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1,796 episodes - English - Latest episode: 1 day ago - ★★★★ - 703 ratingsThe news you need to know today — and the stories that will stick with you tomorrow. Plus, special series and behind-the-scenes extras from Here & Now hosts Robin Young, Scott Tong and Deepa Fernandes with help from Producer Chris Bentley and the team at NPR and WBUR.
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Episodes
Alejandro Escovedo's SIMS Foundation; India's Cinema Woes
July 14, 2021 18:36 - 41 minutes - 37.9 MBSinger-songwriter Alejandro Escovedo, co-founder of the SIMS Foundation, joins us to talk about his efforts to help musicians and their families get help for substance abuse and mental health issues. And, edged out by multiplexes, India's old-fashioned single-screen theatres have been struggling financially for decades, the pandemic only speeding up their demise. Sushmita Pathak has the report.
Complicated History Of Color Indigo; Jingle Dress Healing Project
July 14, 2021 18:36 - 41 minutes - 38.3 MBRenowned artist Firelei Báez's latest work explores the complicated history of the color indigo and pays homage to a majestic ruin in Haiti. And, a group of Native American women wearing traditional jingle dresses is traveling the U.S. to promote healing from COVID-19. The jingle dress was used for healing during another health crisis, the 1918 influenza pandemic.
Virtual Support For Dementia Caregivers; China's 'Red Tourism'
July 13, 2021 19:49 - 41 minutes - 38.2 MBCaregiver support groups were forced to go virtual because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But this helped some caregivers of loved ones with dementia find support for the first time. KJZZ's Kathy Ritchie has the story. And, as NPR's Emily Feng reports, China is promoting "red tourism" — visiting Communist Party historical sites that venerate Chairman Mao Zedong, and increasingly, the country's current leader Xi Jinping.
Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast; Dr. Fauci On Future Of Pandemic
July 13, 2021 19:45 - 41 minutes - 38 MBThe Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary in Lake Michigan contains the remains of 36 known shipwrecks and perhaps dozens more that have yet to be explored. We speak to the president of the Wisconsin Underwater Archeological Association. And, Dr. Anthony Fauci joins us to talk about the future of the pandemic, vaccinations, booster shots, variants and more.
Donkey Kong 40th Anniversary; Post-Pandemic Finances
July 12, 2021 19:34 - 41 minutes - 37.9 MBFirst released in 1981 in Japan, the arcade game Donkey Kong became a mainstream hit in the U.S., with a strong competitive scene. Steve Wiebe, the first player to hit a million points, joins us. And, as many states emerge from the worst of the pandemic, personal finance expert Jill Schlesinger has tips on positioning yourself for financial success.
The Case For Over The Counter Hearing Aids; Sun Valley Conference
July 12, 2021 19:31 - 41 minutes - 38 MBPresident Biden signed a new executive order that seeks to allow hearing aids to be sold over the counter. Audiologist Meaghan P. Reed explains what that could mean for the 37 million American adults with hearing loss. And, tech and media giants flocked to the Sun Valley Conference over the weekend. NPR's Dan Gura joins us with more.
TikTok Video Resumes; Author Sandra Boynton's New Puzzle Collection
July 09, 2021 18:34 - 42 minutes - 39.1 MBA new pilot program from TikTok is helping job seekers apply online for openings with video resumes. Several companies are now experimenting with the format to appeal to Gen Z. Al Jazeera English's Femi Oke has more. And, we talk with cartoonist and author Sandra Boynton about her new collection of jigsaw puzzles featuring quirky animals.
Advice For Buying And Owning Condos; Solar Cemeteries
July 09, 2021 18:28 - 38 minutes - 34.8 MBCondo law expert Evan McKenzie gives us a lesson in Condos 101 — everything you should know about buying a condo or owning one, especially if it's in an older building. And, more families in the U.S. are choosing to cremate their deceased loved ones instead of burying them. Connecticut Public Radio's Patrick Skahill explains how this is creating a new partnership between cemeteries and the solar industry.
