Shoresides

Data showing that the community surrounding Portia Mills Hines Park has the lowest life expectancy in Wilmington is stark. But what does that reality look like up close—and what’s being done about it?In this episode, Shoresides speaks with Dr. Mayra Galeano, the chief medical officer at a clinic close to the problem. She tells us what it's like to provide care in the community. The clinic is open to everyone, serving Black and Latino residents among others—and patients don’t need insurance. Learn more• MedNorth Health Center: https://mednorth.orgLearn more about the Coastal Journalism Hub: http://www.coastaljournalism.org/Send us Fan MailSupport the showwww.shoresides.org 

3/17/26 • 09:23

“New Hanover County has one of the highest shares of households without vehicle access in North Carolina—about 6 percent—according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey,” transportation expert Andrés Otero wrote in an article for WHQR last year. “People without access to a car often include college students, older adults, and others who either cannot afford a vehicle or are unable to drive. In Wilmington, these groups make up a significant portion of the population. The same data also show that in both the Northside and Southside neighborhoods, more than a third of households have no vehicle access.”In this episode, Otero talks with Shoresides about living without a personal vehicle—and what that experience reveals about how cities like Wilmington function for pedestrians and bicyclists. He also discusses what it would take to build a city that works for everyone, not just drivers.Learn more• Andrés’ Substack: https://andytalksurbanism.substack.com• WHQR article: https://www.whqr.org/local/2025-04-28/walking-and-bicycling-in-wilmington-and-north-carolina-face-significant-funding-barriers-says-advocateLearn more about the Coastal Journalism Hub: http://www.coastaljournalism.org/Send us Fan MailCoastal Journalism HubShoresides is proud to be part of the Coastal Journalism Hub.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showwww.shoresides.org 

3/10/26 • 10:43

Recently, the Wilmington StarNews and Cape Fear Collective dug into Wilmington, N.C.’s life-expectancy gap. It turns out there are similar disparities regarding the city’s pedestrians. “Wilmington consistently has one of the highest annual pedestrian crash rates in NC. From 2011–2020,” says the 2023 Walk Wilmington Pedestrian Plan. The majority of crashes involving pedestrians occurred in areas with higher concentrations of minority residents and higher poverty rates compared to the county average.”  Abby Lorenzo of the Wilmington Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization and Justin Carter, assistant director of engineering for the City of Wilmington, explain what’s called the “pedestrian high injury network" and what’s being done about it. Learn about this work and about the Coastal Journalism Hub at www.coastaljournalism.orgSend us Fan MailSupport the showwww.shoresides.org 

2/18/26 • 08:49

In this episode, Shoresides talks with Vanessa Gonzalez about what it means when people looking for help can’t easily tell the difference between a real attorney and a convincing impersonator — and why immigration law, with its limited pathways and high stakes, is a particularly easy place to run the con.We also hear from Adonia Simpson at the American Bar Association Commission on Immigration, which has dealt with its own impersonation scams, and from Reuters investigative tech reporter Jeff Horwitz, whose reporting on Meta helps explain why taking down fraud can be harder than you’d think.Send us Fan MailSupport the showwww.shoresides.org 

1/13/26 • 14:01

North Carolina’s latest congressional map is part of Republicans’ efforts nationwide to gain more seats in the House of Representatives ahead of the 2026 election. Right before Thanksgiving, federal judges ruled against local advocacy groups and voters who have challenged the map on the basis of racial gerrymandering.This decision, along with rulings in states like Texas, could be setting a precedent of more blatant partisan gerrymandering in the future. In this episode, I spoke with Sarah Michels, a reporter with Carolina Public Press. She covers state politics and elections, and has closely followed NC’s new congressional maps accused of racial gerrymandering.  This is the third part of a series on redistricting in eastern North Carolina. Part 1 | Part 2 Host / Producer: Layna HongSend us Fan MailSupport the showwww.shoresides.org 

