Breaking With Brett Jensen

Tune in here to this ​Thursday edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Breaking Brett Jensen opens the show by discussing a press conference held today by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department on 2025 crime statistics. The event was led by new CMPD Chief Estella Patterson, who reported an overall 21% drop in violent crime within city limits and a 13% decrease in homicides. Jensen questioned CMPD during the press conference, citing data he said shows a 27% increase in homicides over the past six months. He said the contrast highlights how CMPD crime reports can be misleading when viewed without additional context. Jensen is also joined in the studio by Charlotte resident Jeffrey Baldwin, who has been involved in a legal dispute with his homeowners association. The situation began in 2022, when Baldwin was fined by the HOA, leading to a three-year legal battle. Baldwin said he later learned the association had placed a lien on his home. He ultimately received an official hearing on Jan. 13, and discusses the details and outcome of the case in an exclusive interview. Those interested in supporting homeowners association reform in North Carolina can visit saferhoa.com. The show concludes with Jensen speaking with Brian Peter, Vice President of Mixed Beverages and Logistics for Mecklenburg County ABC. Peter previews a follow-up to November’s “Barrel-Palooza” event, scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 17, at Store No. 9 on Graham St. in Charlotte. The event begins at 9 a.m., and Peter said he expects attendance similar to the November event. Listen here for all of this and more on Breaking With Brett Jensen. To be the first to hear about Breaking Brett Jensen's exclusives and more follow him on X @Brett_Jensen!

Tune in here to this ​Wednesday edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Breaking Brett Jensen opens the show by discussing a major development involving Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools eliminating its compliance department. He emphasizes that the only department remaining for teachers to share grievances is human resources, which he says primarily exists to protect the school district. Because the change is particularly concerning for teachers, Jensen speaks with former CMS Board of Education member Lisa Cline. Addressing the dissolution of the Office of Compliance, Cline says oversight of those matters now falls under the superintendent rather than the Board of Education. She notes that the compliance program, which allows teachers to report issues, is also now under the superintendent’s authority. Later in the show, Jensen speaks with Republican U.S. Senate candidate Don Brown. When asked about his decision to run, Brown says he was motivated after Sen. Thom Tillis opposed Pete Hegseth’s nomination for secretary of defense, which ultimately failed. Asked about the response to his campaign, Brown says it has been “overwhelming,” adding that he is the only candidate to challenge a sitting U.S. senator. Listen here for all of this and more on Breaking With Brett Jensen. To be the first to hear about Breaking Brett Jensen's exclusives and more follow him on X @Brett_Jensen!

Tune in here to this ​Tuesday edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Breaking Brett Jensen concludes his “Freshman Congressman” series by speaking with U.S. Rep. Addison McDowell, who just surpassed one year representing the citizens of North Carolina’s 6th Congressional District. Similar to previous interviews, Jensen asks McDowell about his experiences during his first year in Congress. McDowell cites the voting on and passage of the Laken Riley Act, which occurred during his first month in office, as an early victory during his freshman term. When asked about the biggest moment of his first year, McDowell says being with President Donald Trump when the Fentanyl Act was signed into law was the highlight. On a local level, he discusses securing $3 million for a new health sciences center at Davidson-Davie Community College as another important achievement. Later, Jensen asks McDowell about his thoughts on the recent ICE-involved shooting in Minneapolis, Minnesota. McDowell says the shooting in Minnesota shows that Democrats are “villainizing” law enforcement officers who are trying to carry out their jobs, and emphasizes the need to support the officers who work every day to keep American citizens safe. Listen here for all of this and more on Breaking With Brett Jensen. To be the first to hear about Breaking Brett Jensen's exclusives and more follow him on X @Brett_Jensen!

Tune in here to this ​Monday edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Breaking Brett Jensen continues his "Freshman Congressmen" series, speaking today with U.S. Rep Pat Harrigan, who marked one year representing the citizens of North Carolina's 10th Congressional District. When Jensen asks him to reflect on his first year in Congress, Harrigan says progress has been made in setting a trajectory for the country’s future. One area he cites is the Working Families Tax Cut Act, where Congress was able to limit the federal government’s reach into the pockets of American citizens. He also references other pieces of legislation, such as the National Defense Authorization Act, as successful accomplishments during his freshman term. Pertaining to current events, Jensen asks Harrigan for his thoughts about the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces. Harrigan, a West Point graduate and former Special Forces officer, emphasizes that it was a complex operation for the U.S. to carry out from both personnel and aircraft perspectives. He describes the operation as one that illustrates the unique and unmatched capability of the U.S. military and says it is a point of pride for Americans. Listen here for all of this and more on Breaking With Brett Jensen. To be the first to hear about Breaking Brett Jensen's exclusives and more follow him on X @Brett_Jensen!

Tune in here to this ​Friday edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Breaking Brett Jensen kicks off the show by discussing an interview he conducted with Olivier Faye of Le Monde, France’s newspaper of record. Faye traveled to Charlotte from Paris to speak with Jensen about the stabbing of Iryna Zarutska on Charlotte’s light rail system in August of last year. During the interview, Jensen asks why Le Monde is interested in an American crime story involving Zarutska. Faye explains that news of the incident has spread rapidly on French social media in recent months. He says he made the lengthy trip to Charlotte to gather the facts firsthand so he could provide an accurate report to readers in France. Jensen then continues his “Freshman Congressmen” series, speaking with U.S. Rep. Tim Moore, who recently marked one year representing North Carolina’s 14th Congressional District. At the start of the interview, Jensen asks Moore to reflect on how the expectations of the job compared with the reality of his first term. Moore says serving in Congress has been “an honor,” particularly given “the times in which we live.” He adds that seeing the United States regain respect on the international stage is among the positive developments he has witnessed during his first year in office. Listen here for all of this and more on Breaking With Brett Jensen. To be the first to hear about Breaking Brett Jensen's exclusives and more follow him on X @Brett_Jensen!

Tune in here to this ​Thursday edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Tonight, Breaking Brett Jensen is joined by several representatives from North Carolina state government. He opens the show with North Carolina Sen. Brad Overcash, who represents Gaston County, to discuss the state budget, which was not passed in 2025. During the interview, Jensen asks Overcash why the budget - which many government employees rely on for pay raises - was not passed last year. Overcash cites ongoing disagreements between the House and Senate as the reason for the delay, but emphasizes that the General Assembly has approved several measures in key areas, including staff increases. Next, Jensen speaks with North Carolina GOP Chair Jason Simmons about voter registration. For the first time, Republicans have surpassed Democrats in the total number of registered voters statewide. Jensen asks Simmons how that shift came to fruition. Simmons attributes the increase in Republican voters to growing support for conservative priorities and policies over the past decade, both statewide and nationally. Finally, Jensen talks with U.S. Rep. Mark Harris, who recently marked his one-year anniversary representing North Carolina’s 8th Congressional District. Harris calls his first year in Congress “incredible,” saying it has been “a privilege” to serve the people of the district. Jensen also asks Harris about his “welcome to Congress” moment, among other topics. Listen here for all of this and more on Breaking With Brett Jensen. To be the first to hear about Breaking Brett Jensen's exclusives and more follow him on X @Brett_Jensen!

