Due South

0:01:00The health impacts of heatThese days it feels like there is no simple way to beat the heat. And our new climate reality means we need to take new and more serious precautions to protect ourselves and our neighbors from its health impacts. Dr. Lauren E. Siewny joins Leoneda Inge to talk about concerning signs to look out for and how to best handle this steamy summer weather that just won’t let up. Dr. Lauren Siewny, Medical Director of the Duke University Hospital Emergency Department, and an Assistant Professor of Emergency MedicineThis interview originally aired July 29, 2026.0:13:00How heat impacts all of us, and who is most vulnerableHeat impacts us all, especially during these dog days – and nights – of summer. But some people are impacted more than others due to circumstances including outdoor work, chronic illness, or living in a neighborhood more prone to the impacts of extreme heat. Two environment researchers talk to Jeff Tiberii about the heat challenges facing both urban and rural regions, tips for navigating the heat when running the AC at full blast isn’t an option, and about community-driven approaches to help protect us all. Angel Hsu, Director, Data-Driven EnviroLab; and Associate Professor of Public Policy and Environment, Ecology and Energy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel HillAshley Ward, Director, Heat Policy Innovation Hub at Duke University’s Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & SustainabilityThis interview originally aired July 29, 2026.

0:01:00Pioneering scientist Joseph L. Graves Jr.’s new book tackles the racial life expectancy gapA recent book from North Carolina A&T biology professor Joseph L. Graves, Jr. interprets the gap in life expectancy between Black and white Americans and debunks the misconception that race can dictate disease prevalence. (This interview originally aired December 8, 2025.)Joseph L. Graves, Jr., evolutionary geneticist and MacKenzie Scott Endowed Professor of Biology at North Carolina A&T State University and author of the new book, “Why Black People Die Sooner: What Medicine Gets Wrong About Race and How to Fix It” 0:33:00WUNC’s recommendations for an afternoon in Raleigh"Six Hours in Raleigh” is a guide made by WUNC’s Digital Team with recommendations for the best way to spend an afternoon in Raleigh, and for places that even locals might not know about. (This interview originally aired June 2, 2026.)Josh Sullivan, social media producer at WUNC News Lauren Rhodes, digital news intern at WUNC

Today on the Friday News Roundup, we learn more about state lawmaker Jennifer Balkcom, the new congressional candidate whose name will appear on the ballot this fall in western North Carolina after Republican Chuck Edwards backed out of the race for NC-11.Also, UNC proposes a LLC to manage and maximize athletics revenue. And, now that the Hurricanes have sold out their season tickets, what does that mean for the rest of us?Local journalists join Jeff Tiberii to talk about those stories and more.Bryan Anderson, Statewide Politics Reporter for The Assembly, creator of the “Anderson Alerts” newsletter Dane Huffman, Engagement Editor, Triangle Business Journal Mary Helen Moore, reporter for Axios Raleigh Adam Wagner, reporter/editor covering state politics for the North Carolina Newsroom 

0:01:00North Carolina’s jails are facing an overcrowding crisis. Here’s why.More than one-third of North Carolina’s nearly 100 jails have exceeded capacity at some point since January 2026. Nineteen of those jails have been overcrowded every single month of this year. Luke Woollard of Disability Rights NC joins Due South to discuss the growing impact of overcrowding.Luke Woollard, attorney for Disability Rights NC’s prison and jails team0:13:00Second Chance Federation fight voter disenfranchisement for the formerly incarceratedJeff Tiberii speaks with Second Chance Federation executive director Daryl Atkinson, about the new organization’s efforts to restore voting rights to the formerly incarcerated.Daryl Atkinson, executive director, Second Chance Federation

0:01:00A higher education updateAs colleges get ready for students to arrive on campus for the fall semester, Leoneda Inge talks with higher education reporter Brianna Atkinson about some of the biggest issues confronting higher education institutions — including federal research funding, DEI, and enrollment.Brianna Atkinson, Higher Education Reporter, WUNC News0:13:00Countdown to college: new students arrive on campusColleges in the Triangle and across the country are getting ready for students to come back to campus — especially for those coming to college for the first time. Co-host Jeff Tiberii is joined by local college administrators who work to ease that transition and set up students for success.Crystal N. Fletcher, MPA, Director, New Student and Family Programs, North Carolina Central UniversityGrace Sullivan Zirkle, Associate Dean of Students & Director of New Student and Family Programs, Duke UniversityJillian Cross, PhD, Associate Director, New Student and Family Programs, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill0:33:00Parents of college-bound students have questions...lots of questionsWhen first-year students start their collegiate journeys this semester, their families may be just as nervous as they are. Penny Fleming knows all too well about the concerns and questions that new student parents and loved ones have — she hears it all as a volunteer administrator of the Duke University Parents’ Facebook group.From first-generation families to international students, Fleming talks with Leoneda Inge about how she helps every kind of first-year family navigate the often-challenging transition to college.Penny Fleming, volunteer administrator of Duke University Parents’ Facebook groupRelated: An article about Penny Fleming's volunteer work at Duke University in The Chronicle.

0:01:00Part One: North Carolina Attorney General Jeff JacksonJeff Jackson has been the state's so-called Top Cop, in statewide office for more than eighteen months now. A former prosecutor, four-term state senator, and member of Congress, Jackson, a Democrat from Mecklenburg County, is North Carolina's 51st Attorney General.His tasks are far-reaching, from oversight of data centers to elections to anti-trust law. Jackson is working with states attorneys general across the country, challenging the federal government, and pursuing, on occasion, bipartisan solutions.Jeff Jackson, North Carolina attorney general0:29:17Part Two: At Durham’s OUTSOUTH Queer Film Festival, a documentary about North Carolina’s first openly trans homecoming kingThe OUTSOUTH Queer Film Festival begins in downtown Durham this week. One of the films is a documentary about the lives, deaths, and legacies of two trans teenagers — Kyler Prescott and Blake Brockington, who became the first openly trans person to win homecoming king in North Carolina.Their stories of trans boyhood are intertwined with experiences of co-directors Lexie Bean and Logan Rozos, both trans suicide attempt survivors. The directors join Leoneda Inge in a conversation about their film, “What Will I Become?”Lexie Bean, co-director of documentary film What Will I Become?Logan Rozos, co-director of documentary film What Will I Become?