12/8/25 • 08:05

Ahead of the 2026 Election, North Carolina’s Republican lawmakers — at the request of President Trump — have passed a new congressional map intended to squeeze out one more Republican seat in Congress. The new map will also make it more difficult for northeastern Black voters to elect their preferred candidate. In this episode, we break down what’s happening and how it’s playing out in the courts. We talk to Chistopher Cooper, a political science professor at Western Carolina University. Then, we hear from two of the plaintiffs on the lawsuit against state Republican lawmakers for the newest map: Bob Phillips from Common Cause and Dawn Daley-Mack of the Northampton County NAACP. This is the second part of a series on redistricting in eastern North Carolina. Listen to the first part here Send us Fan MailSupport the showwww.shoresides.org 

12/1/25 • 07:16

North Carolina’s Black Belt is a cluster of northeastern counties known for its rich soil and history. And now, it’s the site of one of the most enduring issues in the state: redistricting. But this isn’t the first time that the region has been redistricted to disenfranchise Black voters.In this episode, we go back to the turn of the 20th century, when white supremacists dismantled “The Black Second,” or North Carolina’s first majority-Black congressional district. This event would set up a century-long struggle between Black voters and those in power who sought to disenfranchise them — a struggle happening to this day. Shoresides talked to two eastern North Carolinians. David Cecelski is a historian and storyteller from Carteret County who has written countless works on coastal NC. James Williams Jr. is a retired lawyer who grew up in the Black Belt — Plymouth, to be exact — during the Jim Crow era and Civil Rights Movement. This is the first part of a series on redistricting in eastern North Carolina. Host / Producer: Layna HongSend us Fan MailSupport the showwww.shoresides.org 

11/30/25 • 09:34

Wilmington’s trees are disappearing faster than they can be replaced. In this episode Shoresides talks with Executive Director Isabel Shepherd of the Alliance for Cape Fear Trees about what’s driving the loss and how their new Code & Canopy report lays out a path forward.Helpful LinksAlliance for Cape Fear Trees — Code & Canopy Reporthttps://www.allianceforcapefeartrees.comNew Hanover County Tree Canopy Assessmenthttps://www.nhcgov.com/2839/Technical-Reports-Survey-ResultsWorld's Largest Christmas Treehttps://www.saltmagazinenc.com/o-christmas-tree/Send us Fan MailSupport the showwww.shoresides.org 

11/25/25 • 10:21

When a million-dollar beach house in the Outer Banks collapses into the surf, it looks like a sudden disaster. But for the people who study coastal risk, it’s anything but. In this episode, we talk with Travis Klondike of NC State’s Coastal Dynamics Design Lab about why.Links:Coastal Dynamics Design Lab (CDDL) at North Carolina State Universityhttps://design.ncsu.edu/research/coastal-dynamics-design-lab/Five homes lost in a day highlight the growing cost of inaction on NC erosionhttps://www.wral.com/weather/5-homes-lost-nc-outer-banks-erosion-october-2025/20481590/An Photo taken May 10, 2022, showing portion of a collapsed house and debris in the ocean and on the beach at 24265 Ocean Drive, Rodanthe. (NPS Photo)Send us Fan MailSupport the showwww.shoresides.org 