DACA's 9 Year Anniversary; Pro Skateboarder's Olympic Debut
July 08, 2021 18:57 - 41 minutes - 38.3 MBGreisa Martínez Rosas, a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipient and executive director of United We Dream, talks about the work the Biden administration has yet to do on immigration. And, pro skateboarder Jake Ilardi of Florida will be on the U.S.'s first Olympic skateboarding team as the sport makes its debut at the Tokyo Olympics. He discusses the historical moment.
Blues Legend Bobby Rush Pens Memoir; Heat Wave In British Columbia
July 08, 2021 18:55 - 42 minutes - 38.8 MBGrammy-winning blues musician Bobby Rush talks about his new memoir "I Ain't Studdin' Ya: My American Blues Story." And, British Columbia is struggling through a major heat wave that's already reported to have killed hundreds of people and a billion seashore animals. CBC News senior reporter Lyndsay Duncombe has more.
Nikole Hannah-Jones Talks Tenure; Organ Transplants During Pandemic
July 07, 2021 19:33 - 43 minutes - 39.6 MBAward-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones talks about her decision to reject a tenure offer at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and instead join the faculty at Howard University. And, surprisingly, a record number of transplants were completed in 2020 despite the pandemic. STAT reporter Liz Cooney explains how hospitals continued transplantation during the pandemic.
Daryl Davis On Dismantling White Supremacy; 9/11 Lawsuit Against Saudis
July 07, 2021 19:31 - 42 minutes - 39.2 MBDaryl Davis, a Black blues musician and author, has spent many years forming relationships and talking about racism with KKK members. He explains his approach and if it's changed this past year. And, thousands of family members of 9/11 victims are pressuring the courts to release information they say will help determine whether Saudi Arabia had a role in the attacks. We talk to one of the plaintiffs and a lawyer representing them.
Bill Cosby Accuser Reacts To Release; Legal Implications Of Cosby Case
July 06, 2021 19:12 - 42 minutes - 38.6 MBOne of the women accusing Bill Cosby of sexual assault describes her reaction to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court's decision last week to overturn the comedian's 2018 sexual assault conviction. And, National Women's Law Center President and CEO Fatima Goss Graves examines what the Cosby ruling means to survivors of sexual assault.
'Firekeeper's Daughter' By Angeline Boulley; Post-Pandemic 'Normalcy Index'
July 06, 2021 19:11 - 42 minutes - 38.8 MBAuthor Angeline Boulley talks about her new young adult novel "Firekeeper's Daughter," which centers around an investigation into a new form of crystal meth coming out of an Ojibwe community in Michigan. And, much of the world is not quite back to normal yet, according to a new "normalcy index" by The Economist. Data journalist James Fransham explains.
COVID-19 Survivors Mark July 4th; Michael J. Fox On Optimism
July 05, 2021 19:53 - 42 minutes - 39 MBCOVID-19 survivors added pops of yellow to their July 4th decor to show solidarity with the more than 600,000 people who have died of the disease in the U.S. Survivor Marjorie Roberts participated. And, Michael J. Fox talks about his book "No Time Like the Future: An Optimist Considers Mortality."
What It Means To Be American; Improvising In The Kitchen
July 05, 2021 19:52 - 42 minutes - 38.6 MBWith friends and families gathering across the country, following a bleak holiday last year, we ask some of our listeners what it means to them to be an American. And, New York Times food editor Sam Sifton talks about his book "The New York Times Cooking No Recipe Recipes."
Black TikTok Creators Strike; June Jobs Report
July 02, 2021 19:29 - 41 minutes - 38.2 MBBlack TikTok creators are opting not to share their dance choreography on the app because they say they're tired of not receiving credit for it from users who co-opt them. Al Jazeera English's Femi Oke explains. And, 850,000 new jobs were added in June, defying economists' expectations. Bloomberg News senior editor Mike Regan joins us.
