Archives: Episode

Gatortown: The Gator Problem

Send us a text As more people move to North Carolina’s coast — and winters warm across the region — encounters with alligators are increasing. In this episode, **Shoresides** speaks with **John Henry Harrelson**, district wildlife biologist with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, about the challenges of managing “alligator season,” the rollout of the…

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Coastal Connections

Send us a text What do fishing piers, barber shops, tea rooms, and libraries have in common? They’re all third places: communal spots outside home and work that help us form relationships, strengthen belonging, and stay connected. This summer, a group of young people from Carteret County set out to rediscover those vital spaces. Through…

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This NC Rep Opposed a Federal AI Moratorium: Here’s Why

Send us a text In this episode of Shoresides, we sit down with **North Carolina State Representative Zack Hawkins** during the final hours of critical budget negotiations. Hawkins discusses a controversial federal proposal that would have blocked state-level AI regulation for ten years — and explains why such preemption drew fierce bipartisan criticism. He warns…

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The Carolina Beach Shark Invasion That Wasn’t—And What It Reveals About a Vital Emergency Information Network

Send us a text When a false shark sighting shut down Carolina Beach, the ripple effects exposed something deeper: how much our coastal communities rely on the National Weather Service and its communication networks to maintain trust and safety. In this episode, Shoresides sits down with **Stephen Pfaff**, meteorologist-in-charge at NWS Wilmington, to explore the…

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A Coastal North Carolina Tsunami Threat

Send us a text After a massive earthquake off Russia triggered a Pacific tsunami, people began asking: could a tsunami reach coastal North Carolina? In this episode of Shoresides, we talk with **Stephen Pfaff**, meteorologist-in-charge at the National Weather Service’s Wilmington office, about how tsunamis form, the real risk (or lack thereof) for our shores,…

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The Cost of Making Waves — What Federal Cuts Mean for North Carolina’s Public and Community Radio

Send us a text Public radio stations across North Carolina — especially in rural and coastal areas — are facing devastating cuts under the newly enacted Rescissions Act of 2025. That includes WRVS in Elizabeth City, which may lose up to 70% of its funding. What’s at stake? No local tornado warnings. No emergency alerts….

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Gatortown: The Gator Catcher of Southport

Send us a text When alligators show up in swimming pools, under cars, or at the local Bojangles drive-through, **Kate Marshall** gets the call. As Southport’s certified jurisdictional alligator handler, she’s seen relocation requests quadruple this year alone. She tells Shoresides exactly what it’s like on the front lines of human–gator conflict. From safety protocols…

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Gatortown: A man and his dog encounter a giant reptile in Southport

Send us a text Lately, the town of Southport, North Carolina has had some excitement, 20 alligator removals since May, setting a new record. For a resident named Bonner Herring and his trusty Labrador Strike, that almost ended in tragedy. In this episode, Shoresides catches up with them to hear their story and to wonder…

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Friday Night Lights, Rising Heat — High School Athletics in a Changing Climate

Send us a text In this final episode of Temperature Check: Coastal Edition, host Natalia Sanchez Loayza steps into one of North Carolina’s most cherished traditions: high school sports. But instead of focusing on touchdowns and rivalries, she takes us behind the scenes to examine how climate change is reshaping the very conditions under which…

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Field Medicine and Fierce Care — A Day with the North Carolina Farmworkers Project

Send us a text In this episode of Temperature Check: Coastal Edition, host Natalia Sanchez Loayza takes us on a journey into the heart of rural North Carolina alongside Jeanette Tapia, outreach coordinator for the North Carolina Farmworkers Project in Harnett County. We spend the day in the field witnessing firsthand the dedication and determination of…

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