This week on Flashpoint, we're looking ahead to 2022. That's when North Carolina will vote for a new U.S. Senator to represent citizens in Washington, and the race is heating up more than a year out.

Dr. Michael Bitzer joins Ben Thompson for this week's episode. Bitzer is a professor of politics at Catawba College, and he says senatorial races in North Carolina draw a lot of national attention already, but a member of the Trump family possibly throwing her name in could shake things up.

Bitzer is also taking the temperature of the GOP, particularly involving anything with Liz Cheney. Cheney was one of only a handful of Republican legislators to vote in favor of impeaching former President Trump following the storming of Capitol Hill earlier in the year, and since then she's faced vitriol from the largely pro-Trump wing of the party at both the federal and state levels.

PLUS: WCNC Charlotte's Hunter Saenz paid attention to the latest information on COVID-19 in Mecklenburg County, and this week health leaders revealed they're planning for the long run in dealing with the virus. He breaks down the county's plans for staffing and making use of government funds as they plan for three years of virus response.

Get the latest Flashpoint episodes each week by subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts, and check out more about this story and more online: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/politics/flashpoint/2022-north-carolina-senate-campaign-battleground-state-preview-michael-bitzer/275-d5d931af-9da3-44ce-a80e-7937ed5119c3

This week on Flashpoint, Ben Thompson sits down for an exclusive one-on-one interview with U.S. Senator Thom Tillis (R - N.C.). Tillis was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer and had surgery to tackle it instead of less aggressive treatments. Tillis says he's already back to work on Capitol Hill while still recovering from surgery. You'll hear the full interview on the podcast today.

PLUS: We pivot back to the Queen City, where a question that continues to be asked has new answers popping up: what is Charlotte doing to expand access to affordable housing? Hunter Sáenz dives into a new development approved by the city council that could offer a solution, one housing advocates say is desperately needed.

Want the latest news from the Carolinas? Need to keep up with the major power players in business and politics? Download the WCNC Charlotte app for your device today, and check out wcnc.com for the latest news, weather, sports, and political updates you want.

This week on Flashpoint, it's all about real estate in the Queen City, and we're looking at all sorts of angles.

Up first: Ben Thompson chats with David Kennedy about the housing boom Charlotte is seeing right now. Kennedy is the president of the Canopy Realtor Association, and he says that there's a lot to like about an active market, but notes there still needs to be work done to ensure housing discrimination is tackled properly.

Next: Ben chats with Colette Forrest,  a community activist here in Charlotte. She has concerns about how the active housing market is affecting historically Black neighborhoods. A key issue she says Black homeowners have to deal with are rising property taxes, which is especially an issue for newer homeowners who may have inherited a home from a relative who may look to sell along with elderly homeowners who could fall behind on those taxes.

Speaking of older homeowners, WCNC Charlotte is highlighting For The Struggle, a local nonprofit that's aiming to help those elderly homeowners in historically Black neighborhoods, specifically with a variety of programs for them. Bill McGinty details the work they're doing and how you can help.

All of that and more, this week on Flashpoint and online: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/politics/flashpoint/charlotte-north-carolina-housing-market-boom/275-0d39178a-cf1e-488f-b212-007a2817c3b1

This week on Flashpoint, Ben Thompson tackles two tough subjects: the trans rights debate, and racial inequity in healthcare.

Up first: U.S. Representative Alma Adams, a North Carolina Democrat, has proposed a "Momnibus" bill, which has multiple bills rolled into it. The goal: to get Congress to address the inequities Black women face in healthcare, especially pregnant Black women. She relates to this personally; years ago, her daughter had a scare during pregnancy, and it felt like her family was up against a wall with doctors. We dive into the legislation package and what all it includes.

Next: Transgender rights are again being fought over in the North Carolina political arena, years after H.B. 2 brought with it national ire and major financial consequences to the state. But are companies who share pro-LGBTQ messages playing both sides of the fight with their donations? Judd Legum, a journalist in Washington, says they are, and shares his reporting on Flashpoint.

Speaking of H.B. 2: Ashley Daley catches up with Pat McCrory, former Charlotte mayor and former North Carolina governor. He's officially tossed his hat in to the Senate race for Richard Burr's soon-to-be-open seat. We discuss his hopes for politics, reflect on the so-called "bathroom bill", and more.

All of that is discussed on today's episode of Flashpoint with Ben Thompson. Find more online from WCNC Charlotte: https://www.wcnc.com/politics

This week, Flashpoint's Ben Thompson sits down with a Winthrop professor who debunks myths about widespread elections fraud.

Despite a long list of proposals in state capitols promising to secure our elections, the U.S. doesn't have a problem with election fraud, according to Dr. Scott Huffmon.

"This is a solution that can't quite find the real problem," said Huffmon, professor of politics at Winthrop University.

Huffmon also serves as the director of the Center for Public Opinion & Policy Research and the Winthrop Poll initiative.

"Our elections are secure," he said.

All of this and more online: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/politics/flashpoint/flashpoint-elections-voting-rights-north-carolina-south-carolina-wcnc-politics-elections/275-0d5ebf43-c9aa-4a2e-ad64-44ee8fe8413b

Ben Thompson goes one-on-one with US transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg about Charlotte's 2040 plan, possibilities of expanding rail, and more.

PLUS: Charlotte city leaders discuss the city's plans for transit and what could come.

These stories and more, online: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/politics/flashpoint/flashpoint-politics-charlotte-transit/275-f31da8b9-e7db-48a0-8603-622f0808ff6d

As restaurants, stores and museums reopen at near-normal capacity limits across North Carolina, public health officials are displaying a cautious optimism.

Dr. Raynard Washington, the deputy director of the Mecklenburg County Health Department, said his office continues to closely watch the numbers.  There's been a recent plateau in downward progress.

In the meantime, the county is getting more vaccines than expected from the state, and it's moving through prioritization groups at a quicker pace.  At this rate, the vaccine will available to all adults in Mecklenburg County by the end of April, Washington estimates. 

The full story, and much more, is online: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/politics/flashpoint/flashpoint-covid-optimism-charlotte-public-health/275-c3a399ca-07fa-4988-a257-e9a221428e07

Some Charlotte Democrats are pushing for changes with the city's Future 2040 plan, which supporters say will make the Queen City more equitable, connected and affordable. The plan also tackles some of the city's ongoing problems, such as affordable housing, heavy traffic and long commute times. 

Policy 2.1, under the Neighborhood Diversity & Inclusion section, calls for allowing "duplex and triplex housing units on all lots where single-family housing is allowed." Currently, 84% of Charlotte is zoned for single-family housing. 

"We have an equity issue," said Democrat Sam Spencer, who is chair of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning Commission.

Spencer says the 2040 plan strengthens struggling neighborhoods. 

"This doesn't eliminate single-family zoning," Spencer said. "If you're a small-time developer, or a homeowner, or a landowner, you get the choice of what kind of housing types you want to build in your neighborhood."

MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/politics/flashpoint/charlotte-city-leaders-future-2040-growth-plan-affordable-housing-crisis-solution/275-7384c557-8c4e-4cd0-850e-e06dabb46629