Here & Now Anytime
1,730 episodes - English - Latest episode: 8 days 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
Big Tech Gets Even Bigger; COVID-19 Testing Problems
July 14, 2020 18:08 - 42 minutesFor the first time since the beginning of the pandemic, Amazon, Microsoft, Apple and Alphabet are each worth more than a trillion dollars according to their market capitalizations. While the virus continues to ravage the U.S. economy generally, the tech sector has remained a relative bright spot for now. Jessica Lessin of The Information explains. Also, many experts say there is a lack of adequate coronavirus testing measures in the U.S. NPR's Rob Stein has the latest on problems with testing.
COVID-19 Survivors; Implicit Racial Bias In Social Settings, Policing
July 14, 2020 17:12 - 43 minutesMore than 1 million people in the U.S. have recovered from COVID-19, according to data from Johns Hopkins University, but their experiences with the disease vary widely. We speak with two people who have had COVID-19. Also, we talk to Jennifer Eberhardt, Stanford psychologist and researcher, about understanding how implicit racial bias works in different social settings including police departments.
Washington NFL Team Retires Name; Ohio Restaurant Reopens
July 13, 2020 18:08 - 42 minutesThe Washington NFL franchise announced Monday that it will drop its name and logo immediately after decades of criticism that they are offensive to Native Americans. David Glass, a member of the White Earth Ojibwe and president of the National Coalition Against Racism In Sports and Media, joins us to discuss. And, we check back in with Ohio restaurant owner Jessica Parkison about how business is going after reopening for patio and indoor service.
Emmanuel Acho's Video Series On Race; Disney World Reopens
July 13, 2020 17:20 - 42 minutesFormer NFL linebacker Emmanuel Acho joins us to talk about his online series, "Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man." The video series addresses race and was created as an educational tool for White people looking to help. Also, Florida set the highest daily number of new COVID-19 cases for any state over the weekend. And Disney World reopened, with staff in masks and social distancing guidelines in place. We check in on Florida
Universal Basic Income Pilot Program; Former Education Secretary Arne Duncan
July 10, 2020 18:03 - 41 minutesU.S. schools are trying to plan for the upcoming academic year as the pandemic intensifies. Arne Duncan, former Secretary of Education under Obama, joins us to discuss the push by the Trump administration to reopen schools in the fall. Universal basic income, the policy that promises a regular paycheck regardless of employment, is starting to gain traction and funding. Stockton, California, Mayor Michael Tubbs joins us to discuss the city's pilot program.
K-pop Top Hits With Soju; Upcoming Missions To Mars
July 10, 2020 17:56 - 41 minutesSoju, who competed on "RuPaul's Drag Race," tells us about what it was like growing up queer and Korean in the Midwest and answers all our burning questions about K-pop idols and fans. Plus, she shares tracks from H.O.T, 2NE1, Tiffany Young, and herself. Also, three missions to Mars are set to blast off in the coming weeks. NASA is even planning to bring back Martian rocks for the first time ever. We talk with science journalist Alexandra Witze.
Empathy And Power; U.S. Military Confronts Racism
July 09, 2020 18:08 - 41 minutesWhy did George Floyd's death spark a worldwide movement demanding social change? Stanford Professor Jamil Zaki says it has to do with empathy, how it's fostered and how it atrophies. He joins us to discuss the connection between power and empathy. And, the U.S. military is one of the many institutions dealing with the nation's current racial reckoning. We speak with Retired Adm. James Stavridis about efforts to rename military bases that bear the names of Confederate generals.
'Pandemic Dreams' Captured In New Book; House Race In New Mexico
July 09, 2020 17:08 - 41 minutesDream researcher Deidre Barrett has collected thousands of COVID-19 related dreams online. She joins us to discuss publishing a number of them in the new book "Pandemic Dreams." Also, in New Mexico's second Congressional district, Democratic Rep. Xochitl Torres Small faces a challenge from Republican former state Rep. Yvette Herrell, a re-match of 2018. Host Jeremy Hobson speaks with New Mexico politics writer Joe Monahan.
Ohio Epidemiologist; Gail Caldwell's 'Bright Precious Thing' Memoir
July 08, 2020 18:08 - 41 minutesOhio is one of several states seeing an uptick in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations after remaining fairly steady in May and June. Dr. Tara Smith, an infectious disease epidemiologist at Kent State University, joins us to discuss what's behind the recent surge in cases. And, Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Gail Caldwell talks about her new memoir "Bright Precious Thing," which explores feminism, friendship and what she learned from her 5-year-old neighbor.
