News

By Marion Blackburn

New Bern, NC – Although weather in North Carolina is slowly moving into the milder temperatures we're accustomed to, Public Radio East regular commentator Marion Blackburn found herself contemplating Eastern North Carolina's interest and awe at that rare form of precipitation snow.

By Marion Blackburn

New Bern, NC – Although weather in North Carolina is slowly moving into the milder temperatures we're accustomed to, Public Radio East regular commentator Marion Blackburn found herself contemplating Eastern North Carolina's interest and awe at that rare form of precipitation snow.

By Megen George

New Bern, NC – Recent statistics show that heart disease is the number one killer of women over age 25. One in 2-point-6 women will die of cardiovascular disease compared with one in 30 from breast cancer. However only 13 percent of women view cardiovascular disease as a threat. Public Radio East's Megen George recently spoke with Valerie Gatlin, a nurse manager at Pitt County Memorial Hospital with 18 years of experience in cardiac surgery.

By Megen George

New Bern, NC – Americans are among the most overweight people in the nation. Many people who reach dangerous levels of obesity turn to weight loss surgeries, such as gastric bypass. Pitt County Memorial Hospital and The Brody School of Medicine is now offering an alternative to gastric bypass surgery laparoscopic adjustable gastric band, or LAP-BAND surgery. Public Radio East's Megen George recently spoke with Dr. William Chapman, chief of minimally invasive and bariatric surgery at PCMH.

By Marion Blackburn

New Bern, NC – Many of us have already finalized our list of New Year's resolutions Public Radio East Regular Commentator Marion Blackburn has as well. However, her list isn't typical. It involves a little home improvement of the rodent kind.

By Marion Blackburn

New Bern, NC – The holiday season is here and although some people seem to have no problem dealing with the stresses that come along with this time of year, regular Commentator Marion Blackburn finds herself on the other end of the spectrum.

By Sefton Wiggs

New Bern, NC – Luigi Cherubini's Requiem in C Minor is a seldom played piece of music. However, Conductor Martin Pearlman and Boston Baroque have taken up the task, and Public Radio East Music Director Sefton Wiggs is pleased with the outcome.

By Marion Blackburn

New Bern, NC – At one time or another we've all heeded the old advice to avoid discussing politics or religion in mixed company. However, regular commentator Marion Blackburn has one more topic to add to that list.

By Megen George

New Bern, NC – Wayne County recently experienced gang related violence in the form of a drive by shooting. In an effort to combat the emerging gang presence, the Wayne County Sheriff's office has formed a gang task force, which will focus on gang suppression and providing awareness to schools and the community. Wayne County Sheriff's Deputy Matt Miller is a member of the gang task force. Megen George recently spoke with Miller and has this

By George Olsen

FerryMon surveys the health of coastal waters

New Bern, NC – INTRO - The state's ferry system takes you where the road doesn't go to Ocracoke Island, perhaps, or from there to Cape Hatteras. The state ferry system is also the primary vehicle to provide scientists with information about the same waters the ferries ply. George Olsen has more.

After a series of hurricanes in 1999 and 2000, information about their effects on coastal waters was in demand and scarce.

New Bern, NC – This is The Down East Journal. Coming up this week's show... New exhibits and renovations at the Cape Lookout Light House highlight the heritage of Cape Lookout National Seashore and Portsmouth Island.

New Bern, NC – Coming up this week's show, you may expect to find pockets of gang violence in the state's more urban areas,but gang activity is also happening right here in Eastern North Carolina.

New Bern, NC – Coming up on this week's show... At one time, the AIDS virus was considered a disease of epidemic proportions, now 20 years later the virus has become manageable, however, North Carolina is seeing an increase in diagnoses. And we'll find out what else is giong on in the area during our weekly arts calendar.

New Bern, NC – Coming up on this week's show... A recent study from UNC-Chapel Hill looks at the low rates of flu immunization in the U-S and what can be done. We'll talk with the founders of an Eastern North Carolina Organization that raises awareness about Parkinson's Disease, and we'll find out what's going on in the area during our weekly arts calendar.

