In this episode of Carolina Newsmakers, host Don Curtis welcomes Michael Landguth, President and CEO of Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU), to discuss the rapid growth of RDU, upcoming expansion plans, and the evolving air travel industry. Explosive Growth at RDU RDU has experienced significant growth over the past two years. Landguth shares that the airport saw a 22% increase in...
In this episode of Carolina Newsmakers, host Don Curtis welcomes Brad Crone, a longtime political strategist and frequent guest on the show. The discussion covers a range of pressing political topics, including the ever-changing economic landscape, the impact of tariffs, federal budget cuts, and the shifting dynamics in North Carolina’s upcoming elections. The Impact of Tariffs and Economic...
In this episode of Carolina Newsmakers, host Don Curtis welcomes Dr. Wesley Burks, the CEO of UNC Health and the Dean of the UNC School of Medicine. The discussion centers on a groundbreaking collaboration between UNC and Duke University to establish North Carolina’s first freestanding children’s hospital. Dr. Burks shares insights into the challenges, opportunities, and impact this initiative...
In this episode of Carolina Newsmakers, host Don Curtis welcomes Elaine Marshall, who was recently reelected for an eighth term as North Carolina’s Secretary of State. With decades of service in the role, Marshall discusses the responsibilities of her office, the state’s business growth, consumer protection efforts, and the increasing impact of international economic relationships on North...
In this episode of Carolina Newsmakers, host Don Curtis interviews Brad Briner, who recently took office as North Carolina’s State Treasurer, succeeding Dale Folwell. Briner shares insights from his first several weeks in office, discussing his priorities, challenges, and plans for managing the state’s financial assets, including pension funds, the state health plan, and disaster recovery...
In this episode of Carolina Newsmakers, host Don Curtis sits down with Patrick Woodie, president of the North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center, to discuss the state’s growing population, economic shifts, and the evolving role of rural communities in North Carolina. With over 11 million residents, North Carolina has seen a major transformation, especially in its rural areas, and Woodie...
In this episode of Carolina Newsmakers, host Don Curtis sits down with North Carolina’s newly elected State Auditor, David Boliek, to discuss his role, responsibilities, and key initiatives since taking office. Boliek, who assumed the position on January 1, provides an in-depth look at the function of the State Auditor’s office, the challenges of overseeing billions of dollars in assets...
On this episode of Carolina Newsmakers, Don Curtis sits down with David Crabtree, CEO of PBS North Carolina, to discuss the station’s 70-year legacy, its role in providing public service broadcasting, and the challenges and opportunities ahead. Crabtree, a longtime anchor at WRAL before transitioning into public media leadership, shares insights into the evolution of PBS North Carolina, the state...
On this episode of Carolina Newsmakers, Don Curtis welcomes Mitch Kokai, Senior Political Analyst at the John Locke Foundation, to discuss the political landscape in North Carolina and the broader national stage as new administrations take shape. The conversation covers the impact of the 2024 elections, anticipated policy shifts under the new federal and state leadership, and the evolving role of...
On this episode of Carolina Newsmakers, Don Curtis speaks with Shawn Harding, President of the North Carolina Farm Bureau, about the challenges and opportunities facing North Carolina’s agricultural sector. The conversation covers a wide range of topics, including the importance of agriculture to the state’s economy, labor shortages, trade policies, and the impact of technology on farming. The...