NC SPIN Podcasts: Recent Episodes
NC SPIN
Our weekly statewide TV and radio program provides balanced debate on issues ranging from Economy & Jobs, Education, Healthcare, Public Infrastructure, Leadership and Energy.
Tom Campbell says the Green Party petition for a new statewide political party raises many questions and points to an obvious need to change our laws.
Tom Campbell remarks on Senator Phil Berger's description of the House January 6th Committee hearings as "fictional reading."
Tom Campbell asks if you would have signed the Declaration of Independence, adding that those who did were courageous, bold and visionary.
The one thing about which all can agree is that elections matter. Tom Campbell says that's never more true than this year.
Tom Campbell comments on HB755, the Parents' Bill of Rights, saying there are many groups with rights that should be codified. After a while we would be asking whose rights are the right rights
This week Tom Campbell reports on a D-day vet who returned to Normandy and says we've got to stop fighting WITH each other and start fighting FOR each other.
Tom Campbell recounts a story about injustice and wonders why we seldom speak out when we see injustices occur.
Tom Campbell says the primary election outcomes were influenced by Donald Trump, outside independent expenditure groups and the "age of rage."
With the legislature convening for the "short" session May 18, Tom Campbell voices hope they will do their work and go home.
This week Tom Campbell raises questions that hopefully will be answered in our important Primary Election on May 17th.
Tom Campbell says our state is graying and that's sure to cause stress in education, healthcare, the workforce and government services. Get ready for the Wrinkle Revolution.
Tom Campbell says it is obvious that despite politicians may pledge to listen to the voters, but too many don't.
Tom Campbell says that many once wonderful small towns face short and long-term problems. Sometimes the best solution is also the most painful but needs making.
Tom Campbell says he can't understand why anyone wants to be a teacher. They don't deserve the vitriol, blame and accusations they face.
Tom Campbell reviews the Leandro antics and says justice is as partisan as everything else. Sadly our children are paying the price for 28 years of arguing.
This week Tom Campbell talks about the decades-old battle over fishing and it is time to fish or cut bait to end the fighting.
This week Tom Campbell talks about the decades-old battle over fishing and it is time to fish or cut bait to end the fighting.
This week Tom Campbell talks about the decades-old battle over fishing and says it is time to fish or cut bait to end the fighting.
This week Tom Campbell talks about the decades-old battle over fishing and says it is time to fish or cut bait to end the fighting.
This week Tom Campbell talks about the decades-old battle over fishing and says it is time to fish or cut bait to end the fighting.
This week Tom Campbell talks about the decades-old battle over fishing and says it is time to fish or cut bait to end the fighting.
Tom Campbell examines the longest legislative session in recent history and says it wasn't a record to boast about.
Tom Campbell says that expecting our legislators to draw fair and impartial district maps is as impossible as teaching the proverbial pig to fly.
Tom Campbell examines the various sources for energy production, asking if we have the energy to produce the energy we need?
Tom Campbell says we have forgotten those things that strengthened us as a nation. We need to believe in us and work for us.
Tom Campbell warns us that we are being "spun" regarding many of the issues in public education and other areas.
Tom Campbell says that we need to act now to protect our values like fairness and equality.
Tom Campbell says there was a time when North Carolinians would have risen in loud and unified protests over rigged elections. Not so today. But is time to end the practice.
Tom Campbell says modern technology is wonderful....until it isn't. Hackers and spammers are upsetting my dogs.
Tom Campbell says returning students to virtual learning would be a disaster for many reasons.
Tom Campbell says there are increasing charges that judicial verdicts are partisan and asks whether we need to put back the blindfold on Lady Liberty.
This week Tom Campbell talks about the formation of a new healthcare entity that is good news for the entire state.
This week Tom Campbell predicts what we can expect with the pandemic, elections, education and society in 2022
As we close 2021 Tom Campbell says it feels like we are back where we started this year.
This week Tom Campbell asks what it is going to take to move this country more to the center?
This week Tom Campbell applauds the move to combine the administration of k-12, universities and community colleges in one location. But a next step is needed.
Tom Campbell acknowledges we don't like being told what to do but who tells us is as important as what we are told.
This week Tom Campbell says we are seeing a worker revolution not seen since women entered the workplace in support of WW II.
This week Tom Campbell talks about how to stop the bullying, harassment and intimidation prevalent in our state.
Tom Campbell says it is ironic that most of the laws and the pontificating about abortion is coming from men.
This week Tom Campbell recounts a Sunday afternoon conversation with his wife and encourages us to continue the discussion.
This week Tom Campbell says there are so many items to comment on that he's included four in one podcast.
Tom Campbell says the legislature is batting 0 for 3 in resolving their main tasks for this session.