Tune in here to this Wednesday edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Breaking Brett Jensen opens the show by discussing Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden. Jensen conducted a brief interview with McFadden following a town hall-style event at the Valerie Woodard Center. Jensen first asks the sheriff about his thoughts on an upcoming trip to Raleigh, where he is scheduled to testify before the Oversight Committee on Jan. 29. McFadden describes the trip as an educational opportunity to inform officials in Raleigh about what he says is a widespread misconception regarding the true role of his office. Jensen then asks McFadden about several topics that could arise during the meeting, including safety on the Charlotte Area Transit System. Jensen also asks McFadden about the petition filed by NC State Rep Carla Cunningham to have him removed from office.  Later in the show, Jensen discusses a new book written by former Charlotte City Councilwoman Tiawana Brown, who, along with her two daughters, faces felony charges for receiving federal funds during COVID. The book is titled “Unbreakable: The Rise, the Fire, and the Fight, Part 1.” Jensen notes that including “Part 1” in the title suggests additional books by Brown may follow. Jensen also points out that the book’s synopsis contains grammatical errors. Listen here for all of this and more on Breaking With Brett Jensen. To be the first to hear about Breaking Brett Jensen's exclusives and more follow him on X @Brett_Jensen!

Tune in here to this ​Tuesday edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Breaking Brett Jensen is joined in the studio by Mecklenburg County District Attorney Spencer Merriweather. Jensen asks Merriweather about state statute governing the removal of elected officials from office. Without discussing specific cases under review, Merriweather explains a provision that allows five qualified electors from a particular jurisdiction to file a petition for removal. The petition must then be approved by either a district attorney or a county attorney, before being sent to court, which ultimately determine what is required for approval. Later, Jensen asks Merriweather about the impact of the recently enforced Iryna’s Law on his office. Merriweather says the most significant change is the addition of 10 prosecutors and five victim-witness assistants made possible by the law. He adds that his office is actively recruiting to fill new prosecutor positions that are expected to become available over the next three months. Listen here for all of this and more on Breaking With Brett Jensen. To be the first to hear about Breaking Brett Jensen's exclusives and more follow him on X @Brett_Jensen!

Tune in here to this ​Monday edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Breaking Brett Jensen is joined in the studio by former Charlotte City Council member Tariq Bokhari. Jensen begins the interview by asking Bokhari about his most recent role as deputy administrator of the Federal Transit Administration in Washington, D.C. Bokhari describes his time in the nation’s capital as “wild,” saying it went beyond anything he initially expected. Jensen then asks why Bokhari decided to leave the transit role after five months. Bokhari says the decision was heavily influenced by a desire to spend more time with his family, especially as his children are getting older. Later, Jensen asks Bokhari to describe what occurred in the fallout seven days after he left City Council in April 2025. During that time, former Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings received a secret payout from the City Council to prevent him from filing a lawsuit against the city. Bokhari discusses the details surrounding the payout in the exclusive interview. Listen here for all of this and more on Breaking With Brett Jensen. To be the first to hear about Breaking Brett Jensen's exclusives and more follow him on X @Brett_Jensen!

Tune in here to this ​Thursday edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Breaking Brett Jensen reveals the top 10 stories he broke in 2025. In this episode, Breaking Brett looks back at the exclusive top 4 reports being revealed. Listen here for all of this and more on Breaking With Brett Jensen. To be the first to hear about Breaking Brett Jensen’s exclusives and more follow him on X @Brett_Jensen!

Tune in here to this ​Wednesday edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Breaking Brett Jensen reveals the top 10 stories he broke in 2025. In this episode, Breaking Brett looks back at the exclusive reports 10-5, with the top 4 reports being revealed on New Year's Day. Listen here for all of this and more on Breaking With Brett Jensen. To be the first to hear about Breaking Brett Jensen's exclusives and more follow him on X @Brett_Jensen!

Tune in here to this ​Monday edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Today, Tony Marino of Newsmax fills in for “Breaking Brett Jensen.” Marino opens the show by discussing several local and national stories. He focuses on one in particular: President Donald Trump’s recent meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Marino explains that during his meeting with Netanyahu, Trump issued another warning to Hamas, urging the group to continue abiding by the Gaza peace plan. Later, Marino comments on the importance of time as the nation heads into the new year, citing the actions of President Trump and the Republican-controlled Congress during the first year of Trump’s second term. He then shares an interview he conducted with former North Carolina Republican Party chairman and current state Senate candidate Michael Whatley. In the interview, Whatley discusses President Trump’s recent rally in Rocky Mount and outlines his goals should he be elected to the state Senate, among other topics. Listen here for all of this and more on Breaking With Brett Jensen. To be the first to hear about Breaking Brett Jensen's exclusives and more follow him on X @Brett_Jensen!

Tune in here to this ​Friday edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Today, guest host Scott Hamilton fills-in for Brett Jensen. Hamilton kicks off the show by discussing several local stories that have made headlines. The biggest involves a child custody exchange that turned into an officer-involved shooting in the nearby town of Mint Hill. Hamilton notes the incident occurred in a commercial area with several businesses nearby. He then turns to political news, interviewing CNN White House reporter Adam Cancryn about the release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein. Cancryn explains that the process, which has been ongoing for more than a year, resulted in additional files being released this week, with more expected in the coming weeks. Hamilton also speaks with aviation expert and author Max Trescott, who shares information about a tragic plane crash involving former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and his family. Trescott discusses key clues related to the accident that have been released by the National Transportation Safety Board as part of its investigation. Listen here for all of this and more on Breaking With Brett Jensen. To be the first to hear about Breaking Brett Jensen's exclusives and more follow him on X @Brett_Jensen!

