Podcast
Due South
Hosted by Jeff Tiberii, Leoneda Inge · EN
“Due South” is WUNC News’ weekday current affairs radio program and podcast. Broadcast from the American Tobacco Historic District in downtown Durham, co-hosts Leoneda Inge and Jeff Tiberii put life in the Triangle region into perspective and present a unique sense of place.
From interviews with state lawmakers and local luminaries to Friday news roundups with statewide journalists, “Due South” puts current events into context and offers audiences a greater sense of connection. Each hour-long show sparks deeper conversation and understanding of life in and beyond the Triangle.
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Episodes
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NC News Roundup: surveillance by law enforcement; state budget negotiations; drought intensifies
4d ago00:50:29Tap to summarizeOn the NC News Roundup...State budget negotiations plod along, surveillance by law enforcement at some retail stores may surprise you, and the Canes' quest for the Cup continues in exciting fashion.Adam Wagner, reporter/editor covering state politics for the North Carolina NewsroomZachery Eanes, reporter, Axios RaleighReuben Jones,Washington reporter covering North CarolinaNathan Collins, investigative reporter at The News & Observer
Transcribe →Campus check-in: higher education funding update; 'Getting the Most Out of Your College Experience' book
5d ago00:50:26Tap to summarize0:01:00Amid funding uncertainty, how are NC colleges faring?Last summer break, colleges and universities were in a precarious position, facing big federal funding cuts and threats to programs associated with diversity, equity and inclusion.Due South's Leoneda Inge checks in WUNC News Higher Education Reporter Brianna Atkinson to find out if the biggest threats to Triangle area colleges actually became reality. And if not, what challenges, or opportunities, are on horizon.Brianna Atkinson, Higher Education Reporter, WUNC News0:13:00Durham Tech dean discusses book, "Getting the Most Out of Your College Experience"Chris O'Riordan-Adjah knows a lot about higher education. In addition to earning two bachelor's degrees, two master’s degrees, and a PhD in Civil Engineering, he’s also taught at a range of colleges, including a large 4-year university, small college, and community college. And he wants to share his knowledge with those embarking on college — or thinking about it. “Professor Chris” talks with co-host Jeff Tiberii about his book "Getting the Most Out of Your College Experience."(This conversation originally aired June 23, 2025.)Chris O'Riordan-Adjah, author of "Getting the Most Out of Your College Experience"; Dean of Building, Engineering and Skills Technology Division, Durham Technical Community College
Transcribe →School's out for summer: Education reporters wrap-up the year; CHCCS superintendent on elementary school closure
6d ago00:50:26Tap to summarize0:01:00CHCCS superintendent on elementary school closure decisionAfter months of speculation and deliberation, the final decision about a school closure in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School system was made last week. Glenwood Elementary School will shut down in Fall 2027. Jeff Tiberii talks with CHCCS superintendent Dr. Rodney Trice about the decision and what comes next for students, families and the district.Rodney N. Trice, Superintendent of Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools0:13:00School year wrap up with two NC education reportersFrom teacher pay debates to enrollment drops to budget crises, it’s been yet another challenging year for school systems across our region. As the traditional public school year wraps up, we check in with two education reporters to update us on the latest news and unpack some trends across districts.Liz Schlemmer, Education Reporter, WUNC NewsAmy Diaz, Education Reporter, WFDD0:33:00A food guide for I-40If you're a food lover traveling on I-40 to your summer getaway, the journey might now be as exciting as the destination. Food journalist Hanna Raskin has created a restaurant guide titled “I-40 Exit Strategy,” which explores the tantalizing flavors that can be found just off the interstate.Hanna Raskin, author of I-40 Exit Strategy , founder and editor of The Food Section
Transcribe →Jesse Helms book explores senator's influence on modern conservatism. Plus, 'Scene on Radio' deep-dives on news media.