0:01:00Some communities still rebuilding, a year after Chantal flooding hit Chapel HillWhen Tropical Storm "Chantal" hit Chapel Hill, Carrboro and surrounding communities on July 5, 2025, no one could have imagined the impact of the flood and how long it would take to recover — especially residents who were caught in the storm's dangerous conditions. We check in on communities and businesses a year later. (This interview originally aired on July 23, 2026.)Brighton McConnell, News Director, 97.9 The Hill WCHL & Chapelboro.com0:13:00The Broadside: ‘Secrets of the Great Dismal Swamp’For centuries, the Great Dismal Swamp on the border of North Carolina and Virginia served as a sanctuary for escaped slaves known as maroons. Today, the same harsh conditions that shielded those self-emancipated people from slavery make it difficult for historians and archeologists to understand the extent of their settlements. But that secret world is slowly being uncovered.Dan Sayers, archaeologist, anthropologist and professor at American UniversityMarcus Nevius, author of City of Refuge and history professor at the University of MissouriEric Sheppard, tour guide in the Great Dismal Swamp0:33:00‘North Carolina Rabbit Hole’ writer digs deep into the history of NC’s ABC stores  North Carolina is one of more than a dozen states where the government controls liquor sales. Writer Jeremy Markovich runs the newsletter and website “North Carolina Rabbit Hole,” and wrote a post titled: “The first ABC store opened 90 years ago. Why does North Carolina still have them?” He talks with Leoneda Inge about the history of liquor regulation in North Carolina and what it tells us about our state. (This interview originally aired on July 29, 2025.)Jeremy Markovich, writer, North Carolina Rabbit Hole

This week on the North Carolina News Roundup... Republican Rep. Chuck Edwards drops his reelection campaign after a House Ethics Committee recommended censure over harassment allegations. The NC House stops development for a liquor warehouse after a planning dispute goes public. And a hemp bill is paused as protesters call for different regulations. Meanwhile, the North Carolina General Assembly adjourns until November. Due South host Jeff Tiberii and a panel of local journalists provide context and analysis on those and other stories from the week.Colin Campbell, Capitol Bureau Chief, WUNC NewsDawn Vaughan, Capitol Bureau Chief, The News & ObserverDanielle Battaglia, congressional impact reporter for The News & Observer and The Charlotte ObserverFelicia Sonmez, Reporter for BPR-Blue Ridge Public RadioDan Kane, The News & Observer

0:01:00Unemployment rates remain low in NC, creating challenges for job seekers and recent graduatesIncreasing inflation, AI in the workplace, and low confidence in the job market. Due South talks with economists to see what is going right in North Carolina’s economy and what to keep an eye on. Plus, updates on tech changes and layoffs.Michael Walden, William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor Emeritus at NC State University and writer of “You Decide” newsletterBrian Gordon, Business and Technology reporter for the News and ObserverAndrew Berger-Gross, senior economist for the North Carolina Department of Commerce0:33:00NC Innovation funding research and invention The Triangle remains one of the fastest growing metro regions in the US, with auxiliary homes for Novo Nordisk, Amazon, and Meta - among other notables. What will our state's labor force and economy center around half a century from now? The next chapter in growth, ingenuity, and creation may very well include NC Innovation.Michelle Bolas, President and CEO of NCInnovation

0:01:00Gauging the public’s attitudes toward political violenceAs we head into the 2026 midterm election season, many North Carolinians are concerned about the threat of political violence. Polling shows that voters expect some kind of political violence to occur before November. Host Jeff Tiberii looks at the phenomenon and the public’s attitudes toward political violence.Dr. Michael Bitzer, professor of politics and history at Catawba College in Salisbury; director of the Center for North Carolina Politics & Public ServiceDr. Irwin Morris, Distinguished Professor of Humanities and the Executive Director of the School for Public and International Affairs, North Carolina State UniversityDr. David Schanzer, professor of Public Policy at the Sanford School at Duke University0:33:00Educating voters on election integrity ahead of 2026 midtermsNonpartisan groups are educating voters on the security and integrity of elections in North Carolina, emphasizing checks and balances, and trying to get ahead of misinformation and harsh rhetoric to keep the political temperature down.Deanna Ballard, senior advisor, Keep Our RepublicJennifer Roberts, senior advisor, North Carolina Network for Fair, Safe, and Secure Elections and The Carter Center

0:01:00Bestselling Southern novelist Tayari Jones talks with Leoneda Inge at Flyleaf Books in Chapel HillOne book, and one author, who has again made an impact on the literary world in 2026 is "Kin" - by Tayari Jones. "Kin" has gotten a lot of attention – it was an "Oprah's Book Club" selection, a New York Times Book Club choice, and Due South got the chance to dig deep into what makes Tayari Jones tick. Leoneda Inge speaks with Jones in front of a live audience at Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill.Tayari Jones, professor of English and creative writing at Emory University and author of the new novel, ‘Kin’0:33:00Before the Declaration of Independence was NC’s Halifax ResolvesThe 250th birthday celebration of our nation has revolved around the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. But here in North Carolina there’s another day from that year that may be just as important. On April 12, 1776, North Carolina became the first colony to formally call for independence from Great Britain. The call for freedom came to be known as “The Halifax Resolves” and had a big impact on both North Carolina and American history.Carl Burke, Historic Site Manager, Historic Halifax

0:01:00 The do's and don'ts of municipal recycling Recycling has been around a long time and faces relatively little pushback compared to more politically-charged sustainability efforts. Still, recycling has its obstacles, including that it can be hard to know what's recyclable and what's not. As Bianca Howard of Wake County Solid Waste Management Division says, "there is nothing intuitive about recycling." Today on Due South, three waste management experts demystify municipal recycling. (This interview originally aired on April 21, 2026) Bianca Howard, Outreach & Marketing Supervisor, Wake County Solid Waste Management Division Muriel Williman, Senior Assistant Solid Waste Manager, City of Durham Waste Disposal and Recycling Center Shauna Taylor, customer service representative, Shimar Recycling  Related: Recycling guidelines for Durham, Orange County and Wake County 0:33:00The history and legacy of the Black family reunion Ernie Suggs of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution has long thought about the importance of family reunions for Black families. He found multiple studies suggesting African Americans are more likely than any other group to hold large family reunions on a regular basis. Suggs’ article What Remains: The Power of Black Family Reunions delves into the origins and the role of these gatherings today. (A version of this interview originally aired August 12, 2025) Ernie Suggs, Atlanta Journal-Constitution 