Tune in here to this ​Tuesday edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Breaking Brett Jensen is joined in the studio by David Longo, chair of the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance and board member of Charlotte Center City Partners. Longo discusses his role on the newly formed Metropolitan Public Transit Authority. The goal of the transit authority is to ensure safety across all Charlotte Area Transit System services once the recently approved one-cent sales tax referendum goes into effect. Safety on Charlotte transit is a central theme throughout the interview. Longo emphasizes that safety and security are his top priorities and says implementing a system that supports those goals is critical. To accomplish this, Longo suggests leveraging technology to identify individuals who should not be allowed to ride the light rail or bus system. He also notes that expanded technology on the CATS system could help alert authorities to potential escalations before they become more serious issues. Listen here for all of this and more on Breaking With Brett Jensen. To be the first to hear about Breaking Brett Jensen's exclusives and more follow him on X @Brett_Jensen!

Tune in here to this ​Monday edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Breaking Brett Jensen kicks off the show by discussing candidates running in the 2026 legislative races across Mecklenburg County. Last Friday at noon marked the deadline for candidates to file for office in North Carolina next year. Jensen then previews key state Senate and House contests in Mecklenburg County, which has historically leaned Democratic. Several state legislative races in the county stand out. One is Senate District 98, where Democrat Beth Helfrich is set to face Republican John Rhodes. Jensen notes the district is unusual, as the seat has alternated between Democratic and Republican control in each of the past four election cycles. Another notable race is Senate District 105, where Republican Tricia Cotham is expected to face Kelly VanHorn, a former Democrat and former teacher who is part of a group of educators changing party affiliation to challenge Republicans. County Commission races are also drawing attention, as no Republicans are running as at-large candidates. Jensen notes that Districts 5 and 6 were drawn in a way that makes it difficult for Republicans to win. He attributes the district boundaries to decisions made by the County Commission, which opted to draw its own maps. Listen here for all of this and more on Breaking With Brett Jensen. To be the first to hear about Breaking Brett Jensen's exclusives and more follow him on X @Brett_Jensen!

Tune in here to this ​Thursday edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Breaking Brett Jensen opens the show with details from a press conference held today by U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina Russ Ferguson and the Charlotte FBI office. The briefing addressed the two most recent stabbings on the light rail, including the August attack that resulted in the death of Ukrainian immigrant Iryna Zarutska. Among the key updates was that Oscar Solarzano, the suspect in the most recent stabbing, has been charged federally with illegal reentry and committing an act of violence on a mass transportation system. Later, Jensen interviews several key local figures: former CMS board member Lisa Cline, North Carolina Rep. David Willis and U.S. Rep. Tim Moore. With Cline, he discusses the inner workings of the school board and the recent raise given to Superintendent Crystal Hill. Willis talks about the committees that continue to meet despite the General Assembly not being in session. Finally, with Moore, Jensen covers developments in Washington, D.C., as they relate to North Carolina, including a recent story involving the Lumbee Tribe in the eastern part of the state. Listen here for all of this and more on Breaking With Brett Jensen. To be the first to hear about Breaking Brett Jensen's exclusives and more follow him on X @Brett_Jensen!

Tune in here to this ​Wednesday edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Breaking Brett Jensen opens the show by discussing what he calls a “major issue” surrounding the officials Charlotte residents elect to local office. Jensen says, in his opinion, that several people elected to city government over the past two years had no business being in office. He adds that these issues have persisted among individuals serving on roles ranging from the school board to the City Council. Later, Jensen highlights an internal email sent by Brent Cagle, the interim head of the Charlotte Area Transit System. The email was intended to brief the Charlotte City Council on security aboard the CATS light rail. According to a report referencing the email, Cagle told city leaders that security teams do not ride every train for the full duration of their shifts. He also noted that a dedicated transit police force is expected to launch once CATS transitions to an independent authority. The email also references a $3.4 million advertising campaign aimed at encouraging Charlotte residents to ride the light rail. In describing the campaign, Cagle says marketing and communications efforts continue to play a “vital” role in supporting CATS and the customers it serves. He also mentions security concerns related to Friday night’s stabbing incident, noting that no security personnel were on board at the time. Listen here for all of this and more on Breaking With Brett Jensen. To be the first to hear about Breaking Brett Jensen's exclusives and more follow him on X @Brett_Jensen!

Tune in here to this Tuesday edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Breaking Brett Jensen kicks off the show by discussing the topics in Mark Garrison’s news report on WBT this morning. The report, which Jensen calls “the best he’s heard,” covered the major issues relevant to Charlotte. Jensen notes that one story stood out - a $3.4 million investment by the Charlotte City Council for an advertising campaign encouraging residents to ride the light rail. Council members chose to focus on this rather than adding more security on the rail system. Regarding the light-rail advertising campaign, Jensen says he believes the concept of “perception” is what motivated the City Council to invest in it. He says “perception,” rather than reality, has frequently guided council decisions. He also says the campaign is misleading to the public because it distracts from significant safety issues that continue to plague the light-rail system. Later, Jensen breaks down numbers released by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department from the first weekend of Operation Safe Season. The figures detail traffic citations, arrests and guns seized. Listen here for all of this and more on Breaking With Brett Jensen. To be the first to hear about Breaking Brett Jensen's exclusives and more follow him on X @Brett_Jensen!

  Tune in here to this ​Monday edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Breaking Brett Jensen discusses the most recent stabbing on Charlotte’s light rail, which occurred last Friday. The suspect, Oscar Solarzano, is an illegal alien who had been deported from the United States twice. He had also been suspended from riding the light rail, and there are indications he did not have a ticket at the time of the stabbing. Later, Jensen speaks with North Carolina Rep. Mark Harris about the incident. Harris, who calls the attack “unbelievable,” says it highlights the need for elected officials who support law enforcement and Border Patrol. He also points to what he describes as a clear problem in Charlotte - a lack of public support for officers trying to do their jobs. According to Harris, this issue has been evident since “Operation Charlotte’s Web,” which took place last month. Jensen closes the show by discussing an important change coming to WBT later this week. The station will transition to the powerful 100,000-watt 107.9 FM frequency beginning Thursday morning. Listen here for all of this and more on Breaking With Brett Jensen. To be the first to hear about Breaking Brett Jensen's exclusives and more follow him on X @Brett_Jensen!