Tom Campbell says most of us don't know when we are being manipulated like pawns. But we don't have to be pawns.
As we ring in the start of a new school year Tom Campbell talks about back to school tensions.
This week Tom Campbell talks about how North Carolina has changed and about redistricting.
Already almost two months late our doubting Thomas, Tom Campbell wonders whether we might see a new state budget this year.
Tom Campbell says the best way to change the political climate in our state is to start a third political party.
Tom Campbell says we won't beat COVID until a large percentage of us are vaccinated. Maybe some old-fashioned shaming might encourage more to get the shot.
Tom Campbell asks why HB 951 was voted on after midnight, why it was negotiated behind closed doors and why it is even needed?
Tom Campbell reminds us of the children's song "If you're happy and you know it," while reporting we are much happier than just one year ago.
Tom Campbell suggests it would be nice if state leaders could work together to craft a budget. If the legislature passes a budget similar to that proposed by the Senate it is sure to be vetoed by Governor Cooper.
Tom Campbell asks if the unwillingness of workers to return to the workplace is just a trend or a worker revolution?
This week Tom Campbell tells about learning how important the wine industry is in North Carolina.
This week Tom Campbell talks about how the once proud newspaper business needs to change.
This week Tom Campbell offers proposals for how we can restore trust and improve our elections.
Tom Campbell says there are several reasons why people are not eager to go back to work...especially the way things were pre-COVID.
Tom Campbell says there are some who want history taught the way they want it to be instead of how it actually happened.
This week Tom Campbell talks about the Colonial Pipeline hacking and how we should be prepared for more.
This week Tom Campbell says the legislature is about to pass a bad bill regarding lawsuit settlements.
This week Tom Campbell says evidently there are many who don't care about the rest of the "herd."
Tom Campbell talks about the ugliness in today's political climate, saying we don't care who started it. What we care about is how we get out of it.
In part 2 of this podcast Tom Campbell gives his priority list for how infrastructure bond proceeds should be allocated.
In part 1 of a 2 part podcast Tom Campbell says that investing in North Carolina's infrastructure puts people to work and also improves the health and safety of our state's people.
This week Tom Campbell speculates about how long it will take for us to return to life as we knew it.
This week Tom Campbell talks about something exciting that happened in our state recently.
This week Tom Campbell says we need to either make our Board of Governors more closely resemble our populous or change who names them.
This week Tom Campbell says he has changed his mind regarding raising the minimum wage. Find out why.
This week Tom Campbell discusses the difference between keeping your job and doing your job as it related to the US Senate and what this means for the future of the Republican party.
This week Tom Campbell discusses how history is taught and how we need to do more to make up for past injustice.
This week Tom Campbell discusses the mental health impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on adults and students. And he offers some tips to help cope with it.
This week Tom Campbell discusses the emergency powers Governor Cooper is using to help North Carolina fight the Coronavirus Pandemic.
This week Tom Campbell discusses the frustration of trying to get the Covid-19 vaccine in North Carolina.
This week Tom Campbell discusses the need to get students back into the classroom setting and offers some suggestions how to do it safely.
This week Tom Campbell discusses some questions on the citizenship test and how recent changes to high school social studies curriculum may mean more people won't know the answers.
This week Tom Campbell discusses the opportunities that will arise in a post-pandemic North Carolina and how we can return to "The Roaring Twenties."
In this After Spin segment - Becki Gray gives her predictions for North Carolina in 2021.
NC SPIN episode #1154 Air Date 12/24/2020
In this final episode of NC Spin, the panel looks back on 2020, names the 2020 North Carolinian of the Year, and Tom Campbell says a few closing words.
Panelists:
Joe Mavretic, Former House Speaker
Becky Gray, Director of NC Policy Watch
John Hood, Syndicated columnist and author
Chris Fitzsimon, Director States Newsroom
Tom Campbell, Moderator
Question to John Hood and Chris Fitzsimon – The North Carolina Supreme Court just gave the green light to the State Utilities Commission to resolve who will pay for the coal ash cleanup by Duke Energy. The Publc Staff had recommended that half the cleanup costs be paid by ratepayers and the other half by shareholders. What do you think of this proposal and is this what we can expect to happen?
Question to Rob Schofield and Dennis Wicker – The State Community Colleges announced that beginning in January the new President of the System will be Thomas Stith, who was Governor Pat McCrory’s chief of staff and has been North Carolina district director for the Small Business Administration. What do you think of his selection?
NC SPIN episode #1153 Air Date 12/18/2020
Topics:
The State of politics
Racial justice
Back to class?