Sen. Thom Tillis continues to hold out support for acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. How a Supreme Court ruling could help Michael Whatley in the Senate race. The North Carolina legislature debates changes to the new state budget. And updates on the WakeMed merger with Atrium. Due South host Jeff Tiberii and a panel of local journalists provide context and analysis on those and other stories from the week.Dawn Vaughan, Capitol Bureau Chief, The News & ObserverZachery Eanes, reporter, Axios RaleighZac Ezzone, healthcare and higher education reporter for Triangle Business JournalReuben Jones, Washington reporter covering North Carolina, Spectrum News

0:01:00The Black Army private who wouldn’t move to the back of the busSarah Keys Evans became an unwitting Civil Rights activist when she refused to give up her seat for a white Marine. She was on a bus that had crossed state lines into North Carolina, where in 1952, she was told to move to the back of the bus. In recent years, her story has become better known, partly thanks to a new book she co-wrote with author Amy Nathan. (This Due South conversation first aired May 27, 2026.) You can watch and listen to Sarah Keys Evans speaking with PBS NC for an oral history. Amy Nathan, co-author with Sarah Keys Evans of Riding into History: The Surprising Story of Sarah Keys Evans and the Fight to Desegregate Bus TravelErvin Griffin, one of the Roanoke Rapids educators who installed a monument honoring Sarah Keys Evans, president Emeritus of Halifax Community CollegeOphelia Gould-Faison, leader of the Sarah Keys Evans Public Art Project in Roanoke Rapids0:33:00Raleigh’s resident bald eagle family Raleigh’s lush greenspaces have always been a home to towering oak trees, but now feathered neighbors are taking the spotlight. In recent weeks, birdwatchers have flown to Shelley Lake Park in Raleigh to witness the newest member of a bald eagle family. (This Due South conversation first aired May 27, 2026.)Sean Gough, Land Stewardship Program Manager for the City of RaleighSydney Merrell, Invasive Species Program Assistant Coordinator for the City of Raleigh

0:01:00The health impacts of heatThese days it feels like there is no simple way to beat the heat. And our new climate reality means we need to take new and more serious precautions to protect ourselves and our neighbors from its health impacts. Dr. Lauren E. Siewny joins Leoneda Inge to talk about concerning signs to look out for and how to best handle this steamy summer weather that just won’t let up.Dr. Lauren Siewny, Medical Director of the Duke University Hospital Emergency Department, and an Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine0:13:00How heat impacts all of us, and who is most vulnerableHeat impacts us all, especially during these dog days – and nights – of summer. But some people are impacted more than others due to circumstances including outdoor work, chronic illness, or living in a neighborhood more prone to the impacts of extreme heat. Two environment researchers talk to Jeff Tiberii about the heat challenges facing both urban and rural regions, tips for navigating the heat when running the AC at full blast isn’t an option, and about community-driven approaches to help protect us all.Angel Hsu, Director, Data-Driven EnviroLab; and Associate Professor of Public Policy and Environment, Ecology and Energy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel HillAshley Ward, Director, Heat Policy Innovation Hub at Duke University’s Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability

0:01:00Summer crops suffer under unusually dry harvest seasonNC Cooperative Extension agriculture agent Mart Bumgarner joins Due South to discuss the impact of a months-long drought on summer crops across the state.Mart Bumgarner, Agriculture and Horticulture Extension Agent serving Orange County, North Carolina with the N.C. Cooperative Extension0:13:00How ‘Our State’ magazine covers ‘100 North Carolinas’Leoneda Inge speaks to the editor-in-chief of Our State magazine about the history and future of the publication.Elizabeth Hudson, editor-in-chief, Our State0:33:00How to choose the perfect summer tomato in North CarolinaLeoneda Inge and Jeff Tiberii talk to personal chef and local farmers market volunteer Claudia Sanders about the art of the tomato sandwich and how to tell when a tomato is perfectly vine-ripened.Claudia Sanders, personal chef and volunteer at local farmers markets

0:01:00‘The Big Recount’ – 25 Years LaterOne of the most memorable and messy presidential elections in United States history was decided 25 years ago. The battle between Democrat Al Gore of Tennessee and Republican George W. Bush of Texas, was fought and won in the South – in Florida. (This HBCU 101 radio diary presentation is afinalist, for a “Salute to Excellence Award” by the National Association of Black Journalists.)Kara Palmer Smith, a 2000 graduate of Florida A&M University. She reported on the 2000 presidential election0:13:00International Black Theatre Festival takes over Winston-SalemLeoneda Inge takes a look at this year’s International Black Theatre Festival. Hosted biannually in Winston-Salem, the historic gathering features more than 100 performances, film screenings and a star-studded gala.Brittany Giles-Jones, Managing Director, North Carolina Black Repertory CompanyChester Gregory, Broadway actor and singer0:33:00The Broadside: The modern Graveyard of the AtlanticThe waters surrounding North Carolina’s Outer Banks are so treacherous that they’re known as the Graveyard of the Atlantic. They’ve claimed everything from Blackbeard’s pirate ship to German U-boats. And that dark legacy continues today. Oregon Inlet, a narrow gap near Roanoke Island, is one of the deadliest waterways in the United States. But it’s also an economic lifeline for a small industrial fishing community who must traverse it.Emily Cataneo, reporter for The AssemblyMolly Trivelpeice, education curator at The Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum

This week on North Carolina’s News Roundup... U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement plans to open a detention center in Hertford County. The recently passed state budget bill includes child welfare regulations with the “Dominique Moody Safety Act.” In Charlotte, two women detained during Operation Charlotte’s Web seek over $2.5 million in damages. Remains of two fallen Fort Bragg soldiers killed in Iranian attack return to the U.S. Due South host Jeff Tiberii and a panel of local journalists provide context and analysis on those and other stories from the week.Colin Campbell, Capitol Bureau Chief, WUNC NewsZachery Eanes, reporter, Axios RaleighDanielle Battaglia, congressional impact reporter for The News & Observer and The Charlotte ObserverEly Portillo, executive editor, WFAE in CharlotteEduardo Medina, reporter for The New York Times based in Durham, covering the South