11/25/25 • 07:15

As the effects of H.R. 1 ripple across the country, North Carolinians are feeling the strain of new SNAP work requirements and a month-long government shutdown. In this episode of Shoresides, host Nicolas Magrino speaks with Emily Kraft and Andrea Cherry of the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina about how policy uncertainty is reshaping the state’s hunger relief network. Kraft and Cherry describe rising demand, shrinking food supplies, and the growing fear among residents—especially in Latino and veteran communities—about applying for help. As food banks scramble to fill the gap left by federal cuts, they’re also finding renewed strength in collaboration, reminding us that community care doesn’t end when resources do.Key Resources1. Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina (Wilmington Branch)1000 Greenfield Street, Wilmington, NC 28401 · Phone: 910-251-1465  Serves five counties in the Cape Fear region including New Hanover.  Offers a “No-Cost Market on Greenfield” at the Wilmington location (days and hours listed on their website).  Also supports SNAP/FNS outreach and benefits information.2. NourishNC3606 Market Street, Wilmington, NC 28403 · Phone: 910-465-0995 (or via website)  Focused on supplemental food assistance for children and families in New Hanover County.  Programs include: Backpack Program (weekend meals for children), Market on Market (grocery-style choice model), Mobile Market, Food Farmacy.  3. New Hanover County Department of Social Services – Food & Nutrition Services (SNAP/FNS)1650 Greenfield Street, Wilmington, NC 28403 · Phone: 910-798-3500 (Option 4)  Manages the federal SNAP (Food & Nutrition Services) program for the county.  Offers online, phone, mail, or in-person application options.  4. Local Food Pantry NetworkThe county provides a publicly available “Food Resource List” featuring many pantries, soup kitchens and mobile / community distribution sites in New Hanover County.  Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard – 315 Red Cross Street, Wilmington. Wed & Sat, 12 pm-3 pm.  Bethany Presbyterian Church Pantry – 2237 Castle Hayne Rd, Wilmington. Wed 1pm-4pm.  Bread for Life Senior Pantry – 108 North Kerr Ave Suites K1&K2, Wilmington. Seniors 60+.  Tips for Using the ResourcesCall ahead: Hours and distributions can change quickly (especially during crises or disaster-related service shifts).Ask about identification or eligibility requirements: Some pantries may ask for proof of residence or ID; many are welcoming and serve all.Consider language/immigrant concerns: Especially for Hispanic/Latino communities — many residents may worry about applying for help; outreach coordinators (such as bilingual staff) are available.Combine services: SNAP benefits + food pantry + backpack programs for children can be used in tandem.Volunteer or donate: Many of these organizations rely on community support and seasonal surges.Send us Fan MailSupport the showwww.shoresides.org 

10/31/25 • 11:45

As the holidays approach, sweetpotatoes are finding their way onto tables across America — but nowhere are they more rooted than in North Carolina. For more than half a century, the state has led the nation in sweetpotato production, shaping both its economy and its culture. In this episode, host Layna Hong travels through eastern North Carolina’s fields to uncover why this region is so perfectly suited for the crop, how NC State researchers made it available year-round, and the deep traditions that have grown up around it. Featuring agronomist John Leach, NC Sweetpotato Commission executive director Michelle Grainger, and farmer Kamal Bell of Sankofa Farms.Music: “Down Where the Sweet Potatoes Grow,” Library of Congress Archives.Host / Producer: Layna HongSend us Fan MailSupport the showwww.shoresides.org 

10/30/25 • 08:12

Take a slow listen to coastal North Carolina. This Shoresides soundscape moves through ordinary places that shape life along the coast — the surf at Wrightsville Beach, a trawler crossing the Intracoastal, a walk through the pines at Carolina Beach, frogs calling from Greenfield Lake, and the background hum of a favorite local restaurant.These everyday sounds trace a portrait of place — familiar, shifting, and alive. A moment to pause, listen, and notice the rhythms that surround us.“A portrait of place — recorded from the sounds we pass every day.”Send us Fan MailSupport the showwww.shoresides.org 

10/16/25 • 05:23

Along North Carolina’s coast, shrimping isn’t just an industry — it’s a way of life. This summer, a proposed state ban on shrimp trawling nearly upended that tradition. The measure, added quietly to an unrelated bill, would have outlawed the practice of dragging nets across the sea floor to catch shrimp in the state’s sounds.When word got out, local fishers pushed back — and won. Now, they’re organizing through the new Coastal Counties Fisheries Coalition to make sure their voices are heard in Raleigh.In this episode, host Nick Magrino speaks with coalition chair Bob Woodard and conservation advocate David Snead about what’s at stake: clean waters, local livelihoods, and the future of an industry that defines coastal North Carolina. Together, they explore how a fight over one bill became a larger debate about science, sustainability, and who gets to shape the future of the state’s seafood economy.Send us Fan MailSupport the showwww.shoresides.org 

10/8/25 • 06:57

In this episode of Storm Stories, Shoresides talks with Joe Friday—longtime meteorologist, former director of the National Weather Service—about how staffing shortages and fewer weather balloon launches have recently made forecasts less precise, a  dangerous situation with two hurricanes spinning off our Coasts.Friday reflects on the pressure on forecasters, the human connections that make emergency warnings work, and why even a small loss in accuracy can mean the difference between safety and risk.Send us Fan MailSupport the showwww.shoresides.org 

