Workers who labor on farms and construction sites experience extreme heat frequently in the workplace, but there are also service workers who face extreme heat. With rising temperatures from global warming, these already harsh conditions are only getting worse. WUNC’s Aaron Sánchez-Guerra and Celeste Gracia spoke with several workers for their series ‘Scorched Workers’ in 2024. Since then, the series has won several regional journalism awards, and a national award for audience engagement. This conversation originally aired in October 2024. 

Celeste Gracia, WUNC Environment Reporter 

Aaron Sánchez-Guerra, WUNC Race, Class and Communities Reporter 

Juanita Constible, senior advocate for Environmental Health at Natural Resources Defense Council 

Dr. Modjulie Moore, family medicine physician and current medical director for the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Farmworker Health Program 

When news hit about the devastating flooding that struck Texas Hill Country, many in western North Carolina immediately thought of their own experiences with Helene. BeLoved Asheville is one of several WNC groups that have put their collective grief into action by reaching out and delivering supplies to communities in Texas – communities that helped them in the aftermath of their own devastation last fall. (This interview originally aired July 17, 2025.)

Then, if you’re an avid public radio listener, you’ve heard composer BJ Leiderman’s name countless times in the credits of NPR shows like “Morning Edition” and “Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me.” But have you ever heard his voice? Due South hosts Leoneda Inge and Jeff Tiberii get the chance to interview the man behind those timeless tunes from his home studio in western NC, where he’s still making music. (This encore interview originally aired November 20, 2024.)

What federal funding cuts mean for WUNC and public media 
Public radio stations were dealt a major blow last week. Congress finalized a rescission package from the White House that claws back $1.1 billion in federally appropriated funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Stations like WUNC have relied on CPB funding for decades. To understand what this all means, WUNC’s president and general manager Paul Hunton joins Due South to explain and forecast where we go from here.
Paul Hunton, President and General Manager of North Carolina Public Radio – WUNC

In his new book, influencer Landon Bryant talks Southern manners, practices and sayings
Landon Bryant is a stand-up comic, a podcaster and the author of the new book, Bless Your Heart: A Field Guide to All Things Southern. He rose to fame telling local stories and performing observational humor inspired by his upbringing in the small town of Laurel, Mississippi. Due South chats with him ahead of his stand-up performance at the Raleigh Improv this week.
Landon Bryant, creator of @landontalks on Instagram and YouTube and the Landontalks with Kate podcast, author of Bless Your Heart: A Field Guide to All Things Southern

A generation gap in the Triangle housing market
The News and Observer’s Chantal Allam is back to talk about trends and notable highlights in Triangle housing. She chats with co-host Leoneda Inge about Baby Boomers “boxing out” Millennials from Triangle housing, and a contest for the best Modernist home in North Carolina.
Chantal Allam, Real Estate Reporter, The Raleigh News & Observer/The Herald-Sun

A NCGA legislative session wrap up
From hemp regulation to bans on inshore shrimp trawling and raw milk sales, the vast majority of the almost 1800 bills filed in the North Carolina General Assembly's recent long legislative session did not pass. Co-host Jeff Tiberii talks with a panel of state politics reporters about some of the notable bills that didn’t make it to the governor’s desk and what it all means for the state and the next legislative session.

A new pilot program addresses homelessness in Raleigh
The City of Raleigh has launched a first-of-its kind experiment to address homelessness. Over the next two years, through its Bringing Neighbors Home pilot program, the city will pay 45 families and individuals experiencing homelessness at least $1,450 every month to spend however they like. This conversation first aired in March 2025.

On the North Carolina News Roundup... What recovery from flooding in central NC looks like. Why NC Attorney General Jeff Jackson is suing the US Department of Education. NIH layoffs in the Triangle are now officially official. And Congress rolls back funding for public media. Guest host Will Michaels talks with a panel of journalists about those stories and more, on Due South.

Paul Hunton, President and General Manager of North Carolina Public Radio – WUNC
Celeste Gracia, Environment Reporter, WUNC
Brian Gordon, Business and Technology Reporter, The News & Observer
Liz Schlemmer, Education Reporter, WUNC
Adam Wagner, Reporter and Editor, NC Newsroom

From Asheville with love. WNC organization sends support to Texas in aftermath of flooding.
When news hit about the devastating flooding that struck Texas Hill Country, many in western North Carolina immediately thought of their own experiences with Helene. BeLoved Asheville is one of several WNC groups that have put their collective grief into action by reaching out and delivering supplies to communities in Texas – communities that helped them in the aftermath of their own devastation last fall.

Shibumi sun shades continue to make waves on Carolina beaches
Up and down the shores of North Carolina, a sea of blue dominates the landscape – and it’s not just the water, it’s the Shibumis. These sun shades have increased in popularity so much in the almost decade since they were first introduced that some beaches are almost completely covered in Shibumi's hallmark teal and blue material. Due South’s Jeff Tiberii talks with the founders of the company about getting their business off the ground and how the company is navigating shifting economic winds.

NC Tripping unpacks summer travel
While every season is for travel, there are more North Carolinians on the go in summer: chasing beach sand, mountain air, and endless experiences in between. Christina Riley is the co-creator of NC Tripping, which has a popular social media presence. She talks with co-host Jeff Tiberii about traveling with kids, easy day and overnight trips, and traveling on a budget in uncertain times.

Tropical Storm Chantal has caused extensive damage to businesses in Chapel Hill, after as much as 10 inches of floodwater hit buildings and shopping centers on July 6. In the days since, the damage has been assessed at more than $56 million. Aaron Keck, reporter for Chapelboro.com, talks with co-host Jeff Tiberii. 

Then, from its creation by Native Americans almost one thousand years ago to more recent conflicts around race and class, sportswriter S. L. Price says so many complexities of American life are represented in the sport of lacrosse that it could be called "The American Game." The former Sports Illustrated senior writer talks with Jeff Tiberii about how one North Carolina coach was instrumental in spreading the sport from the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic to the South and beyond.

Durham native Fran Wescott is a contestant on the new season of PBS’s "The Great American Recipe." She talks with Leoneda Inge about her culinary roots and inspirations.

Leoneda Inge talks to Duke University's Heat Policy Innovation Hub director Ashley Ward. Jeff Tiberii talks to NC State entomologist Clyde Sorenson. Chefs Melanie Wilkerson and Sicily Sierra discuss their move to Durham and their Southern influences. 

Fewer WWII soldiers' remains are being accepted by close relatives.

The 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 recently his remains had not been identified.

Jay Price, Military reporter for WUNC and The American Homefront Project

Author Kathy Reichs on her forensic anthropology career, hit TV show 'Bones' and her new novel

The 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 23 novels in the Temperance Brennan Series.

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.

On the North Carolina News Roundup... 

Flooding from Chantal will have lasting impacts. More vetoes from the governor... which ones are likely to result in overrides? And, we’ll hear about whether new toll roads are coming to Wake County. 

Co-host Jeff Tiberii talks with a panel of journalists about those stories and more, on Due South.

Guests

Colin Campbell, Capitol Bureau Chief, WUNC

Dawn Vaughan, Capitol Bureau Chief, The News & Observer

Gary Robertson, statehouse reporter, Associated Press

Lexi Solomon, reporter, The News & Observer