The Charlotte Ledger Podcast

The Charlotte region adds roughly 150 new residents every day, but beyond the statistic are thousands of individual stories about why people choose to make the region home.In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Ashley Fahey talks with Charlotte filmmaker and videographer Duvale Murchison about his new micro-documentary series, "150+ A Day: Everybody's Moving to Charlotte." Inspired by the region's rapid growth, the project captures candid conversations with transplants from across the country — and around the world — about what brought them here, what surprised them and how Charlotte has changed their lives.Murchison shares how a chance visit to Charlotte in 2014 convinced him to relocate from Michigan, why he believes the city offers a unique blend of opportunity and quality of life, and what he's learned from interviewing dozens of newcomers. From New Yorkers who say Charlotte helped them slow down to international residents discovering the Queen City's culture, the conversations paint a portrait of a region that continues to evolve.Check out "150+ A Day: Everybody's Moving to Charlotte" on Murchison's YouTube channel. This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is presented by PBS Charlotte's Unspun program. Wondering what politicians are thinking but not saying? Watch PBS Charlotte Fridays at 8 p.m. as former Governor Pat McCrory delivers no-spin answers. Stream anytime on demand at wtvi.org/unspun.This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks. For more information on The Charlotte Ledger, go to TheCharlotteLedger.com.

The weather forecast has never been more precise — or more distrusted. In an era of viral storm posts, default phone apps and nonstop social media chatter, even a mostly accurate forecast can feel like a failure if the worst-case scenario doesn’t come true. For meteorologists, the job is no longer just predicting what the atmosphere might do. It’s also pushing back against hype, calming nerves and explaining why being “less bad than expected” is still not the same as being wrong.In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, managing editor Ashley Fahey talks with Brad Panovich, chief meteorologist at WCNC, about what it’s like to forecast weather in 2026. Panovich reflects on how social media transformed his job, why Charlotte’s winter ice storm sparked what he calls a “rooting for ruin” reaction online, and how AI is changing the science of meteorology behind the scenes. He also shares his thoughts on weather apps, climate change in Charlotte, his weather pet peeves (hint: groundhog), the very practical supplies he grabs before a major storm and his favorite weather movies. This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is presented by PBS Charlotte’s “Unspun” program helping you learn what politicians are thinking but not saying. It’s hosted by former Gov. Pat McCrory.This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks. For more information on The Charlotte Ledger, go to TheCharlotteLedger.com.

In this live video chat recorded Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, Charlotte Ledger reporters discuss some of their coverage from the week:* American Airlines and Charlotte’s airport work toward a new lease that could shape the future of the airport and the airline* Development moratoriums are popping up in the Charlotte region, as communities outside Charlotte contend with rapid growth* High school and college newspapers are struggling to find printers, as the move toward digital publications accelerates* Charlotte FC takes steps to improve the fan experience, with cheaper tickets, a reward program and a new showroom uptown* Waymo driverless taxis hit the streets of CharlotteFind out more about The Charlotte Ledger at TheCharlotteLedger.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thecharlotteledger.com/subscribe

In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger podcast, Ledger editor Tony Mecia talks with Sucharita Kodali, executive director of The Election Hub, about the Republican ballot in Mecklenburg County.The primary election is March 3, 2026. Early voting runs through Feb. 28, 2026.Registered Republicans and unaffiliated voters can cast ballots in the Republican primary, which features races for U.S. Senate, U.S. House, the General Assembly and an N.C. Court of Appeals seat.➡️ You can find information about every candidate on the Mecklenburg ballot at TheElectionHub.org.🎥 You can find a video of this podcast on YouTube.🎧 Democratic ballot info: You can listen to an accompanying podcast on the Democratic ballot in Mecklenburg here.Check out The Charlotte Ledger at TheCharlotteLedger.comThis episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thecharlotteledger.com/subscribe

Economics can sound like a subject you suffered through once and never wanted to revisit — but Michael Blanco, president of the Charlotte Economics Club, argues it’s actually the stuff people talk about every day: jobs, housing, inflation, interest rates, tariffs, AI, and where the economy is headed.In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Tony Mecia sits down with Blanco to talk about what the club does, who shows up to its events and why Charlotte — a longtime banking town that’s becoming an even bigger financial hub — is the perfect place for a growing economics club. Today’s episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is sponsored by Child Care Search, a service of Child Care Resources Inc. Looking for child care? Our team provides guidance every step of the way! Search online at www.FindChildCareNC.org or call 1-888-600-1685 for live assistance and free, customized referrals.This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks. Visit TheCharlotteLedger.com to learn more. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thecharlotteledger.com/subscribe