Carolina Journal Radio

This week's program

Big trouble is looming for Ruffin Poole, a one-time key aide to former Gov. Mike Easley. So what does the 51-count federal indictment allege? Carolina Journal Managing Editor Rick Henderson digs into the allegations and describes the pay-to-play scheme investigators are looking at — from extortion to bribery to money laundering. Then we turn our attention to the ongoing debate over public charter schools. North Carolina government leaders would rather risk the loss of federal education grant dollars than remove the statewide cap of 100 charter schools. That concerns charter school advocates, who discussed the issue during a recent news conference in Raleigh. You’ll hear highlights from Darrell Allison of Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina, Todd Ziebarth of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, educational consultant Grova Bridgers, and charter school founder and former Charlotte Mayor Richard Vinroot. The statewide cap is just one of the challenges charter schools face in the years ahead. John Locke Foundation education policy analyst Terry Stoops sees others. He outlines key challenges, including cuts linked to the state’s ongoing budget crunch. That’s followed by a look at the market economy and what occurs when government intervenes to “help.” Max Borders, executive editor of the Free To Choose Network, says much of our political debate is plagued by misuse of what he labels “socioeconomic metaphors.” Borders explains why treating society as a machine to be run, fixed, or “stimulated” creates problems for setting the most appropriate government policies. Then John Locke Foundation President John Hood offers perspective on what’s next in the health care reform debate, now that congressional leaders have received a message from voters in Massachusetts. Scott Brown was elected to the Senate seat occupied for decades by the late Ted Kennedy. Hood offers his recommendations for a way forward to address legitimate concerns over health insurance and health delivery without sacrificing a free market that ensures competition and options.

History

Since 1991, Carolina Journal – the monthly newspaper of the John Locke Foundation – has provided thousands of readers with in-depth reporting, informed analysis, and incisive commentary about the most pressing state and local issues in North Carolina. With a particular emphasis on state government, politics, the General Assembly, education, and local government, Carolina Journal has offered unique insights and ideas to the public policy debate.

Its related newsletter, Carolina Journal Weekly Report, delivers timely news and analysis by fax and email. And its popular web site, Carolina Journal.com, serves as a “one-stop shop” for elected officials, government leaders, journalists, lobbyists, and political insiders who visit every day to read exclusive stories, commentaries, and daily news links to the best reporting and commentary in the North Carolina print and broadcast media.

Now Carolina Journal’s trademark blend of news, analysis, and commentary is available on the airwaves as Carolina Journal Radio.

A weekly, one-hour newsmagazine, Carolina Journal Radio is hosted by Donna Martinez and Mitch Kokai and features a diverse mix of guests and topics. Education reform, tax policy, the state legislature, affirmative action, air pollution, freedom of the press and the courts – these are just a few of the subjects that Carolina Journal Radio has tackled since the program began production in 2003.

Broadcast each weekend on 20 commercial radio stations – from the mountains to the coast – Carolina Journal Radio is a one-of-a-kind program that seeks to inform and elevate the discussion of North Carolina's most critical issues, and to do so in a fair, entertaining, and thought-provoking way.

Carolina Journal Radio Podcast

Carolina Journal Radio is now available as a podcast, for listening directly on your computer, or synching to a portable MP3 player, such as an iPod. You will need a podcast application, such as iTunes (available for Windows and Mac OS X) to access the podcast. New episodes will be posted the week after they air on the radio.

Podcast FeedIf you are using iTunes, you can subscribe to the podcast via this direct link to CJ Radio at the iTunes Music Store. To subscribe to the podcast with another application: right-click on the orange feed icon, copy the link, and paste it into the subscription field of your podcasting software (in iTunes, go to the "Advanced" menu and select "Subscribe to Podcast").

For More Information

The program is a co-production of the John Locke Foundation and Carolina Broadcasting Systems Inc., both based in Raleigh. Inquiries about guests and topics should be directed to the Locke Foundation at 919-828-3876. Inquiries about the show’s production, distribution, and advertising opportunities should be directed to Carolina Broadcasting at 919-832-1416.

Listeners who would like to receive a weekly e-mail containing advance notice of upcoming Carolina Journal Radio guests and topics should email Mitch Kokai.

Where to Hear the Program

Stations currently in the Carolina Journal Radio Network include:

Coverage Area

Station

Time(s)

Albemarle/Concord

WSPC

AM 1010

Saturdays 11am

Asheville

WWNC

AM 570

Sundays 7pm

Burlington

WBAG

AM 1150

Saturdays 6am

Chapel Hill

WCHL

AM 1360

Sundays 6pm

Elizabeth City

WGAI

AM 560

Saturdays 6am

Fayetteville

WFNC

AM 640

Saturdays 1pm

Gastonia/Charlotte

WZRH

AM 960

Saturdays 2pm

Goldsboro

WGBR

AM 1150

Saturdays 6pm

Greensboro/Burlington

WSML

AM 1200

Saturdays 12pm

Hendersonville

WHKP

AM 1450

Sundays 6pm

Jacksonville

WJNC

AM 1240

Sundays 7am

Newport/New Bern

WTKF

FM 107.3

Sundays 7am

Salisbury

WSTP

AM 1490

Saturdays 11am

Siler City

WNCA

AM 1570

Sat. 11am, Sun. 6am

Smithfield

WTSB

AM 1090

Saturdays 6am

Southern Pines

WEEB

AM 990

Sundays 7pm

Valdese

WSVM

AM 1490

Tuesdays 6pm

Wilmington

WAAV

AM 980

Saturdays 4pm

Winston-Salem/Triad

WSJS

AM 600

Sundays 8am

Stay tuned for upcoming announcements of additional stations joining the network.

Interested North Carolinians can also subscribe to a monthly tape or CD containing two full-length episodes of Carolina Journal Radio. It’s a great way to catch up on programs listeners may have missed or for those without a local affiliate to listen to the show. Contact Mitch Kokai for more information.