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Breaking With Brett Jensen

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Every weeknight from 7-8 PM, "Breaking Brett Jensen" comes off the beat for a deep dive into the day's top stories, and to answer your questions at 704-520-1110.

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48 episodes
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Episodes 48

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Wednesday · 26 min
9-23-26: Scott Hamilton Filling In
Tune in here to this Wednesday edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Scott Hamilton fills in for Breaking Brett Jensen. Scott kicks off the show by discussing the abrupt firing of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Superintendent Dr. Crystal Hill. He questions why Hill was terminated “for convenience” despite the results of an independent investigation into her conduct. He also discusses the ongoing investigation into financial irregularities within CMS by North Carolina State Auditor Dave Boliek and Mecklenburg County District Attorney Spencer Merriweather. For additional perspective on the CMS situation, Scott revisits former CMS school board member Rhonda Cheek’s comments from Wednesday’s edition of “Good Morning BT". 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! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Tuesday · 25 min
9-22-26: Scott Hamilton Filling In
Tune in here to this Tuesday edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Scott Hamilton fills in for Breaking Brett Jensen. Scott kicks off the show by discussing the Charlotte City Council’s approval of the I-77 toll lane project. He breaks down the details and proposed funding outlined in the project, which was approved by a 7-4 council vote. Scott also discusses the sentencing of former Charlotte City Council member Tiawana Brown. He notes that Brown was sentenced to 10 months in prison Tuesday, months after pleading guilty to a federal wire fraud charge. He then revisits his sit-down interview with Brown from 2023. 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! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Monday · 25 min
9-21-26: Scott Hamilton Filling In
Tune in here to this Monday edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Scott Hamilton fills in for Breaking Brett Jensen. Scott kicks off the show by discussing Charlotte City Council’s upcoming vote on the I-77 toll lane project. Scott notes that the project would run from Uptown to the South Carolina border, with an estimated cost of $3.2 billion. For additional perspective, Scott speaks with Andy Weber of Queen City News, who has closely covered the controversial project. Weber describes the City Council meeting from the previous week, where council members held a public discussion about their opinions. Weber also discusses questions about the project’s execution, as well as its physical scope. 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! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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September 18 · 27 min
9-18-26: Scott Hamilton Filling In
Tune in here to this Friday edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Scott Hamilton fills in for Breaking Brett Jensen. Scott kicks off the show by discussing President Donald Trump’s decision to ban several media outlets from the White House. He notes that the ban includes CNN, MS NOW and Politico, with Trump accusing the outlets of being dishonest and producing “fake news.” Additionally, he compares the action with Trump’s earlier exclusion of The Associated Press after it continued to use the term “Gulf of Mexico” rather than “Gulf of America.” 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! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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September 15 · 26 min
9-15-26: Scott Hamilton Filling In
Tune in here to this Tuesday edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Scott Hamilton fills in for Breaking Brett Jensen. Scott kicks off the show by discussing recent comments from AI expert David Krueger. Krueger warns that artificial intelligence could pose an existential threat if it is not properly controlled. Scott then discusses the U.S. Air Force’s reported deployment of undisclosed “on-orbit space control weapons.” He explains how the deployment raises questions about potential space-based military competition involving Russia and China. 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! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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September 14 · 26 min
9-14-26: Scott Hamilton Filiing In
Tune in here to this Monday's edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Breaking Brett Jensen is off and we're joined by Scott Hamilton to talk about the Panthers’ historically rough season opener and the controversy surrounding the proposed renaming of Lake Ontario to Lake America. Scott breaks down the Panthers’ 59-37 loss to the Chicago Bears, noting the team’s fifth consecutive season-opening defeat and the record-setting 96 combined points scored in the game. He also looks ahead to the Panthers’ upcoming matchup against the Atlanta Falcons and the need for the team to make adjustments. Later, Scott discusses the Trump administration’s push to rename Lake Ontario to Lake America, comparing it to previous changes involving the Gulf of Mexico, Fort Bragg and Mount McKinley. He questions the use of government resources for the name change and points out that Canada continues to use the name Lake Ontario. 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! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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September 11 · 33 min
9-11-26: CMS News, Whatley Joins
Many CMS Board members want to replace the current CMS Board Chair, and it will be on the next meeting agenda. Matt mercer of Breitbart is reporting on a Democratic state house candidate in western Guilford County NC has posted some wild things including a call for a insurrection in the deep south among other things. Republican US Senatorial Candidate Michael Whatley joins Brett. David Tepper comments to local reporters. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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September 11 · 34 min
9-10-26: Rep Harris Joins; More CMS Tests News
