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
Eviction Protections Expire; YouTube Star Teddy Swims
August 31, 2020 18:06 - 42 minutesAs many as 40 million Americans are at risk of eviction by the end of the year, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition. We speak with three people who are struggling to pay rent. And, musician Teddy Swims' musical covers have received millions of hits on YouTube. Now he's out with a new original single, "Broke."
15 Years After Hurricane Katrina; COVID-19 Impact On Public Transit
August 28, 2020 18:06 - 41 minutesRobert Green lost his mother and one of his granddaughters in Hurricane Katrina when the storm swept their house off its foundation as they were on the roof. But he says on this anniversary, he won't be shedding any tears. And, public transportation ridership has plummeted in cities like New York, Chicago and San Francisco because of COVID-19. We talk with the director of transportation for the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency.
COVID-19 Testing In Missouri Prisons; 'Narcos' Music Supervisor
August 28, 2020 17:20 - 41 minutesMass testing in Missouri prisons revealed that the rate of COVID-19 among inmates is lower than the rate for the state's population as a whole. Missouri Department of Corrections Director Anne Precythe joins us. And, KCRW DJ Liza Richardson picks the music for the hit TV show "Narcos."
Russel Honoré On Hurricane Katrina Anniversary; Dev Patel As David Copperfield
August 27, 2020 18:09 - 41 minutesRetired Lt. Gen. Russel Honoré talks to us from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, about the destruction Hurricane Laura has caused in the region. Honoré, who was the commander of Joint Task Force Katrina, also reflects on the 15th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. And, we speak with Dev Patel, who stars in the new film "The Personal History of David Copperfield," which opens in theaters on Friday.
Genetically Modified Mosquitoes; Las Vegas Workers Want 'Right To Return'
August 27, 2020 17:51 - 41 minutesOfficials in the Florida Keys have approved a controversial plan to manage mosquito-borne diseases by poisoning the species' gene pool. We talk with the chairman of the board of the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District. Also, thousands of workers in Las Vegas want the city to pass a "Right To Return" ordinance, which would require companies to hire back former employees. Restaurant busser Benjamin Hernandez worked for 24 years at Park MGM and is hoping to go back and keep his health insuran...
Gleaners Recover Food During Pandemic; Airlines Foresee Massive Job Cuts
August 26, 2020 18:14 - 41 minutesGleaning, a centuries-old tradition, is being cited as a way to help feed Americans amid an unstable economy and barren food pantries. KCUR's Suzanne Hogan reports. Also, American Airlines announced that it would cut 19,000 jobs once federal aid runs out in October. Other airlines predict similarly dire circumstances as demand for air travel stagnates. The grim forecast may spur Congress — or President Trump — to take action.
Blue Apron CEO; Republican Suburban Women Share Thoughts On Trump
August 26, 2020 17:08 - 41 minutesWith more people cooking at home during the pandemic, meal-kit service Blue Apron has seen a boost in profits and subscribers. CEO Linda Findley Kozlowski discusses whether the company can keep customers and continue to grow when the pandemic ends. Also, we talk with Susan Sherman of Florida and Sonia McMasters of Texas — two GOP suburban women — about the issues that matter to them.
COVID-19 Leaves Millions Hungry; Kendrick Sampson Blends Activism And Acting
August 25, 2020 18:14 - 41 minutesA new report from the humanitarian group CARE says the number of people undernourished or chronically hungry around the world will rise to 820 million because of the pandemic. And the burden of hunger, CARE says, falls disproportionately on girls and women. Also, we talk to Kendrick Sampson of the HBO series "Insecure" about his organization BLD PWR which provides training for actors and other creatives to use their voices for social change.
Police Shooting Of Jacob Blake Sparks Protests; Fact-Checking RNC
August 25, 2020 17:27 - 41 minutesProtests continue in Kenosha, Wisconsin, as demonstrators call for justice in the police shooting of Jacob Blake, a Black man. Deneen Smith of Kenosha News has the latest. Also, PolitiFact senior correspondent Jon Greenberg joins us to fact-check claims made on the first day of the Republican National Convention.
Utility Shutoffs Resume; Urban Exodus And Electoral Politics
August 24, 2020 19:21 - 41 minutesMany states have moratoriums on evictions and utility shutoffs that are set to expire soon. But people suffering as a result of the pandemic are already seeing their electricity or gas service cut because of unpaid bills. Also, major cities are shrinking in population. Many who left during the height of the pandemic are not returning and fewer people are moving in. The Atlantic's Derek Thompson explains what this shift means for electoral politics.
