By Rend Smith
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The podcast currently has 51 episodes available.
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In this episode of Shoresides, we sit down with Dr. Thomas M. Dalton, founder of Eden Village in Wilmington, North Carolina. Dr. Dalton discusses the growing issue of chronic homelessness in New Hanover County and how housing is the critical linchpin to improving healthcare for the homeless. He shares insights from his work, highlighting how Eden Village is addressing the needs of the most vulnerable, chronically homeless population by providing affordable, small homes and fostering a supportive community. Dalton also explores the challenges of expanding emergency shelters, the role of government, and the future of homeless housing in the region.
Eden Village has a help page which includes steps to apply for housing.
Here are five resources for homeless people in Wilmington, North Carolina:
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In this episode of Shoresides, we dive into the housing challenges faced by neurodiverse individuals and seniors in Wilmington, NC. Dr. Robert Ferber, retired physician and president of Independent Works, joins us to discuss their mission to create inclusive housing through the CityPlace project. Ferber shares his personal connection to the cause, driven by his daughter’s experience with autism, and highlights how Independent Works is collaborating with local organizations to provide affordable, supportive housing for neurodiverse adults and seniors. Tune in to learn more about this innovative approach to housing and community.
Resources for Neurodiverse individuals and families in coastal North Carolina:
Independent Works has several opportunities and resources found on their website. A good place to start is to sign up for their newsletter.
New Hanover County offers several resources for neurodiverse adults and children. Below are some key options for support and services:
For Children:
For Adults:
General Resources:
These organizations can provide a range of services, from educational support to mental health care and advocacy for neurodiverse individuals.
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In this episode of Shoresides, we delve into the often-overlooked reality of human trafficking survivors in coastal North Carolina. Join host Nick Magrino as he interviews Dawn Ferrer, Executive Director of A Safe Place, a nonprofit supporting survivors of human trafficking. Many of these survivors are left homeless, with few possessions, while struggling with substance use and the long-term effects of their experiences.
Ferrer explains how childhood trauma often leads to vulnerabilities, exposing individuals to exploitation. Through initiatives like supportive housing and their upcoming farm program, A Safe Place is working to bridge gaps in care, providing safe housing and employment opportunities for survivors. Learn about the intersecting crises of homelessness, substance abuse, and human trafficking, and how communities can step up to offer real solutions.
Listen in to understand the harsh realities of survival and recovery in coastal North Carolina, and how community resilience begins with addressing the root causes of vulnerability.
Here are five helpful tips and resources from A Safe Place:
Learn more at A Safe Place.
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This episode of Shoresides delves into the growing affordable housing crisis in Brunswick County, North Carolina. We sat down with Sally Learned of Brunswick Partnership for Housing to learn more about challenges and solutions to affordable housing.
Despite being employed, many residents are unable to make enough money to afford rent, forcing them into unstable living situations such as living in their cars, motels, or RVs. Doubling up in homes or couch surfing has become a solution for many people.
Host Nick Magrino highlights a recent report from the National Low Income Housing Commission, which reveals that North Carolinians need to make nearly $4 more per hour than last year to afford a moderate apartment. Brunswick County, reflecting a national trend, faces an increasingly dire housing situation, pushing many wage earners into homelessness.
This episode explores the community’s struggle to secure affordable housing amidst these challenges, shedding light on a critical issue impacting everyday lives in coastal North Carolina.
Produced and hosted by Nick Magrino.
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Unsure about North Carolina's changing marijuana laws and whether you can still get into trouble? You're not alone. That's why Shoresides is analyzing police records to uncover who’s still being penalized for marijuana possession and why.
In May, the federal government advanced a measure that’d remove marijuana from the most restricted drugs list. But in North Carolina, the situation is more complex. Small amounts of recreational marijuana have been decriminalized for decades, making it quasi-legal to carry a half-ounce or less and pay a $200 fine. Police officers have the option to issue citations for larger quantities. Additionally, Hemp stores in North Carolina now openly sell “hemp” products containing small and legal amounts of Delta 9 THC, and there’s an ongoing effort–Senate Bill 711– to legalize marijuana here for medical use.
Despite the progress, marijuana enforcement remains a concern for community members, particularly in cities like Wilmington, where officers file several hundred marijuana charges per year.
Public records obtained by Shoresides show that from 2016 to 2023, the Wilmington Police Department (WPD) filed over 5,000 marijuana charges, with roughly 84 percent filed as misdemeanors and the majority– 70 percent–for minor marijuana infractions like possession of more than a half ounce or paraphernalia, according to a Shoresides analysis.
“In North Carolina marijuana possession is still illegal,” Lieutenant Willet Greg, a spokesperson for the department told Shoresides in an email. “Is it a priority or something we are focusing resources on? No it is not, social norms change and over time the laws enacted by the legislative branch of government typically catch up with those norms.”
All of the infractions turned over to Shoresides through our public records request involved amounts of marijuana that were equal to or in excess of a half-ounce. But that doesn’t mean the department has ceased penalizing people for carrying less, Willet explained. Data related to those charges aren’t readily accessible. “In order to find data for anyone charged with below a half ounce of marijuana it would require our one analyst to go through every marijuana arrest within those years. That is due to the way the law is written regarding amounts of marijuana and how the data is retained within our records system,” he said. “I’m sure there are people that have been charged with that amount.”