Tune in here to this Thursday edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Breaking Brett Jensen kicks off the show by discussing new information he received about adaptive testing in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. He notes that the information further changes the interpretation of results the district announced at the beginning of the school year. Additionally, he uses this example to continue questioning CMS’ claims about improved test scores. Later, Jensen speaks with U.S. Rep. Mark Harris about an upcoming U.S. House Judiciary field hearing in Charlotte focused on health care markets, fraud, competition and challenges facing rural health care. Harris highlights efforts in North Carolina to expand rural medication education while emphasizing that the hearing is intended to address additional steps to improve rural health care. 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! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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September 10 · 29 min
9-9-26: CMS, Mooresville & CMPD News
Tune in here to this Wednesday edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Breaking Brett Jensen kicks off the show by discussing Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Deputy Superintendent Melissa Balknight’s retirement, effective Jan. 1. He notes that Balknight’s decision follows the resignation of Chief Human Resources Officer Angela Wood and the retirement of Chief Financial Officer Kelly Kluttz. Jensen then discusses Mooresville Mayor Chris Carney’s resignation, effective Sept. 30. Jensen criticizes the town council for defending the mayor and questions legal efforts to prevent the release of video footage of the alleged incident. Additionally, Jensen shares audio from a news conference in which CMPD Chief Estella Patterson addressed a situation involving a 28-year-old man accused of shooting a CMPD officer in northwest Charlotte. 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! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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September 9 · 32 min
9-8-26: Hill Speaks About Suspension
Tune in here to this Tuesday edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Breaking Brett Jensen kicks off the show by discussing Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Superintendent Dr. Crystal Hill’s statement about her suspension. Jensen notes that during the statement, Hill addressed whether she believed she created a hostile work environment within CMS. He explains what he has learned about the district’s work environment from current and former district staff members and criticizes Hill for her staffing decisions. Additionally, he compares CMS’ administrative spending with that of Wake County. 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! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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September 5 · 31 min
9-4-26: Newsom & Dems To Have Rally In Union Co.
Tune in here to this Friday edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Breaking Brett Jensen discusses an upcoming North Carolina Democratic Party rally in Union County. Jensen notes several politicians who will attend the event at the Union County Agricultural Center, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom. He questions whether Newsom’s appearance will be effective for North Carolina Democrats and examines the decision to hold the rally in Union County. He also discusses the likelihood of former Gov. Roy Cooper attending the event, as well as advertising in the North Carolina Senate race. 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! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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September 4 · 32 min
9-3-26: Real CMS Test Scores
Tune in here to this Thursday edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Breaking Brett Jensen discusses Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools’ release of its 2025-26 test scores. Jensen notes that CMS officials claim the district’s recent test scores have surpassed pre-COVID levels. He argues that this information is misleading to the public, explaining a new testing strategy that CMS and other North Carolina school districts have implemented. He then explains how this change affects the reported test scores and compares CMS’ results with those in Wake County. 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! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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September 3 · 30 min
9-2-26: Treasury Sec. Bessent In Studio
Tune in here to this Wednesday edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Breaking Brett Jensen kicks off the show by discussing his exclusive in-studio interview with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Jensen notes that this is his second interview with Bessent, following their previous conversation in Asheville. In the interview, Bessent discusses the future of interest rates and gas prices. He also talks about the situation with Canadian tariffs and praises Charlotte’s economic growth and the broader economic momentum across the Carolinas. 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! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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September 2 · 30 min
9-1-26: CMPD Officer Involved Shooting
Tune in here to this Tuesday edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Breaking Brett Jensen kicks off the show by discussing a CMPD officer-involved shooting in a northeast Charlotte neighborhood. Jensen explains that the shooting occurred after a woman with a domestic violence protection order reported that her partner was coming to her home with a gun. He then breaks down what happens procedurally after an officer-involved shooting. Jensen also discusses the incident in the broader context of the dangers faced by police officers and explains why the situation became dangerous so quickly. 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! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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August 31 · 35 min
8-31-26: Jail North Hits Issue
Tune in here to this Monday edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Breaking Brett Jensen kicks off the show by discussing the planned opening of Mecklenburg County’s Jail North. Jensen notes that the facility, which was scheduled to open Sept. 1, is intended to address severe overcrowding in the county jail. He explains that although staffing at the facility is now sufficient, a new obstacle has emerged: funding approval from the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners. He then addresses the jail’s overcrowding in the broader context of the criminal justice system and the potential consequences if the county commissioners fail to approve the funding. 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! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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August 27 · 31 min
8-27-26: Will Cooper Debate Whatley?