Gen Z Talks Protests, Pandemic; Stargazing Without A Telescope
July 08, 2020 17:10 - 41 minutesAmericans have been grappling with the emergence of a deadly pandemic and a nationwide protest movement forcing a reckoning on police violence and racial injustice. Host Jeremy Hobson speaks with three young people about how they've been handling it all. Looking for something to do this summer? Astronomer Dean Regas says, "Look up!" Regas joins us to describe some of the brightest stars and constellations visible throughout the summer, and how to find them without a telescope.
Blackout Day Economic Protest; How Newt Gingrich Shaped The GOP
July 07, 2020 18:56 - 41 minutesTuesday marks #BlackoutDayt2020, a day when Black Americans and their allies are being encouraged to spend their money at minority-owned stores exclusively to highlight the consumer power of minorities. Roben Farzad, host of Public Radio's "Full Disclosure," explains who is organizing the event and why. When President Trump uses phrases like "radical left" he's pulling from a playbook Newt Gingrich helped write. Historian Julian Zelizer makes that case in his new book about Gingrich's rise fr...
COVID-19 Medical Flights On The Rise; Live Music Venues Struggle
July 07, 2020 17:10 - 41 minutesIn Imperial County, one of Southern California's remote coronavirus hot spots, medical crews have been flying out hundreds of sick people after two local hospitals ran low on intensive care beds. We speak with the program director for Reach Air Medical Services. Also, as states slowly reopen, the live music industry remains mostly dormant. Many music venues are hoping the government will offer support but, in the meantime, are considering other ways to survive. WAMU's Mikaela Lefrak reports.
Arizona Lessons On COVID-19; College Admissions In A Pandemic
July 06, 2020 18:08 - 41 minutesArizona reported thousands of new coronavirus infections over the weekend, with young adults leading the growth. University of Arizona epidemiologist Dr. Saskia Popescu joins us to discuss the lessons learned from Arizona, which was one of the first states to ease coronavirus restrictions. And, high school students are facing uncertainty about applying to college next year due to the pandemic. One college counselor joins us to discuss some of the challenges.
Mysterious Elephant Deaths; Wearing Masks Could Help GDP
July 06, 2020 17:08 - 40 minutesMore than 350 elephants have mysteriously died in Botswana over the past few months. We talk with the Director of National Park Service Dr. Niall McCann about what could be causing these deaths and what's at stake for the larger ecosystem. Also, Goldman Sachs says if a mandatory mask order were imposed nationally, it could help the economy avoid a 5% hit to GDP. The study assumes that if everyone wore a mask, states would not have to impose mandatory lockdowns which are disrupting the economy.
Native Americans Occupied Mount Rushmore 50 Years Ago; Best TV Of 2020
July 03, 2020 18:12 - 42 minutesFifty years ago this summer, a group of Native American activists scaled the top of the Mount Rushmore and occupied the area for months to demand the land be returned to the Sioux. We look back on the significance of this event with the son of one of the original protesters, Executive Director of United Native Americans Quanah Parker Brightman. Also, while much TV production has halted across the world, there's still quality programming to catch up on. NPR TV critic Eric Deggans shares some o...
Texas Restaurant Owner; Americans Share What Freedom Means To Them
July 03, 2020 18:01 - 42 minutesAs restaurants in some states begin to shut down again due to spikes in coronavirus infections, some owners are considering whether to close for good. Houston restaurant owner Bill Loveday joins us to discuss how his restaurant is handling the pandemic and the rapidly changing public health restrictions in Texas. And, we asked several Americans from across the country to explain what freedom means to them this Independence Day.
Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon; Miami-Dade Police Officer Relieved Of Duty
July 02, 2020 18:19 - 42 minutesWyoming Gov. Mark Gordon joins us to discuss the state's massive budget shortfall as it also faces rising coronavirus cases. And, a Miami-Dade police officer was relieved of duty after widely circulated body cam footage revealed a dispute he had with a Black woman at the Miami International Airport. Miami Herald reporter David Ovalle has the details.
#OscarsSoWhite Creator On White Actors Voicing Non-White Characters; Protest Songs
July 02, 2020 18:18 - 41 minutesSeveral animated TV series including long-running hits like "The Simpsons" and "Family Guy" have made a decision to no longer use white actors for the voices of characters from other ethnic groups. Host Lisa Mullins speaks to April Reign, the creator of #OscarsSoWhite, about criticism regarding minority characters played by white actors. Also, from "Yankee Doodle" to viral Tik Tok remixes, protest music is American music. Oregon Public Broadcasting's Claudia Meza takes us through the history ...
