Here & Now Anytime
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
Migrant Farmworkers Face Wildfires, COVID-19; Vote By Mail Trial
October 06, 2020 17:06 - 41 minutesFarmworkers, especially in the West, are facing double the risk this year, with the record-breaking wildfires and the pandemic. Monica Ramirez comes from a farmworker family and now leads an organization to help them. And, vote by mail challenges have popped up across the U.S. We check in on the state of mail-in-voting with Amber McReynolds, CEO of The National Vote At Home Institute.
Kenosha Businesses On Edge; Kansas Voters
October 05, 2020 18:02 - 41 minutesThe Wisconsin Department of Justice says it's nearly done with its review of the officer-involved shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha. Among those waiting for the report are Kenosha's business owners, many of whom have tightened security out of concern over the potential of more civil unrest. Also, we hear from voters in Kansas, a Republican stronghold, about the issues that matter most to them ahead of the presidential election.
Preserving Native Cuisine; How Mail-In Voting Could Impact The Election
October 05, 2020 17:08 - 41 minutesThe U.S. has a rich and diverse indigenous culinary past and present. Chef Sean Sherman has worked hard to preserve and popularize Native cuisine through this new Indigenous Food Lab in Minneapolis and nonprofit. And, we look at how mail-in voting could affect the election and whether it could end up hurting Democrats with Derek Thompson, staff writer at The Atlantic.
Can The US Stop COVID-19?; Top TV Picks For Fall
October 02, 2020 20:12 - 42 minutesAs the president tests positive for coronavirus, we take a step back to look at how the U.S. could stop the pandemic. Andy Slavitt, who led the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services under former President Obama, joins us. And, fall TV releases may be slowed because of the pandemic, but new shows are still coming out. NPR TV critic Eric Deggans shares some of his favorite upcoming shows.
Trump Tests Positive For Coronavirus; Wildfires And Water Safety
October 02, 2020 19:12 - 42 minutesPresident Trump and first lady Melania Trump have tested positive for the coronavirus. NPR's Frank Langfitt shares the latest on the world's reaction. And, after the Tubbs Fire in 2017, residents began to smell an odor in their water that turned out to be the carcinogen benzene. We talk to Purdue University professor Andrew Whelton about how current wildfires in the West are likely impacting the water supply.
'The Good Lord Bird' Comes To TV; Fall Noodle Soup Recipes
October 01, 2020 18:11 - 42 minutesThe Showtime adaptation of James McBride's National Book Award-winning novel "The Good Lord Bird" begins Sunday. We speak with McBride and star Joshua Caleb Johnson. And, resident chef Kathy Gunst gives us comforting noodle soup recipes to share this fall.
Restaurants Prepare For Winter Dining; Union Members On Biden, Trump
October 01, 2020 18:09 - 43 minutesA sobering report from estimates that as many as 85% of individual and small restaurant groups might not survive the year. We talk to three people in the restaurant industry about how they're getting creative with winter dining. And, we talk to two union members about who they plan to vote for in November.
Jim Parsons On 'The Boys In The Band'; How Chris Wallace Handled The Debate
September 30, 2020 18:16 - 42 minutesActor Jim Parsons joins us to discuss "The Boys in the Band," a new adaptation of Mart Crowley's play that drops on Netflix Wednesday. And, moderator Chris Wallace struggled to manage the chaotic debate between President Trump and Joe Biden Tuesday night. NPR's David Folkenflik discusses Wallace's performance and the challenges he faced moderating the discussion and the interruptions.
Proud Boys Explainer; Workers' Rights During COVID-19
September 30, 2020 18:15 - 41 minutesIn Tuesday's debate, Trump prompted the Proud Boys, a far-right group, to "stand back and stand by." CNN's Elle Reeve explains who the group is and what they represent. As the economy reopens during the pandemic, what are the rights of the people who are working at restaurants, offices and places of entertainment? And what protections are employers required to provide? Sharon Block of Harvard's Labor and Worklife Program discusses.
Daughter Shares Late Father's COVID-19 Story; Karen Russell's 'Sleep Donation'
September 29, 2020 19:42 - 43 minutesShafqat Khan is among the more than 200,000 people who have died from the coronavirus in the U.S. He was 76. His daughter, Sabila Khan, shares his story and her memories of him. And, we speak with author Karen Russell about her novella "Sleep Donation" about an insomnia pandemic. It's out in paperback on Tuesday.
