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Extreme weather and the future of hurricane prediction
As we approach the middle of Atlantic hurricane season, Due South explores federal cuts at the National Weather Service and NOAA and our preparedness in the face of extreme weather events. New York Times reporter and meteorologist Judson Jones and Andy Hazelton, a former NOAA scientist focusing on hurricane and model development, join co-host Jeff Tiberii to talk the past, present and future of storm predictions.

Judson Jones, meteorologist and reporter for The New York Times covering extreme weather.

Andy Hazelton, Associate Scientist at the University of Miami Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies

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How a new study on flood plains in North Carolina could help determine future flood risk
Between 1996 and 2020, over 90,000 buildings and homes experienced flooding due to a weather event. Many of them were damaged repeatedly. Yet, records don’t reflect the prevalence of these damages across the state, hindering our ability to understand who is most vulnerable to future flooding as climate change worsens.

UNC’s Antonia Sebastian tells co-host Jeff Tiberii about her research team’s recent efforts to fill in the blanks in the flood record, and what their findings might mean for home and business owners across the state.

Antonia Sebastian, Assistant Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in the Department of Earth, Marine and Environmental Sciences and the Environment, Ecology and Energy Program (E3P)

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The latest on a threat to Duke Health's federal funding, and allegations of racial discrimination at the medical school and health care system. Leoneda Inge speaks with a reporter to get the latest.

Brian Gordon, Business and Technology Reporter at The Raleigh News & Observer

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Bob Crawford might be best known for his music, but his show American History Hotline and forthcoming 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, and host of the new iHeart original podcast, American History Hotline

This week on the North Carolina News Roundup...

Former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper and Republican National Committee chair Michael Whatley announced their bids for the U.S. Senate — what do their 2026 prospects look like?

State lawmakers override eight of Governor Josh Stein's fourteen vetoes with the help of some Democrats.

A mini-budget approved by the General Assembly has been sent to Governor Stein's desk, but how close are lawmakers to working out a full budget?

An update from western North Carolina.

Plus, a special happy birthday to Former Chief Justice Henry Frye.

Guests

Colin Campbell, Capitol Bureau Chief, WUNC

Claudia Rivera Cotto, Political Reporter, Enlace Latino NC

Bryan Anderson, freelance reporter, creator of the “Anderson Alerts” newsletter

Felicia Sonmez, Reporter, Blue Ridge Public Radio

Lucille Sherman, formerly a reporter at Axios Raleigh

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Detentions from federal immigration enforcement are up significantly in North Carolina. WUNC’s Aaron Sanchez-Guerra has been reporting on the increase and talks with Jeff Tiberii.

Aaron Sanchez-Guerra, Race, Class and Communities reporter for WUNC

• Related: ICE arrests of immigrants rise by 170% in North Carolina. Here's what to know

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The US Department of Homeland Security has labelled Durham County a “Sanctuary County.” That doesn’t sit well with Durham County Sheriff Clarence Birkhead – especially in this time of ICE raids and immigrant deportations. Sheriff Birkhead talks with Leoneda Inge about how his office is navigating a new reality and levels of cooperation with ICE. 

Clarence Birkhead, Durham County Sheriff

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A high-ranking Black Marine was convicted of murder. New video evidence raises the question: Was he wrongfully convicted? Michael Hewlett writes about the case in his story, "Prosecutors Made a Rare Concession in a Murder Case. But Will It Matter?" for The Assembly. He joins Leoneda Inge to break down the story. 

Michael Hewlett, staff reporter, The Assembly

The International Civil Rights Center & Museum in Greensboro draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Its focus on the mid-20th century’s civil rights movement’s enduring impact continues to resonate in today’s political climate. Leoneda Inge talks to co-founder Earl Jones about the museum’s history, its recent 15th anniversary gala and its intentions for the future. This year also marks the 65th anniversary of the Greensboro civil rights sit-ins, a milestone that was also honored at this year's gala.

Guest: Earl Jones, co-founder, The International Civil Rights Center & Museum

Despite the impact of Tropical Storm Chantal on Orange County’s arts community, the second Uproar Festival of Public Art will open as planned on August 1. The festival features 60 public arts installations across Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Hillsborough and serves as a competition for participating artists.

Guest: Katie Murray, director of the Orange County Arts Commission

Raleigh is not our state’s biggest city, but as state capital Raleigh is the center of North Carolina’s political life and it is home to almost half a million people. In Due South’s latest edition of “Meet the Mayors,” Leoneda Inge talks with Raleigh Mayor Janet Cowell about her wide-ranging political career: from a Raleigh city councilor to a NC state senator to NC State Treasurer and now back to city government.

Then, 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 one of his recent posts is 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.

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Now that the “one big, beautiful bill” has passed, how are the provisions likely to take shape here in North Carolina for individuals and for communities? Jeff Tiberii talks with an economist about what to expect.

Bharat Ramamurti, Senior Advisor for Economic Strategy at the American Economic Liberties Project, former Deputy Director of the National Economic Council in the Biden Administration

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As our “Meet the Mayors” series continues, we get an introduction to Fletcher, North Carolina. At 30 years old, Mayor Preston Blakely may be young, but his roots in Fletcher and the Asheville region run deep. He talks with Leoneda Inge about recovery after Helene and his grandmothers’ legacies of activism and service.

Preston Blakely, Mayor of Fletcher, NC

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Flyleaf Books’ Maggie Robe joins Leoneda Inge to recommend some of this summer’s hottest literary selections and quick beach reads. From romance and mystery to nature and poetry, there’s something for everyone in this roundup of popular picks.

Maggie Robe, marketing and events manager, Flyleaf Books

On this week’s, North Carolina News Roundup: a look at the upcoming race for U.S. Senate seats in North Carolina, as former governor Roy Cooper and RNC chair Michael Whatley prepare to run, significant job cuts at Meredith College, federal education funding that has been “released” to NC public schools and state lawmakers’ efforts to override several gubernatorial vetoes.

Guests

Dawn Vaughan, Capital Bureau Chief, News & Observer

Liz Schlemmer, K-12 education reporter, WUNC

Adam Wagner, editor/reporter, NC Newsroom

Danielle Battaglia, Capitol Hill correspondent, The News & Observer/The Charlotte Observer/McClatchy

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.)