There are tens of thousands of Indigenous mounds located throughout the United States. For Native Americans, these earthen structures are revered as sacred places. Despite their importance to Native cultures, many of these sites have been damaged or destroyed in the past, and very few are actually owned by tribes today. But the fascinating story of one mound in Franklin, North Carolina is highlighting recent efforts to preserve these important sites and put them back in tribal hands.

Featuring:

• Angelina Jumper, cultural resources supervisor for Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians
• Lilly Knoepp, NC Local’s regional reporter for Western North Carolina
• Ben Steere, archaeologist and professor at Western Carolina University
• Johi Griffin, tribal historic sites keeper for Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians

Links:

• NC Local: There are dozens of Indigenous mounds in North Carolina. Why do tribes only own a few?

Cover image: Noquisiyi Mound in Franklin, North Carolina. Photo by Harrison Keely/Creative Commons Attribution 4.0.

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In 1988, professional basketball came to North Carolina with the arrival of the Charlotte Hornets of the NBA. Desperate to make a splash, the new team made an unconventional early hire; they selected a famous fashion designer to create their uniforms. The Hornets lost 60 games during that bumpy first season, but they looked incredible while doing it. And their iconic look — purple, teal and pinstripes — would launch a global fashion trend that endures today.

A version of this episode originally published on February 2, 2024.

Featuring:

• Alexander Julian, fashion designer and creator of the original Charlotte Hornets uniform
• Crystal McCrary McGuire, writer and documentary filmmaker

Links:

• Watch video from the 1988 Charlotte Hornets uniform reveal press conference.

Cover photo: A Charlotte Hornets-branded Starter jacket that was wildly popular during the 1990s.

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Data centers projects are expanding throughout the US at hyperspeed and hyperscale. These developments are reshaping small towns, consuming vast amounts of power and striking deals that aren't always clear. And in many places, like rural North Carolina, people are starting to voice concerns in the voting booth.

Featuring:

• Zachary Turner, reporter at WFAE in Charlotte, NC
• Adam Wagner, editor/reporter with the NC Newsroom

Links:

• Check out the 6-part collaborative reporting series Hyperspeed, Hyperscale: Inside the Data Center Boom Reshaping NC Communities

Cover photo: An anti-data center campaign sign on a car in Stokes County, North Carolina. Credit: Zachary Turner / WFAE News

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