10/2/25 • 12:25

In this episode of Shoresides, we talk with sports-betting expert Steve Bittenbender about the impacts of legal mobile sports betting in North Carolina. We explore what betting apps like FanDuel and DraftKings (and their tax dollars) mean for the future of local college basketball teams, like the Seahawks, as well as for residents seeking help with problem gambling.Steve Bittenbender:https://www.betcarolina.com/news/north-carolina-tax-hike-proposalTakayo Siddle Contract:https://www.wect.com/2025/03/26/siddle-agrees-five-year-contract-extension-with-uncw/#:~:text=WILMINGTON%2C%20N.C.%20(WECT)%20%2D,during%20a%20meeting%20Wednesday%20afternoon.Send us Fan MailSupport the showwww.shoresides.org 

9/24/25 • 17:10

As more people move to the N.C. coast—and winters grow warmer—human encounters with alligators are on the rise in North Carolina. In this episode, Shoresides speaks with John Henry Harrelson, district wildlife biologist with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, about the challenges of “alligator season,” the launch of the new Gator Wise program, and why keeping gators wild is key to keeping people safe.Send us Fan MailSupport the showwww.shoresides.org 

9/24/25 • 09:55

This episode, Shoresides captures a pivotal moment in AI policy as North Carolina State Representative Zack Hawkins discusses a federal proposal that would have blocked state-level AI regulation for a decade and drew bipartisan criticism. Speaking to Shoresides during the final hours of budget negotiations—before federal lawmakers would ultimately strip the moratorium from the bill—Hawkins warns about the risks of federal inaction, particularly for communities where AI is already changing how we live and work.Rep Zack Hawkins: https://www.ncleg.gov/Members/Biography/H/742State Policymaker Coalition Letter: https://ari.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/State-Policymaker-Coalition-Letter-Oppose-AI-Preemption-6-3-25.pdfSenate strikes AI regulatory ban from GOP bill after uproar from the states https://apnews.com/article/congress-ai-provision-moratorium-states-20beeeb6967057be5fe64678f72f6ab0Anthropic C.E.O.: Don’t Let A.I. Companies off the Hookhttps://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/05/opinion/anthropic-ceo-regulate-transparency.htmlMusic Credit“Sonik Elektronik” by 1000 Handz is used under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Available at the Free Music Archive. No changes were made.Send us Fan MailSupport the showwww.shoresides.org 

8/19/25 • 11:42

When a false shark sighting shut down Carolina Beach, the confusion that followed revealed something deeper: how much we rely on the local National Weather Service office and its communication networks to keep coastal communities safe. In this episode, Shoresides speaks with Stephen Pfaff, meteorologist-in-charge at the NWS-Wilmington, about the challenges of misinformation, the delicate partnerships that power coastal safety alerts, and why clear, effective communication can save lives.Links:Statement issued after increased shark activity observed in Carolina Beach surfhttps://www.wect.com/2025/07/07/statement-issued-after-increased-shark-activity-observed-carolina-beach-surf/Miscommunication over shark activity causes confusion at Carolina Beachhttps://www.wect.com/2025/07/08/miscommunication-over-shark-activity-causes-confusion-carolina-beach/Send us Fan MailSupport the showwww.shoresides.org 

8/18/25 • 06:53

Public radio stations across North Carolina — especially in rural and coastal communities — are facing devastating funding cuts following the passage of the Rescissions Act of 2025. That includes WRVS in Elizabeth City, which could lose up to 70% of its funding. What does that mean for you and your neighbors? No local tornado warnings. No emergency alerts. No hometown voices spinning music, sharing stories, and delivering news from around the corner.In this episode of Shoreside, host Nicholas Merino speaks with A. Rima Dael, CEO of the National Federation of Community Broadcasters, about why these cuts could dismantle essential public safety infrastructure and silence vital community voices. Dael, a veteran of NPR and local radio, explains how local media is more than entertainment — it’s culture, it’s connection, and in some cases, it’s life-saving.Hear why radio still matters — especially in North Carolina — and what you can do to support your public media in their work making waves. Send us Fan MailSupport the showwww.shoresides.org 