'After The Apocalypse' Book; SCOTUS Weakens Voting Rights Act
July 02, 2021 19:28 - 42 minutes - 38.5 MBIn "After The Apocalypse," Andrew Bacevich argues that the most important threats the U.S. faces are in North America, not on battlefields in the Middle East. And, Thursday's decision by the Supreme Court to uphold Arizona voting restrictions dealt a blow to the Voting Rights Act. Wendy Weiser of the Brennan Center for Justice talks about the impact.
'Be Anti-Racist' Podcast; New FTC Chair Opposes Big Tech
July 01, 2021 20:02 - 41 minutes - 37.8 MBWe speak with author and professor Ibram X. Kendi about his podcast "Be Anti-Racist with Ibram X. Kendi" which builds on his best-selling book. And, Biden's new Federal Trade Commissioner Lina Khan made a name for herself by advocating for stricter regulation of big tech companies. NPR's Shannon Bond gives us details about Khan's background on the day of her first open commission meeting.
Philip Glass' 'Águas Da Amazônia'; Fatal Shooting Witness Speaks Out
July 01, 2021 19:27 - 41 minutes - 38.4 MBClassical music opinionator Fran Hoepfner dives into the rivers of the Amazon as depicted by composer Philip Glass in his piece "Águas da Amazônia." And, two people were killed by a gunman in Winthrop, Massachusetts, on Saturday in what police are investigating as a hate crime. Paulo Correia was driving in the neighborhood when the gunman got into Correia's car.
Unhoused People And Extreme Heat; Payday Pending For College Athletes
June 30, 2021 19:37 - 41 minutes - 38 MBIt's slightly cooler Wednesday in Oregon and Washington after triple-digit temperatures for several days. Jimmy Jones of a community action group discusses his team's efforts to help people who are homeless. And, the NCAA is expected to allow college athletes to make money from their likeness. NPR sports correspondent Tom Goldman joins us.
Fourth Of July Grilling; Charlayne Hunter-Gault On 'Summer Of Soul'
June 30, 2021 19:36 - 41 minutes - 37.8 MBWith the Fourth of July around the corner, we get a lesson in grilling chicken skewers, clams and peaches from chef Kathy Gunst. And, the new documentary "Summer of Soul" about the Harlem Cultural Festival in the summer of 1969 opens in theaters and can be streamed on Hulu on Friday. PBS special correspondent Charlayne Hunter-Gault, who appears in the film, joins us.
'Summer Of Soul' Documentary; Future Of Hong Kong
June 29, 2021 19:06 - 42 minutes - 38.5 MB"Summer of Soul" documents the story of the Harlem Cultural Festival in 1969. We speak with Billy Davis Jr. and Marilyn McCoo of The 5th Dimension, one of the many acts that performed at the festival. And, it's been one year since China passed a sweeping national security law for Hong Kong that criminalized protest and curbed the city's autonomy from mainland China. Louisa Lim of the "Little Red Podcast" joins us to discuss.
Maryland's Crab Industry Bounces Back; Tree Equity In Cleveland
June 29, 2021 19:04 - 41 minutes - 37.8 MBLast year was difficult for Maryland's crab industry. But as WAMU's Dominique Maria Bonessi reports, this season is already promising to be much better. And, in Cleveland, Ohio, many low-income neighborhoods lack trees. A new campaign is trying to bring greater "tree equity" and help the city stay cooler as the climate changes. NPR's Dan Charles has the story.
Incarcerated Voting Laws; Return To The Office Dealbreaker
June 28, 2021 19:48 - 42 minutes - 38.8 MBMillions of formerly incarcerated people in the U.S. were eligible to vote in the 2020 election, but a new analysis suggests few did. The Marshall Project's Nicole Lewis joins us. And, with companies calling workers back to work after months of working from home, some people are realizing they don't want to return. Author and professor Dorie Clark weighs in with her advice.