0:01:00The people trying to return items lost during Helene to their rightful ownersA non-profit based in Asheville is leading the charge to find and return items lost during flooding from Hurricane Helene. BPR reporter Laura Hackett shares sounds and stories from volunteers scavenging and returning things to their rightful owners.Laura Hackett, Helene Recovery Reporter at BPRLaura Hackett's story for BPR: The things Hurricane Helene carried away — and the woman trying to return them 0:13:00Graphic novel shares stories about Helene from people who lived through it'Islands in the Sky' shares first-person stories of people who experienced the tragedy of Helene in western North Carolina. The crowd-funded anthology puts narrators with award-winning comic artists to tell their stories.Andrew Aydin, third-generation farmer in western North Carolina, creator of ‘Islands in the Sky: A People’s History of Hurricane Helene’Nick Filardi, co-author of ‘Ripples’ with his wife Shannon Burcham, in the graphic novel ‘Islands in the Sky: A People’s History of Hurricane Helene’0:33:00Some communities still rebuilding, a year after Chantal flooding hit Chapel HillWhen Tropical Storm "Chantal" hit Chapel Hill, Carrboro and surrounding communities on July 5, 2025, no one could have imagined the impact of the flood and how long it would take to recover -- especially residents who were caught in the storm's dangerous conditions. We check in on communities and businesses a year later.Brighton McConnell, News Director, 97.9 The Hill WCHL & Chapelboro.com

Four families, one stolen cityThe Wilmington massacre and coup d'état of November 10, 1898 is widely known as the only successful coup in American history. Black elected officials were forced to resign office at gunpoint. Dozens, if not hundreds, of Black Wilmingtonians were killed during a day of premediated white supremacist terror.New Yorker staff writer Lauren Collins grew up in Wilmington, where the little she learned about November 10, 1898 characterized the bloody day as a "race riot." When she realized she had not been taught anything close to the whole story, she got to work researching and writing about it. The resulting book focuses on four Wilmington families living the legacy of the massacre across the generations. Jeff Tiberii speaks with Collins about the long lead up to the Wilmington coup and massacre, and the unending impact on the city and the nation more than a century later.Lauren Collins, staff writer for The New Yorker and author of They Stole a City: Wilmington’s White Supremacist Coup and the Families Who Live with Its Legacy.

0:01:00The Library of NC awards 46 federal grants to public and academic librariesLeoneda Inge speaks with Catherine Prince, federal programs consultant for the Library of North Carolina, about the history and role of the state library, as well as its allocation of 46 new grants to local public and academic libraries.Catherine Prince, Library of NC, and our Federal Programs Consultant0:13:00Flyleaf Books shares summer reading recommendations Leoneda Inge talks to Flyleaf Books marketing and events manager Maggie Robe about some of this year’s most popular beach and summer reads.Maggie Robe, marketing and events manager, Flyleaf Books0:33:00Author Amena Brown explains why people should ‘Never Tell a Black Girl How to Black Girl’  A new collection of essays by spoken word artist and writer Amena Brown explores the various joyous facets of Black womanhood. Leoneda Inge talks to the author about spending time with her grandmother in North Carolina as a child, celebrating her natural hair and navigating dating and the early days of marriage.Amena Brown, spoken word artist and author

0:01:00The 2026 Men’s FIFA World Cup is in the history books. Because of all the hype and happenings surrounding the World Cup and soccer, the Queen City, some sports fans, and tourism advocates are looking ahead to another World Cup- the 2031 Women’s World Cup. We hear from one Charlottean who’s pushing for Charlotte to play host city. (A version of this interview first aired June 25, 2026.)Miller Yoho, Director of Communications and Marketing for Charlotte Sports0:13:00New book explores the 1990s music scene in Chapel HillTom Maxwell was a member of the hit ‘90s swing band The Squirrel Nut Zippers. During that time, he had a unique, insider perspective on the emerging underground music scene in Chapel Hill and the surrounding areas.He talks to Due South about his new book on the subject. (This interview first aired on May 21, 2024.)Tom Maxwell, musician and author of “A Really Strange and Wonderful Time: The Chapel Hill Music Scene, 1989 to 1999”

On this week’s North Carolina News Roundup... Sen. Thom Tillis tells Todd Blanche to meet with Epstein victims to gain his confirmation vote. The North Carolina Board of Elections is facing major decisions on mail-in voting. And a $10 billion infrastructure backlog for public schools. Due South host Jeff Tiberii and a panel of local journalists provide context and analysis on those and other stories from the week.Colin Campbell, Capitol Bureau Chief for WUNC NewsClaudia Rivera Cotto, Political Reporter for Enlace Latino NCBryan Anderson, Statewide Politics Reporter for The Assembly and creator of the “Anderson Alerts” newsletterDanielle Battaglia, congressional impact reporter for The News & Observer and The Charlotte Observer

0:01:00The Triangle’s very own, and very southern, live storytelling competitionJeff Polish never meant to be a performer. He was supposed to be a professor. But life had other plans. How he came to live storytelling, and how his live show The Monti came to be in 2008 and has evolved over the years.Jeff Polish, molecular cell biologist better known for his presence as creator and host of The Monti, a live storytelling show and competition in the Research Triangle0:13:00Storyteller Milbre Burch on how to make your stories singBurch was trained by "foremothers of the American storytelling revival" and has been nominated for a Grammy as a spoken word recording artist. She shares about the growth of formal storytelling, and what she tries to instill when teaching at schools, workshops and conferences.Milbre Burch, storyteller and playwright who served as the 2025 emcee for the Old North State Story Telling Festival in Cary0:33:00"What’s Ray Saying" these days? Storyteller Ray Christian returns to Due SouthRay Christian returns, sharing new tales from his life. Including his feature role in a new HBO documentary, “The Man Will Burn.”Since he last joined Due South, Ray's podcast has won two Signal awards, and three Black podcast awards. Plus, Ray tells a one-of-a-kind story based in the gazebo of his home near Boone, NC., and a second story that just might have ended with a serious injury if he hadn't been so quick on his feet...Ray Christian, host of the PRX podcast What’s Ray Saying. He’s a storyteller, longtime educator at Appalachian State University and an American veteran.

0:01:00A graveyard of bills from the 2026 legislative short session  The General Assembly has left Raleigh for now, but they left behind a graveyard of bills that didn’t make it for a vote and to the governor’s desk. Issues still on the table include updated hemp regulations, election law changes, data center policy, and possible sin taxes. Political reporters Colin Campbell and Adam Wagner dig up the dirt on issues that did not get through the legislature.Colin Campbell, Capitol Bureau Chief, WUNC NewsAdam Wagner, reporter/editor covering state politics for the North Carolina Newsroom0:33:00Sheri Castle shares summer recipes to keep you cool“The Key Ingredient” host has tips for making the most out of summer produce, staying cool in extreme heat, and answers Leoneda’s questions about the best way to eat one of eastern North Carolina’s favorite drought-resistant exports: watermelon.Sheri Castle, food writer and cooking teacher who hosts “The Key Ingredient” on PBS. She’s also a contributing editor to Southern Living, and a featured columnist at Our State magazine.