7/25/25 • 19:55

When alligators show up in swimming pools, under cars, or at the local Bojangles drive-through, Kate Marshall gets the call. As Southport's jurisdictional alligator handler, she's seen relocations quadruple this year alone. She tells Shoresides all about what it's like.Helpful LinksNorth Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission - AlligatorsNC Wildlife Coexist with Alligators GuideCity of Southport Animal ServicesSend us Fan MailSupport the showwww.shoresides.org 

7/22/25 • 13:52

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 about the prospect of increased human-alligator conflict in coastal communities.Here are five key things to know about alligators in North Carolina:1. Where Alligators Live in North CarolinaAlligators are native to the southeastern corner of North Carolina, primarily in the coastal plain. They are commonly found in:SwampsMarshesRiversLakesCanalsThe northernmost limit of the American alligator's natural range includes parts of Brunswick, New Hanover, Pender, and Onslow counties, although occasional sightings occur farther north due to dispersal.2. Alligators Are ProtectedIn North Carolina, alligators are classified as a species of special concern. This means:It is illegal to hunt, harm, harass, or kill them without a specific permit.The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission manages alligator populations through careful monitoring and regulated removals in cases where safety is at risk.In some years, the state authorizes limited hunting through an alligator management program, but only under strict controls.3. Alligator Encounters Are IncreasingDue to rising populations and human development expanding into natural habitats, sightings have become more frequent. Important things to remember:Do not feed alligators—this is illegal and makes them more dangerous.Keep a safe distance (at least 60 feet).If you see an alligator near homes or public areas, report it to wildlife authorities if it poses a risk.4. Alligators and Cold WeatherNorth Carolina is near the northern edge of the alligator's habitat, so they have unique ways of surviving winter:Alligators brumate, which is similar to hibernation, becoming inactive during cold months.They use a technique called “icing” or “snorkeling”, where they keep their snout above frozen water to breathe while remaining submerged beneath the ice.They can survive brief freezes, but prolonged cold can be fatal, which naturally limits how far north they can thrive.5. Conservation and CoexistenceAlligators play an important role in the ecosystem by:Controlling prey populations (such as turtles, fish, and small mammals).Creating “gator holes”, which provide habitat for other wildlife during droughts.For safety and conservation:Never attempt to relocate or handle an alligator on your own.Teach children about alligator safety, especially near coastal waterways.Support conservation efforts that protect wetlands and preserve balanced ecosystems.If you'd like, I can help you find local guides, safety tips, or educational resources for schools and community groups in North Carolina. Would you like me to gather those?Send us Fan MailSupport the showwww.shoresides.org 

7/18/25 • 16:16

In this episode of Shoreside, host Nicholas Merino explores the long-standing struggle for food access in Wilmington’s Northside neighborhood—classified by the USDA as a food desert. But as guest Sierra Washington, Executive Director of the Northside Food Co-Op, explains, “desert” doesn’t begin to capture the systemic inequality at play. Instead, she and many others call it “food apartheid”—the result of deliberate disinvestment and structural racism.Through deeply rooted community organizing, Northside residents are reclaiming their health and dignity by building a grocery store of their own. The Northside Food Co-op isn’t just a retail space—it’s a symbol of economic empowerment and resilience, owned and shaped by the very people it serves. From participatory design and workforce development to the tension between grassroots ownership and institutional funding, this conversation reveals what it truly takes to build community-led infrastructure.Join us as we trace the co-op’s history—from broken promises of chain store developments to the gathering of neighbors at the Foxes Boxes restaurant—and follow the journey toward the store’s projected 2026 opening at 10th and Post Street. Send us Fan MailSupport the showwww.shoresides.org 

