Episode 11 of The Dirt digs into the climate and environmental justice impacts of burning wood pellets for energy and EPA administrator Scott Pruitt’s recent favor to the industry. The episode features an interview with civil rights attorney Elizabeth Haddix about the political assault on the UNC Law Center for Civil Rights and how it was influenced by industrial pork lobbyists. And the “mother of the environmental justice movement”, Dollie Burwell, talks about how to keep momentum going when social justice fights span decades.

Episode 10 of The Dirt features an interview with Sharon Lerner, an investigative journalist who has written extensively about water contamination around airports and military bases stemming from a chemical found in firefighting foam. Contamination from the foam, which is a chemical cousin to GenX, is being found in North Carolina and across the country. Plus, what is TigerSwan? The Dirt examines the secretive private security firm that helped suppress opposition to the Dakota Access pipeline and was operating in North Carolina post-Hurricane Matthew. And April 2nd is International Children’s Book Day and we convened a panel to review some of our favorite environmentally-themed books for kids.

Episode 9 of The Dirt features an interview with Dollie Burwell, whose leadership during the Warren County PCB landfill protests forty years ago sparked the national environmental justice movement. Plus, the Dirt’s production team goes out into the field with Sound Rivers to search for the rare and imperiled Neuse River waterdog and talks with the Union of Concerned Scientists about new attacks on the Endangered Species Act. And hundreds of community members make a long journey from the coast to voice their opposition to the Trump administration’s offshore drilling plans.

Episode 8 of The Dirt features an interview with three young activists who are petitioning the state to adopt rules curbing carbon emissions in North Carolina. Host Brian Powell talks with environmental journalist Adam Wagner about the latest developments in GenX contamination in the Cape Fear River and elsewhere. And environmental reporter Lisa Sorg and Upper Neuse Riverkeeper Matthew Starr join the show to discuss climate change, GenX, the critically imperiled Neuse waterdog and what environmental fights lie ahead for 2018.

Episode 7 of The Dirt features an interview with residents and experts living near industrial turkey and chicken production facilities (CAFOs) that threaten public health. Host Brian Powell talks with North Carolina Riverkeepers about money in politics and other barriers to policy change. And the NC League of Conservation Voters talks about strategies for transitioning to clean power while keeping focus on economic and racial justice.

Episode 6 of The Dirt features an exclusive interview with North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein. Host Brian Powell talked to the attorney general about chemical dumping, Duke Energy’s attempts to raise electric bills to pay for coal ash, how to fight the nation’s opioid crisis and more.

Episode 5 of The Dirt features a special report highlighting the groups resisting Duke Energy’s attempts to raise consumer energy bills in the Carolinas. Plus, host Brian Powell interviews investigative journalist Zoe Loftus-Farren about a project exploring the intersections of environmental justice and mass incarceration. Finally, a panel of policy experts breaks down the latest environmental news in the North Carolina state legislature.

Episode 4 of The Dirt features an interview with Dr. Ryan Emanuel, an associate professor at NC State University and a member of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. Ryan serves on the environmental justice committee of the North Carolina Commission of Indian Affairs and spoke to The Dirt about the Atlantic Coast Pipeline and its threat to the sovereignty of indigenous communities. The episode also features interviews with experts on sediment pollution and water conservation, as well as a panel of policy professionals discussing the plans for the upcoming session of the NC General Assembly.

Episode 3 of The Dirt features an interview with Milton Fearn, former Deputy Director of the National Park Service, talking about access and diversity in our national and state parks. Host Brian Powell also speaks with Dr. Doug Nowacek, one of the country's leading marine ecologists, to discuss the dangers seismic blasting and offshore oil exploration pose to marine mammals and ecosystems. And a panel of experts from NC Conservation Network, Sound Rivers and NC League of Conservation Voters discuss North Carolina politics and how lawmakers are looking to affect clean energy, environmental regulations and gerrymandering.

Episode 2 of The Dirt features Wilmington StarNews reporter Adam Wagner who has been investigating a rare and potentially dangerous compound being dumped into the Cape Fear River and the drinking water of thousands in eastern NC. Plus, a panel of experts breaks down a flurry of bills making their way through the NC legislature and The Dirt gives you everything you need to know to start composting right now.