Dave DeWitt

The Democratic National Convention concluded in Charlotte last night. The three “official” days of the Convention took years of planning and millions of dollars to organize and stage. Its long-term effects on North Carolina's image and politics remain to be seen. But by almost all accounts, the Convention was a success for North Carolina’s largest city. Dave DeWitt spent the week at the Convention and produced this audio montage of the week’s “Carolina” moments.

The second night of the Democratic Convention in Charlotte was highlighted by a rousing speech from former President Bill Clinton. But it also featured a number of North Carolina connections, including remarks by former Governor Jim Hunt. As Dave DeWitt reports from Charlotte, the event is showcasing the state and its largest city.

A variety of speakers came to address the North Carolina delegation to the Democratic Convention this morning. It was a national figure with North Carolina ties who really got the crowd pumped up.

Jesse Jackson is a proud graduate of North Carolina A&T. And he used much of his off-the-cuff speech to the 188-person state delegation to talk about the importance of the New South to President Obama's re-election. At the top of the list was getting out the vote.

This week at the Democratic Convention in Charlotte, elected officials from this state will be in the spotlight. Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx and Governor Bev Perdue spoke last night, and former Governor Jim Hunt will get his chance later today.

It’s also a big moment for others who paved the way. Harvey Gantt was the first black mayor of Charlotte. He also ran twice against Jesse Helms for the U.S. Senate. And without the trails he blazed in the second half of the 20th century, this convention, and his adopted state, would be very different.

[Audio transcript]

The Democratic National Convention is underway in Charlotte. As Dave DeWitt reports, the state's delegates are raring to go.

G.K. Butterfield: "These conventions are about energizing your vote and winning elections!"

Dave DeWitt: Democratic Congressman G.K. Butterfield fired up the delegation at a breakfast this morning. The state's 188 delegates and alternates heard from elected officials on the importance of this week in Charlotte, and of taking their enthusiasm out into the field once the convention is over.

U.S. Senator Kay Hagan…

The Democratic Convention begins today in Charlotte. The Democrats picked the city because they believed North Carolina would again be a crucial battleground state – and they hoped the convention would give them a boost in trying to win it for President Barack Obama. But at least according to one poll, the President trails Republican Mitt Romney in North Carolina. The Democrats are hoping to use the new demographics of the South to defy the pollsters.

The Democratic Convention begins today in Charlotte. The Democrats chose to come to North Carolina’s largest city to boost their chances here in the fall election. But as Dave DeWitt reports, at least one recent poll has Republican Mitt Romney pulling ahead.

The Elon Poll gives Romney a 4-point lead. The poll was conducted during the Republican Convention last week. It polled more than 1,000 likely voters.

The Democratic National Convention officially begins tomorrow in Charlotte. But the event began yesterday for some. Police say two of the 800 or so who took to the streets to protest were arrested. Officials had prepared for as many as 10-thousand protestors. As Dave DeWitt reports from Charlotte, what the marchers lacked in numbers, they made up for in passion.

[Audio transcript]

A review panel is meeting to take a closer look at how academic fraud at UNC-Chapel Hill was investigated and handled.

Dave DeWitt: The five-member panel was created by the UNC Board of Governors. They are meeting today behind closed doors to investigate an academic scandal that involved no-show classes, changed grades, and other improprieties in the African and Afro-American Studies department at UNC Chapel Hill.

Last spring, the UNC system voted to allow campuses to once again raise tuition. As part of the last several rate hikes, schools were mandated to set aside at least 25 percent of new tuition revenue for need-based financial aid for low-income students.

But the UNC Board of Governors will soon decide whether to change that rule. Some Republican members of the Board say the set aside is a “hidden tax” on students who pay full tuition.

The debate over funding need-based financial aid appears to have a political bent.