Will Democrats see a big blue wave? Pollster looks at N.C. races

On this week's show, North Carolina-based national pollster Tom Jensen, from Public Policy Polling, joins Tim to talk about the state of the election weeks out from the big day. Jensen talks about the factors at play and why Democrats might have a huge year. They take a deep dive into North Carolina's Senate race, two competitive congressional races and all the factors that will impact results come election night.

It's one of the most famous business parks in the world, and now Research Triangle Park is boldly looking to the future. For the first time in its 65-year history, you can live in the park. The area helped make North Carolina one of the nation's top states to do business, and organizers say RTP 3.0 will take it into a new frontier when work culture has dramatically changed since the COVID-19 pandemic. Host Tim Boyum talks to Scott Levitan, president of the Research Triangle Park Foundation, and Travis Crayton, vice president of planning and public policy to learn more. 

Author Andrew Aydin joins host Tim Boyum to talk about his new book about Hurricane Helene nearly two years after the storm devastated western North Carolina. The book tells first-hand survivor stories and also uses comics, an Aydin specialty, to amplify the stories. Aydin is a New York Times bestselling author and wrote a comic book memoir series with U.S. Rep. John Lewis, for whom he worked leading up to the civil rights leader's death.

On this week's show, Tim is joined by a former police chief and former highway patrolman who are starting up a new organization to build back trust with law enforcement in North Carolina. Chris Blue, a former Chapel Hill police chief, and Billy Clayton, a 36-year highway patrol veteran, talk about what led to this situation and how law enforcement and communities can build it back together.  Later they talk about other police hot-button issues like defunding the police and Flock cameras. 

On this week's show, Tim is in New York to host our national political show, so he sat down with National Political Reporter Errol Louis. Tim and Errol compare notes on the rise of the Democratic Socialists of America movement in their respective states and why it's having a moment. Then they talk about how journalism and political coverage has evolved over their extensive careers

On this week's episode, Greear Webb joins Tim to talk about young voters, the legal system and challenges for young people in today's world in terms of college, jobs, buying a home and much more. Tim first met Webb when he was an activist in high school. Webb just graduated from Emory University Law School and is navigating many of the same challenges as other young people across the country.

Last week, Congress nearly approved legislation that might have once more significantly altered college sports, but delayed the decision until possibly September.  This comes as the NCAA faces ongoing legal defeats nationwide concerning athlete eligibility.  This week on Tying it Together, Greg Barnes, from Inside Carolina, joins host Tim Boyum to talk all things related to conference realignment, NIL, eligibility questions and why some believe Congress is the right place to sort out the chaos.  Tim and Greg also talk about the future of UNC's basketball arena and the controversy surrounding the university's football program.

On this week's episode of Tying it Together, host Tim Boyum talks with Matt Abele about some of the hottest debates in America right now: energy rates, data centers and the future of energy. Abele leads the N.C. Sustainable Energy Association, which is known for its work in the solar industry. He breaks down some of the big disputes around renewable energy and goes deep into the political debates around data centers.

On this week's episode of Tying it Together, Rye Barcott joins host Tim Boyum to talk about his new book, "Courage Can Save Us," which highlights 10 Americans he believes exemplify courage to help us through these tough political times. Barcott is a Marine Corps veteran, Harvard graduate and an ABC News Person of the Year. He founded With Honor, which aims to fight polarization by supporting veterans in public service and public office.

On this week's show, host Tim Boyum and investigative reporter Jeffrey Billman get into the controversial world of hemp and marijuana.  Marijuana remains illegal in North Carolina, yet THC-infused products are legal in what is termed the "wild west" of hemp.  Billman shares what he learned from his three-part investigation for "The Assembly" into the complicated controversy that surrounds the industry, the politics and the legal system.