North Carolina in the conversation for Major League Baseball expansionAs Major League Baseball runs toward home plate with expansion, North Carolina is in the national conversation for getting a team. What would it take to attract a major-league team in terms of money, demographics, land availability, and a good team name? Jeff Tiberii asks two experts who have been crunching the numbers.Michael Walden, economist, NC State UniversityLou Pascucci, co-founder of MLB Raleigh/MLB 2 NC History of baseball in North CarolinaNorth Carolina’s history with baseball is rooted deep like a longleaf pine — from stick-and-ball games in colonial times to players that made history, and how the state was the home of the minor leagues. We explore baseball stories and players that most folks don’t know about.Marshal Lamm, curator, North Carolina Baseball MuseumTony Riggsbee, baseball historian and Durham Bulls PA announcer

0:01:00Checking in with historic Durham landmark The Chicken HutLast year it was recognized as a local historic landmark by the Durham City Council. And how the Chicken Hut fits into Durham history as host to famous and influential Civil Rights leaders.Tre Tapp, second-generation owner of The Chicken Hut*A version of this segment first aired on November 10, 20250:13:00John T. Edge searches for home, after trying to find it in Southern foodA new memoir from the southern food historian delves into the personal. It’s about the stories, and the lies, he was told as a white boy growing up in Georgia — in the 1960s and 70s.John T. Edge, is author of the memoir House of Smoke: A Southerner goes searching for home. Edge helped found the Southern Foodways Alliance, and is the author of The Potlikker Papers: A Food History of the Modern South. He also writes and hosts the television show TrueSouth, and writes a column for Garden & Gun.*This segment first aired on October 21, 20250:33:00The Broadside: The strange story of pimento cheesePimento cheese, aka Carolina caviar, is as synonymous with Southern food culture as sweet tea and fried chicken. But the origin story of this spreadable cheddar cheese and pimento pepper dish is much more complicated and a lot less Southern than you might think.Vivian Howard, chef, restauranteur and PBS host

On this week’s North Carolina News Roundup...Gov. Josh Stein signs a $34 billion state budget after a year of negotiations and vetoes a bill that bans camping on public property. Meanwhile, the City of Raleigh considers a curfew after violence broke out at a ‘teen takeover.’ Due South host Jeff Tiberii and a panel of local journalists provide context and analysis from those and other stories from the week.    Dawn Vaughan, Capitol Bureau Chief for The News & Observer Mary Helen Moore, reporter for Axios Raleigh Bryan Anderson, Statewide Politics Reporter for The Assembly and creator of the “Anderson Alerts” newsletter Reuben Jones, Washington reporter covering North Carolina for Spectrum News 

0:01:00Renowned artist Beverly McIver discusses “The Art of Saving Democracy”Duke professor and artist Beverly McIver has made a career of political expression in art practice. She joins Due South to discuss her collaboration on a new project called ‘The Art of Saving Democracy.’Beverly McIver, visual artist and painter0:13:00The Sistering celebrates wisdom, grace and friendshipJazz-soul supergroup The Sistering joins Due South to discuss how they joined solo-artist forces to form a collective that pays powerful tribute to sisterhood.Lenora Zinzalai Helm, Nnenna Freelon, Kate McGarry, Lois DeLoatch, founding members of The Sistering and Keith Ganz, accompanist

0:01:00What a new immigration enforcement law means for North CarolinaWUNC News reporter Aaron Sánchez-Guerra tells Jeff Tiberii about his latest reporting on a new immigration enforcement bill — Senate Bill 153, referred to as the "North Carolina Border Protection Act" — that became law after state Republicans’ override of Governor Josh Stein’s veto.Aaron Sánchez-Guerra, Race, Class & Communities Reporter, WUNC News0:13:00The voting rights legacy of Nancy Cherry BazemoreA new North Carolina Highway Historical Marker commemorates the Bazemore v. Bertie County Board of Elections court case and honors the woman who made it happen.Nancy Cherry Bazemore stood up against voter disenfranchisement and North Carolina’s voting literacy test in the early 1960s.Leoneda Inge talks with the man behind the marker, and with a daughter and two granddaughters of Nancy Cherry Bazemore about Bazemore’s battle against voter suppression, how her court case shaped North Carolina voting history and how it resonates today.State Representative Rodney Pierce (D-District 27), educator and the applicant for the North Carolina Highway Historical Marker commemorating the Bazemore v. Bertie County Board of Elections court caseMrs. Alice Bazemore Clark, daughter of Nancy Cherry BazemoreDr. Inger Swimpson, granddaughter of Nancy Cherry BazemoreMrs. Erica Bazemore Williams, granddaughter of Nancy Cherry Bazemore

0:01:00From PFAS to Helene recovery, DEQ Secretary Reid Wilson on why his ‘hard’ job is worth itLeoneda Inge talks with Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Reid Wilson about the department's approach to PFAS contamination in our rivers and drinking water, repairing damaged water infrastructure after Tropical Storm Helene, environmental justice and more.Reid Wilson, Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)0:33:00Chasing 'blue ghosts' in the Southern AppalachiansDeep in the mountains of Southern Appalachia, one firefly species gives off a steady blue glow instead of the familiar yellow blink most of us know. These insects, colloquially called “blue ghosts,” are quite elusive — to the extent that many locals have never spotted them. Researcher Dr. Jennifer Frick-Ruppert, first to publish scientific work on their biology, describes their rediscovery, rumors about their origin (hint: chemical spills and elves) and what's putting them at risk today, from habitat loss to the growing crowds drawn by their popularity.Dr. Jennifer Frick-Ruppert, Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty, Dalton Professor of Biology and Environmental Science, Brevard College

0:01:00The Avett Brothers’ bassist on why he got into historyBob Crawford might be best known for his music, but his podcast American History Hotline and book on John Quincy Adams might change that. Bob speaks with Jeff Tiberii about his work and life.Bob Crawford, bassist for The Avett Brothers, host of the iHeart original podcast American History Hotline and author of the book America's Founding Son.A version of this conversation originally aired in August 2025.0:33:00Bob Crawford shares from his new book about John Quincy AdamsCrawford speaks with Leoneda Inge about his biography on John Quincy Adams, and the correlations he sees from early American history to our current political moment.Bob Crawford, bassist for The Avett Brothers, host of the iHeart original podcast, American History Hotline and author of the book, America's Founding Son.A version of this conversation originally aired in March 2026.