Tune in here to this ​Thursday edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Breaking Brett Jensen kicks off the show by discussing a press conference announcing a new initiative in the city of Charlotte, dubbed "Operation Safe Season". Among those in attendance were newly appointed Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Estella Patterson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina Russ Ferguson, Mecklenburg County District Attorney Spencer Merriweather, and several others. According to Patterson, the purpose of the operation is to lay the groundwork for “reducing violent crime and disorder” during her first week as chief and into the future. After the opening statements, Jensen notes that a question was raised about juveniles who may gather in the Uptown area and cause trouble during the holiday season. In response, Patterson said she understands that young people want to enjoy the community festivities, but emphasized they must be responsible and follow the law. Another topic addressed was the role the federal government will play in the operation. Ferguson said, in part, that the response will not be based on zone locations but on where crime is occurring. Jensen concludes the show by discussing two additional local topics. The first concerns Mecklenburg County Commissioner Vilma Leake, who represents District 2 and is once again running for a seat on the commission. The second focuses on the current state of the Carolina Panthers, who are on their bye week. Listen here for all of this and more on Breaking With Brett Jensen. To be the first to hear about Breaking Brett Jensen's exclusives and more follow him on X @Brett_Jensen!

Tune in here to this ​Wednesday edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Breaking Brett Jensen kicks off the show talking with former North Carolina Republican Party Chairman Michael Whatley, who recently filed to run for the North Carolina Senate. Whatley describes his campaign as an effort to “discuss the issues that matter for North Carolina.” He says common sense is needed to address the state’s top concerns - particularly the economy, jobs and public safety. When asked whether Republicans will rebound in state government next year, Whatley says the decision will hinge on whether voters believe their future senator will support former President Donald Trump and the “America First” agenda. He says he is confident North Carolinians will side with Trump again and emphasizes that he wants to be Trump’s “conservative champion” in the Senate. Later, Jensen discusses two stories relevant to the Queen City - a rise in apartment construction and rent prices, and a lawsuit in NASCAR involving team owners Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin. Listen here for all of this and more on Breaking With Brett Jensen. To be the first to hear about Breaking Brett Jensen's exclusives and more follow him on X @Brett_Jensen!

Tune in here to this ​Tuesday edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Breaking Brett Jensen kicks off the show by interviewing North Carolina State Auditor Dave Boliek. Boliek and his team are actively investigating the City of Charlotte's $99,999 settlement given out to Lance Patterson, the husband of new Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Estella Patterson. This payout was brought about to settle Patterson's seven-year lawsuit against the City. In the interview, Boliek mentions that he requested this investigation to bring transparency to the residents of Charlotte - as well as expose how the city government spends their taxpayer funds. He also notes that his office reached out to the City of Charlotte on November 14 to request the details of the payout. When asked his thoughts about City staff calling the investigation a "political ploy", Boliek emphasizes that he was very clear when he investigated the settlement to former Police Chief Johnny Jennings. During that investigation, he explained that the position of the State Auditor's office is that any expense of taxpayer money is the business of the taxpayers. This rhetoric is also being used in the newest investigation. In closing, Boliek gives an update on other projects that the State Auditor's office has been working. One such audit involved the North Carolina Office of Recovery and Resiliency, which looked at the Eastern part of the State's response to Hurricanes Matthew and Florence. Boliek notes that this particular audit is instructive and interesting as it pertains to how the State responded to those storms that affected the region. Listen here for all of this and more on Breaking With Brett Jensen. To be the first to hear about Breaking Brett Jensen's exclusives and more follow him on X @Brett_Jensen!

Tune in here to this ​Monday edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Breaking Brett Jensen opens the show by discussing a story he broke on social media: The City of Charlotte has settled a seven-year lawsuit brought by Lance Patterson, the husband of newly appointed Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Estella Patterson. Jensen notes that the $99,999 payout is significant because City Manager Marcus Jones does not need City Council approval for settlements under $100,000. Another notable detail is that the payout will be divided between two parties: Patterson will receive $40,000, and his legal team at James McIlroy & Diehl will receive the remaining amount of $59,000. Later, Jensen speaks with North Carolina Rep. David Willis, who represents Union County. Willis discusses “Iryna’s Law,” which took effect in North Carolina today. He was a key advocate for the measure, which honors slain Ukrainian immigrant Iryna Zarutska. Zarutska's death on Charlotte's light rail made national and international headlines back in August. Among the several components of the law, Willis says the main provisions address cashless bail and pretrial release for violent offenders. He adds that the law also revises the definition of violent offenses in an effort to reduce the burden on inexperienced magistrates. Willis concludes the interview by noting that the law aims to better address the mental health needs of violent offenders. Listen here for all of this and more on Breaking With Brett Jensen. To be the first to hear about Breaking Brett Jensen's exclusives and more follow him on X @Brett_Jensen!

Tune in here to this ​Wednesday edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Breaking Brett Jensen opens the show by discussing a new historic law that will take effect in N.C. on Monday. The measure, dubbed “Iryna’s Law,” was developed after Ukrainian immigrant Iryna Zarutska was stabbed to death on Charlotte’s light rail in August. The law’s primary purpose is to crack down on pretrial release for repeat and/or violent offenders. Jensen emphasizes that Iryna’s Law affects every person in Mecklenburg County - and, in some cases, those in neighboring counties. He also notes that in addition to targeting repeat offenders, the law eliminates written promises to appear in court. This provision is particularly significant because Decarlos Brown Jr., the man charged with murdering Zarutska, had been granted such a promise to appear by a county magistrate. Iryna’s Law also abolishes cashless bail, among other changes. Later, Jensen shares a statement released by Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden regarding Customs and Border Protection’s departure from Charlotte. In the statement, McFadden says the Border Patrol operation created “confusion, fear and mistrust throughout Mecklenburg County.” However, he goes on to say that “the Sheriff’s Office played no role in causing that confusion.” Jensen stresses that the people “living in fear” were the migrants living in the Queen City illegally. Listen here for all of this and more on Breaking With Brett Jensen. To be the first to hear about Breaking Brett Jensen's exclusives and more follow him on X @Brett_Jensen!

  Tune in here to this ​Monday edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Breaking Brett Jensen opens the show by discussing the shooting that took place Friday during Concord’s Christmas tree lighting. Jensen notes a recent trend in the growing populations of suburban cities surrounding Charlotte. As Charlotte’s growth continues to “spill over,” counties such as Iredell, Gaston, and Union are also expanding. He says this trend may help explain why towns around Charlotte are beginning to see crime incidents similar to those that have occurred in the Uptown area. Next, Jensen covers the breaking story of the night: a guilty verdict in the murder trial of Scott Brooks, the former co-owner of Brooks Sandwich House in Charlotte’s NoDa neighborhood. The two men convicted in Brooks’ killing - Steven Staples and Terry Connor Jr. - were each found guilty of first-degree murder and face life in prison without parole. Jensen notes that the North Carolina recently passed a measure allowing the death penalty, including firing squad and other methods, which could come into play should prosecutors seek capital punishment. He also reports that the two men have been implicated in other killings, totaling eight between them. Listen here for all of this and more on Breaking With Brett Jensen. To be the first to hear about Breaking Brett Jensen's exclusives and more follow him on X @Brett_Jensen!

