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The will of the voters was on display Tuesday, producing a massive blue wave in North Carolina. The impacts will stretch from Washington to Raleigh to school boards across the state. Reporters from Wilmington, the Triangle, Charlotte, and western NC examine the results, what it means for both major political parties, and you. All that and more on Due South's North Carolina News Roundup. Adam Wagner, reporter/editor covering state politics for the North Carolina Newsroom  Danielle Battaglia, congressional impact reporter for The News & Observer and The Charlotte Observer Steve Harrison, political reporter, WFAE Charlotte Benjamin Schachtman, news director, WHQR Wilmington Gerard Albert III, Western North Carolina Rural Communities Reporter, BPR Asheville

0:01:00 Historian Marcia Chatelain explores 'How Bright the Path Grows' A new book explores the pivotal roles of women organizers in The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963. Marcia Chatelain, Presidential Penn Compact Professor of Africana Studies at the University of Pennsylvania, 2021 Pulitzer Prize of History winner and author of the new book, How Bright the Path Grows: The Untold Story of the Women Who Made the March on Washington 0:33:00 Sugar Hill Records' role in bluegrass history honored in Durham The history of Sugar Hill Records and its founder Barry Poss endure in Durham, where the independent bluegrass label got its start in 1978. Jeff Tiberii sits with writer Peter Gartrell to discuss his research on the label.

A blue wave has swept across North Carolina. Democratic candidates from the mountains to the sea logged stunning victories on Tuesday night as they claimed a majority in the state House, may oust several Congressional Republican incumbents and won a statewide federal race for the first time in eighteen years. Due South’s Jeff Tiberii and a panel of reporters and political scientists dig into the results and what they mean for our state and our country. Adam Wagner, reporter/editor covering state politics for the North Carolina Newsroom Colin Campbell, Capitol Bureau Chief, WUNC News Andra Gillespie, Political Scientist and Director of the James Weldon Johnson Institute for the Study of Race and Difference at Emory University Jason Roberts, Professor of Political Science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Dave Jordan, Anchor, WITN Lilly Knoepp, Senior Western NC Reporter, NC Local

0:01:00 Duke history professor delves into roots of our democracyElection Day is a day like no other. It’s a day to do our civic duty — and then it’s a day to watch, to wait, and to sit with the anticipation, as democracy in action unfolds. On this Election Day, a conversation about the roots of our American democracy, our country's foundational historical documents, the aspirations of our new nation in 1776 and those we’re still trying to achieve 250 years later. Thavolia Glymph, Peabody Family Distinguished Professor of History and Professor of Law at Duke University, Faculty Research Scholar at the Duke Population Research Institute Related: We The People, A Duke and Durham Initiative; "Delving Deeper into the Declaration of Independence" at The Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University 0:33:00 How the Associated Press approaches calling electionsFor more than 170 years, the Associated Press has been calling local and national elections. AP Washington bureau chief Anna Johnson explains the process of outcome projection.  Anna Johnson, Washington bureau chief, Associated Press  This interview originally aired October 27, 2026.

0:01:00 HBCU 101: Freedom Riders EditionA bus tour commemorating the historic Freedom Rides of 1961 made its way to Greensboro, NC. It stopped on the campus of one of the country’s largest HBCUs, North Carolina A&T State University, and Leoneda Inge spoke to a few of the original activists and a new generation of voting rights advocates working alongside them. 0:13:00 'The engine of democracy': NC voting experts, Durham's election director on making elections workElection Day is tomorrow, but we’re not talking about the candidates and the races, we’re talking about the election itself — how it happens, what the rules are, what’s going on behind the scenes to make sure voting happens safely and smoothly, who’s responsible, and what this all has to do with voting rights and democracy itself. Derek L. Bowens, Director of Elections, Durham County Board of Elections Jessica Huseman, Editorial Director, Votebeat Jason Roberts, Professor of Political Science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Michael Bitzer, Professor of Politics & History and Director of the Center for North Carolina Politics & Public Service at Catawba College This interview originally aired October 21, 2026.

