On this episode of Carolina Newsmakers, Dr. Mike Walden, William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Economics at North Carolina State University, shares his insights on the current economic landscape and provides predictions for 2025. With his wealth of experience, Dr. Walden analyzes inflation, interest rates, the federal budget, and technological advancements like artificial...
On this episode of Carolina Newsmakers, Don Curtis interviews Mike Causey, North Carolina’s Insurance Commissioner, recently reelected for his third term. The discussion highlights the evolving challenges of the insurance industry, including disaster recovery, fraud prevention, and the affordability of policies, while offering practical advice for consumers. Causey begins by addressing the...
On this episode of Carolina Newsmakers, Don Curtis interviews Andy Ellen, President of the North Carolina Retail Merchants Association (NCRMA), to explore the evolving retail landscape in North Carolina. Ellen shares insights on consumer behavior, workforce challenges, inflation, organized retail crime, and the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on retail operations. Ellen begins by...
On this episode of Carolina Newsmakers, Don Curtis speaks with Brenda Berg, President and CEO of Best North Carolina, about the critical intersection of education and economic growth in the state. Berg provides insights into current challenges, innovative solutions, and the advocacy work her organization is doing to advance education from K-12 through higher education. Berg emphasizes that...
On this episode of Carolina Newsmakers, Dale Folwell, the outgoing North Carolina State Treasurer, sits down with Don Curtis to reflect on his eight years in office, discuss his achievements, and share his concerns about the financial future of the state. Folwell, who chose not to seek reelection, also provides advice for his successor and sheds light on critical issues such as health care costs...
On this episode of Carolina Newsmakers, Don Curtis interviews Bob Phillips, Executive Director of Common Cause North Carolina, about the outcomes of the 2024 elections and the challenges facing democracy in the state and nationwide. Phillips provides insights into voter turnout, the role of money in politics, and the importance of nonpartisan advocacy. Phillips begins by reflecting on the 2024...
In this episode of Carolina Newsmakers, Don Curtis interviews John Hood, an accomplished author, columnist, and political analyst, to discuss the upcoming 2024 elections. Hood provides a deep dive into voter trends, key races, and the broader implications of the election outcomes on North Carolina and the nation. Early Voting: A Growing Trend with Strategic Impacts Hood begins by highlighting the...
In this episode of Carolina Newsmakers, host Don Curtis welcomes Justice Robert Orr, former North Carolina Supreme Court Justice and a national advocate for college athletes. Orr shares his perspective on the rapidly evolving world of college sports, touching on issues such as the transfer portal, conference realignment, coaching challenges, and the future of athlete compensation. From Legal...
On this episode of Carolina Newsmakers, Don Curtis is joined by Brad Crone, a seasoned political consultant and President of Campaign Connections, to delve into the complexities of the upcoming 2024 elections. Crone offers his insights on the presidential race, North Carolina’s gubernatorial contest, and the impact of down-ballot races, shedding light on what’s shaping up to be one of the most...
In this episode of Carolina Newsmakers, Don Curtis speaks with Heather Frazee, Executive Director of the American Red Cross Piedmont Triad Chapter, about the Red Cross’s ongoing disaster relief work in North Carolina. Frazee sheds light on the organization’s efforts in helping those affected by the recent floods in the western part of the state, the role of volunteers, and the importance of...