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Autumn Smith visits Game & Geek Expo and interviews celebrity guest voice actors Samantha Kelly and Kenny James who formerly voiced Princess Peach and Bowser from the Super Mario series video games.
Introducing the episode is WKNC content creator Vick Hernandez, providing updates on the NC State Physical Master Plan, campus parking concerns and the Wolfpack's women's soccer team.
Eye on the Triangle is a podcast produced by WKNC 88.1 FM HD-1/HD-2, student-run radio from NC State University. Like what you hear? Consider supporting it with a gift to the WKNC Enhancement Fund. Visit our podcast page to hear more and follow us on all social media platforms @WKNC881. Thanks for listening.
Introducing the episode is WKNC content creator Vick Hernandez, providing updates on the NC State Physical Master Plan, campus parking concerns and the Wolfpack's women's soccer team.
Eye on the Triangle is a podcast produced by WKNC 88.1 FM HD-1/HD-2, student-run radio from NC State University. Like what you hear? Consider supporting it with a gift to the WKNC Enhancement Fund. Visit our podcast page to hear more and follow us on all social media platforms @WKNC881. Thanks for listening.
Creators and Guests
What is Eye on the Triangle?
Eye on the Triangle is WKNC 88.1 FM HD-1/HD-2’s weekly public affairs programming with news, interviews, opinion, weather, sports, arts, music, events and issues that matter to NC State, Raleigh and the Triangle.
00:04
Autumn Smith
You are now listening to Eye on the Triangle, WKNC weekly public affairs program from the campus of North Carolina State University. Any views and opinions expressed during Eye on the Triangle do not represent NC State or student media. This is WKNC 88.1 FM HD-1 Raleigh. Hello everyone. Thank you for tuning in to Eye on the Triangle. My name is Autumn Smith. This episode features coverage from the Game and Geek Expo hosted in Downtown Raleigh on September 5th through 6th, where WKNC spoke with celebrity guests Samantha Kelly and Kenny James, who voiced Peach and Bowser from the Mario series video games. But first, here is a new summary for the week of September 1, 2026 from Public affairs content creator Vick Hernandez.
00:48
Vick Hernandez
Good morning everybody. My name is Vick Hernandez and I'll be hosting your Triangle News updates this Monday. In June of 2023, NC State's Physical Master Plan was introduced and approved by the NC Board of Trustees. According to an article on the Nubian Message. The plan was named Framing the Future and emphasized renovations in the North Central and Centennial precincts. This project focuses on developing a polycentric campus, neighborhood hubs, campus paths and green network connectivity with the intent to incorporate these ideas across the University. A few notable changes include a multi service mobility hub on Jeter Drive, the relocation of the softball stadium to behind Lee Lot and a parking deck featuring greenery, and a rooftop pavilion that replaces the SAS hall parking lot.
01:39
Vick Hernandez
One of the biggest developments in motion is the increase of connectivity across the University campus and with it the introduction of new pedestrian friendly spaces with concepts in the works for a multimodal path connecting North Campus to Centennial and the improvement of the Avent Ferry Crossing. Broughton and Stinson Drive will also be remodeled into pedestrian spaces with amenities such as larger sidewalks, dedicated scooter and bike lanes, and increased lighting. Finally, the Centennial Precinct will see an increase in public and private facilities with visions for an amphitheater by Lake Raleigh, a nearby residential neighborhood and a variety of commercial buildings near Dorothea Dix Park. The physical plan was approved three years ago, but presents challenges for the NC State community today. While the plan highlights many exciting developments, many students and faculty worry about the future transportation struggles these projects could present.
02:38
Vick Hernandez
Data from a technician article reveals that there is a projected loss of 1,700 to 2,000 parking spaces from this plan. For reference, NC State transportation typically allocates 7,000 spaces for permit holders and 3,000 spaces for students living on campus. With such a large community, the demand for parking is already sky high and the removal of existing parking options could exacerbate this issue. The master plan hopes to combat this problem though, by encouraging multimodal transportation with their pedestrian friendly spaces and campus pathway renovations. In addition to this, NC State Transportation suggested alternatives such as utilizing the Wolfline campus bus services and the Go passes for the Triangle bus system. There's also hourly parking available in certain Hillsborough street lots. Currently, there is no timeline for the removal of the Coliseum deck. However, as construction for the physical master plan progresses, parking will become more scarce.