Evaluating COVID-19 Risks; Churches Face Financial Hardship
August 24, 2020 18:56 - 41 minutesHow do we evaluate risks when it comes to COVID-19? Not always very well. We talk to Joshua Weitz, professor at Georgia Tech who developed a tool to show people their risk of catching COVID-19. Also, even as giving drops off because of the pandemic, some churches say they are called to the work more than ever. We talk to Pastor Robert Turner of the Vernon AME Church in Tulsa about how the pandemic is affecting church giving.
Sam Fender Plays Socially Distant Shows; Ridesharing In California
August 21, 2020 19:33 - 42 minutesEnglish singer-songwriter Sam Fender played the first socially distant arena shows last week in the U.K. He joins us to discuss the impact of the pandemic on his budding musical career. And, Lyft and Uber won't be halting operations in California after winning an appeal to a ruling that would have forced them to classify their drivers as employees. But the legal fight isn't over.
Flint Water Crisis Settlement; COVID-19 Vaccine Trial
August 21, 2020 19:31 - 42 minutesU.S. drugmaker Novavax says it's on track to begin final-stage trials for its experimental COVID-19 vaccine as soon as late September. We speak with Dr. Gregory Glenn, head of the company's vaccines programs. Also, the state of Michigan has settled on $600 million to resolve claims from the people of Flint for damages and health issues incurred by the city's lead-tainted water.
Mitigating Loneliness; Former Trump Adviser Steve Bannon Arrested
August 20, 2020 19:06 - 42 minutesFormer U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy is on a mission to make us think of loneliness as a public health issue. He explains how we can connect socially despite being physically apart during the pandemic. Also, former White House adviser Steve Bannon has been arrested and charged with defrauding donors to his online crowdfunding campaign "We Build the Wall." NPR's justice correspondent Ryan Lucas has the latest.
Kids COVID-19 Transmission Study; 'Succession' Actor Brian Cox
August 20, 2020 18:51 - 42 minutesA new study from Massachusetts General Hospital and MassGeneral Hospital for Children shows that infected children, even those without symptoms of COVID-19, can have higher levels of virus in their airways than adults hospitalized in intensive care units. We speak with one of the authors of the study. And, actor Brian Cox joins us to discuss his role as the Robert Murdoch-like patriarch in the HBO series "Succession."
Rep. Joaquin Castro; Central Park Suffrage Monument
August 19, 2020 18:08 - 42 minutesTexas Democratic Rep. Joaquin Castro joins us to discuss why the Democratic National Convention should have featured more Latino speakers and why despite this, he thinks Joe Biden will be able to gain the support of young Latinos. And, Central Park's first statue to honor women is set to be unveiled next week. The sculptor and a feminist historian join us to discuss the statue of suffrage leaders Sojourner Truth, Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton.
Old 97's New Album 'Twelfth'; 4 Delicious Summer Harvest Dishes
August 19, 2020 17:19 - 42 minutesThe band Old 97's have been making music together for more than a quarter-century. "Twelfth," the band's new record, reflects the ups and downs of surviving that journey. We speak with frontman Rhett Miller. And, resident chef Kathy Gunst shares recipes that make the most out of seasonal produce.
USAFacts Coronavirus Hub; COVID-19 Exhibits At Boston Museum Of Science
August 18, 2020 18:14 - 42 minutesUSAFacts has launched a "Coronavirus Impact and Recovery Hub" to track the nation's response to the pandemic. Founder Steve Ballmer, former CEO of Microsoft, talks about making sense of mountains of coronavirus data. And, Boston's Museum of Science is incorporating innovative COVID-19 exhibits through their galleries. Museum staff discuss the challenges of teaching about the evolving pandemic.
Cory Booker On DNC; Iowa Refugees Living Outside After Derecho
August 18, 2020 17:09 - 42 minutesMany people in Iowa lost their homes after an intense and rare wind storm called a derecho. Iowa Public Radio reporter Kate Payne toured a damaged apartment complex where many immigrants and refugees lived. Also, we check in with Sen. Cory Booker about the Democratic National Convention's message of racial justice, the pandemic and Trump.
Mail-In Voting Explained; Mother And Son Talk About Racism
August 17, 2020 18:15 - 43 minutesPresident Trump has been vocal in his criticism of mail-in voting, which he says will result in massive voter fraud and foreign interference. MIT political science professor Charles Stewart says there's little evidence to support that mail-ballots cause fraud. And, Ronda Taylor Bullock of Durham, North Carolina, talks with her 9-year-old son Zion about issues of racism and their role in the movement calling for racial justice.