1w ago00:50:26Tap to summarize0:01:00A new book explores legacy of U.S. Senator Jesse HelmsHistorian Bill Link’s new book "Jesse Helms: Modern Conservatism and the Politics of Opposition" explores the connection between the career and legacy of former U.S. Senator Jesse Helms and the current political landscape.William A. Link, historian, author of Jesse Helms: Modern Conservatism and the Politics of Opposition0:33:00‘Scene of Radio’ returns with 8th podcast season on the state of news media The hit historical podcast, Scene on Radio, is back with its 8th season, “The News.” The series takes a deep dive on the evolution of local and national media landscapes. Due South talks to host and producer John Biewen and co-host Chenjerai Kumanyika about their work on the new season and future of news consumption in America.John Biewen, creator and host, Scene on RadioChenjerai Kumanyika, professor, podcast creator, and co-host, Scene on Radio
Transcribe →Decoding Southern accents, from the 'Durham accent' on HBO's White Lotus, to the Ocracoke Brogue
1w ago00:50:26Tap to summarize0:01:00Do the Southern accents in the TV show 'White Lotus' measure up?HBO's hit murder mystery series, The White Lotus, perked Southerners' ears with their third season. North Carolinians have found their Southern drawls prominently featured – but how authentic are the actors’ portrayals of Chapel Hill and Durham accents? We consult a local sociolinguist for answers.Walt Wolfram, William C. Friday Distinguished University Professor of English at North Carolina State University and the director of the North Carolina Language and Life ProjectThis segment originally aired in 2025.0:33:00Two decades later, a ground-breaking book on Ocracoke accents gets a follow-upThis time, the authors were joined by a fourth-generation Ocracoke resident and another language expert to take an even deeper dive on the culture and evolution of the accent.The book is called Language and Life on Ocracoke: The Living History of the Brogue. It includes QR codes with audio from people speaking with the accent, and with people sharing their experiences being asked by tourists to "speak" so they can hear it.Candy Gaskill is a coauthor and lifelong resident of Ocracoke.Jeffrey Reaser is an English professor at North Carolina State University, and the inaugural Walt Wolfram Distinguished Professorship in Sociolinguistics.Walt Wolfram has been a William C. Friday Distinguished Professor of English at NCSU. Wolfram announced his retirement in 2026.They co-authored the book Talkin’ Tar Heel.At the end of the first segment is a short clip of the song "Charlie Mason Pogie Boat." It's about a ship that wrecked just off Ocracoke Island. On the Smithsonian Folkways Recordings album "Between the Sound and the Sea: Music of the North Carolina Outer Banks."
Transcribe →NC News Roundup: Data centers debate; CHCCS vote on elementary closure; ‘Canes locked in Stanley Cup Finals
2w ago00:50:29Tap to summarizeOn this week’s North Carolina News Roundup… One local school board votes to close an elementary school. Will state lawmakers mandate a new nuclear plant? And the ‘Canes, locked in the Stanley Cup Finals.Due South host Jeff Tiberii and a panel of local journalists provide context and analysis from those and other stories from the week.Dawn Vaughan, Capitol Bureau Chief, The News & ObserverClaudia Rivera Cotto,Political Reporter, Enlace Latino NCBryan Anderson, Statewide Politics Reporter for The Assembly, creator of the “Anderson Alerts” newsletterDanielle Battaglia, congressional impact reporter for The News & Observer and The Charlotte ObserverLiz Schlemmer, education reporter, WUNC News
Transcribe →Alex Murdaugh double murder conviction overturned. Update on Murdaugh saga with Wall Street Journal reporter
2w ago00:50:26Tap to summarizeThe name “Murdaugh” became known across the country, and even the world, in 2021 when Maggie and Paul Murdaugh were found dead on their family estate in South Carolina. Alex Murdaugh, husband to Maggie and father to Paul, was eventually convicted of killing them.In May 2026, the South Carolina Supreme Court overturned the double murder convictions, and a new trial date has yet to be set. Leoneda Inge talks to Wall Street Journal reporter Valerie Bauerlein about the latest developments.Later in the hour, we revisit a conversation with Bauerlein about her book "The Devil at His Elbow: Alex Murdaugh and the Fall of a Southern Dynasty."Valerie Bauerlein, reporter, The Wall Street Journal and author of The Devil at His Elbow: Alex Murdaugh and the Fall of a Southern Dynasty
