On this week’s North Carolina News Roundup, it was another monumental week in politics with Vice President Harris now likely to be at the top of the Democratic ticket and Governor Cooper on the shortlist to be her running mate. Former President Trump campaigned in Charlotte, and on Capitol Hill a North Carolina Congresswoman boycotted the address given by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. We hear about chancellor updates across the UNC system and other higher education news from the week. Plus, several local athletes head to Paris for the Olympics.

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Due South co-host Leoneda Inge talks with WUNC's higher education reporter Brianna Atkinson about how North Carolina's public universities are complying with a ban on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

Then, Leoneda Inge talks to a local agronomist about this year's flash drought and the damage it's caused to various crops. 

And, Chris Liloia of the North Carolina Botanical Garden joins co-host Jeff Tiberii for a conversation about native plants, grasses, and wildflowers, and their climate resilience.

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(Editor's note: These conversations originally published May 6, 2024.)

We're lifting off today with Astronaut Christina Koch. She grew up here, graduated from the North Carolina School of Science and Math, then NC State, and today works for NASA. Christina Koch has spent more than 300 days at the International Space Station and is readying for a lunar mission. Koch talks training, outer space food, and common questions she gets.

Then, after talking with a NASA astronaut, we at Due South wanted to learn more about research that’s happening here on Earth. Rachel Smith, an astrophysicist at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Science, studies star and planet formation. We talk with her about that, and space out on some of humankind's biggest questions, like – are we alone in the universe?

Guests

Christina Koch, NASA Astronaut

Rachel Smith, PhD, Astronomer at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, and Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Appalachian State University

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Due South co-host Jeff Tiberii is joined by WUNC Capitol Bureau Chief Colin Campbell and Professor Chris Cooper of Western Carolina University to talk about the implications of this national political moment for North Carolina.

Then, Tom Maxwell was a founding member of the hit ‘90s swing band The Squirrel Nut Zippers. During that decade, he had a unique, insider perspective on the emerging underground music scene in Chapel Hill and the surrounding areas. Co-hosts Jeff Tiberii and Leoneda Inge chat with musician Tom Maxwell about the 1990s music scene in Chapel Hill and his new book, A Really Strange and Wonderful Time, The Chapel Hill Music Scene: 1989-1999. (Editor's note: This conversation originally published on May 21, 2024.)

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Due South co-host Leoneda Inge sits down with Keith and Belinda Shannon, founders of Preparing America's Tomorrow Today (PATT) to discuss college bus tours to HBCUs. We travel to Fayetteville State University to speak with students and Dr. Pamela Baldwin, vice chancellor of student success and enrollment management to learn more about a free summer tuition program, now in its fourth year. And we also hear from Devin Sweet, a proud NCCU grad and pitcher for the Toledo Mud Hens.

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Breaking down appearances by the NC delegation at the Republican National Convention, new campaign finance numbers in North Carolina, Vice President Kamala Harris visits the state again, and more all with our panel of reporters.

Guests
Mary Helen Jones, reporter Spectrum News
Kyle Ingram, politics reporter at the News & Observer
Lucille Sherman, reporter Axios Raleigh
Danielle Battaglia, Capitol Hill correspondent for McClatchy

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In 1957, Virginia Williams made history as part of the Royal Ice Cream sit-in in Durham. Williams, now 87, was recently honored at the "Sweet Justice" ice cream social at NorthStar Church of the Arts. Co-host Leoneda Inge talks with Williams and several attendees inspired by Williams' activism.

Then, researchers at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and North Carolina State University have discovered a new dinosaur species that they believe lived at least some of their lives in underground burrows. Due South co-host Leoneda Inge talks with NC State researcher Haviv Avrahami about the discovery of the new species Fona herzogae. The fossil was found in Utah and can be seen on the 3rd floor of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences.

And, Due South's Southern Mixtape is back with a curated list of summer-themed music from Southern artists. WUNC Music's Brian Burns joins co-hosts Leoneda Inge and Jeff Tiberii to discuss what qualifies a track as "the song of the summer" and what a Southern summer sounds like.

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By 2030, the share of people aged 65 and over in the U.S. will have increased to more than 20% of the population — up from 17% in 2022. 

In the Triangle, the increase may be even more pronounced. A recent Axios article presented new census data showing the Triangle experienced one of the largest surges of residents 65 and over in the country since the pandemic. With that increase also comes an increased need for services to care for seniors.

In today's episode, Due South explores various aspects of eldercare. A reporter shares her research on PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) centers as possible alternatives to nursing homes for some older folks. A local nonprofit leader talks about her organization's efforts to help seniors navigate the complicated world of Medicare. And, an economist delves into the eldercare economy and the disproportionate impact on women.

Guests

Shannon Grein, economist with Wells Fargo Economics based in Charlotte. She co-authored a report called “Can't Grow Old Without Her: Women's Central Role in a Growing Eldercare Economy” 

Gina Upchurch, executive director of Senior PharmAssist

Anna Claire Vollers, reporter for Stateline based in Huntsville, AL, wrote "‘Are nursing homes our only option?’ These centers offer older adults an alternative."

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Irwin Morris of North Carolina State University’s School of Public and International Affairs talks with co-host Jeff Tiberii about the history of political violence in our country.

Then, NC State professor of entomology and plant pathology Clyde Sorenson talks with co-host Jeff Tiberii about North Carolina's declining firefly population and how human activity is contributing.

And, co-host Leoneda Inge chats with rubgy sevens star Captain Sammy Sullivan about serving her country as a soldier-athlete — and representing the U.S. at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games.

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The RNC begins in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, after an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. The North Carolina reaction, and a reporter in Milwaukee briefs us on security precautions.

The assassination attempt will likely impact the election in ways we can’t yet anticipate. But for now, we zoom in on the Republican platform and issues facing the party as they convene their national convention.

Plus, ProPublica investigates two NC judges’ ethical violations and how NC

Guests

Colin Campbell, Capitol Bureau Chief at WUNC

Maayan Silver, news reporter at NPR member station WUWM in Milwaukee

Abby Vesoulis, reporter Mother Jones

Mitch Kokai, Senior Political Analyst at the John Locke Foundation

Doug Bock Clark, reporter in ProPublica’s South unit, investigates threats to democracy and abuses of power throughout the region

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You can read the ProPublica report by Doug Bock Clark here.