6/24/25 • 12:20

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 student athletes train and compete.Natalia sits down with Jana Fonseca, Director of Health, Safety, and Wellness at the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) and a licensed athletic trainer.Through Fonseca’s lens, we learn how rising temperatures and humidity are changing the rhythms of high school sports. Extreme heat doesn’t just disrupt practices—it poses real danger. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are now seasonal concerns that schools must actively prepare for. Fonseca breaks down how policies, like the wet bulb globe temperature guidelines and exercise acclimatization protocols, are being implemented (and sometimes challenged) across a state where climate conditions can differ dramatically from the mountains to the coast. Fonseca reflects on the critical role of athletic trainers and the need for more resources and education, especially in underserved areas.And then she connects it all back—to farmworkers, to construction crews, to anyone laboring outdoors in the Southern heat. The same attention given to student athletes, she suggests, should be extended to those whose jobs expose them to similar risks.As Temperature Check: Coastal Edition concludes, this episode reminds us that climate change isn’t only transforming the natural world—it’s redefining how we live, play, work, and care for one another.Send us Fan MailSupport the showwww.shoresides.org 

6/24/25 • 31:51

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 a team working to protect the health of the state’s most vulnerable labor force: farm workers.With more than two decades of experience and deep roots in her community, Tapia has helped shape a mobile health system that reaches thousands of agricultural laborers across five counties. Whether it’s transporting a patient to a dentist visit, checking blood pressure on the roadside, or translating storm alerts into Spanish over WhatsApp, Tapia and her team are redefining what community health looks like under extreme circumstances.As we ride along for a Wednesday outreach shift, we witness the effects of long droughts followed by sudden storms—weather patterns intensified by climate change—on both crops and the workers’ physical and mental health. The team faces all-too-familiar barriers: fear of employers, cultural stigma, lack of transportation, and language obstacles. Still, they persist, carrying water, medical tools, and boundless patience as they crisscross dusty fields and rural backroads.Tapia emphasizes that these workers are not victims. They are resilient, resourceful, and wise. But they are also at risk. Rising heat, pesticide exposure, green tobacco sickness, and chronic illness all converge in the fields. “If you don’t have health, you don’t have work,” Tapia reminds each person she meets. Send us Fan MailSupport the showwww.shoresides.org 

6/24/25 • 39:39

In this episode of Temperature Check: Coastal Edition, host Natalia Sanchez Loayza shifts the focus inland to explore the profound impact of climate change on North Carolina’s farm workers. She speaks with Mario Vargas, coordinator of the North Carolina offices of the Farm Labor Organizing Committee (FLOC) and the Campaign for Migrant Worker Justice (CMWJ).Born in Tamaulipas, Mexico, Vargas began working in the fields at age 12, joining his mother and eight siblings in the seasonal migration circuit that stretched from Florida to Michigan. For 15 years, he picked crops like tomatoes, onions, peaches, apples—and tobacco, one of North Carolina’s most demanding and dangerous harvests. Vargas reflects on the harsh realities of farm work—from unpaid wages to threats of deportation—and how those experiences propelled him into organizing. Now, as a leader in migrant labor justice, he sees the effects of climate change accelerating: extreme heat, flooding, and unpredictable growing seasons are disrupting harvest schedules and leaving workers without jobs—or worse, endangering their lives.Vargas shares how workers sleep ten to a trailer and how lack of language access and fear of retaliation compound already dangerous conditions. He shares how he and his team took it upon themselves to translate storm alerts into Spanish and distribute them by text and WhatsApp when Tropical Storm Debbie struck—because they worried no one else was going to do it.10 Facts About Farm Labor and Migrant Workers in North CarolinaNorth Carolina is one of the top agricultural states in the U.S., producing major crops like sweet potatoes, tobacco, cucumbers, and Christmas trees.Over 80,000 farmworkers labor in North Carolina’s fields each year, many of whom are seasonal and migrant workers.Roughly 90% of North Carolina’s farmworkers are foreign-born, and most are from Mexico and Central America.The majority of farmworkers in NC earn below the poverty line, despite working long hours in physically demanding conditions.More than 40% of North Carolina farmworkers live in substandard housing, often in overcrowded, poorly ventilated trailers or barracks.Tobacco remains one of the most hazardous crops to harvest, exposing workers to heat stress and nicotine poisoning—called “green tobacco sickness.”Farmworkers are excluded from many federal labor protections, including the right to overtime pay and, in many states, collective bargaining.Climate change is shortening harvest windows, making it harder for workers to plan migration routes and secure consistent wages.North Carolina is one of the top states using H-2A guestworker visas, bringing in tens of thousands of temporary agricultural workers annually.Organizations like FLOC play a critical role in advocating for farmworker rights, offering mediation, translation, food assistance, and health information during extreme weather events and public health crises.Send us Fan MailSupport the showwww.shoresides.org 