Northern California COVID-19 Spikes; Mount Rushmore History
July 01, 2020 18:07 - 42 minutesCalifornia Gov. Gavin Newsom says he plans to further scale back the state's reopening plans due to a new surge in coronavirus cases, including a cluster at San Quentin State Prison. And, author John Taliaferro joins us to discuss the complicated history of Mount Rushmore ahead of Trump's visit this week at a time of heated debate over monuments linked to racism and discrimination.
Teacher Calls For Anti-Racism Curriculum; COVID-19 Pool Testing
July 01, 2020 17:32 - 42 minutesSixth-grade English teacher Zakia Jarrett was temporarily placed on administrative paid leave for telling students that "most cops are racist" during a class discussion on race and racism. We speak to Jarrett about her suspension regarding anti-racism education in Milton, Massachusetts. Also, public health officials are scrambling to increase the country's capacity for testing. One solution could be to test multiple people at once using a method known as pool testing.
WNBA's Renee Montgomery Fights For Social Justice; Clint Black's New Album
June 30, 2020 18:08 - 42 minutesWNBA veteran and Atlanta Dream star Renee Montgomery has announced she's leaving the league in order to seize this moment of change to fight for social and racial justice. We talk to her about the move. Also, we speak with Grammy-winning country musician Clint Black, who has just released a new studio album called "Out of Sane."
Princeton Drops Woodrow Wilson's Name; College Students On Edge About Fall
June 30, 2020 17:08 - 42 minutesCiting his racism and racist policies, Princeton University will remove Woodrow Wilson's name from its school of international and public affairs. The move comes amid ongoing efforts to take down statues and monuments that honor the Confederacy around the U.S. We speak with historian Julian Zelizer. Also, college students are wrestling with whether or not to enroll for the fall — or try to defer enrollment until they can be sure to have a full college experience. KUOW's Eilís O'Neill has more.
Family Of Woman Who Portrayed Aunt Jemima Speaks Out; COVID Toe Mystery
June 29, 2020 18:08 - 41 minutesQuaker Oats announced it's rebranding Aunt Jemima pancake mix and syrup because of its racist history. While descendants of Lillian Richard, who portrayed Aunt Jemima for years, support the company's decision to rename the brand, they want to ensure her legacy lives on. We speak to Vera Harris, a family historian for the Richard family of Hawkins. Also, one of the weird symptoms we've heard about when it comes to the coronavirus is something called COVID toe. KUOW's David Hyde reports.
Boston Artist Calls To Remove Lincoln Statue; COVID-19 Puts Kids Behind In School
June 29, 2020 17:26 - 42 minutesWhen Boston artist Tory Bullock looks at the Emancipation Memorial in Boston's Park Square, he sees subservience instead of freedom. Bullock says it's time to remove the statue, so he's circulating an online petition to achieve his goal. We talk to Bullock about the statue's history and why he believes it would be better situated in a museum. Also, Robin Lake, director of the Center for Reinventing Public Education, says the average student may be one full year behind in math when school star...
NASA's Lunar Loo Challenge; Racism And The Culture Of NASCAR
June 26, 2020 19:08 - 41 minutesNASA has announced the "Lunar Loo Challenge," a contest for designs for a toilet that could be used in a future expedition to the moon. We speak with Mike Interbartolo, project manager for the challenge. Also, the culture of NASCAR is shifting thanks to the only full-time Black driver in the cup series, Bubba Wallace. We talk to Maya Jones of "The Undefeated" who covers NASCAR.
Colorado Gov. On Killing Of Elijah McClain; Firefighters Battle COVID-19
June 26, 2020 17:32 - 41 minutesThis year's fire season is unlike anything we've ever seen with firefighters battling both flames and COVID-19. We talk with Jim Whittington, an Oregon-based wildland fire expert. Also, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis says the state will investigate the police killing of a 23-year-old Black man, Elijah McClain, last year. We talk to Polis about McClain, policing in Colorado and how the state has avoided a COVID-19 spike as it reopens.
Remembering Stonewall; Koreas Mark War's 70th Anniversary
June 25, 2020 18:08 - 41 minutesThe LGBTQ community celebrates Pride month in June to honor the Stonewall riots. We revisit Jeremy Hobson's conversation with Paul Glass and Charles Evans who were both at the 1969 riot at New York's Stonewall Inn which sparked the gay rights movement. Also, the Korean War, which killed and injured millions, started 70 years ago on June 25, 1950. We speak to Samuel Wells, Cold War Fellow at the Wilson Center, about the Korean War, which ended with an armistice but no peace treaty.