0:01:00Mecklenburg County’s own Declaration of Independence?May 20, 1775, is a date you may recognize from the North Carolina state flag. It represents what was supposedly the first declaration of independence made by any of the 13 colonies involved in the American Revolution. That date was added more than a century ago, but its authenticity was first contested by Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. This conversation originally aired on May 20, 2025.Scott Syfert, author of ‘The First Declaration of Independence? The Disputed History of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence of May 20, 1775'0:13:00‘We (The People of The United States)’As the United States turns 250 years old, a new book of poetry pays tribute to Black historical figures across the country and the centuries. Poet and professor Joshua Bennett talks with Due South’s Leoneda Inge about his poem “Chapel Hill, North Carolina” for George Moses Horton, the first African American man to publish a book in the South. A version of this conversation originally aired on March 25, 2026.Joshua Bennett, Professor of Literature and Distinguished Chair of the Humanities at MIT and writer of the new poetry collection "We (The People of The United States)"0:33:00‘New Americans in North Carolina’An educator and oral historian with the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources talk about "America 250 NC" and their project about “New Americans in North Carolina.” This conversation originally aired May 18, 2026.Alana Gomez, Educator, America 250 NC, N.C. Department of Natural & Cultural ResourcesJohn Horan, Oral Historian, State Archives of North Carolina, N.C. Department of Natural & Cultural Resources

0:01:00Sharryse Piggott highlights the ‘Triple Nickles’WUNC’s Sharryse Piggott spent weeks reporting on the history of the U.S. Army’s first all-Black WWII paratrooper unit. She spoke with the grandson of unit founder Walter Morris about the groundbreaking work the soldiers pioneered. She talks with Leoneda Inge about the ‘Triple Nickles.’ (This conversation originally aired January 9, 2026.)Sharryse Piggott, WUNC reporter0:13:00A book from UNC Press revives ‘The Legend of Wyatt Outlaw’ For decades, religious groups and everyday community members have gathered in Graham, outside the courthouse, to uplift the name of Wyatt Outlaw. A new book by UNC Press seeks to uncover why Outlaw has been erased from mainstream history books. (This conversation originally aired on January 29, 2026.)Belle Boggs, author and professor of English at North Carolina State University Sylvester Allen Jr., writer, composer and director based in Graham, NC. They are co-authors of The Legend of Wyatt Outlaw0:33:00Well, I Declare celebrates 'America at 250,' North Carolina styleA new production reimagines the Declaration of Independence, as part of a nationwide series of 'America at 250' celebrations. (This conversation originally aired on April 8, 2026.)Dawn Landes, singer, songwriter and Mike Wiley, playwright, actor, assistant professor of Research and Arts, Ethics and Education at Duke University

0:01:00Former This American Life producer Sarah Vowell shares the history of Revolutionary War icon, the Marquis de LafayetteVowell was an early contributor to This American Life, before she became a voice actor, and the author of several books. She shares the story of the Marquis de Lafayette’s triumphant and celebratory return to the United States in 1824-25 as the only living general on the side of the American Revolution.Sarah Vowell, was a longtime contributor to This American Life, the voice actor for Violet in the Disney animated series The Incredibles, and is the author of “Lafayette in the Somewhat United States.”A version of this conversation originally aired in April 2026.0:13:00‘John Chavis: Quiet Leader of an Early Revolution’A preacher, teacher and Revolutionary War veteran, John Chavis was a free Black man in North Carolina born a century before Emancipation. Today, we’ll hear about John Chavis’ huge influence and impact, despite the walls built to block him. And how at the end of his life, his livelihood was taken away from him as the rights of free Black men in North Carolina were seized after Nat Turner’s Rebellion.Ben Justesen, writer, and author of chapter “John Chavis: Quiet Leader of an Early Revolution” in the University of North Carolina Press book North Carolina’s Revolutionary Founders 0:33:00Chef Ricky Moore represents the South for America 250Durham chef Ricky Moore sits down with Leoneda Inge to chat what America means to him. Moore was in a group of four chefs who made food for a “Taste of America” celebration by the National Archives Foundation.Ricky Moore, James Beard award-winning chef, the creator and owner of The Saltbox Seafood Joint in Durham, and represented the American South for a celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary

0:01:00Teaching the teachers about Native American historyDr. Brittany Hunt grew up in Robeson County, North Carolina, where there's a large Indigenous population. But when she got to college, she was just one of a few Native students on campus. That’s when she realized how little most people know about Native history and culture – and what they think they know is often flawed and racist. So instead of pursuing her dream of becoming a pediatrician, she became another kind of doctor. Hunt is now an assistant professor at the Virginia Tech School of Education, where she teaches the teachers about centering Indigenous stories and changing how history is taught.(This encore interview originally aired November 13,2023.)Dr. Brittany Hunt, Assistant Professor, School of Education at Virginia Tech0:13:00UNC Chapel Hill professor wins Pulitzer for indigenous history book, ‘Native Nations’Kathleen DuVal’s latest book has been called a “magisterial overview of a thousand years of Native American history.” DuVal’s scholarship on the history of indigenous peoples in America has earned the 2025 Pulitzer Prize for History.(This encore interview originally aired June 10, 2025)Kathleen DuVal, professor of history, UNC Chapel Hill and author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning book, Native Nations: A Millennium in North America

0:01:00NC history told in three-inch lettersNorth Carolina highway historical markers can be seen all across the state — and these markers can make a big difference when it comes to which NC places, historical moments, and people are memorialized and commemorated. Co-host Leoneda Inge talks to Ansley Herring Wegner of the NC Office of Archives and History about how markers are approved and what it takes to get a marker erected and noticed by the public. (This encore interview originally aired August 1, 2024.)Ansley Herring Wegner, Director of Research and Publications, North Carolina Office of Archives and History0:13:00The Broadside: A Nation Unraveled: Clothing in the Civil WarFascinating new research is shedding light on how clothing culture during the American Civil war helped radically transform the nation during its darkest hour. Through the clothes they made, wore, mended, lost, and stole, Americans expressed their allegiances, showed their love, confronted their social and economic challenges, subverted expectations, and, ultimately, preserved their history.This episode of The Broadside was hosted by Anisa Khalifa and edited by Jerad Walker.Sarah Weicksel, author of "A Nation Unraveled: Clothing, Culture, and Violence in the American Civil War Era"0:33:00How the Battleship North Carolina got to its home in WilmingtonSixty-five years ago, a state-wide fundraising effort saved a more than 70 million-pound, 700-foot long behemoth of a WWII warship from being scrapped. The USS North Carolina is now a museum in Wilmington, and it would not have made it there without the contributions of thousands of North Carolina children. The museum has an effort underway to collect the stories of the “kid heroes” who helped save the ship back in 1961. (This encore interview originally aired January 13, 2026.)Dr. Jay Martin, Executive Director, Battleship North CarolinaCamille Williams, fundraised as an elementary school student for the 1961 effort