03:43
Vick Hernandez
Now let's take a look at NC State sports. Recently the men's soccer team faced against Florida Atlantic University in a nail biter game. NC State dominated the first half, but FAU quickly recovered with two successive goals that tied the game. The Wolfpack nearly scored a game winner at 76 minutes, but ultimately could not hold off Florida Atlantic, resulting in a 33 tie. Their next game will be an intense home match against Duke University who they earned a 20 win over last year in a win for the Wolf Pack. The women's soccer team has continued to defend their perfect season with a 61 win against Davidson. Last year, the team was defeated in a tough 10 loss away, so winning this game was especially rewarding.
04:30
Vick Hernandez
On top of this, forward Jade Bordaleau scored their second hat trick and midfielder Madison Casteen netted the fastest goal of the season at 2 minutes and 17 seconds. This is the first time NC State has started with a perfect six game record since 2008. This has been your weekly news report. I'm Vick Hernandez and you are listening to WKNC 88.1 HD Raleigh.
04:58
Autumn Smith
Thank you Vick for the news summaries. Reporting courtesy of NC State Student Media Publications Nubian Message and Technician after last week's interview with the people behind Raleigh Retro Gamers, WKNC visited the Game and Geek Expo at the newly renamed Atlantic Union Bank Convention Center. Hundreds of gamers, vendors and curious attendees gathered across the full convention exhibit hall for a collection of video games and gaming centric. Vendor booths across the walls of the expo included a stage for events, lines to meet celebrity guests, and a live wrestling ring that hosted independent wrestlers from the Raleigh area. We checked in with celebrity guests Samantha Kelly and Kenny James, who voiced Princess Peach and Bowser from the Super Mario series of video games about their time at the expo and visiting downtown Raleigh.
05:41
Samantha Kelly
I got a chance to come with of all people Kenny James--Bowser--and look, they put me right next to him. So you know what? Did you bring any extra shells you could throw at him?
05:51
Autumn Smith
I bought one of them; I could throw them at him right now.
05:53
Samantha Kelly
Awesome. Yay. Yes. No, we just love to get together anytime we can with people who love the Mario franchise. And we hang out, we talk video games, we do the voices, and we just enjoy. So, yeah, we're here just to represent. And I met so many people today.
06:09
Autumn Smith
That's incredible. What have the people been like here?
06:12
Samantha Kelly
Fun. And we've seen a few really great cosplays as well. Quite a few bowsers, honestly.
06:17
Autumn Smith
Really, I would expect more peach than bowser.
06:19
Samantha Kelly
Yeah, we've seen a couple peaches, but more bowsers.
06:23
Autumn Smith
Have you been to the Raleigh area before? How's it treating you right now?
06:26
Samantha Kelly
It's my first time. I love it. It's really beautiful. I'm looking forward tonight, like, just being out and getting some good food.
06:33
Autumn Smith
I know you're probably not getting the best impression right now with the heat going on in Raleigh.
06:38
Samantha Kelly
It'll be cooler tonight, though. I started in radio and that's how I got to do these characters is I was recording my voice and doing commercials and I was doing actually a serious radio station, you know, one of those broadcasts. And a guy came up to me and goes, do you have an agent? And I said, no. And so then I started doing all kinds of auditions and that's how I got this audition. So, yeah, radio is very dear to my heart. I love radio and I love just the chance to. I think these days people want more connection and when you're connecting with your voice, I think it's a better way to just be close to people, you know?
07:14
Autumn Smith
Is this your first time in Raleigh? How's your experience been?
07:17
Kenny James
I think this is my second time here. I don't remember when the last time was, but today has been great. Been lots of great people. We had a marvelous panel earlier today, so fantastic.
07:30
Autumn Smith
Overall, how has your experience been at Game and Geek Expo? Have the people been nice?
07:34
Kenny James
Absolutely. It's been a huge, happy group of fans.
07:40
Autumn Smith
After breaking record attendance in their second year, Game and Geek Expo is likely headed for another year in the downtown area as the tech and gaming sectors of the Triangle grow rapidly. This has been Eye on the Triangle from WKNC 88.1 FM HD-1 Raleigh. Thank you again to Vick Hernandez for the weekly news summary. Our theme song is City Lights by BerryDeep, licensed under Creative Commons. To re listen to this or any other episode, visit wknc.org/podcast or subscribe to Eye on the Triangle on your favorite podcast site or app. Thank you for listening.