6/23/25 • 26:11

In this episode of Temperature Check: Coastal Edition, host Natalia Sanchez Loayza dives beneath the surface to explore how climate change is disrupting marine life and infrastructure along North Carolina’s coast. She’s joined by Dr. Jane Harrison, an environmental economist at NC State University, whose personal story and professional research illuminate the complex intersections of climate, economy, and community.Dr. Harrison reflects on her environmentally rich upbringing and explains how sea level rise and intensified storms are degrading rural septic systems—posing hidden threats to water quality and development. She outlines how these often-overlooked systems are increasingly failing in coastal areas, complicating housing and public health.The episode also spotlights Harrison’s work with the North Carolina Oyster Trail, revealing how oysters—vital to both local culture and marine ecosystems—are struggling against climate-induced challenges. From habitat loss to harvesting delays after major storms, oysters offer a lens into the broader environmental and economic shifts underway.Join us for a thought-provoking exploration of coastal resilience, wastewater policy, and the delicate balance between environmental protection and economic survival in Eastern North Carolina.Send us Fan MailSupport the showwww.shoresides.org 

6/19/25 • 21:25

In this introductory episode of Temperature Check: Coastal Edition, hosted by Natalia Sanchez Loayza, we explore the impacts of extreme heat in coastal North Carolina. Natalia speaks with Jordan Clark, a climatologist and senior policy associate at the Heat Policy Innovation Hub and the Water Policy Program at the Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability at Duke University, about how extreme heat is reshaping daily life, agriculture, local economies, and even high school athletics. Clark discusses the cumulative dangers of heat stress, how nighttime temperatures significantly affect our health, and why coastal communities must urgently address these escalating risks.Join us for this insightful preview of a critical new Shoresides series examining the human realities of rising temperatures on North Carolina's coast.Clark references a Heat Action Plan Toolkit created by the Office of Recovery and Resiliency that supports counties preparing for extreme heat events. You can find out more about the research that created the toolkit as well as links to it here.Send us Fan MailSupport the showwww.shoresides.org 

5/28/25 • 22:55

In Robeson County, North Carolina—home to some of the state’s highest youth violence rates—community-led prevention efforts were working. Until they weren’t.In this episode of Shoresides, host Nicolas Magrino speaks with Paul Smokowski, founding executive director of the North Carolina Youth Violence Prevention Center (NC-YVPC), and Leon Burden, lead violence interrupter and founder of the nonprofit Colors of Life. Together, they helped reduce violence in just a few years through a layered, evidence-based approach: school programs, restorative justice, parenting support, and community-based mentoring.But a sudden federal funding cut in April 2024 brought much of that work to a halt.Smukowski and Burden share how they built trust and impact in a county long marked by poverty, racial complexity, and criminal justice disparities—and what’s at risk now. This is a story of what real community violence intervention looks like, and what happens when a political shift pulls the plug.Send us Fan MailSupport the showwww.shoresides.org 

5/23/25 • 18:22

In this episode of Shoresides, we follow a community-led effort to uncover chemical contamination, protect public health, and rethink how we communicate environmental risk in places where food insecurity runs deep.Read more about this issue: Subsistence Fish Consumption on the Lower Cape Fear River (PDF) Send us Fan MailSupport the showwww.shoresides.org 

5/15/25 • 14:02

A New Series About Rising Temperatures in Coastal North Carolina hosted By Natalia Sanchez Loayza According to a public records request submitted by Shoresides, at least three New Hanover High School student-athletes have experienced heat-related illnesses since 2022—none of which received the media attention that often follows when such events turn deadly. While these incidents were safely mitigated, they underscore how rising temperatures are making it harder for coaches and others to keep young athletes safe. In Temperature Check: Coastal Edition, an upcoming Shoresides series, producer Natalia Sanchez-Loaza explores this issue and more. In this episode, we offer a preview.Send us Fan MailSupport the showwww.shoresides.org 

5/7/25 • 12:19