The Friday News Roundup heads to Greensboro, where there's an $83 million budget shortfall, as well as a recent major aviation development.Hosts Jeff Tiberii and Leoneda Inge speak with a panel of reporters, and local leaders including Greensboro's mayor, and the Co-Founder of the International Civil Rights Center and Museum.Broadcasting from the Pyrle Theater in downtown Greensboro.Rachel Crumpler, Reporter NC Health NewsDanny Finnegan, Managing Editor Triad Business JournalJoe Killian, Editor The AssemblyMarikay Abuzuaiter, Mayor of Greensboro, and longtime city councilwoman and entrepreneur Earl Jones, an attorney and Co-Founder of the International Civil Rights Center and Museum

0:01:00Charlotte sports fans push to host 2031 Women’s World Cup matchesWhy not Charlotte? One of those fans pushing for Charlotte to get matches says Atlanta isn't the only city in the South that's got a strong sports scene.Miller Yoho, Director of Communications and Marketing for Charlotte Sports0:13:00Durham overcomes budget shortfall after lower than expected property tax resultsLeoneda Inge speaks with with two reporters behind the recent Indy Week article "How $4 Billion Came Off Durham’s Tax Rolls Last Year, Mostly Benefiting Corporate Landlords—and Blowing a Hole in the City Budget."Lena Geller, Reporter for Indy WeekLee Gans, Independent Data Reporter0:33:00Hillsborough father appears on RuPaul’s Drag RaceContent creator and father Jeffrey Williamson-Rose had a big debut on RuPaul’s Drag Race on its season “All Stars Season 11.” Williamson is a Black, queer father based in Hillsborough, NC. He joins Leoneda Inge to discuss Drag Race, Hillsborough, what he enjoyed about being on the show, and what it means to share stories about Queer parents on television.You can watch Williamson-Rose in Drag Race All Stars Jeffrey Williamson-Rose, professor, content creator, photographer, husband and father.

0:01:00‘Forever chemicals’ in NC riversEnvironment reporter Celeste Guajardo shares her latest reporting on PFAS and 1,4 Dioxane in our rivers and drinking water.Celeste Guajardo, environment reporter, WUNC News0:13:00‘I want people to see how beautiful it is, so they see that it's worth fighting for’Two North Carolina riverkeepers talk about efforts to clean up North Carolina rivers, and what drew them to those riverbanks in the first place.Emily Sutton, Haw Riverkeeper and Executive Director of Haw River AssemblyKemp Burdette, Cape Fear Riverkeeper

0:01:00Elizabeth City State University’s NC PromiseLeoneda Inge visits Elizabeth City State University to explore the impact of the NC Promise program on students and families, including a 62-year-old Gail Mullen.Dr. S. Keith Hargrove, Sr., ChancellorGail Mullen, 62-year-old 2026 graduate, Elizabeth City State University0:13:00NC college leaders on the success of the NC Promise tuition programLeoneda Inge speaks with chancellors of universities that participate in the NC Promise tuition program. As the state-funded initiative nears its 10-year anniversary, Due South checks in on its impact on students and families.Robin Gary Cummings, Chancellor, UNC PembrokeMike Langford, Associate Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Services, Western Carolina University0:33:00Wake County-based HOST program seeks to address college student homelessnessCollege student homelessnessimpacts14 percent of college students locally and nationally. Housing instability impacts even more students, with nearly 48 percent experiencing uncertainty about where to live at some point during their college career. One organization in Wake County seeks to address the growing need.Mary Haskett, Professor Emeritus Psychology, NC State University; KC Buchanan, Executive Director, HOST (Housing Options for Students Today)

Editor's note: This Due South encore conversation originally aired May 20, 2026.0:01:00What dismantling the Voting Rights Act means for North CarolinaNorth Carolina Supreme Court Associate Justice Anita Earls discusses the history of the Voting Rights Act and the implications of recent measures to dismantle what remains of the landmark legislation.Anita Earls, North Carolina Supreme Court Associate Justice0:13:00Two generations of state representatives discuss the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision on the Voting Rights ActFollowing the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision to dismantle Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, Leoneda Inge speaks to Rep. Valerie Foushee and retired Rep. Eva M. Clayton about the impact and next steps.Valerie Foushee, U.S. representative for North Carolina's 4th congressional districtEva M. Clayton, U.S. representative for North Carolina’s 1st district from 1992-20030:33:00 State Senator Natalie Murdock talks politics in a post-VRA North Carolina State Senator Natalie Murdock discusses the work ahead for Gen Z voters, the first generation in decades to come of age and enter the workforce in a post-Voting Rights Act landscape.Natalie Murdock, State Senator representing North Carolina’s 20thdistrict

On this week’s North Carolina News Roundup… Another contentious, local Board of Elections meeting ... an aviation aspiration takes off in the Triad ... and the cultural significance of The Stanley Cup. Due South host Jeff Tiberii and a panel of local journalists provide context and analysis from those and other stories from the week.Colin Campbell, Capitol Bureau Chief, WUNC NewsClaudia Rivera Cotto, Political Reporter, Enlace Latino NCZachery Eanes, reporter, Axios RaleighKate Rogerson, sports reporter/anchor for ABC 11 

0:01:00New book "Black Freedom: A Visual History of Juneteenth and Emancipation Days"It’s been five years since Juneteenth was designated a federal holiday, but it’s been celebrated for much longer than that in countless communities across the country.Today, we look at Juneteenth and other holidays honoring emancipation with historian Blair LM Kelley, author of the new book “Black Freedom: A Visual History of Juneteenth and Emancipation Days.”Blair LM Kelley, president of the National Humanities Center, historian, author of Black Freedom: A Visual History of Juneteenth and Emancipation Days0:33:00Pierce Freelon’s “Black Boy Glow” celebrates whimsy, healthy masculinity and emotional expressionGrammy-nominated recording artist, children’s musician and author Pierce Freelon has produced a new body of work dedicated to boys, belonging and emotional connection. Leoneda Inge previews Freelon’s latest release, Black Boy Glow, just in time for his Juneteenth album release party in downtown Durham.Pierce Freelon, artist, Grammy-award nominee and author