Florida Seniors On 2020 Election; Hypnosis Used In Texas Courts
September 29, 2020 17:12 - 42 minutesPresident Trump swept the senior vote in 2016, but Joe Biden is pulling many of those voters back to the Democratic party. We talk to three senior Floridians across the state and the political spectrum. Also, we speak with Lauren McGaughy of the Dallas Morning News about her year-long investigation looking into why some police officers still use hypnosis in court cases after it was banned in many states.
Sunrise Movement On Biden's Climate Change Plan; No-Knock Warrants
September 28, 2020 18:11 - 41 minutesClimate change could be a key issue for many younger voters this election. We discuss Joe Biden's climate plan with Aracely Jimenez-Hudis, deputy communications director for the Sunrise Movement. And, Howard University law professor Lenese Herbert joins us to discuss the grand jury decision in the police-involved killing of Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Kentucky.
Audio Deep Fakes; Trump's Federal Taxes
September 28, 2020 18:10 - 42 minutesWe tend to trust our ears because we're so attuned to the voices of our family members and famous people. But experts say artificial intelligence allows computers to learn voices and reproduce them. We discuss with sound expert Dallas Taylor. Also, The New York Times reported Sunday that President Trump paid just $750 in federal income taxes in 2016 and 2017 — and none at all in 10 of the previous 15 years. NPR's Franco Ordonez has the latest.
$6 Million To Improve Elections In Kentucky; How The Allies Won WWII
September 25, 2020 18:37 - 41 minutesKentucky received $6 million from Congress through the Cares Act for election improvements. We speak with Jared Dearing, executive director of the Kentucky State Board of Elections. And, John Arquilla wrote a book that looks at the strategy and tactics used by the Allies and the Axis powers in World War II. He joins us to discuss how the Allies won the war.
Domestic 'Troll Farms'; Mosaic Arctic Expedition
September 25, 2020 17:36 - 40 minutesWe talk to Graham Brookie of the Atlantic Council about Turning Point USA, a pro-Trump youth group that has been paying young conservatives to make false posts online claiming that mail-in ballots will lead to election fraud. Brookie says this kind of domestic misinformation is more dangerous than foreign because of its scale and scope. Also, a group of researchers from 20 countries is about to conclude what they're calling the largest polar expedition in history. We talk to one of the resear...
Ibram X. Kendi On Breonna Taylor; Gillian Flynn's 'Utopia'
September 24, 2020 18:12 - 41 minutesAfter no officers in Louisville, Kentucky, were charged in the death of Breonna Taylor, many people are feeling pain, anger and uncertainty about where to go from here in the fight for justice for Black Americans. Author and historian Ibram X. Kendi joins us to discuss what's next for the movement. And, author Gillian Flynn talks about her new Amazon series "Utopia."
Former RBG Clerk On The Justice's Legacy; Trump's 'Patriotic Education'
September 24, 2020 17:08 - 41 minutesAcross the country, Americans are remembering Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a woman who dedicated her life to the fight for equality before the law. We talk with professor Jonathan Entin, who once a clerk for the Supreme Court justice. Also, Education Week reporter Andrew Ujifusa discusses Trump's call for patriotic education designed by the 1776 Commission that he established last week.
GOP Report On Hunter Biden; Climate Change Effects On Human Body
September 23, 2020 18:56 - 41 minutesA new report released by Republican senators calls Hunter Biden's role in the Ukrainian energy company Burisma "problematic" and "awkward," but says it's not clear what effect it has on U.S. policy toward Ukraine. Karoun Demirjian, national security reporter for The Washington Post, joins us to discuss. And, Dr. Neelu Tummala talks about the public health crisis being caused by climate change.
Racial Discrimination In Mormon Church; Beavers And Climate Change
September 22, 2020 18:08 - 40 minutesThe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, popularly known as the Mormon church, has a troubled history with racial discrimination. We speak to two Mormons, Black and white, about how they're talking about race in their church after protests against racism sparked a worldwide movement. And, beavers are inadvertently contributing to climate change by flooding millennia-old permafrost. Researcher Ken Tape joins us with more.
Climate Change Connection To Fires; Lang Lang's 'Goldberg Variations'
September 22, 2020 17:49 - 41 minutesResearchers say it's clear that the destructive fires in Oregon, California and Washington are being fueled by climate change. But what does that really look like? We speak with climate scientist Park Williams, who wrote a paper last year that looks closely at the connections between climate change and fire activity. Also, Chinese classical pianist Lang Lang talks about his new recording of Bach's "Goldberg Variations."