Transcribe →Federal job losses in the Triangle. CHCCS faces elementary school closure. NC's Black Bear Festival
2w ago00:50:26Tap to summarize0:01:00Federal worker job losses in the Triangle, one year after government cutsA conversation with journalist Abraham Kenmore, who recently wrote a piece for Indy Week titled “A Year After Federal Job Cuts, Workers in the Triangle Are Still Picking Up the Pieces.”Abraham Kenmore, freelance journalist0:13:00Chapel Hill Carrboro School closures A downward trend in public school enrollment coupled with conservative state spending across the last 15 years has left some districts facing difficult financial decisions. In Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools this could soon mean one fewer elementary school.Liz Schlemmer, education reporter, WUNC News0:33:0012th annual National Black Bear Festival held June 5-6 in PlymouthThe National Black Bear Festival returns to Plymouth, NC for its 12th year on June 5-6. Jeff Tiberii talks to founder and director Tom Harrison about North Carolina’s massive black bear population and what to expect from this year’s festivities.Tom Harrison, founder, director, National Black Bear Festival, director, Washington County Tourism
Transcribe →The start of hurricane season, and how to spend six hours in Raleigh
2w ago00:50:26Tap to summarize0:01:00Atlantic hurricane season begins in NC, below-average storms predictedAs Atlantic hurricane season begins, Due South talks to CBS 17 chief meteorologist Wes Hohenstein about what North Carolina can expect from this year’s forecasted storms.Wes Hohenstein, chief meteorologist, CBS 170:13:00The forecaster behind North Carolina's Weather AuthorityAtlantic hurricane season is underway, and Ethan Clark, owner and founder of North Carolina's Weather Authority, is ready for it. The recent North Carolina State University graduate has been forecasting since middle school, and he now has hundreds of thousands of online followers.Ethan Clark, owner and founder, North Carolina's Weather Authority0:33:00WUNC’s recommendations for an afternoon in Raleigh"Six Hours in Raleigh” is a guide made by WUNC’s Digital Team with recommendations for the best way to spend an afternoon in Raleigh, and for places that even locals might not know about.Josh Sullivan, social media producer at WUNC NewsLauren Rhodes, digital news intern at WUNC News
Transcribe →A visit to Buc-ee's; inexpensive summer eats in the Triangle; Photojournalist Kate Medley
2w ago00:50:26Tap to summarize0:01:00Small food businesses are trending toward pop-ups, food stalls and social salesIndy Week’s Lena Geller talks affordable summer eats in interesting locations around the Triangle and how an increasingly challenging economic outlook is causing entrepreneurs to shift their business models.Lena Geller, staff writer, Indy Week0:13:00The Broadside: “The hype behind the world’s largest gas station”Buc-ee’s, the mega-sized gas station known for its pristine bathrooms, numerous snack options and cartoon beaver mascot, is expanding across the South. And it’s bringing with it a legion of cultish fans. But what’s with all the hype? And does the world really need a gas station the size of a Walmart with 20different flavors of beef jerky?Emily Cataneo, freelance journalist and contributor for The Assembly and Dale Edwards, managing editor for The News of Orange County0:33:00How independent gas stations survive in the Buc-ee’s eraPhotojournalist Kate Medley discusses a reporting visit to South Carolina, where independent gas stations, grocery stores and restaurants, have been managing business after the 2022 addition of the state’s first Buc-ee's. North Carolina’s first Buc-ee's is slated to open in 2027.Kate Medley, photojournalist, documentarian, author of Thank You Please Come Again: How Gas Stations Feed and Fuel the American South
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