Tune in here to this Thursday edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Breaking Brett Jensen kicks off the show by discussing the possibility of a debate between Roy Cooper and Michael Whatley. Jensen explains that there is significant speculation that Cooper’s campaign does not want him to participate in a debate and suggests reasons why that might be the case. He then contrasts the political debate experience of the two politicians and discusses Cooper’s response to a reporter who asked about his participation in a debate. Additionally, Jensen criticizes Cooper’s reluctance to answer questions from the media directly. 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! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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August 26 · 34 min
8-26-26: CMS To Release Investigation
Tune in here to this Wednesday edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Breaking Brett Jensen kicks off the show by speaking with Dr. David Barker, Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education at the U.S. Department of Education. Barker explains the Trump administration’s approach to higher education, which focuses on quality, affordability and fairness. He discusses the role of federal student loan limits in reducing college tuition and highlights the mission of Workforce Pell Grants. Later, Jensen discusses the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools board meeting in which members voted on whether to release the investigation into Superintendent Dr. Crystal Hill. He explains the board’s decision to release the investigation, noting that some information could be redacted due to personnel-related matters. 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! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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August 26 · 30 min
8-25-26: Will CMS Release Hill's Investigation?
Tune in here to this Tuesday edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Breaking Brett Jensen kicks off the show by discussing Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools’ first day of school. He begins by connecting the first-day coverage to the controversy surrounding the previous week’s CMS press conference. He then criticizes Superintendent Dr. Crystal Hill and the district’s handling of scrutiny surrounding its leadership and questions from the media. Additionally, Jensen focuses on the CMS school board’s upcoming vote on whether to release the findings of the Hill investigation. He shares his thoughts on the district’s decision to vote on the matter and how votes against releasing the report could be revealing. 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! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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August 24 · 30 min
8-24-26: CLT FOP Calls Out Local Media
Tune in here to this Monday edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Breaking Brett Jensen discusses the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Fraternal Order of Police’s response to a recent Charlotte Observer article. The statement was issued in response to an Observer article that said the CMPD officers involved in tasing a pinned man also were involved in other controversial arrests. Jensen emphasizes that the statement, which was publicly posted on Facebook, was blunt. He then breaks down how the Observer’s reporting failed to address important information about the case and discusses his view of the newspaper’s broader editorial agenda. 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! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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August 22 · 26 min
8-21-26: Whatley Hits Cooper With Soft On Crime Stance
Tune in here to this Friday edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Breaking Brett Jensen discusses Michael Whatley’s press conference at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Fraternal Order of Police headquarters. Whatley begins his speech by arguing that former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper should be considered the worst governor in the state’s history. He then argues that recommendations from Cooper’s criminal justice task force led to several policies, including the release of 4,200 prisoners. Whatley then focuses on the death of Iryna Zarutska, who was fatally stabbed on Charlotte’s light rail last year by DeCarlos Brown Jr., who was among those due to be released. He concludes the speech by describing Cooper’s record as “absolutely disqualifying.” 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! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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