Shoresides

Send us a text 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/742 State Policymaker Coalition Letter: https://ari.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/State-Policymaker-Coalition-Letter-Oppose-AI-Preemption-6-3-25.pdf Senate strikes AI regulatory ban from GOP bill after uproar from the states https://apnews.com/article/congress-ai-provision-moratorium-states-20beeeb6967057be5fe64678f72f6ab0 Anthropic C.E.O.: Don’t Let A.I. Companies off the Hook https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/05/opinion/anthropic-ceo-regulate-transparency.html Music 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. Support the show www.shoresides.org

Send us a text 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 surf https://www.wect.com/2025/07/07/statement-issued-after-increased-shark-activity-observed-carolina-beach-surf/ Miscommunication over shark activity causes confusion at Carolina Beach https://www.wect.com/2025/07/08/miscommunication-over-shark-activity-causes-confusion-carolina-beach/ Support the show www.shoresides.org

Send us a text 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. Support the show www.shoresides.org

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 jurisdictional alligator handler, she's seen relocations quadruple this year alone. She tells Shoresides all about what it's like. Helpful Links North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission - AlligatorsNC Wildlife Coexist with Alligators GuideCity of Southport Animal ServicesSupport the show www.shoresides.org

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 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 Carolina Alligators are native to the southeastern corner of North Carolina, primarily in the coastal plain. They are commonly found in: The 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 Protected In North Carolina, alligators are classified as a species of special concern. This means: illegal to hunt, harm, harass, or killlimited hunting through an alligator management program3. Alligator Encounters Are Increasing Due to rising populations and human development expanding into natural habitats, sightings have become more frequent. Important things to remember: Do not feed alligatorssafe distance4. Alligators and Cold Weather North Carolina is near the northern edge of the alligator's habitat, so they have unique ways of surviving winter: brumate“icing” or “snorkeling”5. Conservation and Coexistence Alligators play an important role in the ecosystem by: “gator holes” Never attempt to relocate or handle an alligatorIf 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? Support the show www.shoresides.org

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 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. Support the show www.shoresides.org

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 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. Support the show www.shoresides.org

Send us a text 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 Carolina North Carolina is one of the top agricultural states in the U.S.Over 80,000 farmworkersRoughly 90% of North Carolina’s farmworkers are foreign-bornThe majority of farmworkers in NC earn below the poverty lineMore than 40% of North Carolina farmworkers live in substandard housingTobacco remains one of the most hazardous crops to harvestFarmworkers are excluded from many federal labor protectionsClimate change is shortening harvest windowsNorth Carolina is one of the top states using H-2A guestworker visasOrganizations like FLOC play a critical role in advocating for farmworker rightsSupport the show www.shoresides.org

Send us a text 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. Support the show www.shoresides.org

Send us a text 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. Support the show www.shoresides.org

Send us a text 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. Support the show www.shoresides.org

Send us a text 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 Nicholas Magno speaks with Paul Smukowski, 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. Support the show www.shoresides.org

Send us a text 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) Support the show www.shoresides.org

Send us a text 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. Support the show www.shoresides.org

Send us a text On this episode of Shoreside, host Nicholas Merino speaks with Catherine Moore, director of the Health Professions Data System at the Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, about striking projections: by 2033, North Carolina may face shortages of 12,500 registered nurses and 5,000 licensed practical nurses if current trends continue. We explore regional disparities, challenges in retention and diversity, and state initiatives to expand programs, bolster faculty, and improve workplace conditions. We explore regional disparities, challenges in retention and diversity, and state initiatives to expand programs, bolster faculty, and improve workplace conditions. We learn how only decisive investment in recruitment, training, and retention will secure timely, equitable care for North Carolina communities. For listeners who want to explore the data and policy work behind these projections, here are ten key resources on the Cecil G. Sheps Center website: How has RN Retention in North Carolina Changed over Time? A detailed blog on registered nurse retention and exit trends from 2016–2023.: https://www.shepscenter.unc.edu/news_release/new-blog-post-how-has-rn-retention-in-north-carolina-changed-over-time/ Report on the North Carolina Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Workforce just released A comprehensive brief describing APRN demographics, practice settings, and regional distribution (2013–2022) https://www.shepscenter.unc.edu/news_release/report-on-the-north-carolina-advanced-practice-registered-nurse-workforce-just-released/ New NC Workforce Blog: Trends in the Racial and Ethnic Diversity of Health Professions Analysis of diversity shifts across eight key health professions using 2022 licensure data. https://www.shepscenter.unc.edu/news_release/new-nc-workforce-blog-2022-racial-ethnic-diversity/ Program on Health Workforce Research and Policy Overview of the PHWRP’s mission, current projects, and expert work groups. https://www.shepscenter.unc.edu/program/health-workforce-research-and-policy/ Data & Publications Repository A searchable collection of manuscripts, policy briefs, and blog posts on health workforce topics. https://www.shepscenter.unc.edu/programs-projects/workforce/data-publications-resources/ Sheps Health Workforce NC: Interactive Visualizations County-level maps and charts tracking supply and distribution of 21 health professions. https://www.shepscenter.unc.edu/programs-projects/workforce/health-workforce-nc/ North Carolina Health Professions Data System (HPDS) The state’s long-running licensure database, with a 27-year retrospective report on its evolution. https://www.shepscenter.unc.edu/hp/publications/NCHPDS_27yrbk.pdf How does the racial and ethnic diversity of NC healt Support the show www.shoresides.org