0:01:00North Carolina is experiencing one of the worst droughts on recordNorth Carolina is experiencing one of the worst droughts in recorded history. Parts of the Triangle region are under exceptional drought conditions, and the state is more than 10 inches of rain below the level it should be to sustain healthy water sources and crops. Cities here in the Triangle are calling for water restrictions to help mitigate the effects of the drought. Jeff Tiberii gets the latest.Gary Stephenson, chief meteorologist at Spectrum News RaleighDr. Chip Konrad, director of the NOAA Southeastern Regional Climate Center and a professor of geography at UNC-Chapel HillDr. Matt Poore, professor of animal science at NC State University and an expert on livestock, management of grazing systems, and agriculture markets with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension0:33:00In his memoir, comedian Roy Wood Jr. reflects on being a son and a fatherLeoneda Inge speaks with comedian Roy Wood Jr. about what it was like to revisit his difficult relationship with his father and how that relationship has influenced his own approach to parenting a son.Roy Wood Jr., comedian, journalist and author of the memoir,The Man of Many Fathers: Life Lessons Disguised as a Memoir 

0:01:00A Black WWII soldier's remains are finally laid to restThe remains of one of the final victims of the Pearl Harbor bombing have been identified and brought to North Carolina. Neil Frye was 20 years old, and serving as a Mess Attendant 3rd Class in the Navy on the U.S.S. West Virginia.For eight decades, his relatives wanted final confirmation that Frye died, but until 2025 his remains had not been identified. This Due South encore conversation originally aired in April 2025.Jay Price, Military reporter for WUNC and The American Homefront Project0:13:00Author Kathy Reichs on her forensic anthropology career, hit TV show 'Bones' and her new novelThe Fox television drama "Bones" ran from 2005 to 2017 - the longest drama in the network’s history. Our guest today was a producer on the show - and the writer who inspired it.In fact, she’s the basis for one of the main characters - Temperance Brennan. "Tempe," as she's known, is based on both the life and novels of Kathy Reichs.Reichs is a forensic anthropologist who's spent much of her career at UNC Charlotte. In addition to her academic research, she has penned two dozen novels in the Temperance Brennan Series.She sits down with Leoneda Inge to talk about her career, latest novel, "Fire and Bones," and what it was like adapting her work for television.This Due South encore conversation originally aired in September 2024.Kathy Reichs, forensic anthropologist, professor emerita in the Department of Anthropology at UNC Charlotte. "Fire and Bones" is the 23rd novel in the Temperance Brennan series.

0:01:00HBCU 101: Growth of soccer at HBCUsThere’s a move to grow competitive soccer at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The HBCU Football Club (FC) Classic kicked things off in Durham. This World Cup season – amplifying world class soccer at Black colleges.Raymond Brooks - HBCU FC, Director of Digital DevelopmentEmma Brown - Virginia State University Women's Soccer TeamTatiana Ward - Virginia State University Women's Soccer TeamJacky Fulu Kiazayadioko - Shaw University Men's Soccer Team0:13:00The Broadside: The surprising cricket capital of the SouthThe game of cricket is rapidly gaining popularity across the US. But if you want to see what the future of the sport in America might look like, you need to visit a field next to an airport in the town of Morrisville, North Carolina.This episode of The Broadside originally published on June 27, 2024, during the 2024 Cricket T20 World Cup which was co-hosted by the United States. It was hosted by Anisa Khalifa, produced and edited by Charlie Shelton-Ormond, Jerad Walker.0:33:00'Genre fluid' musical group Tank and the Bangas visit Due South Tank and the Bangas have come a long way since their 2017 NPR Tiny Desk performance. Now, with a Grammy award in hand, the group has been on several creative journeys. Their most recent album “The Last Balloon” was released this spring and will mark the start of a new musical era for the group. Tank and the Bangas sit down with Leoneda Inge ahead of their performance in Carrboro at Cat’s Cradle on June 20.Tarriona “Tank” Ball, of Tank and the BangasNorman Spence, of Tank and the Bangas

On the NC News Roundup...State budget negotiations plod along, surveillance by law enforcement at some retail stores may surprise you, and the Canes' quest for the Cup continues in exciting fashion.Adam Wagner, reporter/editor covering state politics for the North Carolina NewsroomZachery Eanes, reporter, Axios RaleighReuben Jones,Washington reporter covering North CarolinaNathan Collins, investigative reporter at The News & Observer

0:01:00Amid funding uncertainty, how are NC colleges faring?Last summer break, colleges and universities were in a precarious position, facing big federal funding cuts and threats to programs associated with diversity, equity and inclusion.Due South's Leoneda Inge checks in WUNC News Higher Education Reporter Brianna Atkinson to find out if the biggest threats to Triangle area colleges actually became reality. And if not, what challenges, or opportunities, are on horizon.Brianna Atkinson, Higher Education Reporter, WUNC News0:13:00Durham Tech dean discusses book, "Getting the Most Out of Your College Experience"Chris O'Riordan-Adjah knows a lot about higher education. In addition to earning two bachelor's degrees, two master’s degrees, and a PhD in Civil Engineering, he’s also taught at a range of colleges, including a large 4-year university, small college, and community college. And he wants to share his knowledge with those embarking on college — or thinking about it. “Professor Chris” talks with co-host Jeff Tiberii about his book "Getting the Most Out of Your College Experience."(This conversation originally aired June 23, 2025.)Chris O'Riordan-Adjah, author of "Getting the Most Out of Your College Experience"; Dean of Building, Engineering and Skills Technology Division, Durham Technical Community College

0:01:00CHCCS superintendent on elementary school closure decisionAfter months of speculation and deliberation, the final decision about a school closure in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School system was made last week. Glenwood Elementary School will shut down in Fall 2027. Jeff Tiberii talks with CHCCS superintendent Dr. Rodney Trice about the decision and what comes next for students, families and the district.Rodney N. Trice, Superintendent of Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools0:13:00School year wrap up with two NC education reportersFrom teacher pay debates to enrollment drops to budget crises, it’s been yet another challenging year for school systems across our region. As the traditional public school year wraps up, we check in with two education reporters to update us on the latest news and unpack some trends across districts.Liz Schlemmer, Education Reporter, WUNC NewsAmy Diaz, Education Reporter, WFDD0:33:00A food guide for I-40If you're a food lover traveling on I-40 to your summer getaway, the journey might now be as exciting as the destination. Food journalist Hanna Raskin has created a restaurant guide titled “I-40 Exit Strategy,” which explores the tantalizing flavors that can be found just off the interstate.Hanna Raskin, author of I-40 Exit Strategy , founder and editor of The Food Section