Meredith Radford

‘If you’re going through hell, keep going': Battling Lemierre’s Syndrome

At 16, Alexa Casciano was diagnosed with Lemierre’s Syndrome, which only occurs in only about one in a million people. Now she is a sophomore at UNC, majoring in business and biology with a minor in neuroscience. She wants to become a lawyer. 

Before You Vote Episode 9: Election Results

In the ninth and final episode, City & State Editor Sonia Rao breaks down the results of the 2020 election with Catawba College professor and N.C. politics expert Michael Bitzer. 

Before You Vote Episode 8: Election Day

In the eighth episode of Before You Vote, City & State Editor Sonia Rao talks to UNC professor Jason Roberts about what to expect on election night. 

Before You Vote Episode 7: Election security

In the seventh episode, City & State Editor Sonia Rao talks to N.C. Board of Elections Director Karen Brinson-Bell and UNC political science professor Marc Hetherington about election security during the pandemic. 

Before You Vote Episode 6: How student leaders are engaging voters

In the sixth episode, City & State Editor Sonia Rao talks to Greear Webb and America Juarez-Maldonado, two student leaders at UNC about what they're doing to engage student and minority voters before the election. 

Before You Vote Episode 5: N.C. Ballot Breakdown

In the fifth episode, City & State Editor Sonia Rao talks to UNC Hussman professor Joe Cabosky about what races are on the ballot in November. 

Before You Vote Episode 4: How to tackle misinformation and disinformation

In the fourth episode, City & State Editor Sonia Rao talks to UNC professor Deen Freelon and Politifact's Josie Hollingsworth about misinformation and disinformation, and how becoming more media literate could help prepare you for the election. 

Before You Vote Episode 3: How to vote in North Carolina

In the third episode, City & State Editor Sonia Rao talks to Karen Brinson-Bell, executive director of the N.C. State Board of Elections, and UNC student Leighann Vinesett, about how to vote in the upcoming election.

Before You Vote Episode 2: How COVID-19 has impacted the election

In the second episode, City & State Editor Sonia Rao talks to Rachel Raper, director of the Orange County Board of Elections, and Gerry Cohen, a member of the Wake County Board of Elections, about how the pandemic is impacting the Nov. 3 election.

Before You Vote Episode 1: Your vote matters

Election Results

In the ninth and final episode, City & State Editor Sonia Rao breaks down the results of the 2020 election with Catawba College professor and N.C. politics expert Michael Bitzer. 

Election Day

In the eighth Election Day episode, City & State Editor talks to UNC professor and Orange County Board of Elections member Jason Roberts about what to expect on election night. 

How student leaders are engaging voters

In the sixth episode, City & State Editor Sonia Rao talks to Greear Webb and America Juarez-Maldonado, two student leaders at UNC about what they're doing to engage student and minority voters before the election.

N.C. Ballot Breakdown

In the fifth episode, City & State Editor Sonia Rao talks to UNC Hussman professor Joe Cabosky about the races down the North Carolina ballot. 

Before You Vote Episode 1: Your Vote Matters

Voting is complicated. Before You Vote is a new podcast from The Daily Tar Heel's City and State desk breaking down all you need to know about voting before the 2020 election.  In its first episode, City and State Editor Sonia Rao talks with Joe Killian, an investigative reporter for NC Policy Watch, and Bob Phillips, executive director of Common Cause North Carolina about the impact of the student vote in North Carolina. This episode is produced by Meredith Radford.