Addressing Climate Change In Medical School; Ruth Bader Ginsburg's Legacy
September 21, 2020 18:06 - 41 minutesA group of doctors created a new teaching framework to teach medical residents how to address climate change with their patients. We speak to the lead author of this new resource. And, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died Friday at the age of 87. We look at her legacy with Irin Carmon, co-author of "Notorious RBG: The Life And Times Of Ruth Bader Ginsburg."
Parallels Between Climate Change And Pandemic; Clear Masks
September 21, 2020 17:08 - 41 minutesCoronavirus and climate change — two crises that have revealed so much about our country. Climate journalist Emily Atkin looks at the parallels and tells us why the pandemic has given her more reason to hope we can tackle climate change. Also, masks can cause significant problems for those with deafness or hearing deficits. A number of companies are now selling masks that cover the mouth area with clear plastic, leaving the mouth fully visible.
'The Social Dilemma' Director; Storm Season Update
September 18, 2020 19:40 - 41 minutesThe new Netflix documentary "The Social Dilemma" lays out a case against the primacy of big tech companies and argues social media is undermining our shared sense of reality. Director Jeff Orlowski joins us to discuss the film. And, we check in with meteorologist Megan Borowski with the Florida Public Radio Emergency Network on the next storms that could threaten the U.S. after Hurricane Sally and Hurricane Laura hit the Gulf Coast.
Saving Coral Off Of Florida Keys; Democrats And Catholics
September 18, 2020 17:18 - 41 minutesSarah Fangman, superintendent of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, explains the latest technique being used to save coral off of the Florida Keys. Also, Democrats have been struggling for years to retain support among a once-loyal voter base: Catholics. That trend is evident in the key swing state of Pennsylvania. Lucy Perkins of WESA reports.
Susan Sarandon In 'Blackbird,' California Fire Resources
September 17, 2020 18:07 - 42 minutesIn the new film "Blackbird," Susan Sarandon stars as a woman with Lou Gehrig's disease who gathers her family for a last holiday celebration. Sarandon and director Roger Michell join us to discuss the film. And Cal Fire deputy director Daniel Berlant joins us to talk about whether there are enough resources to fight the fires right now.
Architect Frank Gehry; Camp Fire Survivors On Current Wildfires
September 17, 2020 17:25 - 42 minutesThe new Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial, designed by world-renowned architect Frank Gehry, is being dedicated Thursday in Washington, D.C. We talk with Gehry about designing the memorial. Also, the wildfires on the West Coast have forced thousands of people to flee their homes. The Collins family in Oregon has been through this before. They share what they've learned from their experience.
Breonna Taylor Settlement; Students On New School Year
September 16, 2020 18:56 - 42 minutesLouisville, Kentucky, will pay a $12 million settlement to the family of Breonna Taylor and implement police reforms. UCLA Law professor Joanna Schwartz joins us to discuss the settlement. And, students from two different school districts share their experiences with the new school year amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tips And Recipes For At-Home Canning; Police Morale Is Falling
September 16, 2020 18:52 - 43 minutesResident chef Kathy Gunst joins us with tips and recipes to can seasonal fruits and vegetables. And, we discuss what it's like to be an officer in 2020 with Chuck Wexler, executive director of the Police Executive Research Forum. He also talks about whether low police morale could be resulting in a work slowdown.
The Role Of 'Swing Tribes'; Mass Bird Die-Offs In New Mexico
September 15, 2020 18:19 - 42 minutesRobeson County in North Carolina is one of the most diverse counties in the country and home to the Lumbee Tribe. Lumbee Chairman Harvey Godwin explains the role of the Lumbee as a pivotal "swing tribe" in this year's election. And, professor Martha Desmond joins us to discuss what might be killing off tens of thousands of birds in New Mexico.
K-pop And Activism; Voting Rights For People With Felony Convictions
September 15, 2020 17:12 - 43 minutesK-pop groups are facing a call to action and activism. Crystal Anderson, author of the new book "Soul in Seoul: African American Popular Music and K-Pop," explains. Also, more than 6 million people in the U.S. are unable to vote because of a felony conviction. WPLN's Samantha Max looks at how difficult and expensive regaining the right to vote can be in Tennessee.
Future Of Museums; West Coast Residents On Wildfires, Smoke
September 14, 2020 19:56 - 42 minutesAfter months of being closed due to the pandemic, museums around the U.S. are slowly reopening. The world they are opening their doors to, however, has changed markedly. We talk to two museum professionals about the future of museums in light of both the pandemic and renewed calls for racial equality. Also, we hear from people in Washington, Oregon and California about how they are dealing with the smoke and wildfires still raging in the West Coast.
COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution; Racism In Classical Music
September 14, 2020 18:12 - 42 minutesWhen a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine becomes available, it's a complex process to distribute it and make it accessible to everyone who needs it. Dr. William Moss of Johns Hopkins University joins us to discuss. And, classical composer Brandon Keith Brown talks about racism in the classical music world and how to diversify the genre.
Sarah Paulson In 'Ratched'; University Of Missouri President
September 11, 2020 18:02 - 42 minutesStudents forced into quarantine due to a COVID-19 outbreak at the University of Missouri say that school administrators have neglected them. University President Mun Choi talks about the tension between students and school officials. And, Sarah Paulson joins us to discuss her new HBO movie, "Coastal Elites," and the Netflix series, "Ratched."
Surviving 9/11; Detained Jogger Now Works On Police Anti-Bias Training
September 11, 2020 17:06 - 41 minutesBrian Clark was working on the 84th floor of 2 World Trade Center on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001. He was one of the few people who were able to escape from one of the floors above where the plane hit the building. And, on Aug. 27, police apologized to Joseph Griffin after detaining him while he jogged in his mostly white neighborhood. Griffin has since been asked to work with the police department on anti-bias training.
COVID-19 Survivor Corps; Crime In The U.S.
September 10, 2020 18:06 - 42 minutesAfter surviving COVID-19, 44-year-old Diana Berrent realized there were others like her who could offer a lot to each other — and to science. She joins us to discuss the group she founded, Survivor Corps. And, President Trump has made public safety a cornerstone of his re-election campaign, saying that crime is rampant in cities around the country. University of Missouri St. Louis criminologist Richard Rosenfeld talks about what the crime statistics tell us right now.
Helen Macdonald's New Essay Collection; Oregon Fire Evacuations
September 10, 2020 17:06 - 41 minutesWe speak with "H is for Hawk" author Helen Macdonald about her new essay collection, "Vesper Flights." Also, active large fires continue to grow in California, Washington and Oregon. Jes Burns of Oregon Public Broadcasting has been covering fires for years and says she evacuated her home in Medford for the first time this week due to the Almeda Fire. She assesses the situation there.
California's Poor Air Quality; AstraZeneca Pauses COVID-19 Vaccine Study
September 09, 2020 18:18 - 42 minutesIt's been the biggest wildfire season in California's modern history. Bonnie Holmes-Gen, member of the California Air Resources Board, joins us to discuss the state's dangerous air quality. Also, AstraZeneca says it is pausing its COVID-19 vaccine study after the company revealed that a trial participant had a serious adverse reaction in the U.K. Adam Feuerstein, a senior writer at STAT, explains.
Police Use Of Ketamine; Former FBI Agent Peter Strzok
September 08, 2020 18:08 - 42 minutesThere's been a growing concern over the use of the anesthetic ketamine as a law enforcement tool to subdue suspects in the field. The American Society of Anesthesiologists has issued a statement opposing the use of ketamine and other sedatives to "chemically incapacitate" suspects. And, former FBI agent Peter Strzok joins us to talk about his new book, "Compromised: Counterintelligence and the Threat of Donald J. Trump."
Jane Fonda And Climate Activism; Facebook Election Tweaks
September 08, 2020 17:06 - 42 minutesJane Fonda joins us to talk about her new book which tells the story of the launch of her initiative, Fire Drill Fridays, to draw attention to climate change. Also, Facebook recently announced new election rules, including a ban on new political ads within one week of election day. Critics say those tweaks are not nearly enough. Peter Kafka of Recode explains.
Melissa Blake On Tiktok Challenge, Cyberbullying; Labor Day Worker Mural
September 07, 2020 18:06 - 41 minutesDisability activist Melissa Blake speaks with us about the "New Teacher's Challenge" on TikTok. The viral prank has been receiving backlash for mocking individuals with physical deformities or disabilities. Also, a new Labor Day mural in Chicago honors four essential workers during the pandemic. One of them, Maggie Zylinska, a domestic worker, talks about the recognition and the challenges she faces.
