WBTV 3 News, Weather, Sports, and Traffic for Charlotte, NC-Speak Out
Member Center:
Police say call it a blatant fact...If you commit one crime, you are likely to commit another. Repeat offenders are one of the biggest problems in our community -- More>>
This week we celebrate Veteran's Day. For many, it won't be a holiday. Especially for American servicemen and women stationed in Afghanistan and Iraq...and in many other locations around the world. More>>
Tackling racism is the tough assignment of the day in Gaston County public schools. More>>
Today is Halloween. And many of you loving, responsible parents will take your children trick or treating. You'll protect them in your neighborhood. You'll check their candy before they dive into it. You'll keep them safe...today. But what about tomorrow? More>>
Tuesday is Election Day. It's a day many of our forefathers fought for and sacrificed everything to achieve. All elections are important...but this one especially so. More>>
The dysfunctional Burke County school board strikes again. Behind closed doors, a majority recently voted in new superintendent Dr. Arthur Stellar. We hope the new top educator can live up to his last name. More>>
At the end of our SpeakOut editorials, we invite you to respond...whether you agree or disagree. Here's a sampling of e-mails we've received on a variety of issues: More>>
The Charlotte Mecklenburg School Board is under fire lately as it considers re-drawing assignment boundaries. Parents and students caught in the middle of these changes are *fired up*. More>>
"It will happen. How quickly is up to you." That's the slogan for this year's Susan G. Komen *Charlotte's* Race for the Cure. We like the cause... but we've got to say... we also like this slogan. It's a confident way to talk about finding a cure. More>>
One thing is very clear after a series of recent town hall meetings and the September 12th rally in Washington D-C -- lots of people are mad as hell! Are YOU one of them? More>>
Think democracy doesn't work? People uniting together can make a difference. You can live in a small town with big problems and get results. More>>
If the North Carolina coast is hit with a catastrophic storm like Hurricane Hugo, property owners statewide will now have to help cover loses for beach homeowners. More>>
Before the summer vacation, Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools laid off 665 teachers. Now that the state budget is finally approved, Superintendent Peter Gorman is re-hiring teachers...but not all of them. CMS can bring back 286 teachers and licensed staff. We want Superintendent Gorman to hire the best... More>>
Friday is September 11th, now also known as Patriots' Day. Show your patriotism. Show your support of our country. Show your belief in our Constitution. Fly an American flag. More>>
At this hour do you know where your children are? Do you know what they are doing? Who they are hanging out with? If not...you should. It could mean a matter of life or death. More>>
The National Association of Colored People...better known as the N-double-A-C-P... has played and continues to play a major role to obtain justice for African Americans. But in a world where there is still racial tension, it's sad to say Charlotte... the largest city in North Carolina... is not on board with the oldest and largest civil rights organization in the country. More>>
"Speak Out" is an expression of opinion from the Editorial Board of WBTV, and is presented by General Manager, Nick Simonette. When it comes to parceling out road money, the "Good Ole' Boys" in Raleigh More>>
Just a few weeks ago Beverly Perdue said: "Who in the world thinks in these trying, challenging times for families that you can raise income tax?" But then, last week, Governor Perdue signed a State Budget that raises 990-million in new taxes. It passed. More>>
Governor Sanford -- you should resign. We don't support your affair, but that's not the reason we're saying this. In fact, if it was just the affair, our editorial board wouldn't have this stance. You should resign because you are not living up to your own word. Even more importantly, you ignored your duty. More>>
It's a SHAME and an EMBARRASSMENT. The Burke County School Board may have thought their troubles were over after getting rid of popular superintendent David Burleson. They were wrong. More>>
GOVERNOR PERDUE...WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?
WE'VE SAID THIS IN A PREVIOUS EDITORIAL, AND WE WANT TO SAY IT AGAIN.
UNEMPLOYMENT IS AT A RECORD HIGH IN NORTH CAROLINA...
PEOPLE ARE HURTING...
AND YOU WANT TO RAISE TAXES ON MONEY THEY DON'T HAVE? More>>
60 years ago this week, WBTV...the Carolinas' first TV station...broadcast a grainy, black and white picture. It was a simpler time, but not care-free. More>>
When a parent is ordered by the court to pay child support and continuously fails to do so, he or she is referred to as a "deadbeat." More>>
I'm about to say something you've all heard before. This time, really listen to the words. "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." More>>
You might have heard...things are a little rowdy in Burke County. It all centers around decisions made by school board politicians. Check out the chain of events: In April, the Burke County school board terminates a popular superintendent but gives no reason....the community is outraged. More>>
$790 million...$900 million...$1½ BILLION...That's how much the North Carolina House, Senate, and Governor want to "increase revenues" for the next fiscal year. More>>
As a father, I can honestly say that being a parent is the most important job of your life. From the moment your son or daughter comes into this world, it is your responsibility to care for your child and take an active role in developing the adult they will become. More>>
John Cole from Lenoir sent an e-mail to Speak Out Saying,
"I would like to commend you on your investigation of the United Way in Charlotte and its respective leader and board members," writes John Cole from Lenoir.