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Conductor; COVID-19 Long-Hauler Suicides
June 28, 2021 19:47 - 42 minutes - 38.9 MBJonathan Rush, assistant conductor for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, joins us to talk about what songs are on his summer playlist. And, COVID-19 long-haulers are people whose coronavirus symptoms linger, and even worsen, for months after they're cleared of infection. We speak with one husband whose 50-year-old wife died by suicide after enduring 13 months of debilitating post-virus symptoms.
Journalists Rethink Their Role; Riding The California Zephyr
June 25, 2021 20:02 - 42 minutes - 38.6 MBAfter last year's political turmoil and racial reckoning, newsrooms were looking inward at their own status quo. Three journalists discuss how the past year changed them. And, Amtrak's California Zephyr travels nearly 2,500 miles between Chicago and San Francisco. Colorado Public Radio's Stina Sieg brings us along on her ride all the way across the state and back.
War On Drugs 50 Years Later; Mary J. Blige Documentary
June 25, 2021 20:02 - 41 minutes - 37.9 MB50 years after President Nixon declared a War on Drugs, some of the hardest-hit communities are still dealing with its effect. NPR's addiction correspondent Brian Mann visits two of them and shares his reporting. And, we speak with Grammy-winning composer Mervyn Warren about his work on the new documentary "Mary J. Blige's My Life."
Summer Book Recommendations; Britney Spears Asks To End Conservatorship
June 24, 2021 19:44 - 42 minutes - 39.3 MBPetra Mayer of NPR Books shares her top book recommendations for summer 2021. And, Britney Spears appeared in court on Wednesday and pleaded for an end to the tight legal hold she's been under for the past 13 years. Variety's Elizabeth Wagmeister talks about Spears' conservatorship.
'Sesame Street' Tackles Racism; Turning Plastic Into Vanilla Flavoring
June 24, 2021 19:42 - 42 minutes - 38.9 MBTwo new Black puppets have joined "Sesame Street" to teach children about systemic inequality and racism. Rocío Galarza of the Sesame Workshop discusses their efforts in teaching kids about racial literacy. And, for the first time, scientists at the University of Edinburgh have converted plastic bottles into vanilla flavoring. Researcher Stephen Wallace talks about the process, challenges and plastic sustainability.
Are Humans Reaching Our Brain Capacity?; Drug Recovery Centers
June 23, 2021 19:48 - 42 minutes - 38.8 MBRemember learning humans use 10% of our brains? That's 100% false! Our brains are always active and actually have limits. Author Annie Murphy Paul and neuroscientist Peter Reiner join us. And, Massachusetts drug recovery centers are giving drug users a second chance to rebuild their lives. WBUR's Martha Bebinger has the story of one longtime drug user.
Kids Return To Summer Camp; SCOTUS Rules In Favor Of Cheerleader
June 23, 2021 19:46 - 43 minutes - 39.4 MBAfter a dismal summer last year, the demand for day camps and sleepaway camps is up. The president of the American Camp Association explains what the camp experience is like this summer. And, the Supreme Court ruled comments a cheerleader made about her school on social media were protected speech under the First Amendment. NPR's Carrie Johnson discusses the ruling.
Uber And Lyft Raise Prices; Kansas City's Initiative To End Traffic Deaths
June 22, 2021 19:38 - 41 minutes - 38.4 MBRide-hailing services are struggling to keep up with the increased demand brought on by the easing of pandemic-related restrictions. Now fares are going up but drivers aren't seeing a fair cut. We speak with a Lyft driver in Austin, Texas. And, even though the pandemic kept cars off the road, traffic fatalities went up in 2020. Kansas City, Missouri, has pledged to reach zero traffic deaths by 2030.
Carl Nassib's Coming Out Story; College Cancels Student Debt
June 22, 2021 19:36 - 41 minutes - 38.4 MBWhen Carl Nassib of the Las Vegas Raiders came out on his Instagram on Monday, he made history as the first openly gay active player in the NFL. Amit Paley of The Trevor Project discusses the significance of the announcement. And, Wilberforce University canceled $375,000 in debt for graduates. President Elfred Anthony Pinkard talks about the gesture.