This week on the North Carolina News Roundup - more than two million voters have shown up to the polls, with two days left of early voting before the November 3rd midterm election. With Democratic optimism high, several Republican Congressmen purchased additional campaign ads. And, kids fight back against increased screentime in schools. Those stories, plus getting ready for Halloween. Colin Campbell, Capitol Bureau Chief, WUNC News Dawn Vaughan, Capitol Bureau Chief, The News & Observer Mary Helen Moore, reporter for Axios Raleigh Ely Portillo, Executive Editor, WFAE

0:01:00 How three NC constitutional amendments got on the ballot this election cycle and what they would doThe candidates get most of the election cycle attention, but we turn today to three journalists to explain the three proposed constitutional amendments on the ballot in North Carolina. Colin Campbell, Capitol Bureau Chief, WUNC News Ronni Butts, freelance journalist Adam Wagner, reporter/editor covering state politics for the North Carolina Newsroom This interview originally aired October 7, 2026. 0:33:00 The pros and cons of proposed constitutional amendmentsAs we get to the home stretch of the election in North Carolina, there seem to be more conversations, more signs and more mobilized efforts around the three proposed constitutional amendments on the ballot, which stand to have a big impact on North Carolinians. Due South’s Jeff Tiberii talks with advocates from two local policy organizations, one in support of the amendments and the other in opposition. Heba Atwa, Director of Legislative Advocacy & Campaigns, NC Budget & Tax Center Andy Jackson, Director of the Civitas Center for Public Integrity at the John Locke Foundation

College basketball is back – but in a state of uncertainty. In the Triangle, two new men’s basketball coaches at NC State and UNC will be testing their mettle against a juggernaut Duke team.  Women’s basketball continues to excite the crowds, with a star freshman player at UNC, while South Carolina aiming to lead the national stage.  All that amid the backdrop of turmoil in college sports—including player eligibility, coaches going international to fill their rosters, and the possibility of Congress passing legislation in a lame-duck session. David Glenn, host, The David Glenn Show Travon Miles, sports anchor and reporter, ABC 11 Mitch Northam, co-host, The Women's Basketball Podcast, senior sports reporter for USA Today

0:01:00 Fifty years after the Raleigh-Wake County merger, schools face resegregation Leoneda Inge talks to WUNC K-12 education reporter Liz Schlemmer about the 50th anniversary of the Raleigh-Wake County Schools merger in 1976.  Liz Schlemmer, K-12 education, WUNC News  0:13:00 The Michelin Guide Anoints new members Last week, three new Triangle-area restaurants received acclaimed “Michelin” status. Independent food writer Matt Lardie and News and Observer food and dining reporter Drew Jackson join host Jeff Tiberii for some context and background on the prestigious “Michelin” designation. Also, Raleigh chef Cheetie Kumar reflects on what the new honor means for her restaurant, Ajja. Drew Jackson, News and Observer food and dining reporter Matt Lardie, Independent food writer based in Durham Cheetie Kumar, Chef and co-owner, Ajja 0:33:00 How the Associated Press approaches calling elections For more than 170 years, the Associated Press has been calling local and national elections. In advance of this year’s midterm elections, AP Washington bureau chief Anna Johnson explains the process of outcome projection.  Anna Johnson, Washington bureau chief, Associated Press

0:01:00 Fewer Souls to the PollsMore than twenty North Carolina counties that previously had early voting on Sundays will not have it for this year’s midterm elections. The reduction in Sunday voting will affect a popular mobilization event for Black voters called Souls to the Polls. These events promote voter turnout in Black congregations by either caravaning or marching congregants to voting sites after Sunday worship services. Leoneda Inge explores the partisan fight over early Sunday voting. Brian Kennedy, Policy Director of Democracy North Carolina 0:13:00 The Broadside: Our weirdest political storiesElection Day in America is fast approaching -- and if you’re like us, you’re probably a little burned out with horse race politics. So, we’re offering something different. This week, The Broadside asks three veteran political reporters a single question: what’s one of the most bizarre stories you've ever covered? Colin Campbell, Capitol Bureau Chief and host of the WUNC Politics Podcast Jeff Tiberii, host of Due South Adam Hochberg, editor of the American Homefront Project This episode of The Broadside was hosted by Anisa Khalifa and produced and edited by Jerad Walker. 0:33:00 Fact checking North Carolina political adsA lot of unsettling claims are being made about North Carolina Senate candidates Roy Cooper and Michael Whatley during the TV timeouts of your favorite college football games. Some of them are truthful, some are outright lies, and many are merely misleading. We fact-check the more memorable ads of these midterms and analyze some of the more colorful ads in the tight legislative race in Congressional District 11. Chris Cooper, head of the Political Science department at Western Carolina University Paul Specht, PolitiFact North Carolina reporter at WRAL

