Mark Garrison Reports

Test your knowledge about the news of the week and compete with Anna, Boomer and Tommy in the weekly Charlotte at Six News Quiz! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

By this coming March, you'll need a "Real ID" in order to fly commercially -- but the process is not as easy as it might seems...especially for women.  Mark Garrison talks with a Charlotte woman who has had some unexpected troubles at the DMV as she tries to sort through a sea of bureaucracy.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every year the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. sets up a big ol' Christmas tree, but have you ever thought about where it comes from? On this week's Success at Six, Mark Garrison tells the story of this year's Capitol Christmas Tree travelling from Pisgah National Forest in North Carolina. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A local democrat running for the State House has some explaining to do.  She claims her republican opponent was once arrested for writing a bad check. But he wasn't -- and the mug shot in the commercial was created by the television producer. Mark Garrison looks at the lie being broadcast by Diamond Staten Williams.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The private company that runs the I-77 toll lanes has been suing drivers who end up in fender-benders.  Why? Supposedly, it blocks traffic and the company loses toll revenue. Mark Garrison talks with WSOC's Joe Bruno who uncovered this, and explains what happened when Joe started asking questions about the suits. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This year school board elections are getting a lot of attention from voters across the country. Issues such as dirty books, COVID shots and transgender policy are motivating factors.  Over the weekend, Mark Garrison spent time in Cabarrus County where voters are lining up to cast an early ballot. And one reason is all the controversy surrounding the school board and sexually explicit material.   S...

Today on Charlotte at Six -- more controversy for Charlotte City Councilman James "Smuggie" Mitchell. Mitchell was excused from a City Council vote Monday night because of a conflict of interest. Mark Garrison talks with Mitchell about why he previously failed to disclose that he owned stock in a company doing business with the city.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Charlotte at Six Mark Garrison and WBT food critic TJ Boggs are back to keep you up to date about the dirtiest places to (not) eat! Mark shares a place infested with flies, one that's been serving moldy meat+ TJ tells you where you might be able to get a haunted meal in Uptown.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark Garrison visits the NC State fair and had a chance to taste some of the best food around.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The leaves are changing, the temperature is dropping and football season is in full swing -- fall is officially here in the Carolinas. Mark Garrison takes you along his road trip to the North Carolina mountains where he soaks in the views, meets interesting people and tries a famous snack for the first time.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As fair season gets rolling, Mark Garrison gets you informed about all the best eats at this year's North Carolina State Fair! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many different things draw people to the local fair: rides, games, live music and especially  food. Mark Garrison met with one newcomer to the fair food game who is watering mouths with delicious dishes at the North Carolina State Fair this year.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today Mecklenburg Co. Sheriff Garry McFadden announced that his office will no longer be pulling drivers over for minor violations.  Tonight on Charlotte at Six Mark Garrison details the reasoning Sheriff McFadden gave for the change as well as why CMPD isn't expecting to follow suit.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Hurricane Ian makes landfall in Florida today, people in and out of the state find themselves stuck.  Mark Garrison talks with Floridians camping out at Charlotte Motor Speedway to avoid the storm as well as his own son, who is hunkering down with his family at a shut-down Disney World. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There have been 84 murders in Charlotte this year at the time of this post.  On this National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims, CMPD had a special ceremony. Mark Garrison talks with a grieving mom about how she thinks the problem should be addressed.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever heard of a ghost sign? Mark Garrison hadn't either! So he caught up with a couple of Charlotteans whose passion is chasing down these windows into the past that display the history of American business. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cabarrus Country School Board is trying to come up with a policy to give parents input over books their kids are exposed to.  Mark Garrison speaks with school board member Laura Blackwell about where the controversy stands today.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Tuesday protestors will ask the EPA to investigate Duke's handling of coal ash and all the cancer cases on Lake Norman.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark Garrison reports on a Huntersville boy who was attacked by a bull shark in the Florida Keys -- but never lost his faith and even began singing worship songs as he awaited treatment.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police Chief Johnny Jennings tells City Council that his department couldn't handle all of the calls from media -- but we want to know why that means CMPD is now refusing to cooperate with reporters.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the Triangle to Charlotte, North Carolina is on the cutting edge of innovations in heart transplants.  Mark Garrison and Joe Gillispie explain how these advances are saving lives young and old.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There was an ugly scene Wednesday night at a Charlotte pizza restaurant when a meeting of concerned parents was disrupted and police were called.  A group called Moms for Liberty booked the restaurant for a private event but a couple of loud activists showed up -- Mark Garrison spoke with Pamela Grundy, one of the activists to share why she just can't stand the group.  See omnystudio.com/listener...

Ignored emails and non-existent press conferences: these are the new norm as Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is no longer answering questions from reporters unless they are positive for the department.  Mark Garrison was called to a meeting to be given the new rules, which one respected criminologists calls nonsense. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Charlotte at Six Mark Garrison is joined by WBT's most frugal newsman Mark Mueller to debut a new segment "Mark Mueller's Market Basket!" Mark and Mark talk about the best and worst deals in the Charlotte areas and share tips on how to get the most out of your grocery dollar! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some people are more excited about the "back-to-school" season than others, but one mother of CMS students is doing her best to make students feel empowered and motivated for the new year.  Mark Garrison talked with Andrea Jasper, whose efforts reach schools where her kids aren't even enrolled. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.