Shawn Wen

The play “Trouble in Mind" is currently in performances at the Triad Stage.  It features a rare protagonist – an older African-American woman who boldly picks apart the theatrical roles that are offered to her. Preston Lane is the artistic director of Triad Stage and the director of the production.

The famous writer O. Henry was born William Sidney Porter in 1862 in Greensboro, NC.  He went on to write hundreds of short stories. Last week, he would have turned 150 years old, and the US Postal Service released a commemorative stamp to celebrate this anniversary. Host Frank Stasio is joined by Linda Evans, the community historian for the Greensboro Historical Museum and Stephen Hale, a local performer who has been portraying O. Henry in plays at the museum for the past nine years.

The Independent Weekly has been covering news, art, and culture in the Triangle for 29 years now. Steve Schewel, the owner of the Indy, recently sold it to Richard Meeker and Mark Zusman. They also run Willamette Week in Portland, Oregon and the Santa Fe Reporter in New Mexico. What will happen to the Indy now that it is under new management? Will the paper hold onto its local identity? Host Frank Stasio is joined by the Indy editor Lisa Sorg to talk about changes to the paper.

"The Brothers Size" is a play by Tarell Alvin McCraney dealing with the relationships between three African-American men. The older brother has lived on the straight and narrow, running an auto repair shop. The younger brother is a dreamer who has just come out of prison.

Frances O’Roark Dowell writes books for young adults. But she forgoes wizards and vampires in favor of very real themes. Her new book, “The Second Life of Abigail Walker” (Simon and Schuster/ 2012), address childhood obesity and bullying. She joins host Frank Stasio to speak about writing for younger audiences.

Jo Gore made a name for herself around the Triangle by singing jazz and soul music. But she grew up singing traditional gospel songs in her grandparents’ church. Now she has a new album, “The Herstory of Josephine Gore: Return of the Articulate Kinsman, Volume One.” The band Jo Gore and the Alternative will join host Frank Stasio to revisit old gospel songs and to play some more contemporary music.

Andy Griffith died in July at his home on Roanoke Island, NC at age 86. Griffith was a native son of North Carolina, who proudly brought a tender vision of Southern culture to the masses through television. His portrayal of a wise and honest country lawman on “The Andy Griffith Show” won many hearts.

The Democratic National Convention is in Queen City. And the streets of uptown Charlotte are crowded with delegates, politicians, reporters, police, and protesters. Tonight President Obama will take the stage and formally accept his party’s nomination. Host Frank Stasio will be joined by WUNC reporter Dave DeWitt to talk about the buzz at the DNC.

North Carolina had a brief brush with payday lending. But it was banned by the State Attorney General Roy Cooper in 2006. However, banks are not bound by state law, and Regions Bank from Alabama is offering payday loans in North Carolina in a program they call "Ready Advance." Some are worried that Regions Bank will open the door for other banks to do the same. Host Frank Stasio will be joined in the studio by Ellen Harnick, the Senior Policy Counsel for the Center for Responsible Lending.