In October 2016, a 12-year-old identified in a police report as an African-American male was arrested for marijuana possession and paraphernalia at Williston Middle School. (Paraphernalia might be anything from a plastic baggie to a glass pipe.) In July 2023, a 33-year-old identified in a police report as a white female employed by John Metts Insurance, was arrested on roughly the same charges at a local hotel.
Learn more at www.shoresides.org
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Hosted by Rend Smith
Featuring Johanna F. Still of The Assembly
Music by PenguinMusic – Better Day from Pixabay.
Rend speaks with Johanna F. Still about her recent story Shibumi Shade Has Cast Its Shadow Over North Carolina Beaches This Summer. Along the North Carolina coastline, Shibumis have become inescapable and we learn why.
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In this episode of "Leandro: Funding in New Hanover Falling Short," we delve into the ongoing challenges and implications of the Leandro court case for New Hanover County schools.
Join us as we interview Rebecca Trammel of Community Conversations, who is an education advocate and expert, who sheds light on the current state of funding, the barriers faced by local schools, and the broader impact on students and teachers. Discover the real stories behind the numbers and learn what this means for the future of education in our community.
Background: The Leandro case, formally known as Leandro v. State of North Carolina, is a landmark lawsuit filed in 1994 by five low-wealth school districts in North Carolina. The plaintiffs argued that the state was not providing adequate funding to ensure every child received a sound basic education, as mandated by the North Carolina Constitution. In 1997, the North Carolina Supreme Court affirmed this right and later rulings reinforced that the state must take action to rectify funding inequities. The case has led to ongoing debates and legal actions concerning the adequacy and equity of public school funding in North Carolina.
Resources for learning about Leandro:
Community Conversations has a dedicated page
Every Child North Carolina
NC Early Education Coalition
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This episode features an insightful conversation with journalist Linda Villarosa, focusing on her New York Times Magazine article, "The Disturbing Truth About Hair Relaxers." Linda discusses the surprising health risks associated with hair relaxer products and other hair products marketed to Black girls and women, including links to uterine cancer and various reproductive health issues. Through her extensive research, she reveals the systemic issues in the cosmetic industry and the regulatory gaps that disproportionately affect Black women.
Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the cultural and historical context of hair straightening in the Black community, the potential health impacts of hair relaxers, and the importance of better regulation and personal choices in mitigating these risks. Tune in to hear about potential solutions and how we can support a shift towards safer, more natural hair care practices.
Go deeper and read the research underpinning Villarosa’s article:+
- A 2022 study by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences found that frequent users of hair straighteners were significantly more likely to develop uterine cancer.
- Over the past two decades, researchers like Tamarra James-Todd from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health have conducted numerous studies revealing the harmful effects of chemicals found in hair relaxers, such as formaldehyde and phthalates. These substances are known to disrupt endocrine function and are linked to health issues like early menstruation and reproductive cancers (Harvard School of Public Health) (Fibroid Fighters).
Despite the mounting evidence, these products remain largely unregulated in the U.S., contrasting with stricter regulations in Europe. This lack of regulation has led to continued exposure and harm, with many Black women still using these products due to societal pressures and norms regarding hair aesthetics (Gatekeepers News).
Get Inspired:
- bell hooks, “Straightening Our Hair” in *Talking Back: Thinking Feminist, Thinking Black”
- Discover videos related to Black girl natural hair on TikTok.
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Hosted by Rend Smith
Featuring Melba Newsome, a veteran freelance journalist with more than 20 years of experience reporting on environmental news.
Music by PenguinMusic – Better Day from Pixabay.
In a recent article for Sierra Magazine titled "North Carolina Agency Warns Anglers About Poisoned Fish," Newsome reports that the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) has issued a fish consumption advisory. The advisory recommends that almost everyone significantly reduce their intake of certain freshwater fish from the middle and lower Cape Fear River due to contamination concerns. These fish are suspected to be contaminated with perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), a toxic chemical from the PFAS group that can persist in the environment for up to 1,000 years.
The press release from the NCDHHS states: "We recommend limits on the consumption of certain freshwater fish from the middle and lower Cape Fear River based on concerns about exposure to perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) found in fish sampled from that area."
The Cape Fear River Watch has published guidelines titled "Stop, Check, Enjoy," which provide tips on fish consumption. Additionally, you can find current advisories posted by the state of North Carolina and reports by county on fish consumption. For useful tips on making fish safer and healthier for consumption, renowned North Carolina Chef Keith Rhodes offers valuable advice.
Link to current advisories posted by the state of North Carolina.
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Hosted by Rend Smith
Featuring Claudia M. Rivera Cotto of Enlace Latino NC
Music by PenguinMusic – Better Day from Pixabay.
Data on the 'State of the Teaching Profession' shows significant arrival of international teachers to the state during 2022-23 in the state of North Carolina. With teachers leaving in increasing numbers districts are increasingly looking to international teachers as a valuable resource. Claudia M. Rivera Cotto dug into the data in a story she wrote International teachers fill gaps amid teacher attrition in North Carolina.
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The podcast currently has 51 episodes available.