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Carolina Newsmakers

Carolina Newsmakers

by Don Curtis

Education Government

Chris Cooper, Director of Haire Institute for Public Policy at Western Carolina University

Chris Cooper, the Robert Lee Madison Distinguished Professor of Political Science and director of the Haire Institute for Public Policy at Western Carolina University, joins Don Curtis to discuss Rep. Chuck Edwards (NC-11) ending his reelection campaign, the Senate committee contempt vote involving Dr. Anthony Fauci and the coming change in North Carolina Senate leadership. Cooper also looks at the broader political landscape and what it says about North Carolina heading into the 2026 election.

Peg O'Connell, Public health advocate

Public health advocate Peg O’Connell joins Don Curtis to discuss efforts to curb youth nicotine use, regulate emerging products such as nicotine pouches and strengthen North Carolina’s tobacco laws. She also examines Medicaid expansion, distracted driving, seat belt use and the challenges of building bipartisan support for public health initiatives.

Brenda Berg, President/CEO of Best NC

BEST NC President and CEO Brenda Berg joins Don Curtis to discuss North Carolina’s new state budget and what it means for public education. She also examines teacher pay and retention, student achievement, workforce preparation and the future of education reform in the state.

Dr. Mike Walden, William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor Emeritus at NC State University

Economist Dr. Mike Walden joins Don Curtis to examine North Carolina’s economic outlook and the latest developments affecting families, businesses and state government. The conversation covers the new state budget, inflation, interest rates, housing, job growth, tariffs, population growth and the expanding impact of artificial intelligence.

Commissioner of Insurance Mike Causey

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey joins Don Curtis to discuss the major insurance issues facing consumers across the state. Topics include prior authorization delays in medical care, rising homeowners and auto insurance costs, hurricane and flood insurance preparedness, health insurance affordability, fraud trends, consumer scams, and what homeowners should review before renewing their policies.

Wit Tuttell, Visit NC

This week on Carolina Newsmakers, Don Curtis welcomes Wit Tuttell, Executive Director of Visit North Carolina. They discuss the state of North Carolina's tourism industry, Western North Carolina's recovery, summer travel trends and the economic impact of tourism.

Josh Dobson, President/CEO of NC Healthcare Association

Josh Dobson, President and CEO of the North Carolina Healthcare Association and former North Carolina Labor Commissioner, joins Don Curtis for a conversation about the state of healthcare across North Carolina. They discuss the financial health of hospitals, the challenges facing rural healthcare, workforce shortages, the impact of Medicaid expansion, rising healthcare costs, and the role of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence. Dobson also shares NCHA's legislative priorities and his perspective on the opportunities and challenges that will shape healthcare in North Carolina for years to come.

Mac McCorkle, Duke University

Duke University public policy professor Pope “Mac” McCorkle joins Don Curtis to discuss North Carolina’s shifting political landscape. The conversation covers whether North Carolina remains a true purple state, the national significance of the 2026 U.S. Senate race, Gov. Josh Stein’s early challenges, the state budget stalemate, Medicaid and health care politics, redistricting, voter ID, the North Carolina Supreme Court race and the growing role of affordability in campaigns. McCorkle also shares insight on how campaigns operate in an era of voter distrust and what North Carolinians should watch heading into the next election cycle.

Tom Jensen, Director of Public Policy Polling

Pollster Tom Jensen joins Don Curtis to discuss the political landscape in North Carolina, including why the state remains so closely divided, how the 2026 U.S. Senate race is shaping up and what voters are saying about the economy, affordability and the direction of the country. Jensen also breaks down the role of unaffiliated voters, redistricting, judicial races, legislative contests and the key signs to watch heading toward Election Day.

Former N.C. Supreme Court Justice Robert Orr

Former N.C. Supreme Court Justice Robert Orr joins Don Curtis to discuss the state of North Carolina’s courts, election law and public trust in government. Orr shares his perspective on redistricting, partisan judicial races, separation of powers and the role of the courts in resolving political disputes. The conversation also includes a look at a newly proposed constitutional amendment introduced in the N.C. General Assembly that would change how certain appointments are made, and what it could mean for the balance of power between the governor, legislature and voters.

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