Tell Us Something We Don’t Know
Panelists:
Dennis Wicker, former Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina
Rob Schofield, Director of NC Policy Watch
John Hood, Syndicated columnist and author
Chris Fitzsimon, Director States Newsroom
Tom Campbell, Moderator
This week Tom Campbell discusses the giant surplus of cash in the state's coffers, and wonders why the Legislature isn't doing more to help struggling North Carolinians.
Question to John Hood and Chris Fitzsimon – The 4th Circuit Court of Appeals recently sided with our legislature in ruling that lawmakers didn’t act with racist intentions when they passed a 2018 Voter ID law. We had passed a constitutional amendment that an ID would be needed to vote and a previous version of the law was struck down as an attempt at voter suppression. What’s your reaction of the 4th Circuit’s ruling and when do you think we might actually see identification required before voting?
Question to Rufus Edmisten and Peg O’Connell – There are many who believe that last year’s experiment with virtual learning resulted in most of our public school students essentially losing one-third of the year of learning. To find out for sure whether this assumption is truth our educators want to give standardized end of grade tests. Should they be in-person or virtual? Our State Board of Education is asking for federal waivers to not hold schools accountable if large numbers of students opt out of the exams. What do you think of that? How important are these tests?
NC SPIN episode #1152 Air Date 12/11/2020
Topics:
Cooper fires a warning shot
Money matters
How will we get there from here?
Tell Us Something We Don’t Know
Panelists:
Rufus Edmisten, Former Secretary of State, Attorney General
John Hood, Syndicated columnist and author
Peg O’Connell, political analyst
Chris Fitzsimon, Director States Newsroom
Tom Campbell, Moderator
This week Tom Campbell discusses the recent tightening of restrictions in response to the rapid increase in Covid-19 cases and deaths in North Carolina.
Question to John Hood and Chris Fitzsimon – Part of the repeal to the discriminatory HB2 legislation was a law that prohibited local communities from passing their own nondiscrimination ordinances to protect LGBTQ residents. That law has now expired and advocates are urging local governments to pass anti-discrimination laws. What do you think of this? Should HB142 be reinstated? Do we need each community to pass anti-discrimination laws or should this be a state responsibility?
Question to Leo Daughtry and Donna Martinez – Highway 12 is a ribbon of a road along North Carolina’s Outer Banks. Last week a winter storm once again covered sections of the road with sand. Sand and road washouts are a common occurrence. North Carolina has spent untold millions of dollars trying to keep this road on our barrier island open. Some are saying we should give up the fight and find other transportation alternatives or perhaps build an elevated highway like the one in the Florida keys. What do you think we should do about Highway 12?
NC SPIN episode #1151 Air Date 12/4/2020
Panelists:
The protest season
The raging virus
Racial justice
Tell Us Something We Don’t Know
Donna Martinez, WPTF and John Locke Foundation
Leo Daughtry, former legislator
John Hood, Syndicated columnist and author
Chris Fitzsimon, Director States Newsroom
Tom Campbell, Moderator
This week Tom Campbell discusses reasons why Democrats in North Carolina didn't see the gains they were hoping for in the 2020 election.
Question to John Hood and Chris Fitzsimon – Damaging storms and severe weather created major damage in our state and insurance claims surged. Insurance companies are requesting a 24.5 percent average increase in homeowners’ insurance as a result. In the middle of a pandemic, with so many out of work Insurance Commmissioner Mike Causey is faced with negotiating a settlement at a lower rate. What should he do? Is there an acceptable increase? What happens if homeowners have their insurance canceled.
NC SPIN episode #1150 Air Date 11/27/2020
Topics:
North Carolina yesterday
North Carolina today
North Carolina Tomorrow
Author’s books
Panelists:
Michael Walden, Economist, NC State University
James LeLoudis, UNC Chapel Hill
Chris Fitzsimon, Director States Newsroom
John Hood, Syndicated columnist and author
Tom Campbell, Moderator
This week Tom Campbell discusses what we can expect to see in this last month of 2020. He also discusses a way to make a difference for the better.
Question to Becki Gray and Howard Lee – The North Carolina Sheriffs Association released a report proposing statewide law enforcement reforms. One of the recommendations was that every North Carolina High School Junior should watch videos explaining how to interact with law enforcement. Some community activists oppose the idea because it could more easily violate someone’s rights. What do you think about the proposal? Should these videos be produced by law enforcement officials or should a bipartisan group be involved in the production?
NC SPIN episode #1149 Air Date 11/20/2020
Topics:
The virus rages
Various
Tell Us Something We Don’t Know
Panelists:
Howard Lee, former State Senator/cabinet member
Becki Gray, VP John Locke Foundation
Chris Fitzsimon, Director States Newsroom
John Hood, Syndicated columnist and author
Tom Campbell, Moderator
This week Tom Campbell discusses his plans for Thanksgiving and how we can all get things back to normal sooner.