On the North Carolina News Roundup... Jeff Tiberii and panelists discuss the elections that are heating up in NC-1 and NC-11. President Trump stumps in Greenville. Early voting has had a big turnout.  Danielle Battaglia, Congressional impact reporter for the News & Observer and the Charlotte Observer Adam Wagner, Reporter/editor covering state politics for the North Carolina Newsroom Claudia Rivera Cotto, Political Reporter for Enlace Latino NC Dawn Vaughan, Capitol Bureau Chief, The News & Observer

0:01:00 Medicaid, SNAP changes impact NC’s most vulnerable Federal changes to Medicaid and SNAP requirements stand to jeopardize coverage for thousands of North Carolinians. The NC Department of Health and Human Services hopes to prevent that. Dr. Dev Sangvai, Secretary of the NC Department of Health and Human Services 0:13:00 North Carolina and Georgia’s purple politics Election Day is less than two weeks away, and it still feels like anything can happen in our swingy Old North State. Georgia, roughly the same size as North Carolina, has a similar purple streak. Leoneda Inge talks with Emory University political scientist Andra Gillespie about the Peach State’s big races and the political landscape of the two states. Andra Gillespie, Associate Professor of Political Science, and director of the James Weldon Johnson Institute for the Study of Race and Difference at Emory University 0:33:00 Period Prom returns to Durham  For more than a decade, the Diaper Bank of NC has provided menstrual care products to individuals, families and schools through donations, fundraising and an annual benefit called the Period Prom. Michelle Schaefer, founder and CEO of the Diaper Bank of NC

It’s less than two weeks until Election Day, but we’re not talking about the candidates and the races, we’re talking about the election itself — how it happens, what the rules are, what’s going on behind the scenes to make sure voting happens safely and smoothly, who’s responsible, and what this all has to do with voting rights and democracy itself.  Derek L. Bowens, Director of Elections, Durham County Board of Elections   Jessica Huseman, Editorial Director, Votebeat   Jason Roberts, Professor of Political Science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill  Michael Bitzer, Professor of Politics & History and Director of the Center for North Carolina Politics & Public Service at Catawba College

Duke philosopher and scientist Felipe De Brigard was recently announced as one of 20 winners of the 2026 MacArthur Fellowship. De Brigard talks with Due South's Jeff Tiberii about his research on the role of imagination in recalling memories, and his work with the "Memoria & Perdón" ("Memory and Forgiveness" in Spanish) project in his home country of Colombia. Felipe De Brigard, Professor of Philosophy, Psychology and Neuroscience at Duke University, and Core Faculty, Duke Institute for Brain Sciences & Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, and Principal Investigator of the "Memory and Forgiveness" project

0:01:00 Former U.S. Congressman Mel Watt looks back on his storied life and family history in new book Notable Charlotte politician and lawyer Mel Watt joins Leoneda Inge to discuss his rise to U.S. Congress and the Federal Housing Finance Agency. His new book, The Sixth Generation: The Autobiography of Mel Watt, reflects on his life, his long career in law and politics and his legacy. Melvin Watt, former U.S. Congressman and former head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency 0:33:00 Pearl Cleage’s 'Angry, Raucous and Shamelessly Gorgeous' opens at Playmakers Playwright and author Pearl Cleage’s 1997 play, ‘Angry, Raucous and Shamelessly Gorgeous’ makes its way to Playmakers Repertory Company in Chapel Hill through November 1. Leoneda Inge talks to the stars of the production about what it was like to perform intergenerational conflict, mentorship and grudging admiration... all set to a funky soul soundtrack. Kathryn Hunter Williams, chair and associate professor, UNC Chapel Hill Department of Dramatic Arts Delaney Jackson, company member and second-year performer in UNC Chapel Hill’s Professional Actor Training Program