"However, perhaps unintentionally, The United Way of Catawba County - which is completely separate from those in your story - are being directly impacted by association." More>>
In February, N.C. Governor Bev Perdue said, "It's my goal to start I-485 by the end of the year and finish soon after that." What she neglected to say is that if this is to happen, there will be some strings attached. More>>
The ripple effect from the United Way controversy continues to adversely affect many worthy agencies and programs. With contributions way off, difficult decisions on "who gets the money" are being made. More>>
The BIG SWITCH to digital television is only days away. On June 12th, local broadcast television stations, including WBTV, will stop transmitting analog, over-the-air signals. More>>
"Speak Out" is an expression of opinion from the Editorial Board of WBTV, and is presented by General Manager, Nick Simonette. Memorial Day Weekend is the traditional kick-off to summer. Families often More>>
End of Grade testing is this week...school is almost out. What are you going to do with your children? It's important to get your kids involved in something. More>>
In the 1976 movie, Network, a fictional newsman implores viewers to shout from their windows: "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take this anymore!" Well, that seems to be happening in our community. More>>
"Speak Out" is an expression of opinion from the Editorial Board of WBTV, and is presented by General Manager, Nick Simonette. Weeks ago we aired a Speak Out editorial about the United Way. Stop dragging More>>
School boards all across North Carolina are saying..."Show us the money!" We're asking..."What's the holdup?" More>>
President Obama campaigned on "CHANGE" and the majority of American voters embraced the concept. Make no mistake, change is coming at a lightning-fast pace. More>>
Some teenagers have been using camera phones to send sexually provocative pictures to each other. It's called "Sexting". More>>
Street racing isn't just a thrill in the moment -- it's a deadly form of lawbreaking. People die. Sometimes even those who are innocent, as we recently witnessed. More>>
They say time heals all wounds. The Clark family says they've had time...now they need justice. More>>
Is this just another ploy to keep Charlotte smaller than Raleigh or truly an oversight by our newly elected Governor Beverly Perdue? More>>
We concluded a recent editorial on the sour economy with the phrase "Keep the Faith." We believe that things will get better. More>>
Pushing, yelling, hitting... Constant threatening. These are symptoms of abuse. If it's not stopped in its tracks early, it could lead to tragedy. More>>
Parents: OPEN YOUR EYES. Teenagers are drinking alcohol. Underage kids *are* buying and consuming beer, wine, and liquor. Lots of it. More>>
Desperation is not a tangible thing. Only...It's starting to feel like it. You can touch it. You can see it. If desperation could talk, we'd hear a loud chorus of people speaking that language. I bet you know at least one person who has lost their job because of the economy.You may know several. More>>
Politicians can do a lot of good and harm behind closed doors. They can make deals... create alliances... and conceal their conversations. Now, thanks to a bold decision from Mecklenburg County Commissioners, closed-door meetings will be recorded for the public to hear. More>>
The BIG SWITCH to digital television will happen...EVENTUALLY. Vegas odds makers are now listing the day June 12th, 2009. That's if the U-S Government doesn't change its mind AGAIN. More>>
Money is tight...People are desperate... And yet... South Carolina's Governor says forget it. He'll refuse a quarter of the eight-point-two billion stimulus package unless Washington lets him use some of it to pay down debt. More>>
In a recent Speak Out, we asked you how you thought Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools could cut the 90 million it needs to cut, without cutting teachers. Here are some of your responses. More>>
If you are distributing stimulus money - would you give more to small towns with fewer people, or more money to larger cities with a significantly higher population? More>>
At the end of each SpeakOut, we invite you to email us your thoughts. After our editorial on the smoking ban -- we said we were all for it -- many of you responded. More>>
"Speak Out" is an expression of opinion from the Editorial Board of WBTV, and is presented by General Manager, Nick Simonette. Once upon a time being a teacher was a safe profession, But teachers are More>>
Despite the fact our country is in a recession, Despite Wall Street hitting the lowest point in more than two decades...There is a bright side. These days, the consumer is in the driver's seat More>>
As the, quote, "World's largest artificial whitewater river and an official U.S. Olympic Training Site", we think the idea is well and good... but the bottom line is that so far, we've seen many more dollars go down the drain than rafters float down the river. More>>
I'm sure you've heard the news by now: "The End of the World" is coming...in weeks, if not days. Economists, pundits, even your neighbors have dire predictions about the future of our sinking economy. And yet, we go on about our daily lives...because we must. More>>