Tune in here to this ​Friday edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Breaking Brett Jensen kicks off the show discussing the payout the Charlotte city government has set aside for immigrants and businesses that lost money during Border Patrol’s “Operation Charlotte’s Web.” He speaks with WBT News Director Mark Garrison, who explains the headline-making story in greater detail. Garrison says the issue began at a Charlotte City Council meeting earlier in the week, when council members directed City Manager Marcus Jones to locate funding to assist migrants in the community affected by the raids. As of Friday afternoon, the city issued a press release stating it has identified $100,000 for those migrants - both those legally and illegally in the country - to apply for assistance funded by city taxpayers. Later in the show, Jensen shares an interview with BHAWK Bourbon Distillery owner and former Army veteran Brad Halling, who was involved in the real “Black Hawk Down” incident. Jensen spoke with Halling following his appearance at the Charlotte Bourbon Society’s “Bourbon Hearts Charity Dinner” last week. In the interview, Jensen learns more about Halling as both a military veteran and a bourbon distiller. Listen here for all of this and more on Breaking With Brett Jensen. To be the first to hear about Breaking Brett Jensen's exclusives and more follow him on X @Brett_Jensen!

Tune in here to this ​Thursday edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Breaking Brett Jensen kicks off the show by discussing a terrifying story he broke on social media today involving Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. The story involved a student at Palisades High School who was found carrying an AR-15 rifle with dozens of rounds of ammunition at a school bus stop. Once witnesses saw the gun, the student ran from responding officers and was ultimately found hiding at a residence and arrested. Nobody was injured in the situation. Jensen notes that had the witnesses not alerted authorities, the situation could have ended far worse once the student arrived at school. He adds that Charlotte could have potentially been thrust into the national news spotlight for the second time this week. Jensen also mentions that, according to North Carolina state law, the student can be charged as an adult. However, Mecklenburg County has a track record of not charging students involved in crimes as adults. Later, Jensen shares two statements released today - one from Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles and another from the Department of Homeland Security. Both statements refer to the ongoing Border Patrol operation that has been underway since Saturday in the Queen City. In her statement, Lyles calls the operation an “intrusion” on the city, saying residents and businesses were “targeted” by agents who have been detaining people in the country illegally. Jensen further points out that this statement, similar to some of her recent ones, appears to have been composed by artificial intelligence based on its formatting. The statement from a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson says roughly 370 people in the country illegally have been detained and emphasizes that the operation in Charlotte “is not over.” This is significant to the ongoing status of the operation, especially because Lyles’ statement implied that Border Patrol had “ceased operations” in the city. Listen here for all of this and more on Breaking With Brett Jensen. To be the first to hear about Breaking Brett Jensen's exclusives and more follow him on X @Brett_Jensen!

Tune in here to this ​Wednesday edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Breaking Brett Jensen kicks off the show by giving an update about the various protests that are occurring around the city of Charlotte during the ongoing Border Patrol operation. Jensen references a specific demonstration that he attended this morning, that took place at The Home Depot location on Wendover Road. He notes that the attendance for this particular protest consisted of roughly 115 people. He also highlights that the people in attendance were holding signs saying "Honk for Migrants" and "Honk If You Hate ICE", among others. However, Jensen emphasizes that two things stood out to him about the demographic of the people who demonstrated - there weren't many people of color in attendance and most of them were older middle-class individuals. Later, Jensen recaps Mecklenburg County ABC's "Barrel-Palooza" event that took place on Saturday. He notes that Meck ABC broke the all-time sales record for one store with over $350,000. Jensen then shares an interview that he did with Vice President of Logistics & Mixed Beverages Brian Peter shortly before the store opened on Saturday morning. In the interview, Peter talks about the lottery system he implemented, and is now getting a lot of praise for, as well as the gentleman who traveled from Apex, North Carolina to be first in line for what he described as a "once in a lifetime" opportunity. Listen here for all of this and more on Breaking With Brett Jensen. To be the first to hear about Breaking Brett Jensen's exclusives and more follow him on X @Brett_Jensen!

Tune in here to this ​Monday edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Breaking Brett Jensen kicks off the show by discussing the Customs and Border Protection operation in Charlotte, dubbed “Operation Charlotte’s Web,” that has been underway since Saturday morning. The headline of the operation so far is that CBP agents have detained roughly 130 people who were living in the city illegally. Jensen says the reaction from government officials, both local and national, has been what he describes as “moronic.”  That reaction included statements from North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein and Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles, both of whom said Border Patrol agents were causing fear and panic in the community. Jensen emphasizes that this “fear and panic” has been present in Queen City long before Border Patrol arrived, due to crime in the Uptown area. Later, Jensen is joined by North Carolina GOP Chairman Jason Simmons, and the two discuss how Charlotte has been turned into a sanctuary city for people in the country illegally. Part of their conversation centers on a Charlotte City Council committee that voted to allocate money to organizations that work with migrants. Simmons says this should not come as a surprise, emphasizing that Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden has repeatedly refused to work with federal law enforcement to take action involving migrants who have entered the Queen City illegally. Listen here for all of this and more on Breaking With Brett Jensen. To be the first to hear about Breaking Brett Jensen's exclusives and more follow him on X @Brett_Jensen!

Tune in here to this ​Friday's edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Breaking Brett Jensen kicks the show off by talking about the brewing controversy surrounding Customs and Border Protection agents arriving in Charlotte and the political fallout that’s followed. Jensen highlights how some residents and activist groups are furious about the increased federal presence, while others welcome it as a necessary step to address crime and illegal immigration. Jensen brings on Congressman Tim Moore, who expresses frustration over the recent 40-day government shutdown and praises bipartisan moderates for helping reopen the government. Moore sharply criticizes Democratic leadership for using the shutdown as leverage and strongly defends Border Patrol officers coming to Charlotte, calling opposition to them “outrageous” and rooted in anti-law-enforcement rhetoric. He argues the federal presence is needed to clean up the immigration issues of the last four years. Later Jensen dives into the growing tension surrounding Border Protection agents arriving in Charlotte and the panic spreading among activists, Hispanic community groups, and local political figures. He criticizes what he sees as misplaced outrage, emphasizing that federal agents are targeting serious offenders, not law-abiding families. Jensen plays a WBTV report highlighting community fears and nonprofits preparing residents for possible encounters with agents. Listen here for all of this and more on Breaking With Brett Jensen. To be the first to hear about Breaking Brett Jensen's exclusives and more follow him on X @Brett_Jensen!

