Carolina Newsmakers

As early voting gets underway in North Carolina, State Board of Elections Executive Director Sam Hayes joins Don Curtis on Carolina Newsmakers to discuss election security, voter eligibility, and public confidence in the electoral process. Hayes addresses ten recent federal indictments alleging noncitizen voting in the 2024 election, the state's ongoing review of potentially ineligible voters, and...

This week on Carolina Newsmakers , Don Curtis talks with economist Dr. Mike Walden about the economic pressures facing families and businesses across the state. From inflation and the rising cost of living to housing affordability, job growth, and North Carolina's economic outlook, they examine what's driving today's financial uncertainty. They also discuss changes to the state's gas tax approved...

North Carolina is getting older, but is the state prepared for the challenges ahead? This week on Carolina Newsmakers , Don Curtis talks with Chris Brandenburg of AARP North Carolina about the growing pressures facing older adults and their families. From the rising cost of living and retirement security to Social Security, Medicare, and the challenges of caregiving, they explore what it takes to...

North Carolina State Treasurer Brad Briner joins Don Curtis to discuss the proposed WakeMed–Atrium Health merger and whether changes to the deal addressed his earlier concerns. He also talks about the growing role of the Local Government Commission, upcoming State Health Plan open enrollment, the pension fund crossing $150 billion, new financial literacy “Cash Clubs,” and additional interest-free...

Cecilia Holden, President and CEO of myFutureNC, joins Don Curtis to discuss North Carolina’s progress toward its 2 million by 2030 educational attainment goal and the challenges still facing the state’s workforce pipeline. They also examine adult learners, employer-valued credentials, workforce alignment, and what North Carolina must do to prepare more people for the jobs of the future.

Political strategist Brad Crone joins Don Curtis to break down the latest developments in North Carolina politics and the issues shaping the 2026 election season. They discuss the political landscape, key races, voter concerns, campaign strategy, and what to watch as Election Day approaches.

North Carolina politics is shifting fast, and longtime political observer Travis Fain joins Don Curtis to break down the 2026 elections, the state’s changing political landscape and the issues driving voters this fall. Fain also shares his work on a new law enforcement trust initiative, efforts to improve teen driver safety and what he’s learned moving from covering public policy to helping shape...

Dr. Monty Sullivan, the new leader of the North Carolina Community College System, joins Don Curtis to discuss his path into education and his priorities for the state’s 58 community colleges. Sullivan also examines workforce shortages, Propel NC, short-term credentials, affordability, faculty recruitment and how technology is changing education and the workplace.

Former North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory joins Don Curtis on Carolina Newsmakers to discuss Andrew Dunn’s new biography, The Change Agent , and reflect on his political career and legacy. McCrory also weighs in on the U.S. Senate race, Gov. Josh Stein, the direction of the Republican Party, election law, energy and data centers, Charlotte’s growth and Hurricane Helene recovery.

Mitch Kokai of the John Locke Foundation joins Don Curtis to break down the latest Carolina Journal Poll, the 2026 political landscape, affordability and inflation, the state budget as well as energy and data centers.

Chris Cooper, the Robert Lee Madison Distinguished Professor of Political Science and director of the Haire Institute for Public Policy at Western Carolina University, joins Don Curtis to discuss Rep. Chuck Edwards (NC-11) ending his reelection campaign, the Senate committee contempt vote involving Dr. Anthony Fauci and the coming change in North Carolina Senate leadership. Cooper also looks at th...

Public health advocate Peg O’Connell joins Don Curtis to discuss efforts to curb youth nicotine use, regulate emerging products such as nicotine pouches and strengthen North Carolina’s tobacco laws. She also examines Medicaid expansion, distracted driving, seat belt use and the challenges of building bipartisan support for public health initiatives.

BEST NC President and CEO Brenda Berg joins Don Curtis to discuss North Carolina’s new state budget and what it means for public education. She also examines teacher pay and retention, student achievement, workforce preparation and the future of education reform in the state.

Economist Dr. Mike Walden joins Don Curtis to examine North Carolina’s economic outlook and the latest developments affecting families, businesses and state government. The conversation covers the new state budget, inflation, interest rates, housing, job growth, tariffs, population growth and the expanding impact of artificial intelligence.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey joins Don Curtis to discuss the major insurance issues facing consumers across the state. Topics include prior authorization delays in medical care, rising homeowners and auto insurance costs, hurricane and flood insurance preparedness, health insurance affordability, fraud trends, consumer scams, and what homeowners should review before renewing t...

This week on Carolina Newsmakers, Don Curtis welcomes Wit Tuttell, Executive Director of Visit North Carolina. They discuss the state of North Carolina's tourism industry, Western North Carolina's recovery, summer travel trends and the economic impact of tourism.

Josh Dobson, President and CEO of the North Carolina Healthcare Association and former North Carolina Labor Commissioner, joins Don Curtis for a conversation about the state of healthcare across North Carolina. They discuss the financial health of hospitals, the challenges facing rural healthcare, workforce shortages, the impact of Medicaid expansion, rising healthcare costs, and the role of emerg...

Duke University public policy professor Pope “Mac” McCorkle joins Don Curtis to discuss North Carolina’s shifting political landscape. The conversation covers whether North Carolina remains a true purple state, the national significance of the 2026 U.S. Senate race, Gov. Josh Stein’s early challenges, the state budget stalemate, Medicaid and health care politics, redistricting, voter ID, the North...

Pollster Tom Jensen joins Don Curtis to discuss the political landscape in North Carolina, including why the state remains so closely divided, how the 2026 U.S. Senate race is shaping up and what voters are saying about the economy, affordability and the direction of the country. Jensen also breaks down the role of unaffiliated voters, redistricting, judicial races, legislative contests and the ke...

Former N.C. Supreme Court Justice Robert Orr joins Don Curtis to discuss the state of North Carolina’s courts, election law and public trust in government. Orr shares his perspective on redistricting, partisan judicial races, separation of powers and the role of the courts in resolving political disputes. The conversation also includes a look at a newly proposed constitutional amendment introduced...

Cory Biggs, Director of Policy and Advocacy for myFutureNC, joins Don Curtis to discuss North Carolina’s education-to-workforce pipeline and the effort to help more residents earn credentials and degrees that lead to strong careers. They also explore how myFutureNC is working with schools, colleges, employers and communities to remove barriers, expand opportunity and prepare more North Carolinians...

Former North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory joins Carolina Newsmakers for a wide-ranging conversation about the changing balance of power in Raleigh, the future of the Republican Party and the legacy of Senate leader Phil Berger. McCrory reflects on Berger’s long tenure in the legislature, how his leadership reshaped state government and what his departure could mean for North Carolina politics. Th...

Mitch Kokai of the John Locke Foundation joins Carolina Newsmakers to discuss the latest Carolina Journal poll and what it reveals about North Carolina’s political landscape. Kokai breaks down voter attitudes, key issues shaping the state and what the numbers may suggest for upcoming elections. The conversation also covers the changing leadership landscape in Raleigh, the future of the General Ass...

AARP North Carolina State Director Mike Olender joins Don Curtis to discuss the issues affecting older adults and their families across the state. From financial security and health care to caregiving, livable communities and protecting consumers from fraud, Olender shares how AARP is working with volunteers, community partners and policymakers to help North Carolinians age with dignity, purpose a...

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey joins Don Curtis for Carolina Newsmakers to discuss the state of the insurance industry and the challenges facing consumers. Causey also weighs in on factors influencing rising premiums and storm-related risks to regulatory changes.