Category: politics

Shaun Corbett and fellow business owners and nonprofit leaders talked to reporters Friday afternoon outside his barber shop, Da Lucky Spot, on North Tryon St. (David Boraks/WFAE)

Business owners see a need for community building | WFAE

September 24, 2016

The police killing of Keith Scott on Tuesday and nightly protests since then have hit Charlotte’s black community hard. People are dealing with anger, fear and concern about the community’s long-term challenges.  I covered a press conference on North Tryon Street with black business owners Friday afternoon, and talked to WFAE All Things Considered host Mark … More Business owners see a need for community building | WFAE

A cultural divide?

April 12, 2016

I spoke at a Davidson College seminar Monday afternoon. The Multicultural House and other locations around campus have all-gender restrooms.  It got me thinking about the bill that North Carolina lawmakers passed last month. House Bill 2 excludes #LGBT people from protections under anti-discrimination laws. HB 2’s passage and quick signing by Gov. Pat McCrory … More A cultural divide?

Latest Gerrymandering Dispute Motivates Non-Partisan Movement | WFAE

February 26, 2016

A federal court recently ordered North Carolina’s General Assembly to redraw Congressional district maps, ruling that the 1st and 12th districts were illegally gerrymandered along racial lines. Republicans came up with a new map, but many voters are still unhappy. Supporters of non-partisan redistricting say it’s another example of why there’s a need for a … More Latest Gerrymandering Dispute Motivates Non-Partisan Movement | WFAE

Osama Islibi of the Islamic Society of North America spoke at the rally about how he is installing solar at his house and at his mosque. (David Boraks/WFAE)

Opponents Rally Against McCrory’s Clean Power Plan | WFAE

December 17, 2015

Protesters were a fixture outside the recent climate change summit in Paris, calling on world leaders to agree on a plan for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. On Wednesday, local activists staged a rally of their own, supporting a new federal plan addressing climate change – and opposing North Carolina’s response. Here’s my report on the … More Opponents Rally Against McCrory’s Clean Power Plan | WFAE

I voted

Election 2015: Davidson board re-elected; Mayor Swain unseated in Huntersville

November 3, 2015

Davidson’s leadership will remain unchanged for two more years, as voters re-elected all five incumbent commissioners and Mayor John Woods was unopposed in Tuesday’s local election.  In Huntersville, challenger John Aneralla easily unseated four-term Mayor Jill Swain after an unusually combative election campaign.  Voters there also added three new members to the six-member Town Board, unseating incumbents … More Election 2015: Davidson board re-elected; Mayor Swain unseated in Huntersville