  Tune in here to this ​Thursday's edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen!   Breaking Brett Jensen kicks the show off by talking about the major law-enforcement news he broke 24 hours earlier and the confirmation from local officials that Border Patrol agents will soon arrive in Charlotte. He explains that both a congressman and the Mecklenburg County sheriff validated his reporting, noting agents are coming to target specific criminal suspects, including gang members and drug traffickers. Jensen then shifts to his in-studio guest, Mecklenburg County ABC’s mixed beverage and logistics director — better known as the “bourbon guy” — Brian Peter. Together, they preview this weekend’s highly anticipated “Barrel Palooza,” an allocated bourbon release featuring some of the rarest and most sought-after bottles in the country. Peter reveals the new location for Saturday’s event, Store 24 on Prosperity Church Road, and discusses how the ABC board prepares for massive crowds and manages distribution   Listen here for all of this and more on Breaking With Brett Jensen.   To be the first to hear about Breaking Brett Jensen's exclusives and more follow him on X @Brett_Jensen!  

Tune in here to this ​Wednesday edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Breaking Brett Jensen kicks off the show discussing the major local news story he broke on social media: Customs and Border Protection agents are being deployed to Charlotte from Chicago. Jensen emphasizes that Customs and Border Protection is different from Immigration and Customs Enforcement and says the agents are coming to Charlotte for a specific operation. He reports that more than 100 CBP agents are expected to arrive in the Queen City as early as Nov. 15, but no later than early in the week, and that they will be in the city for only a few days. Jensen also reads a statement that Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles posted on her social media account, noting that it’s the type of statement only Lyles would write and share publicly. He points out that the word “safe” appears repeatedly in the statement. Jensen suggests that Lyles should instead focus on keeping residents safe from the murders occurring in the Uptown area, which accounts for 14% of homicides within Charlotte city limits. Listen here for all of this and more on Breaking With Brett Jensen. To be the first to hear about Breaking Brett Jensen's exclusives and more follow him on X @Brett_Jensen!

Tune in here to this ​Monday edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Breaking Brett Jensen kicks off the show by discussing the first session of the Scott Brooks murder trial. Jensen shares a report from Queen City News that highlights a key detail from the session - the judge overseeing the case had to dismiss one of the jurors after he fell asleep during opening statements. The dismissed juror had previously spoken with the judge during the selection process, saying he felt he could serve on the jury despite working a third-shift job. As for Monday’s session, it focused on surveillance video from December 2019 taken at Brooks’ Sandwich House, as well as footage from neighboring businesses surrounding the restaurant. Later, Charlotte Bourbon Society founder Ken Bernardo joins Jensen to discuss the society’s Bourbon Hearts Charity Dinner and Auction, taking place Friday night. The event benefits the HeartBright Foundation, whose mission is to promote cardiovascular wellness through prevention, awareness, and partnerships across the Charlotte region. Veteran Brad Halling - who survived the real Black Hawk Down - and his wife, Jess, will participate in the event. The Hallings own BHAWK, a distillery based in Southern Pines. Their participation will support the society’s goal of honoring veterans during the event. Listen here for all of this and more on Breaking With Brett Jensen. To be the first to hear about Breaking Brett Jensen's exclusives and more follow him on X @Brett_Jensen!

Tune in here to this ​Thursday's edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Breaking Brett Jensen kicks the show off by talking about the surge in voter turnout across Mecklenburg County and what it reveals about the local political landscape. He compares the 2025 election results to 2023, noting that turnout jumped from 15.5% to 22%—a massive 45% increase. While some attribute the rise to the controversial one-cent sales tax referendum, Jensen argues the phenomenon runs deeper, pointing to a broader “Trump effect” that fueled Democratic turnout not only in Charlotte but across North Carolina and even Virginia. Jensen is joined by Congressman Mark Harris to discuss the recent letter sent to Governor Josh Stein requesting the deployment of the National Guard to Charlotte. Harris explains that the request was prompted by rising violent crime, police staffing shortages, and growing public concern following a string of homicides. He emphasizes that the proposal, supported by the Fraternal Order of Police, aims to provide a short-term solution to restore safety and confidence—particularly in uptown Charlotte—while long-term reforms take shape. Harris notes that similar measures have yielded positive results in other cities and urges Governor Stein to “put politics aside” and listen to law enforcement leaders. Listen here for all of this and more on Breaking With Brett Jensen. To be the first to hear about Breaking Brett Jensen's exclusives and more follow him on X @Brett_Jensen!

Tune in here to this ​Wednesday's edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Breaking Brett Jensen kicks the show off by talking about the recent developments at the Mecklenburg County Detention Center following another inmate death, as well as the ongoing challenges surrounding the closure of the Juvenile Detention Center at Jail North. Joined in-studio by Mecklenburg County Sheriff Gary McFadden, Jensen dives into the details of the investigations being handled by the SBI and the complexities behind reopening the juvenile facility. Sheriff McFadden clarifies that while his office once partnered with the Department of Juvenile Justice, the state ultimately bears responsibility for providing bed space and staffing — a challenge worsened by high vacancy rates The discussion also highlights McFadden’s recent letter to state officials urging accountability and transparency, with both agreeing that a public forum is needed to address the issue.  Later in the show, Jensen teases a conversation about McFadden’s potential re-election bid. Listen here for all of this and more on Breaking With Brett Jensen. To be the first to hear about Breaking Brett Jensen's exclusives and more follow him on X @Brett_Jensen!  

Tune in here to this ​Monday's edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Brett Jensen is filling in for Brett Winterble, so Brett kicks off the program by talking about the upcoming election and the introduction of Charlotte’s new police chief, Estella Patterson. He calls it a “pre-election extravaganza,” outlining a busy three-hour show packed with interviews and insights ahead of Election Day. Brett highlights the strong early voting turnout and previews an impressive lineup of guests, including Sheriff Gary McFadden, WBTV investigative reporter David Hodges, and several candidates running in key local races. He explains that the show will cover everything from voter turnout and campaign updates to public safety and community issues shaping tomorrow’s election. Brett then turns to major local news — the introduction of CMPD’s new chief, Estella Patterson. He plays City Manager Marcus Jones’s remarks and Patterson’s full statement, before teasing his exclusive one-on-one interview with Jones about the hiring process and future plans for the department Listen here for all of this and more on Breaking With Brett Jensen. To be the first to hear about Breaking Brett Jensen's exclusives and more follow him on X @Brett_Jensen!