Family Of Police Shooting Survivor; Future Of Work And Saving
June 21, 2021 19:50 - 42 minutes - 38.7 MBOne family was reluctantly thrust into activism after their son survived a 2015 police shooting. Now, the Pean family is still wrestling with the meaning of being Black in America. Kaiser Health News' Sarah Varney joins us. And, as Americans navigate the next chapter of the pandemic, is it time to rethink how we save money? CBS's Jill Schlesinger weighs in.
Greening The Steel Industry; A Look At '2nd Amendment Sanctuaries'
June 21, 2021 19:50 - 42 minutes - 38.9 MBScience journalist Mark Peplow explains the ways the steel industry is moving toward producing less greenhouse gases, including a Swedish project that is preparing to make fossil-fuel-free steel commercially available in five years. And, so-called "Second Amendment sanctuaries" are states, cities or counties that adopted legislation meant to counter perceived encroachments on gun rights. A professor breaks down their legality.
Millions Of Americans Quit Their Jobs; Mexico Sinkhole Swallows House
June 18, 2021 19:19 - 42 minutes - 38.5 MBDespite the economic devastation caused by the pandemic, millions of Americans are leaving their jobs. In April, some 4 million people quit, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. We explore what's pushing so many people to quit their jobs. And, a large sinkhole has been growing at a farm in Mexico since May. It's already swallowed a house, and two dogs had to be rescued recently from the hole.
Juneteenth Mural; Parenting In The Pandemic
June 18, 2021 19:13 - 42 minutes - 38.7 MBIt's a momentous day in the U.S. as a new holiday, Juneteenth, becomes official. In 1865 in Galveston, Texas, enslaved Black Americans learned of their freedom. Now, a new mural honors the day. Houston Public Media's Elizabeth Trovall has more. And, the pandemic and years of political and social unrest have changed parenting. Writer and parent Carvell Wallace joins us.
Transgender Athletes In Tokyo Olympics; Dinner Party Recipes
June 17, 2021 20:14 - 41 minutes - 38.4 MBSeveral transgender athletes around the world are vying to make history at the upcoming Tokyo Olympics. We speak with LGBTQ sportswriter Cyd Zeigler and professional runner Nikki Hiltz, who recently announced they are transgender and nonbinary. And, ready to start hosting again? Chef Kathy Gunst has recipes for entertaining as many states lift pandemic restrictions.
Relationship Between Freedom And Voting; Title IX Protects Trans Students
June 17, 2021 20:13 - 41 minutes - 38.1 MBAfter record voter turnout in 2020, Republican-controlled legislatures are passing restrictive voting rights laws, emboldened by false claims of voter fraud. The CEO of the New Georgia Project explains what these attacks mean for the American freedom to vote. And, the Department of Education says transgender students are protected from discrimination under Title IX. The 19th reporter Kate Sosin joins us.
Genetically Modified Mosquitoes; 'Truth Like Oil' Novel
June 16, 2021 18:49 - 41 minutes - 37.9 MBFlorida Keys officials are working on a unique experiment: hatching thousands of genetically modified mosquitos and releasing them. Andrea Leal of the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District explains. And, Connie Biewald discusses her new novel, "Truth Like Oil," about a Black teen struggling with his own demons as his prospects of walking across the stage on graduation day grow smaller.
Ursula Burns' Journey To Xerox CEO; Cruise Industry And Vaccine Passports
June 16, 2021 18:43 - 41 minutes - 38 MBWhen Ursula Burns was named the CEO of Xerox in 2009, she became the first Black woman to head a Fortune 500 company. Her new memoir takes readers through her nearly 30-year journey from intern to CEO. And, Celebrity Cruises is requiring passengers 16 and older to show COVID-19 vaccination proof, but that goes against the law in its home state of Florida. The Miami Herald's Taylor Dolven explains the fight over vaccine requirements.