Heat Smothers California; Past And Present Of American Diplomacy
August 17, 2020 17:32 - 42 minutesCalifornians are grappling with the coronavirus pandemic, triple-digit temperatures, and at least two major wildfires. We get the latest on the historic heatwave baking the Western part of the country. Also, former World Bank President Robert Zoellick's new book lays out five traditions of America's foreign policy. We speak with him about American diplomacy in the past and present.
Breonna Taylor On Oprah Magazine; Kamala Harris And Racial Identity
August 14, 2020 18:06 - 41 minutesFor the first time in 20 years, Oprah will not grace the cover of 'O' Magazine. Instead, an illustration of Breonna Taylor is featured on the cover of the September issue. The magazine also commissioned billboards across Kentucky demanding those involved in her death be charged. The magazine's digital director explains the move. And, the announcement of Sen. Kamala Harris as Joe Biden's running mate sparked debates and conversations about her multiple racial and ethnic identities. Professor C...
Navajo Superintendent Weighs Reopening; Reducing A Hospital's Carbon Footprint
August 14, 2020 17:06 - 41 minutesThe Head of School at Navajo Preparatory Academy in New Mexico explains her decision to keep school virtual for the time being, despite guidance from the Bureau of Indian Education that teachers should resume in-person teaching. Also, the operating room at Boston Medical Center is about as climate-friendly as they come. A renovation has helped reduce the electricity the hospital draws from the grid by 70% since 2012. WBUR's Martha Bebinger reports.
Black Lives Artist; Lockdown To Stem Spread Of COVID-19
August 13, 2020 18:06 - 41 minutesNearly 1,500 people died on Wednesday from the coronavirus in the U.S. Dr. Michael Osterholm of the University of Minnesota says the only way to save lives and the economy is another lockdown. And, artist Keith Morris Washington has created a series of larger-than-life black and white drawings of the people he met at the sites of police killings around the country. He joins us to talk about the exhibit.
Candice Hoyes On Black History; Former CDC Director On COVID-19
August 13, 2020 17:20 - 41 minutesSinger-songwriter Candice Hoyes is on a mission to empower young girls and bring to light to forgotten Black histories. She joins us to talk about her new single "Zora's Moon" and the role of artists in this current moment of racial reckoning. Also, there are a number of reports that the U.S. may be underestimating the deaths from COVID-19. We speak with a former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Coronavirus Vaccine Update; Trump Calls Kamala Harris 'Nasty'
August 12, 2020 18:06 - 41 minutesDr. Richard Kennedy says the development of a coronavirus vaccine is proceeding at an unprecedented pace. But it's unlikely that a vaccine will be available this year. Also, Republican strategist Alice Stewart and Democratic strategist Angela Rye join us to discuss Joe Biden's pick of California Sen. Kamala Harris to be his running mate.
2020 Election Interference; Socially Conscious Investing
August 12, 2020 17:10 - 41 minutesA recent assessment from the National Counterintelligence and Security Center says Russia, China and Iran are actively trying to influence the upcoming U.S. elections. We discuss what the U.S. is doing about it. Also, as the country confronts unaddressed systemic racism, many are searching for ways to promote racial justice. Socially conscious investing is more critical than ever according to Kristin Hull, CEO of Nia Capital. She provides tips on how and where to invest.
Jazz Musician Maria Schneider; Diversity In Alcohol Industry
August 11, 2020 18:12 - 40 minutesPeople of color are increasingly breaking racial barriers in the white-dominated alcoholic beverage industry. Jackie Summers, the creator of Sorel Liquer, and winemaker Shae Frichette join us. And, Grammy award-winning jazz musician Maria Schneider talks about her new album, "Data Lords."
Teen Fact-Checking Network; Education Pods
August 11, 2020 18:11 - 41 minutesWhen it comes to identifying fake news online, there's evidence that high school students have trouble distinguishing fact from fiction. That's where the Mediawise Teen Fact-Checking Network comes in. We talk to a teen fact-checker and TFCN head Alexa Volland about the work they're doing. Also, a teacher in Houston joins us to discuss her Facebook group, QuaranTEACH Houston. More than 5,600 parents are using it to organize pandemic pods because of the pandemic.
'Friends And Strangers' Novel; U.S. Birthrates At 35-Year Low
August 10, 2020 18:06 - 41 minutesAuthor J. Courtney Sullivan's new novel explores the intense but often ephemeral relationship between a babysitter and her employer. She joins us to discuss "Friends and Strangers." And, birthrates in the U.S. are at a 35-year low, according to the CDC. Professor Christine Whelan explains why and how the pandemic could impact birthrates in the near future.
