Carolina Journal Radio

This week's program

It’s been discussed for years, but now state legislators are digging into tax reform. The expectation is that changes to North Carolina’s tax structure and code will take place this year, affecting every North Carolinian. John Locke Foundation Vice President for Research Roy Cordato explains key principles of tax reform and how they impact economic growth. Then we turn to politics. Ever since Republicans lost the popular vote for the fifth time in the last six presidential elections, some pundits have been calling for a rebranding of the GOP. There’s been little discussion of what rebranding would entail, but Mark McNeilly, UNC-Chapel Hill lecturer and longtime IBM and Lenovo marketing executive, has some ideas. Next is a look at a controversial debate in the state legislature. Some North Carolina lawmakers believe people should take drug tests before qualifying for taxpayer-funded welfare benefits. You’ll hear arguments for and against their proposals during a recent state Senate debate. That’s followed by a look at transportation policy. Each time we drive over a pothole or a rough stretch of road, we might wonder how well our highways stack up against those across the country. David Hartgen, emeritus professor of transportation studies at UNC-Charlotte, recently addressed that topic in a report for Reason Foundation titled “Are Our Highways Crumbling?” Hartgen shares highlights from his findings. Next, Barry Smith updates us on the election law bills making their way through the legislature. Requiring a photo I.D. to vote is the most high-profile effort, but there are others as well. Smith explains a bill that would remove from the North Carolina Constitution a provision that requires a literacy test to vote.

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

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

Triangle/Triad

WZTK

FM 101.1

Sundays 10am

Wilmington

WAAV

AM 980

Saturdays 4pm





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.