Teaching Juneteenth In Schools; Valedictorian Donates Scholarship
June 15, 2021 18:33 - 41 minutes - 38.1 MBAuthor Clint Smith explains why Juneteenth isn't taught in schools and how that contributes to distorted views of slavery. And, valedictorian Verda Tetteh won a $40,000 scholarship at her high school graduation. Then, she headed back to the podium and announced that she would prefer that a student in greater need receive the scholarship instead. Tetteh joins us.
Original Pride Flag; Museums Release Juneteenth Movie
June 15, 2021 18:27 - 41 minutes - 38.1 MBA fragment of the original Pride flag has been discovered and is now on display in San Francisco. We talk with Charles Beal, a friend of the flag's creator. And, 10 Black cultural centers and museums are releasing their collaborative movie "Juneteenth." Asia Harris and Tiffany Cooper, who worked on the film, join us.
Cover Songs Galore; The State Of Sex Education
June 14, 2021 19:18 - 41 minutes - 38 MBPatrick Bryant's radio show "Subject to Change" covers the same song for two hours. He joins us to discuss his latest pick "I Just Don't Know What to Do With Myself." And, state legislatures from multiple states have recently taken up bills that address sex education in schools. Oregon OB-GYN Dr. Jennifer Lincoln and sex educator KC Slack weigh in.
New Cancer Blood Test; Re-Evaluating School Police
June 14, 2021 19:15 - 41 minutes - 37.6 MBA new treatment could be a game changer for some patients with tumor-based cancers. It's a simple blood test that shows recurrence of cancer months before it can appear on MRIs, CT scans and X-rays. We speak to a doctor and a patient using the test. And, we speak with the executive director of the National Association of School Resource Officers, about the strengths and weaknesses of school policing.
'Keeping Up With The Kardashians' Ends; Drama Book Shop Reopens In NYC
June 11, 2021 20:12 - 42 minutes - 39.2 MBNPR TV critic Eric Deggans discusses the end of an era after "Keeping Up With The Kardashians" aired its final episode. And, NYC's Drama Book Shop shut down prior to the pandemic and was then saved by Lin-Manuel Miranda and his often-collaborator Thomas Kail. NPR's Jeff Lunden reports on the store's long-awaited reopening.
Portraits Of Valor; Arizona Arboretum Saved From Wildfire
June 11, 2021 20:07 - 42 minutes - 38.8 MBAfter World War II, veteran Charles Waterhouse made it his mission to honor his fellow Marines by painting their portraits. His daughter Jane Waterhouse joins us to discuss publishing his art in the book "Valor in Action." And, the Boyce Thompson Arboretum, Arizona's oldest and largest botanical garden, was saved Monday from the Telegraph Fire after firefighters dropped flame retardant from an air tanker. The arboretum's executive director talks about the rescue.
Future Of Fitness Industry; Tribal Leader On Keystone XL Pipeline
June 10, 2021 19:06 - 42 minutes - 38.6 MBWhen gyms closed last year, millions of Americans went online to keep fit during the pandemic. Marc Santa Maria, national director of group fitness for Crunch Fitness, discusses the future of the fitness industry. And, the company behind the Keystone XL pipeline announced it's terminating the project after more than a decade of fighting. Larry Wright Jr, chairman of Nebraska's Ponca Tribe, shares his reaction.
Alzheimer's Doctors On Biogen's New Drug; Tax Inequality
June 10, 2021 19:04 - 42 minutes - 38.9 MBThere's excitement — and controversy — surrounding Biogen's new Alzheimer's drug. What are doctors saying? Dr. Jason Karlawish and Dr. Gayatri Devi discuss the drug's promise and peril. And, ProPublica revealed a trove of tax records showing the megarich pay next to nothing in income taxes. Robert McClelland of the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center weighs in.