Leaving Tech To Pursue Farming; Edward Ball On 'Life Of A Klansman'
August 10, 2020 17:22 - 41 minutesChris Newman quit his software job to pursue farming in Virginia. We talk to him about his farming ethos, which draws on his ancestral heritage as a Piscataway tribe member. Also, after writing a historical memoir about his family's participation in the slave trade, Edward Ball decided to bring his Black and white descendants together to apologize. He joins us to discuss his new book "Life of a Klansman."
Pandemic Threatens Press Freedom; AfroLatinos In Puerto Rico Face Racial Inequities
August 07, 2020 18:09 - 42 minutesA judge in Zimbabwe ruled again not to release investigative journalist Hopewell Chin'ono from prison. Jason Rezaian of the Washington Post, who was held in Iran, says no other modern event has done as much to destroy press freedom as COVID-19 has. We speak with Rezaian. Also, Puerto Rico may have a different history than the continental U.S., but racial inequalities persist in both. We examine those throughlines and take a look at AfroLatino organizing on the island.
Progressive Democrat Cori Bush; Celebrating Jerry Garcia's Legacy
August 07, 2020 17:54 - 41 minutesCori Bush defeated longtime incumbent Rep. William Lacy Clay in a primary race in Missouri this week. Bush talks about how the death of George Floyd galvanized voters in St. Louis to give her a chance. Also, Sunday marks 25 years from the death of the Grateful Dead's leader, Jerry Garcia. Colorado Public Radio's Vic Vela looks at his legacy and why his music means so much to so many Deadheads.
Voting While Homeless; Native American Couple Survives COVID-19
August 06, 2020 18:08 - 41 minutesHousing insecurity makes accessing the ballot box harder and in an election year, this could mean lower turn out rates. We check in on homeless voter registration efforts in the Seattle area, which has one of the highest number of unsheltered people in the U.S. Also, OPB's Emily Cureton shares the story of a Native American couple and their baby in Oregon who survived the coronavirus.
Breland Talks Country, Hip Hop And Protests; What Is QAnon?
August 06, 2020 17:51 - 43 minutesBreland is a genre-defying artist whose breakout song "My Truck" mixes traditional country with hip hop production. He joins us to talk about protests and why country fans deserve more options. And, we talk to Alex Kaplan of Media Matters about the origins of the conspiracy theory QAnon.
Trump Administration's Rollbacks Of Transgender Protections; Unemployed Single Father
August 05, 2020 18:52 - 42 minutesVox's Katelyn Burns joins us to discuss how the Trump administration has changed transgender protections in the U.S. Director of Gender Diversity Aidan Key also talks about the impact on families. And, more than 50 million Americans have filed for unemployment since the start of the pandemic. We speak with Nathan Conner, a single father of one who lost his job at a manufacturing plant in March.
Environmental Groups Examine Racial Biases; USPS Union Leader On Mail-Voting
August 04, 2020 19:14 - 42 minutesMany environmental organizations are speaking out against racism and looking at how they can promote racial equality within their own organizations and in the communities they serve. Julie Grant of The Allegheny Front reports. Also, the U.S. Postal Service is caught in the crosshairs of a major political battle over the integrity of the mail-in system. The American Postal Workers Union president weighs in.
Distance Learning Tips From Homeschoolers; Masks For People With Impaired Hearing
August 04, 2020 17:42 - 43 minutesAs fall approaches, parents are strategizing about how to teach their children at home during the pandemic. Two homeschooling parents share tips for distance learning. Also, face masks pose problems for people who have impaired hearing. One work-in-progress is a hybrid mask that makes it easier to read a speaker's lips. Chuck Quirmbach of WUWM reports.
Reimagining Monument Space; Hotline For Health Care Workers
August 03, 2020 20:20 - 43 minutesArtist and Monument Lab fellow Ada Pinkston joins us to discuss her work reimagining the space that Confederate monuments used to occupy. Also, the COVID-19 crisis is taking a mental health toll on doctors, nurses and other medical staff. In Nevada, psychiatrists are staffing a new phone line to help. The Mountain West News Bureau's Amanda Peacher reports.
John Legend On 'Bigger Love'; Marine Heatwave Hits Atlantic Ocean
August 03, 2020 17:14 - 43 minutesAward-winning musician John Legend released the album "Bigger Love" in June. We speak with him about politics, family and releasing an album during a pandemic. Also, the Atlantic Ocean off the east coast of the U.S. is experiencing a marine heatwave this summer. An oceanographer discusses what this means for ocean life and weather patterns.
Census Cut Short; The End Of US Innovation
July 31, 2020 18:08 - 41 minutesNPR has learned that the Census Bureau will end door-knocking efforts one month before previously scheduled. NPR's Hansi Lo Wang explains the implications of that move. Also, governments and biotech companies worldwide are racing to develop a vaccine for COVID-19. It's the kind of practical application of basic science that Ilan Gur, CEO of the tech fellowship program Activate, says the U.S. used to lead the world in. But he says, the U.S. "fell asleep at the wheel."