New Bern, NC – Ernesto blew through ENC leaving severe flooding in some area counties. We discuss the aftermath of Ernesto and hear from local residents who experienced the storm first hand.

New Bern, NC – On this week's show we discuss the Housing Bubble. Is it affecting ENC? Regular Commentator Marion Blackburn weighs in on Christmas Gift Giving, and we'll find out what's going on in ENC during our Weekly Arts Calendar.

New Bern, NC – Coming up on this week's show.... 2006 brought several stories of towns and communities in ENC who are walking the fine line between maintaining their heritage while capitalizing on the economic benefits of commercial and residential development. It's likely that 2007 will be no different. And we'll find out what's going on in ENC during our Weekly Arts Calendar.

New Bern, NC – Coming up on this week's show we speak with the directorn of the state ferry divison and will find out what's going on in ENC during our weekly arts calendar.

By Patricia Raskin

Morehead City, NC – Parkinson disease is a brain disorder currently affecting 1.5 million Americans. Andy Anderson is a Carteret County author and artist and living with Parkinson's disease. Anderson is also the Executive Director of Potters for Parkinsons, which raises awareness for those living with the disease. Public Radio East Free-lance reporter Patricia Raskin speaks with Andy Anderson and his wife Marlene to discuss why founded the group.

By George Olsen

UNC-CH study examines low flu vaccination rates

New Bern, NC – INTRO - The Center for Disease Control estimates that about 36,000 Americans die each year from flu-related symptoms. It's a number which undoubtedly would come down with better targeting of flu vaccine to at-risk groups. But a UNC-Chapel Hill School of Public Health study indicates the first hurdle in achieving that is alerting those at high-risk that they are in fact at high-risk. George Olsen has more.

By Megen George

By Megen George

New Bern, NC – Over 20 years ago, the AIDS virus was first discovered in the United States. Since then, AIDS diagnoses have gone from epidemic proportions, to being considered a manageable disease. However, that doesn't mean the virus isn't dangerous. Although the overall amount of diagnoses per year has leveled off the AIDS virus is increasing among minority populations both in urban areas and right here in Eastern North Carolina. Megen George reports

By Barbara Blake

Gloucester, NC – It's challenging enough to serve in the military and face deployment, but what about a second or third deployment? How do our military personnel, many under the age of 21, shoulder the stress and responsibility? PRE's Barbara Blake talks to two marines from Camp Lejeune on the eve of their second deployment.

By George Olsen

Gang resistance education at Newport Middle School

New Bern, NC – INTRO - A part of the social studies program for 6th graders at Newport Middle School seeks to curtail a problem that has vexed larger urban populations. George Olsen has more.

Educating area youngsters to compete in today's marketplace is typically a focus and not keeping them out of gangs. Yet that's what Newport Middle School is aiming toward.

Joan Carris reviews "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" by Barbara Robinson

New Bern, NC – Public Radio East commentator (and noted children's author herself) Joan Carris continues an occasional series on the best in children's literature with a look at Barbara Robinson's "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever."

By Patricia Raskin

Morehead City, NC – The Holiday Season is a time of joy and thanks yet for many, it's also one of the most stressful times of the year. Patricia Raskin Freelance reporter for Public Radio East, sat down with Doctor Bill Rawls MD, of Sound Side Health care in Morehead City, Specializing in Gynecology Primary care and Integrated medicine. They discussed ways to handle Holiday stress, and how to eat well during holiday festivities.

By Megen George

New Bern, NC – This week you'll hear a discussion with State Attorney General Roy Cooper about protecting your children from online predators. It's that time of year again... we'll explore the dilemma of enjoying the holiday food without gaining the weight.

New Bern, NC – The nursing shortage is a national problem. We'll see how it's affecting Eastern North Carolina. Onslow County has announced it's ready for tsunamis and Music Director Sefton Wiggs offers his review of a new take on Aaron Copeland.