One year after the murder of Iryna Zarutska aboard Charlotte's light rail system the program looks back at the case and its lasting impact on public safety criminal justice policy and transit security in North Carolina Meanwhile Governor Josh Stein says DMV wait times have fallen since summer while new school rankings show only one traditional public high school among North Carolina's top Theresa Opeka of Carolina Journal joins the program to discuss North Carolina joining a regional anti-fraud enforcement partnership with other southeastern states Plus a new report examines whether the expansion of universal school choice is beginning to [... more]

President Donald Trump has endorsed Republican Jennifer Balkcom in North Carolina's th Congressional District while new questions are emerging over campaign funds connected to outgoing Congressman Chuck Edwards and a Las Vegas trip Meanwhile North Carolina has secured nearly million in federal funding for rail safety improvements and track upgrades across the state Mitch Kokai of the John Locke Foundation joins the program to discuss a major court ruling finding that North Carolina has failed to meet its constitutional obligation to maintain and protect the state's fisheries Plus a judge has ruled that former Governor Roy Cooper will not be [... more]

Governor Josh Stein has vetoed a North Carolina elections bill that would shorten the state's early voting period setting up another potential showdown with Republican lawmakers over election policy Meanwhile a new audit of the Charlotte Area Transit System found millions of dollars in estimated annual losses from fare evasion while also identifying broader security and enforcement concerns Mitch Kokai of the John Locke Foundation joins the program to discuss the latest developments in the COVID-era shutdown lawsuit where bar owners argue former Governor Roy Cooper's testimony is crucial to their case Plus Stein has vetoed legislation that would allow [... more]

North Carolina Representative Sarah Stevens resigns from the state House to run for the Supreme Court, while nearly two-thirds of opportunity scholarship dollars go to lower-income families. Meanwhile, a growing trend of municipal financial distress is being highlighted by State Auditor Dave Bollock, with Rocky Mount facing significant cash flow issues. The case of DeCarlos Brown, who killed a 22-year-old Ukrainian refugee on the Charlotte Light Rail, is also being closely watched as he is deemed incompetent to stand trial and will undergo treatment for up to four months. [... more]

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis played a pivotal role in saving Grand Central Terminal from demolition in the 1970s, leading a movement that would become a landmark case in historic preservation. Her efforts not only preserved the iconic building but also inspired a new generation of preservationists, leaving a lasting legacy in New York City and beyond. [... more]

President Donald Trump's 2026 State of the Union address highlighted several key issues, including the economy, tariffs, and the impact of AI data centers on utility grids. He also discussed the housing shortage, immigration, and the need to prevent large investment firms from purchasing single-family homes. Additionally, the president called for legislation to bar states from granting commercial driver's licenses to illegal aliens and highlighted the case of Irina Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee who was murdered on the Charlotte Light Rail. [... more]

Jackson McQuigg, Vice President of Properties at the Atlanta History Center, shares the story of the Locomotive Texas, a historic locomotive that participated in the Great Locomotive Chase during the Civil War. The locomotive's journey from its construction in 1856 to its preservation and restoration is a fascinating tale of history, preservation, and community involvement. [... more]

President Trump cracks jokes at the National Prayer Breakfast Kamala Harris revamps her Kamala HQ account to turn into a Gen-Z online campaign project Gavin Newsom tries to take a shot at Texas by bragging about California's failed high-speed rail project The Shamwow Guy Vince Shlomi has officially released his first campaign ad for Congress Trump once again heaps praise for Bill Clinton in his NBC interview More shocking emails from the Epstein Files reveal how former Trump advisor Steve Bannon tried to rehab Epstein's reputation Fired Washington Post employees melt down on social media Former Trump Administration State Department [... more]

The development and spread of railroads across the United States in the 1800s brought a wave of changes to American life, including the need for a uniform time system. Historian Michael O'Malley explains how the railroads spearheaded the move to a time zone system, with the nation settling on four time zones divided vertically 15 degrees apart by lines called meridians. The change was widely accepted, but it wasn't until 35 years later, during World War I, that Congress passed the Standard Time Act and made official what everyone else had put into practice. [... more]

A criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell has been opened by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia, focusing on the renovation of the central bank's Washington headquarters and whether he was truthful in congressional testimony about the project. Meanwhile, a federal audit in North Carolina found that over half of commercial driver's licenses issued to foreign nationals did not comply with federal law, putting the state at risk of losing tens of millions of dollars in federal highway funding. Additionally, a controversy surrounding student loans for nursing graduate programs has sparked a debate over affordability and accessibility of higher education. [... more]

Questions are emerging over whether progressive activists are strategically entering North Carolina GOP primaries raising concerns among Republican leaders about voter confusion State officials are also urging lawmakers to pass a long-delayed budget warning that growing workloads and staffing pressures are straining agencies across state government In the courts a federal judge has blocked the release of CMPD body-camera video tied to the Charlotte light rail killing citing legal and procedural concerns Meanwhile North Carolina officials say they have received no formal notice of a rumored federal freeze on child care funding See omnystudio com listener for privacy information [... more]

A twice-deported illegal immigrant from Honduras is charged with stabbing a 24-year-old on the Charlotte light rail, sparking criticism of soft-on-crime policies and vetting failures. The incident marks the second high-profile violent incident on Charlotte's public transportation system in recent months. Meanwhile, North Carolina's overall financial health remains strong, with a new audit showing a net positive position increase of $6 billion. The state's investment in capital assets was $76 billion, and the AAA bond rating was reaffirmed by top credit rating agencies. In other news, a primary challenge is underway in the North Carolina Senate, with Senator Phil Berger facing a challenge from Sheriff Sam Page. [... more]

North Carolina House Speaker Destin Hall has announced the creation of a 23-member committee to review factors contributing to rising local property taxes and identify ways to reduce the burden on homeowners. The committee will examine existing relief programs, county reevaluation practices, and local spending and debt trends. Meanwhile, a 33-year-old illegal immigrant from Honduras has been arrested for stabbing a 24-year-old on the Charlotte Light Rail, sparking concerns about public safety and immigration. The Trump administration has also announced a $12 billion bailout for American farmers affected by tariffs, which have had a significant impact on the agricultural industry in North Carolina. [... more]

A new congressional map is officially in effect across North Carolina, giving Republicans an additional advantage in the upcoming midterm elections. The map was approved by the North Carolina General Assembly, despite Democrat opposition, and cannot be vetoed by the governor. The new map is expected to give Republicans 11 seats in the House of Representatives, while Democrats will have three. The map has sparked controversy, with Democrats accusing Republicans of gerrymandering and trying to rig the system to favor their party. [... more]

North Carolina's Governor Josh Stein is facing a deadline to sign or veto Arena's Law, a sweeping criminal justice reform bill that tightens pretrial conditions for violent offenders, eliminates cashless bail, and establishes a new protocol for mental health evaluations. Meanwhile, the USDA is relocating employees to Raleigh, North Carolina, to increase its workforce and make it more affordable for people to join the department, citing the city's low cost of living and its importance as a hub for agriculture, which is the state's number one industry. [... more]

A crime bill in North Carolina aims to keep violent offenders behind bars and off the streets by restricting judicial discretion in granting pretrial releases and creating a new category of violent offenses that require GPS monitoring or secured bonds. [... more]

A criminal justice reform bill, known as Irena's Law, has been passed in the North Carolina Senate, addressing issues such as pretrial release, mental health crisis, and the death penalty. The bill creates a new category of violent offenses, requires GPS monitoring, and adds committing a capital felony on public transportation to the list of aggravating factors that can make a defendant eligible for the death penalty. [... more]

North Carolina lawmakers are set to return to Raleigh this week to address several key issues, including the Cybersecurity in Agriculture Act, bail reform, and the death penalty. The state Supreme Court has also ruled against judicial deference, giving individuals more power to challenge government agencies and regulations. A representative from the 47th district has announced his resignation to take a role in Washington, D.C. [... more]

Governor Josh Stein advocates for $13.5 billion in federal funding for Western North Carolina's recovery from Hurricane Helene. The North Carolina State Board of Elections faces a lawsuit over voter rolls and HAVA IDs. The state health plan is involved in a legal battle over transgender payments and gender reaffirming care. [... more]

The murder of a Ukrainian refugee on a light rail in North Carolina has sparked a broader conversation about crime in the United States, highlighting the need for a holistic approach to addressing violent crime, including mental health issues and the role of the justice system. [... more]