Tune in here to this ​Monday's edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Breaking Brett Jensen sits down for a 1-on-1 exclusive interview with Mecklenburg County Sheriff Gary McFadden to discuss his recent decision to renew cooperation with ICE and what that partnership really means for the county. Sheriff McFadden explains that the move isn’t about enforcement but about improving safety and communication between agencies. He details new protocols that allow ICE agents to operate within secure areas of the courthouse and detention center, ensuring transparency, safety, and respect for all involved. The sheriff also addresses concerns surrounding recent inmate deaths at the Mecklenburg County Detention Center, citing underlying health issues, poverty, and substance abuse as the primary causes rather than officer misconduct. Listen here for all of this and more on Breaking With Brett Jensen. To be the first to hear about Breaking Brett Jensen's exclusives and more follow him on X @Brett_Jensen!

Tune in here to this ​Friday's edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Brett is joined by the FOP President Daniel Redford to discuss the new CMPD Police Chief, Stella Patterson.  Brett shares a clip from Mark Garrison about a NC dairy farm.   Listen here for all of this and more on Breaking With Brett Jensen.   To be the first to hear about Breaking Brett Jensen's exclusives and more follow him on X @Brett_Jensen!

Tune in here to this ​Wednesday's edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Breaking Brett Jensen kicks the show off by talking about the upcoming local elections and the key races shaping the Charlotte region. With Election Day just around the corner, he highlights competitive contests in Huntersville, Matthews, and Cornelius—races that could significantly impact local leadership. Brett is joined by Frank Gammon, a Republican candidate running for Huntersville Town Council, who shares his thoughts on taxes, growth, and voter engagement. Gammon expresses concern over rising tax rates and questions recent development decisions, emphasizing his opposition to additional sales taxes. He also calls for greater transparency and urges more residents to participate in municipal elections, which he says have a direct effect on daily life Listen here for all of this and more on Breaking With Brett Jensen. To be the first to hear about Breaking Brett Jensen's exclusives and more follow him on X @Brett_Jensen!

Tune in here to this ​Monday's edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Breaking Brett dives into the upcoming municipal elections across the Charlotte region, focusing particularly on the mayoral race in Concord. Jensen is joined by Steve Morris to discuss his campaign for mayor of Concord and the key issues shaping the upcoming election. Morris, who previously served as chairman of the Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners, emphasizes his deep commitment to the community and outlines his priorities if elected - managing growth responsibly, protecting infrastructure, and keeping Concord’s elections nonpartisan. He warns that turning city races into partisan contests would divide residents and disenfranchise unaffiliated voters, who make up the largest voter bloc in the city. Brett then discusses the early voting turnout that is already ahead of the pace seen two years ago, with more than 17,000 votes cast at key locations like SouthPark Library, Hal Marshall Center, and Cornelius Town Hall. Jensen notes that both Republicans and Democrats are participating, with Republicans following the push started in 2024 to vote early to avoid Election Day obstacle Listen here for all of this and more on Breaking With Brett Jensen. To be the first to hear about Breaking Brett Jensen's exclusives and more follow him on X @Brett_Jensen!  

Breaking Brett Jensen kicks the show off by talking about early voting turnout and the ongoing state budget stalemate in North Carolina. Jensen reviews updated early voting numbers across Mecklenburg County, noting strong participation once additional polling sites opened beyond uptown Charlotte. He then shifts focus to Raleigh, where lawmakers have yet to finalize a state budget. After playing a report from Queen City News, Jensen explains why the lack of a budget isn’t surprising, revealing that political insiders told him months ago this delay was expected. Jensen is joined by school board candidate Justin Shealy for an exclusive 1-on-1 interview to discuss his campaign for the District 6 seat on the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education. Shealy, who represents the southern part of Mecklenburg County including Steele Creek, Pineville, and Ballantyne, talks about his grassroots approach, focusing on door-to-door outreach and direct voter engagement during early voting. He acknowledges challenges running as a Republican in a nonpartisan race against two Democratic opponents, including one candidate he says has deep insider connections to CMS leadership. Shealy emphasizes his status as a newcomer to politics and a parent invested in improving schools, pledging to bring “a common-sense approach” and independence from special interests. Listen here for all of this and more on Breaking With Brett Jensen. To be the first to hear about Breaking Brett Jensen's exclusives and more follow him on X @Brett_Jensen!

Tune in here to this ​Thursday edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Today, Breaking Brett Jensen sits down with Charlotte community leader David Longo to talk about several relevant topics in the city of Charlotte. One of those is the one-cent sales tax referendum that is included on ballot in the ongoing Mecklenburg County election. Longo states that the one-cent sales tax increase is important to the city's infrastructure, mentioning that he has yet to meet someone who doesn't believe Charlotte has a traffic congestion problem. To further define the congestion problem, he says if you sit through one light cycle on your commute, that is classified as a systemic failure that needs to be addressed. Another topic that Longo addresses with Jensen is the ongoing issue of crime within the city limits. Jensen notes that CMPD continues to use the word "perception" when addressing crime, despite murders in the Uptown area being up two-200%. Describing the decision to hold a recent press conference to address this topic, Longo highlights that a lot of people in the community express concerns about the details of what the crime statistics were showing. He also recognizes that Charlotte center city is considered "the gathering place in the community", therefore it needs to be a place that is pristine and free of violence. Listen here for all of this and more on Breaking With Brett Jensen. To be the first to hear about Breaking Brett Jensen's exclusives and more follow him on X @Brett_Jensen!

Tune in here to this ​Wednesday's edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Breaking Brett Jensen kicks the show off by talking about the massive sick-out by 700 Union County teachers protesting the lack of county supplements promised by the school board, as well as a powerful press conference addressing youth violence and homicides in Charlotte. Jensen explains that the Union County Commissioners had already approved the money months ago, but the school board never distributed it, sparking widespread frustration among educators and parents. Jensen is joined by North Carolina State Representative David Willis from Union County for an exclusive one-on-one interview to discuss the newly redrawn congressional maps passed in Raleigh. Willis explains that while North Carolina will still have 14 congressional seats, lawmakers decided to revise the district boundaries to make them more compact and to counter what he describes as “egregious overreach” from California’s redistricting efforts. He notes that Districts 1 and 3 in eastern North Carolina were the primary focus, shifting from vertical to more horizontal layouts for fairness and geographic sense. Jensen is also joined by Union County Commissioner Chair Melissa Merrill to discuss the massive teacher sick-out that shook Union County schools. Merrill explains that earlier this year, county commissioners approved an additional $8.8 million for Union County Public Schools — funds that could have supported a $1,000 to $2,000 supplement increase for teachers. However, despite receiving the money in July, the school board chose not to distribute the funds, later claiming the county had not approved the raises. Listen here for all of this and more on Breaking With Brett Jensen. To be the first to hear about Breaking Brett Jensen's exclusives and more follow him on X @Brett_Jensen!

