Former North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory joins Don Curtis on Carolina Newsmakers to discuss Andrew Dunn’s new biography, The Change Agent, and reflect on his political career and legacy. McCrory also weighs in on the U.S. Senate race, Gov. Josh Stein, the direction of the Republican Party, election law, energy and data centers, Charlotte’s growth and Hurricane Helene recovery.

Mitch Kokai of the John Locke Foundation joins Don Curtis to break down the latest Carolina Journal Poll, the 2026 political landscape, affordability and inflation, the state budget as well as energy and data centers.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.