WUNC | 91.5fm | the state of things | Audio Archive

Eastern North Carolina’s economy is facing an image transformation. The decline of the agriculture and manufacturing industries in the eastern part of the state has made the way for increased corporate hog farming and potential trash importation sites for national waste. Are these industries a step in the right direction or a diversion from more productive mechanisms for long-term development? Host Melinda Penkava looks at the economy of eastern North Carolina with: Wade Rawlins, reporter with the News & Observer of Raleigh; Rick Martinez, editorial page columnist for the News & Observer; and Ron Nowaczyk, associate vice chancellor for economic and community development at East Carolina University. Listener Call-In. (40:00)

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This summer, a series of articles in the News & Observer of Raleigh tracked the disastrous career of Richard Greenberg, a neurosurgeon sued 24 times for medical malpractice. Two weeks ago, the North Carolina Medical Board revoked Greenberg’s privilege to perform surgery. In North Carolina, doctors are policed through the practice of peer review. Critics of the system argue that it allows some doctors to continue practicing medicine even after making repeated medical mistakes, and patients have no access to malpractice records. Host Melinda Penkava looks at the case of Richard Greenberg and North Carolina’s policies toward medical malpractice. Guests include: Joe Neff, investigative reporter for the News & Observer; Thomas Mansfield, director of the legal department at the North Carolina Medical Board; and State Rep. Bill Faison, a medical malpractice attorney. Listener Call-in. (59:00)

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Doris Iarovici’s debut book of stories, “American Dreaming” (Novello Festival Press/2004) questions most tenants of southern writing. Her characters are displaced, disconnected from the land and their colorful language is more often the fault of broken English then provincial turns of phrase. Melinda Penkava speaks with Durham-based psychiatrist Doris Iarovici about immigrant literature in a southern context. Listener Call-In. (35:00)

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Pompeii may have faced its doom two thousand years ago, but in one musical the ancient town is swinging again. Written by Wilmington native Dorothy Papadakos, Pompeii the musical tells the story of the 24 hours leading up to the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius and of Bacchus’ last big bash. Host Melinda Penkava talks with playwright Dorothy Papadakos about her first musical, Pompeii. (10:00)

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Host Melinda Penkava speaks with Charlotte Observer reporter Tim Funk about his column and survey that look at Congressional staff diversity. (12:00)

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