenburg County leaders voted to withhold $56 million from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools until they provide a measurable plan that addresses inequities facing minority students. 

Watch FlashPoint every Sunday on WCNC Charlotte, immediately following Meet the Press! And for the latest Charlotte news and politics from North Carolina, follow Ben Thompson on social media, @Bentnews. 

On this week's episode, it's another flashback as we go back to the Feb. 21 edition of FlashPOINT. This episode followed North Carolina Sen. Richard Burr's choice to vote in favor of convicting former President Donald Trump after the riots at the Capitol on Jan. 6. Burr was one of a few Republicans who crossed party lines and supported the conviction. 

Burr has a rock-solid reputation as a conservative leader in Washington and his accomplished career speaks for itself. Still, that vote was enough for the North Carolina Republican Party to censure him. Some county headquarters went as far as to ban him from their offices for going against the president. 

Ben Thompson interviews Michael Whatley, head of the NCGOP, to get his thoughts on Burr's vote and why he felt it was important to get the party in line. We also chat with Dan Berry, a Republican who has been in North Carolina's political game for years. Berry describes the situation as "a mess" and explains that even though he was a Trump elector, Sen. Burr has a right to vote in line with his beliefs. 

This is an interesting discussion for Republicans and Democrats, and says a lot about where American politics are today. For the latest political news from across the Carolinas, follow Ben Thompson on Twitter @Bentnews!

STORY: NCGOP votes to censure Burr after guilty vote in impeachment trial: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/politics/richard-burr-north-carolina-republicans-censure-trump-impeachment/275-f32b597b-ec01-4665-a330-4e5c645f2c8f

FlashPoint is off this week but the FlashPoint podcast never takes a week off! On this episode, we revisit an interview with North Carolina Rep. Alma Adams, a Democrat, following the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. During this interview, Adams discusses what happened, as well as the inauguration of President Joe Biden and the importance of establishing the new administration and Congress. 

Then, Ben Thompson talks with strategists from both sides of the political spectrum to get their perspective on the inauguration and what each party must do to convince voters they should take power in the 2022 midterm elections. 

Follow Ben Thompson on Twitter for the latest North Carolina and South Carolina political news, as well as regular updates and conversations from Wake Up Charlotte, WCNC Charlotte's weekly morning newscast. Find Ben on Twitter @Bentnews!