Eli Chen
Digital News ProducerEli Chen 陳歆 is a digital news producer at WUNC and reports on a wide range of issues relevant to the NC Triangle. The stories they cover also emphasize the state's rapidly growing Asian diaspora communities. Eli also produces editorial illustrations, which have accompanied their coverage of immigration policy, the Hopscotch 2025 festival and Embodied's relationship advice zine for the podcast's Transformation live show at Motorco. They also worked on the award-winning Scorched Workers reporting series on how rising heat from climate change is impacting outdoor workers.
Prior to WUNC, Eli was the senior editor on National Geographic's audio team, where she oversaw production of Overheard at Nat Geo, which won the 2022 Ambies Award for the best science and knowledge podcast. They also covered science and environmental issues for several years at St. Louis Public Radio and Delaware Public Media, and produced — and also appeared in — segments for Science Friday. While in St. Louis, they helped launch live storytelling shows there with the science communication nonprofit and podcast, The Story Collider. Eli also has served as a regular mentor with the NPR’s Next Generation Radio project since 2017. They have a bachelor’s degree in creative writing and environmental sustainability from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a master’s in journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism in New York.
Eli was born and raised by Taiwanese immigrants in the northwest Chicago suburbs. They live with their partner and dog in Chapel Hill, and in their spare time, they attend community art events, make zines, and organize Asian food gatherings with their friends, which includes the Congee Corner project at Scrap Exchange. You can follow them on instagram @elichenreports and reach out at elichen@wunc.org.
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While many have moved into new homes following the severe floods brought on by Tropical Storm Chantal in July, there still remain several residents who are staying in hotels. The storm also shed light on how difficult it is for low-income individuals with disabilities to find housing in the Chapel Hill area. -
U.S. Customs and Border patrol agents fanned out across the Triangle Tuesday, leading many businesses that serve or are run by immigrants to close or reduce staff. -
U.S. Customs and Border Control agents are expected to arrive in Raleigh Tuesday, according to Raleigh Mayor Janet Cowell's office. Over the weekend, immigration agents arrested more than 130 in Charlotte. -
Artist Kelsey Graywill recently installed the Hyperlocal Durham vending machine at Durham Food Hall, which sells zines about different aspects of Durham's history and culture — from urban foraging to the best spots in the city to cry in public. -
The U.S. Department of Agriculture will offer 50% of typical benefits in November using a reserve fund. North Carolina was one of the states that sued to require it to use that money amid federal shutdown. -
The U.S. Department of Agriculture says there will be no SNAP benefits issued for the month of November, which could impact the 1.34 million North Carolina residents who receive them. Here's our guide to food resources in the Triangle and how folks can help those in need. -
A $6.8 million grant from the N.C. Department of Commerce will support The Soccer Tournament at Cary's WakeMed Soccer Park through 2029. -
Some Eastgate Crossing business owners were able to reopen their storefronts this month. While they celebrate being able to reopen, they also wonder how they would handle future severe flooding events like Chantal. -
Nine 'No Kings' rallies to protest against the policies of the Trump Administration will take place in the NC Triangle. -
North Carolina's two largest airports are not showing the video of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem blaming the government shutdown on Democrats.
