Hardly anybody votes in off-year elections. Why does North Carolina have them?
North Carolina Rabbit Hole
Generations ago, leaders thought local elections should be protected from state and national issues. We're still dealing with the effects of that thinking today. Find this story (and more like it) by subscribing to the North Carolina Rabbit Hole Newsletter:
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Why SO MANY houses are collapsing on the Outer Banks
North Carolina Rabbit Hole
The North Carolina Rabbit Hole's Jeremy Markovich and Outer Banks journalist Sam Walker talk about the collapses of oceanfront homes on the Outer Banks over the last month. What caused them? Why is this happening now? Why don't people just tear then down first? Who cleans them up? Read more from Sam Walker at Get more perspective from Joy Crist at the Island Free Press at Find this story (and more like it) by subscribing to the North Carolina Rabbit Hole Newsletter:
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Do It For Dale
North Carolina Rabbit Hole
On September 11, 2001, Brett Sheats was a recent graduate from Wake Forest, had just been commissioned into the Army, and was working in the campus ROTC office. On that day, he heard someone say a single sentence that was "the most incredible thing I have ever heard a human being say." Later, in Afghanistan, he'd put that sentence, and the story that went with it, to good use. In this episode, Brett tells his story, and he and Jeremy discuss the nature of strange moments that happen during scary times. Past that, it's best if you don't know much than that before you listen. in the North...
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The Bag of Weed at the NC Supreme Court
North Carolina Rabbit Hole
Recently, a lawyer dangled a baggie of cannibis in front of the North Carolina Supreme Court and dared the cops in the room to arrested him. So, how did he get away with it, and why did he do it? Today, a story about the smell of weed, the state of pot in North Carolina, and why so many products somehow are able to him that they'll get you high, legally. This episode is also . It's that you can read (and subscribe to for free, if you want) at .
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Sex, Drugs, and Ay Ziggy Zoomba (w/ Joe Ovies)
North Carolina Rabbit Hole
UNC and Bowling Green are polar opposites, yet they both share a weird fight song. Why? Blame a man who the CIA drugged with LSD, wrote lots of erotic novels, and sang a song that makes no sense. This episode is based on a story from the North Carolina Rabbit Hole titled "," and was on September 11, 2025. Learn more about the North Carolina Rabbit Hole and sign up for our weekly newsletter at .
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Why Are North Carolina Politics Like This?
North Carolina Rabbit Hole
In this episode, Western Carolina University political science professor Chris Cooper joins Jeremy Markovich to talk about the things that drive the political scene in our state, why candidates do the things they do, and how the Roy Cooper of the past made things tougher for the Roy Cooper of the present. Read more at . Check out Chris's new book, "" Read Jeremy's Politico story referenced in this episode: "."
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What's Up With White Shirts in Abandoned Car Doors?
North Carolina Rabbit Hole
Once you’ve seen one broken-down junker with a white rag in the window, you start seeing them everywhere. Is this just a North Carolina thing? What’s it supposed to mean? Why do so many people do it? And, if so many people are doing the same thing, then where did the idea come from? Reporter Jeremy Markovich investigates to get to the bottom of an old piece of highway folklore. Read more and see pictures at Subscribe to the North Carolina Rabbit Hole newsletter at
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How Much of Greenville's Economy Relies on MrBeast? (w/ Drew Harwell)
North Carolina Rabbit Hole
MrBeast (aka Jimmy Donaldson) has more than 300 million total subscribers on YouTube and some of his videos have more viewers than the Super Bowl. He’s opened restaurants. He’s launched his own food company called Feastables. The MrBeast logo is now on the jerseys of the Charlotte Hornets. Also, MrBeast is 25-years-old. This multi-million dollar YouTube media empire? It's based in Greenville, North Carolina of all places. So how did that happen? In this episode, journalist Jeremy Markovich talks to Washington Post tech reporter Drew Harwell about what happens when a big time influencer...
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The Greatest "I Voted" Sticker Ever
North Carolina Rabbit Hole
A sixth-grade student from the Raleigh area drew a boy riding a unicorn. It's now the official "I Voted Early" sticker for the Wake County Board of Elections. In this episode, artist Shannon Fisher explains some of the details and the background behind a sticker that's turning heads at polling places around Raleigh and beyond. See the sticker and read more about it: Subscribe to the North Carolina Rabbit Hole newsletter here: Thanks to Shannon Fisher, Ashley Millhiser, Gerry Cohen, and the Wake County Board of Elections. Early voting is now underway in North Carolina for the 2024 primary....
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The Dick Trickle Maneuver (w/ Ryan McGee)
North Carolina Rabbit Hole
In this episode, host Jeremy Markovich and ESPN senior writer Ryan McGee talk about beer, old school racing, a man named Dick Trickle, and a quiet trick to to help you navigate a boisterous social situation. Read Jeremy's 2013 SB Nation story about Dick Trickle: "" Subscribe to the North Carolina Rabbit Hole newsletter at . Special thanks to Kenny Wallace.
info_outlineNorth Wilkesboro Speedway is hosting the NASCAR All-Star Race, a quarter century after its last major event. Why did it sit empty for so long? And how did it finally reopen? In this episode, host Jeremy Markovich takes a look back as a historic place now looks toward a new future.
More Reading:
- "Ghosts of North Wilkesboro" (2015) - SB Nation
- "The Inside Story of How a Dead NASCAR Track Finally Reopened After 26 Years" (2022) - North Carolina Rabbit Hole
- "A Night When Anything Was Possible" (2022) - North Carolina Rabbit Hole
Music via Blue Dot Sessions under a Creative Commons license.