News

The Atlantic Coast Conference recently announced a plan to add Syracuse University and the University of Pittsburgh to its ever-growing roster of schools. Proponents say growth is inevitable, as conferences around the country expand to maximize television contract money. Detractors say more schools means less emphasis on tradition, and that student athletes get lost in the shuffle.

In 1970, Ariel Dorfman went to work for Chilean President Salvador Allende. Allende's government was to usher in a new era of equality in Chile. But in 1973, the government was overthrown, Allende died and Dorfman went into exile. Dorfman's new memoir “Feeding on Dreams: Confessions of an Unrepentant Exile” (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt/2011), follows him from the time he left Chile and chronicles his attempts to return to his homeland. Host Frank Stasio speaks with Dorfman about the book.

Construction on a new housing facility for homeless veterans in Raleigh is underway. Almost 600 vets are eking out an existence in Wake County alone, and the new complex – built by CASA, a community housing nonprofit – will only house 10, but it’s a start. Others around the state are trying to deal with the problem as well, including the Durham VA, and Barbara Marshall, a veteran helping homeless female vets in Fayetteville.

North Carolina’s clinical trials industry is seeing a major shift.  The latest example is the purchase of Wilmington-based P-P-D.

North Carolinians are split over President Obama's jobs bill. A new Elon University poll finds 36 percent opposed, 35 percent in support, and more than a quarter of those surveyed are unsure about it. Other numbers from the poll indicate the president's popularity is waning in the state. 42 percent approve of the job he's doing. 51 percent disapprove. Assistant poll director Mileah Kromer says those are bad numbers for a president trying to win North Carolina again in 2012.

Outgoing Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker has made an endorsement for his successor.
 

Meeker has thrown his support behind Nancy McFarlane, who served on the City Council for four of Meeker’s ten years in office. Meeker made the announcement this afternoon.

McFarlane is running as an unaffiliated candidate. Meeker is a democrat.

Doug Glanville’s passion for baseball came early in life. As soon as he could walk, he was encouraged to play. The early start paid off; Glanville was signed to the Chicago Cubs in 1996. His passion for writing came later. Inspired by media coverage of the steroid scandal that rocked baseball in the late 1990s, Glanville decided to become a voice for baseball players, occasionally contributing columns to the New York Times. He’s since retired from the sport, but he continues to write and in 2010, he authored a memoir called “The Game from Where I Stand” (Times Books). Glanville now lives in Raleigh and works as a baseball analyst for ESPN. He joins host Frank Stasio to talk playoffs, performance enhancing drugs and the power of the pen.

A recent study outlines efforts at North Carolina's military bases to help the Department of Defense reduce energy consumption. The report is from the Pew Charitable Trust. It says Fort Bragg and Camp Lejeune are using energy reduction projects and bio-fuel to cut costs. Coby Jones is the energy program coordinator at Fort Bragg. He says recent renovations have cut energy consumption by 23 percent at 30 of the base's older buildings.

A new counseling program begins tonight for teens in the Triad.

Text 4 Teens is a program that allows youths to seek support without saying a word. Teenagers can use texting to find help with depression, suicidal thoughts, substance abuse pressures or relationship problems. Michael Cottingham with Center Point Human Services believes using newer technology is the best way to connect.

A new poll shows a majority of North Carolinians are opposed to a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. The data out of Elon University shows 56 percent of state residents opposed to an amendment to ban gay marriage and civil unions. Assistant poll director Mileah Kromer says support for same-sex couples in North Carolina is now widespread.