State Rep. Ty Harrell will be on "The State of Things" today.

The Raleigh Democrat will join WUNC radio host Frank Stasio for a discussion about race and politics in advance of an upcoming conference at Duke University.

The two will talk "about the atmosphere surrounding a young African-American politican in Raleigh," according to a station promo.

Harrell, who represents a district that is overwhelmingly white, was highlighted as part of a "new guard of black Democrats" in the Independent Weekly of Durham last year, and has been compared to Barack Obama by more than one political observer.

Duke professors Bill Chafe and Paula McClain will join the 40 minute conversation.

The show airs at noon on 91.5 FM in Chapel Hill, 88.9 FM in Manteo and 90.9 FM in Rocky Mount.

It can also be downloaded after it airs here.