Send us a text This episode, Shoresides delves into the strange, ethically murky world of octopus aquaculture with scientist Dr. Jennifer Mather—to ask: Should North Carolina go ahead with banning Octopus farming? Does it need to? Links: My Octopus Teacher https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12888462/?ref_=ttawd_ov_i Octopus farming in NC? A bill was filed banning it https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/03/12/octopus-farming-house-bill-293-carolina-general-assembly-law-ban-aquaculture 'Horrific Terror and Pain': Warning Octopus Farm Will Lead to Cannibalism https://www.newsweek.com/horrific-terror-pain-octopus-farm-plans-cannibalism-1809674 Support the show www.shoresides.org

Send us a text In this episode, Shoresides talks with Jessica Thai, who grew up with immigration, tradition, and economic shifts shaping daily life and collective identity in a place that rarely makes the headlines—but offers powerful lessons about family, perseverance, and belonging. Support the show www.shoresides.org

Send us a text Cultural anthropologist Barbara Garrity-Blake takes us into the world of North Carolina’s menhaden fishery — a once-thriving industry built by coastal communities, African American crews, and the haunting work songs they sang. In this episode, we explore how this small but vital fish fed both the economy and the environment, and what was lost when machines replaced people and tourism replaced tradition. It’s a story about labor, race, ecology, and memory, deeply tied to North Carolina’s coastal heritage. Barbara Garrity-Blake teaches marine fisheries policy at the Duke University Marine Laboratory. She has written books like "Living at the Water's Edge: A Heritage Guide to the Outer Banks Byway" with Karen Willis Amspacher, highlighting the culture of North Carolina’s Outer Banks. Another notable work, "The Fish Factory: Work and Meaning for Black and White Fishermen of the American Menhaden Industry," examines the experiences of menhaden fishermen. Menhaden are small, oily fish essential to the Atlantic coastal ecosystem. They filter plankton from the water and are a key food source for larger fish, birds, and marine mammals. Historically, they were harvested on a massive scale for fertilizer, animal feed, and bait. Today, debates continue about how to balance their ecological role with commercial interests. Support the show www.shoresides.org

Send us a text In Wilmington, North Carolina, the demand for healthcare workers is growing rapidly. Nurse Camp Academy, a program of the nonprofit Better is Possible based in New Hanover County, is stepping up to meet this need by inspiring the next generation of healthcare professionals. One of the program’s most innovative aspects is its focus on workforce development starting with young teens, even before they reach high school. By introducing healthcare career pathways early, Nurse Camp Academy helps students build confidence, gain essential skills, and see themselves as future healthcare providers. In this episode, we hear from students, mentors, and program leaders who are passionate about preparing young people for rewarding careers in nursing and the health field. Through hands-on training, mentorship, and emotional wellness guidance, Nurse Camp Academy empowers students to see themselves as capable future healthcare providers. Founder Suprena Hickman and lead trainer Alexa Hunt share their experiences on the importance of early exposure to the health field. Program coordinator Savanna Berrios highlights how the initiative is bridging gaps in care while fostering community resilience. Discover how mentorship and meaningful engagement are shaping a new generation of healthcare leaders — and how programs like Nurse Camp Academy are essential to the future of healthcare in New Hanover County. Learn more about how to sign a youth up for Nurse Camp Academy at this link. Support the show www.shoresides.org

Send us a text In this episode of Shoreside, host Nicholas Magno explores the uncertain future of Eagle Island, a fragile stretch of wetlands that connects Wilmington to Belville, North Carolina. Once central to rice cultivation and shipbuilding, the island now sits at the intersection of climate vulnerability and development pressure. With sea levels rising and ghost forests replacing hardwood swamps, half a billion dollars’ worth of infrastructure in New Hanover County may be at risk by 2030. We talk with Roger Shew, senior lecturer in Earth and Ocean Sciences at UNC Wilmington, who outlines the impact of dredging, saltwater intrusion, and misguided development proposals on the area. Shew also shares a vision for Eagle Island rooted in resilience—transforming it into an ecotourism and education hub that respects its history and its delicate ecosystem. From shifting grasses to six-story hotel proposals, this episode reveals why what happens to Eagle Island is about more than just a patch of land—it’s about how we live with water in a changing world. We found this 2021 report by NC State University Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning to be a good read about Eagle Island. Support the show www.shoresides.org