Tune in here to this ​Tuesday's edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Breaking Brett Jensen kicks the show off by talking about the latest round of Charlotte Observer endorsements in the CMS school board races and the political dynamics behind each decision. He walks listeners through the most competitive districts, questioning the newspaper's choices and highlighting the clear party lines in what are technically “nonpartisan” races. Brett gives context to each candidate, including controversial incumbent Melissa Easley, and details her previous social media scandals. He also digs into the background of Charlita Hatch and the political drama tied to her candidacy Listen here for all of this and more on Breaking With Brett Jensen. To be the first to hear about Breaking Brett Jensen's exclusives and more follow him on X @Brett_Jensen!

Four more murders this weekend in Charlotte. "The Pick Is Right" with Isaac, on Charlotte election endorsements by The Charlotte Observer. Brett discusses the current edition of the Panthers and reviews Talktoberfest.

Tune in here to this ​Friday edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Breaking Brett Jensen kicks off the show by talking about a recent situation regarding CMS and Piedmont Middle School. He explains that he was first informed about the incident at Piedmont Middle on Wednesday morning, based on an email that the principal sent out to parents on Tuesday night. Although the initial email sent out by the principal gave vague details, Jensen found out the incident was an alleged sexual assault, involving a group of boys going after another boy. He also obtained the video of the alleged assault, which he describes as volatile. Later, Jensen talks about the Carolina Panthers upcoming game against the New York Jets. He shares the interview that Panthers head coach Dave Canales held with members of the media. In the interview, Canales states that running backs Chuba Hubbard and Rico Dowdle will share opportunities in the offensive backfield. Canales emphasizes that he is excited for the opportunity for both players to help the offense be efficient on Sunday. Additionally, Canales gives updates about the available players at other skill positions, such as outside linebacker and positions along the offensive line. Listen here for all of this and more on Breaking With Brett Jensen. To be the first to hear about Breaking Brett Jensen's exclusives and more follow him on X @Brett_Jensen!

Tune in here to this ​Thursday's edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Breaking Brett Jensen opens the show by diving into the controversial use of eminent domain along Independence Boulevard. He explains how the NCDOT is seizing portions of private business properties—sometimes just 20 to 40 feet—for public development, raising concerns about whether affected businesses will be fairly compensated. Brett previews an in-depth conversation later in the show with attorneys representing some of those property owners. Later, Jensen sits down with Congressman Addison McDowell for an exclusive 1-on-1 interview to discuss the ongoing government shutdown, its root causes, and the broader implications for both Washington and District 6. McDowell pulls no punches, blaming Democratic leadership for prolonging the crisis and accusing them of leveraging the shutdown to push partisan spending demands—including Medicaid funds for undocumented immigrants. He emphasizes that the House has already passed a clean, bipartisan funding bill and says there's “nothing left to negotiate. Listen here for all of this and more on Breaking With Brett Jensen. To be the first to hear about Breaking Brett Jensen's exclusives and more follow him on X @Brett_Jensen!  

Tune in here to this ​Wednesday's edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Breaking Brett Jensen kicks the show off by talking about the latest crime statistics released by CMPD and the growing role of public perception in shaping how residents feel about safety in Charlotte. The department held a press conference earlier in the day, highlighting an overall 8% drop in crime and a 20% reduction in violent crime through the first three quarters of 2025. Jensen plays a key portion of the press conference, urging listeners to note how often the word “perception” is used by CMPD officials. Later Jensen digs into the second half of CMPD’s press conference on the latest crime stats — and doesn’t hold back. He challenges city officials on the disconnect between public “perception” and the reality of rising crime, especially in Uptown Charlotte. With murders up 200% and violent crimes increasing across the board in the Central Division, Brett demands straight answers on why CMPD continues to frame the issue as one of perception. Jensen is joined by Krista Bokharii to discuss her campaign for Charlotte City Council in District 6 and the issues she believes are holding the city back. A strong advocate for transparency and accountability, Bakari criticizes what she calls wasteful spending by current leadership — pointing to high-dollar payouts, the proposed $1.5 million for the private Excelsior Club, and a general lack of fiscal responsibility. Jensen ends the night with an exclusive 1-on-1 interview with James Bowers to discuss his campaign for Charlotte City Council in District 3 and his vision for restoring safety, transparency, and trust in city leadership. Bowers, a passionate advocate for public safety, criticized the current council for what he called poor decisions and a lack of accountability, particularly when it comes to crime and police staffing. Listen here for all of this and more on Breaking With Brett Jensen. To be the first to hear about Breaking Brett Jensen's exclusives and more follow him on X @Brett_Jensen!

Tune in here to this ​Tuesday's edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Filling in for Breaking Brett Jensen is Nick Craig from The Carolina News Hour to kick the show off by talking about redistricting and its national political implications. With lawmakers set to return to Raleigh on October 20th, Craig outlined the announcement from House Speaker Destin Hall and Senate Leader Phil Berger that the North Carolina General Assembly will redraw congressional maps—part of a larger, nationwide redistricting battle. He traced how this trend started with Democrat-led states like Illinois and California before Republican states like Texas followed suit, triggering a tit-for-tat response. Craig argued that rather than offering better ideas to win elections, Democrats are trying to reshape electoral boundaries to gain advantage. He emphasized the partisan nature of redistricting across the country, pushing back on accusations of gerrymandering being exclusive to Republicans. Listen here for all of this and more on Breaking With Brett Jensen. To be the first to hear about Breaking Brett Jensen's exclusives and more follow him on X @Brett_Jensen!

Tune in here to this ​Monday's edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Chad Adams fills in for Breaking Brett Jensen and kicks off by talking about international diplomacy and local accountability. He opens the show with analysis of a historic peace deal in the Middle East and the release of hostages from Gaza, calling it a major global moment that should transcend political affiliation. Adams credits former President Donald Trump’s efforts—especially the Abraham Accords—for creating the groundwork for peace, and questions why more Democrats aren’t celebrating the development. Shifting focus to Charlotte, Adams criticizes the city's leadership for attempting to cover up a murder linked to the CATS transit system, calling it a political and ethical failure. He highlights a troubling state audit revealing increased spending on security with fewer personnel, and points to broader issues of transparency and governance. From national policy to local mismanagement, Adams calls for common-sense solutions and a return to accountability—urging listeners to stop relying on government as the source of all answers. Listen here for all of this and more on Breaking With Brett Jensen. To be the first to hear about Breaking Brett Jensen's exclusives and more follow him on X @Brett_Jensen!