Teacher Writes Will Ahead Of Schools Reopening; NBA Returns
July 31, 2020 17:08 - 40 minutesAs schools plan to reopen soon, worried teachers say they have many unanswered questions about how it will all work. We speak with Denise Bradford, a teacher who is writing a will and preparing for the worst. Also, the NBA returned Thursday night after a five-month hiatus due to the pandemic. Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe has the latest from Orlando, where the league held two games in its $150 million bubble at Walt Disney World.
What Rep. Lewis' Legacy Means For Today's Protests; Zimbabwe Journalist Arrest
July 30, 2020 18:26 - 41 minutesAs people remember the late Rep. John Lewis at his funeral on Thursday, we look at what his fight for civil rights means for activists today. We speak with Peniel Joseph, director of the Center for the Study of Race and Democracy at the University of Texas at Austin. Also, Dewa Mavhinga of Human Rights Watch joins host Lisa Mullins to talk about journalist Hopewell Chin'ono and why the government of Zimbabwe wants him in jail.
COVID-19 In ICE Detention Centers; Using Video Games For Military Recruitment
July 30, 2020 17:46 - 41 minutesDespite high infection rates in Texas immigrant detention centers, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials are failing to provide adequate social distancing and medical care. Houston Public Media's Elizabeth Trovall has this story based on nearly 30 interviews with detainees. Also, we talk to Ben Brock Johnson about why the military has had great success recruiting via video games.
Al Roker Memoir; Greece Expects Increase In Migrants
July 29, 2020 18:07 - 41 minutesThe number of migrants arriving in Europe has dropped significantly since 2015, when more than a million people arrived by boat and foot, fleeing conflict in Syria and other countries in the Middle East and Africa. Eva Cossé, a researcher with Human Rights Watch in Athens, joins us to talk about the migrants who are living in and arriving in Greece. And, "Today" host Al Roker joins us to discuss his new memoir, "You Look So Much Better in Person: True Stories of Absurdity and Success."
Kanye West's Behavior And Mental Health; David Lammy On Tribalism
July 29, 2020 17:10 - 41 minutesErratic behavior is something of a brand for Kanye West, but his disclosure that he lives with bipolar disorder also necessitates that we think about his behavior through a mental health lens. Mental health advocate Bassey Ikpi joins us. Also, David Lammy is one of the British Parliament's most prominent and successful campaigners for social justice. In 2007, he started a quest to explore his own African roots that resulted in his book "Tribes: How Our Need to Belong Can Make or Break Societ...
Summer Road Trip During Pandemic; Gold Prices Soar
July 28, 2020 18:02 - 41 minutesThe COVID-19 pandemic may have halted a lot of international travel, but that's not stopping people from having safer adventures closer to home. This summer, many people are embarking on road trips to see some of the country's natural landmarks. We talk with Kayla Gilchrist about her trip across the U.S. Also, gold has soared nearly 30% so far this year. Silver, meanwhile, on Monday, experienced strong gains, surging above $26, which is its highest level in seven years.
Trump's Environmental Rollbacks During COVID-19; Frederick Douglass Collection
July 28, 2020 17:06 - 41 minutesOne of the country's most important and unique collections of Frederick Douglass artifacts are now part of the Yale Beinecke Library collection. Collector Walter O. Evans joins us to talk about the artifacts. Also, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Trump administration has been ramping up its effort to roll back long-standing environmental regulations on water, air and climate change. Climate reporter Kendra Pierre-Louis discusses the rollbacks and their impact on politics and the environment.
COVID-19 Neurological Symptoms; 'Rednecks For Black Lives'
July 27, 2020 18:06 - 41 minutesUp until June, Greg Reese had a Confederate flag magnet on the trunk of his car. But George Floyd's killing changed his perspective, and he's since created the slogan "Rednecks for Black Lives." And, doctors have reported an increasing number of cases where COVID-19 patients have suffered paralysis. We speak with a critical care doctor in Houston on the disturbing trend.
Solar Probe Takes Closest-Ever Photos Of Sun; Zadie Smith's Essay Collection
July 27, 2020 17:08 - 41 minutesThe first images taken by a new solar probe stunned scientists at the European Space Agency and NASA. The pictures revealed miniature solar flares all over the sun's surface. We talk with Teresa Nieves-Chinchilla, NASA deputy project scientist for the solar orbiter. Also, writer Zadie Smith reflects on the pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement in a new essay collection.