Question to John Hood and Chris Fitzsimon – A number of our state’s colleges are announcing big layoffs because of revenue shortfalls. Are these just temporary or do you think there will be a shrinking of college professors, support personnel and administrators? How will this affect higher education going forward?
Question to Bev Perdue and Rick Henderson – We are about to conclude one of the most divisive and bitter elections in history. Research indicates our millennial generation is losing confidence in our government and conspiracy theories have become an art form. How would you describe the state of the political climate in North Carolina? How about the state of government? What changes need making to make government work again?
NC SPIN episode #1148 Air Date 11/13/2020
Topics:
We know who won, but why?
Virus once again raging
Tell Us Something We Don’t Know
Panelists:
Bev Perdue, former Governor of North Carolina
Rick Henderson, Executive Editor of Carolina Journal
John Hood, Syndicated columnist and author
Chris Fitzsimon, Director States Newsroom
Tom Campbell, Moderator
Question to John Hood and Chris Fitzsimon – Infectious disease expert Dr. Toni Fauci warned the nation that even with vaccines it would likely be late next year or even into 2022 before we got back to some semblance of order. If true how will North Carolina cope? What changes do we need to make? Everyone is weary of this virus. Do you think we are willing to do the things it will take to protect ourselves and our neighbors?
Question to Brad Crone and Becki Gray – North Carolina citizens are alarmed when local businesses don’t take the requirement for face masks and social distancing seriously and many have filed complaints about particular businesses. Last week the Department of DHHS started making phone calls to those who have had complaints, warning them to get in line in observing the governor’s executive order. They were warned that it is a class two misdemeanor to fail to enforce these guidelines or else there will be further action. What do you think of this? Will it help to increase the use of face masks and social distancing? If not, should there be penalties or fines?
NC SPIN episode #1147 Air Date 11/6/2020
Topics:
Election Outcomes
Tell Us Something We Don’t Know
Panelists:
Michael Bitzer, Political Science Professor at Catawba College
Brad Crone, political and communications consultant
John Hood, syndicated columnist and author
Chris Fitzsimon, Director States Newsroom
Becki Gray, VP of the John Locke Foundation
This week Tom Campbell discusses how the lockdown must have made people forget safe driving skills.
Question to John Hood and Chris Fitzsimon – We learned this week that the number of students enrolled in district schools has declined 4 percent or 71,000 students from last year. 8,500 enrolled in charter schools so the net decline is actually 62,000 students. What’s your reaction to this news? Is this a one-time event? What are the implictaions for state supported traditional district schools?
Question to Brad Crone and Becki Gray – During a conference call with county health officials last week DHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen encouraged leaders to consider levying fines against people who fail to wear face coverings in public. Face coverings are one of the most effective ways we now have to slow the spread of COVID-19. Some local officials opposed passing ordinances to levy fines or penalties. What do you think of the idea? How can we get people to wear masks? How far do personal rights go in helping protect others?
NC SPIN episode #1146 Air Date 10/30/2020
Topics:
The Election Overview
Tell Us Something We Don’t Know
Panelists:
Becki Gray, VP of the John Locke Foundation
Chris Fitzsimon, Director States Newsroom
John Hood, Syndicated columnist and author
Brad Crone, political and communications consultant
Tom Campbell, Moderator
This week Tom Campbell discusses ways North Carolina can improve the way we do elections.
Question to John Hood and Chris – After nine consecutive weeks of decline North Carolina’s initial unemployment claims have risen for two consecutive weeks. The unemployment rate for our state increased from 6.5 percent in August to 7.3 percent in September. What does this tell you about our economy?
Question to Dennis Wicker and Anna Beavon Gravely - North Carolina had more than 14,000 new cases in one week, the highest numbers of death in a single day and the highest number of covid hospitalizations since the virus started. Rather than ease restrictions or even tighten then Governor Cooper announced we were remaining in Phase three. Did he do the right thing?
NC SPIN episode # 1145 Air Date 10/23/2020
Topics:
The overview
The House of Representatives
The Senate
Panelists:
Anna Beavon Gravely, Executive Director NC Free
Dennis Wicker, former Lt. Governor of NC
John Hood, syndicated columnist and author
Chris Fitzsimon, Direct States Newsroom
Tom Campbell, Moderator
This week Tom Campbell discusses the financial impact small towns are feeling from lost revenue due to the Coronavirus.
Question to John Hood and Chris Fitzsimon – The Census ended Thursday after the Supreme Court sided with the Trump administration in halting it. North Carolina’s population is undercounted according to Carolina Demography Center at UNC. An undercount of 3 percent could cost our state $4.9 billion over 10 years. What’s your reaction to this news?