Archive for September, 2005

Forensic entomology

Friday, September 16th, 2005

A somewhat gruesome exhibit wraps up this weekend at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. “Crime Scene Insects” examines the increasingly important role of bugs in criminal investigations. Host Melinda Penkava talks with forensic entomologist Jim Arends, who gave testimony in the Alan Gell case. (5:00)

Jim Arends

The Interpreter

Thursday, September 15th, 2005

Louis Guilloux was a French writer and member of the resistance during World War II. In 1944, he served as translator in the trial of an African American soldier accused of murder and attempted rape of a French woman. The soldier, James Hendricks of North Carolina, was hanged for the crime. Writer and professor Alice Kaplan first read about the case in Guilloux’s novel “OK, Joe.” Her research revealed scores of cases like it. In fact, 55 of the 70 men executed by the American army in France after World War II were African American — 79 percent in an Army that was 8.5 percent black. Host Melinda Penkava talks with Alice Kaplan about the case and her book, “The Interpreter” (Free Press/2005). (30:00)

Alice Kaplan

Ophelia

Thursday, September 15th, 2005

Ophelia: Ophelia is still inching its way up the North Carolina coast. Host Melinda Penkava gets the latest from reporters and forecasters and checks in with those cleaning up in her wake, enduring her high winds and storm surges, and still preparing for the worst. Guests include: Darren Frigurskey, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Raleigh; Rusty Jacobs, reporter at North Carolina Public Radio – WUNC; Steve Harris, manager of Howard’s Pub on Ocracoke Island; Keith Smith, resident of Oriental; and Adam Hochberg, reporter at National Public Radio (29:00)

Ophelia

Ophelia

Wednesday, September 14th, 2005

The 15th named storm of the season — Ophelia — is lashing the Carolina coast. Host Melinda Penkava checks in with reporters, residents, state and local officials, and others about where Ophelia is located, where she is going, and what damage she is causing. Guests include: Ryan Boyles, meteorologist at the State Climate Office at NSCU; Catherine Welch, news director at WHQR in Wilmington; Susan Clisby, communications manager for the North Carolina State Port Authority; Rusty Jacobs, reporter at North Carolina Public Radio – WUNC; Alton Balance, owner of a bed and breakfast on Ocracoke Island; Frank Tursi, Cape Lookout Coastkeeper; Cynthia Lewis, professor of English at Davidson College. (59:00)

Ophelia

Roberts Hearings

Tuesday, September 13th, 2005

With the Supreme Court confirmation hearings for John Roberts going on this week in Washington, we look at the nature of hearings; how we watch them and their importance. Guests include: Brook Barnett, assistant professor of communications at Elon University; Lyle Denniston Supreme Court journalist and author of ScotusBlog.com; Michael Gerhardt, professor of constitutional law at UNC-Chapel Hill; and Tinsley Yarbrough, professor of political science at East Carolina University. Listener Call-In. (40:00)

Hearings