FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PBS NORTH CAROLINA ANNOUNCES 2025 SEASON OF ‘STATE LINES’

This season, the weekly program will continue to deliver balanced discussions on NC politics and policy as well as focus on Hurricane Helene recovery efforts. 

Watch the latest episode > 

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, 2/11/2025 — PBS North Carolina announces the return of the public affairs series State Lines for a third season. The weekly show, filmed at the network’s studios in Research Triangle Park, provides fair, informed discussions on North Carolina’s most pressing political and legislative issues. Hosted by Kelly McCullen, State Lines airs Friday nights at 8:30 PM as part of PBS NC’s public affairs programming block. Episodes are also available for streaming on the free PBS app and YouTube. 

“State Lines has established itself as a stable, constructive and civically minded presence in North Carolina media,” says Kelly McCullen, host and executive producer of the series. “Our bipartisan balance and wide variety of guests helped strengthen our reputation last year. In season three, we’ll continue to serve our audience by fostering insightful conversations with a diverse range of voices.” 

State Lines will build on the success of its 2024 season, which featured interviews with candidates for NC’s Council of State ahead of the November election. These one-on-one interviews offered voters direct insights from those seeking office. 

In 2025, State Lines will focus on critical post-election policy discussions and the state’s recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene. Analysts expect fiscal policy and oversight hearings related to the recovery process to be dominant topics in the coming year. 

Other issues to be explored this season include the priorities of newly elected and returning state leaders, the impact of policy decisions on local communities and North Carolina’s rising profile on the national stage. 

“North Carolina is rapidly growing, and the issues we’re experiencing here are often of national importance,” McCullen adds. “We’ll continue to provide meaningful analysis that resonates within and beyond state borders.” 

State Lines sets itself apart by offering civil, balanced and informative political discussions. The series aims to present a variety of perspectives and foster conversations that are lively yet respectful. 

“Differing viewpoints are essential to democracy,” McCullen says. “State Lines is committed to hosting discussions where viewpoints are shared in a constructive way. We hope our viewers enjoy hearing thoughtful insights about consequential issues and that it inspires them to stay engaged.” 

About the Host 

Kelly McCullen is PBS North Carolina’s Director of the North Carolina Channel and Original Productions. Since 2005, he has served as a reporter, producer, executive producer, anchor and host for PBS North Carolina. He has led legislative news coverage, moderating and producing state primary debates and executive producing nationally distributed political debates. Prior to working at PBS North Carolina, McCullen was an anchor and assistant news director at a commercial television station in Mississippi. 

About PBS North Carolina 

As North Carolina’s statewide PBS network serving the country’s third largest public media market, PBS North Carolina educates, informs, entertains and inspires its audience on air, online and in person. Through its unique partnership of public investment and private support, the network includes in-person engagement, digital-first social and online content delivery and four over-the-air channels: PBS NC, the North Carolina Channel, Rootle 24/7 PBS Kids and the Explorer Channel. Its transformational events and content spark curiosity and wonder for all North Carolinians. Additionally, PBS North Carolina serves as the backbone for North Carolina’s state emergency services. Learn more at pbsnc.org, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. 

-PBS NC-

Media Contact 
Allyson Meade, Marketing & Communications 
PBS North Carolina 
press@pbsnc.org