Chanel Miller Mural Explores Healing; Marion Nestle On Food Politics
September 07, 2020 17:06 - 41 minutesOn the evening of Jan. 17, 2015, Chanel Miller was sexually assaulted on her way home from a party on the Stanford University campus in Palo Alto, California. Miller's latest mural in San Francisco explores themes of healing for trauma survivors. And, Marion Nestle has been thinking about the intersection between food, science, public health and politics for the last 20 years. She joins us to discuss her new book, "Let's Ask Marion."
Students Return To College Campuses; Racial Terms
September 04, 2020 18:11 - 42 minutesWhat do terms like Black, Caucasian, and "people of color" mean to you? Author Damon Young says it's time to retire the term "people of color" and other racial terms. And, students are returning to college campuses across the country, including in areas where the coronavirus pandemic continues to worsen. We hear from a student and administrator about plans to keep students and staff safe.
Starting College During A Pandemic; Looking At Homicide Data In Cities
September 04, 2020 17:18 - 42 minutesLike many students, 18-year-old Madison Hall of Baltimore was given the choice of whether to attend school in person or remotely. She documented her dilemma in an audio diary. And, President Trump has repeatedly stated that Democrat-run cities are seeing higher rates of crime. The data shows that homicide numbers are up in cities across the country regardless of a city mayor's political affiliation. We dig into the latest data with former CIA analyst Jeff Asher.
'Squeeze Me' By Carl Hiaasen; Iowa Democrats Voting Lawsuit
September 03, 2020 18:10 - 43 minutesPythons, an animal wrangler and a missing socialite who is a devoted fan of Donald Trump are just a few of the characters in Carl Hiaasen's new novel, "Squeeze Me." The author and Miami Herald columnist joins us to discuss. And, the Iowa Democratic Party and two other groups filed a lawsuit this week against the state's Republican secretary of state over mail-in voting ballots.
History Of Far-Right Groups; Pfizer Coronavirus Vaccine
September 03, 2020 17:38 - 42 minutesAs clashes in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and Portland, Oregon, lead to three deaths, we look at the history of far-right groups and militias with David Neiwert, author of "Alt-America." Also, Pfizer is developing one of the two vaccines that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is planning to distribute in early November. But there are concerns that the vaccine may not be fully safe for distribution by then. Pfizer's Bill Gruber joins us to discuss.
Detroit COVID-19 Memorial; Kathy Gunst Meal Prep Recipes
September 02, 2020 18:56 - 42 minutesMore than 900 photos of people who died of COVID-19 are staked around Belle Isle in Detroit as part of a drive-through memorial for those who weren't able to hold proper funerals during the pandemic. And, chef Kathy Gunst shares some make-ahead meal and snack ideas to help parents as kids start going back to school, either in-person or remotely.
Margaret Atwood On 'The Testaments'; Benedict College's COVID-19 Bubble
September 02, 2020 18:04 - 42 minutes"The Testaments," Margaret Atwood's follow up to her landmark 1985 novel "The Handmaid's Tale," comes out in paperback this week. We speak with Atwood about both books and her thoughts about the U.S. today. And, Benedict College is attempting to create a bubble to keep coronavirus out. The historically Black college serves students who often don't have access to the internet or are facing food and housing insecurities. NPR's Elissa Nadworny reports.
Hurricane Laura Survivor; 28 Trillion Ton Ice Melt
September 01, 2020 18:54 - 42 minutesHundreds of thousands of people in Louisiana are without power and running water after Hurricane Laura ravaged swaths of the state. We hear from one survivor in Lake Charles. And, it's a finding that shocked even the researchers conducting the study: A total of 28 trillion tons of ice has disappeared from the Earth's surface since 1994.
Militia Facebook Pages; Iowans Feel Forgotten After Derecho
September 01, 2020 17:32 - 42 minutesFacebook's Mark Zuckerberg said it was "an operational mistake" to permit a militia page calling on people to bring guns to a protest in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The incident has renewed longstanding questions about Facebook's enforcement of rules against inciting violence. Also, FEMA is being bombarded with calls for help after three natural disasters happened within weeks of each other. We check in on how Iowans are faring with Iowa Public Radio's Kate Payne.
Black Men And Colon Health; Advice For Unemployed People
August 31, 2020 19:44 - 43 minutesThe death of actor Chadwick Boseman sheds light on the growing number of Black Americans who are diagnosed and die of colon cancer. Dr. Italo Brown is part of an initiative called Barbers Without Borders, which, in part, works to educate Black men on the importance of colonoscopies and colon health. Also, the future of work can seem murky in the current economic downturn. We talk through some advice for job seekers with Jane Oates, president of the nonprofit Working Nation.