Smart Thermometer Data Predicts New COVID-19 Spikes; Renaming Military Bases
June 25, 2020 17:19 - 42 minutesThe Kinsa smart thermometer began mapping out coronavirus hotspots in mid-March with accuracy that caught the eye of public health experts around the country. We spoke to Kinsa CEO Inder Singh at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. We check in again about where COVID-19 is heading and how Kinsa data is helping prevent its spread. Also, the call for changing the names of 10 Southern military bases gaining momentum in Washington raises the question of what names might replace those of th...
Biographer Robert Caro; Mountaineer Explores Mariana Trench
June 24, 2020 18:02 - 41 minutesRobert Caro is the two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning author of "The Power Broker" and "The Years of Lyndon Johnson." Host Robin Young talks to him about "Working," his latest book. Also, Vanessa O'Brien has climbed the tallest mountains on the earth and she's just gone into the deepest place on the planet: the Challenger Deep in the Pacific Ocean's Mariana Trench. Jeremy Hobson speaks with her.
Chef Paola Velez On Uplifting Chefs Of Color; A Nurse's Anti-Bias Plan
June 24, 2020 17:08 - 41 minutesRising Star Chef Nominee Paola Velez is one of the founders of Bakers Against Racism, which raises money for organizations that support Black lives. Velez talks about her career and how the restaurant industry has been shaken by the pandemic. Also, health care professionals are speaking out against bias and discrimination. CEO of the Kentucky Nurses Association Delanor Manson wrote in a recent editorial that she condemns "the tentacles of racism" that systematically endanger people of color.
Do Cops Need Guns?; Algorithmic Bias In Policing, Surveillance Technology
June 23, 2020 18:08 - 41 minutesOngoing protests against police violence and racism have prompted a reexamination of the role guns play in law enforcement. Host Jeremy Hobson speaks with Tracey Meares, professor and founding director of the Justice Collaboratory at Yale Law School. Also, as more Americans call for police reform, the next step in the conversation is taking a closer look at policing technology. Princeton University professor Ruha Benjamin discusses the algorithmic bias embedded within many policing and survei...
Black And Latinx Renters At Risk; Brands Boycott Facebook
June 23, 2020 17:21 - 41 minutesWith more than 46 million people unemployed and housing protections expiring in many states, housing experts anticipate a nationwide evictions crisis that will hit Black and Latinx renters the hardest. Also, Patagonia, REI and The North Face are among the companies pulling their advertising from Facebook and Instagram, citing what they called the company's "repeated failure to meaningfully address the vast proliferation of hate on its platforms."
California Surgeon General; Summer Grilling Favorites
June 22, 2020 18:06 - 40 minutesCalifornia Surgeon General Dr. Nadine Burke Harris joins us to discuss the state's continuing efforts to battle COVID-19 and systemic racism, which she argues are intimately connected. And, resident chef Kathy Gunst offers some tips for grilling fish and shares a couple of other favorite summer dishes.
Mitch Albom Pens Free, Online Book; Are American Institutions Failing?
June 22, 2020 17:21 - 41 minutesAward-winning author Mitch Albom discusses his free, online book, "Human Touch," which he released to raise money for COVID-19 relief efforts in Detroit. He talks with host Tonya Mosley about the importance of human connection and touch amidst these unprecedented times. Also, senior editor at the Atlantic Derek Thompson argues that the protests over police violence and the pandemic show that American institutions are failing right now. That's because the country is focused on threats of the p...
Angela Davis On Anti-Racism Protests; Drive-In Graduations
June 19, 2020 19:38 - 43 minutesHost Tonya Mosley speaks to legendary activist Angela Davis about her life in activism, the role of police and the current anti-racism protests across the globe. Also, there are about 300 drive-in movie theatres left in the U.S. One in Port Townsend, Washington, came to the rescue of the city's graduating high school seniors by hosting their virus-safe graduation. Tom Banse from the Northwest News Network reports.
DACA Advocate On SCOTUS Ruling; Fashion Week Goes Digital
June 18, 2020 18:16 - 42 minutesThe Supreme Court ruled 5-4 Thursday against the Trump administration's immigration actions on the Obama-era DACA program. We talk to Reyna Montoya, a DACA recipient and founder and CEO of Aliento, an immigrant aid group in Phoenix. Also, due to COVID-19, fashion weeks in Milan, Paris and London are going virtual this summer. We speak to Hannah Marriott, fashion editor at the Guardian, about the future of the fashion industry.
No, COVID-19 Is Not Saving The Environment; Athletes Speak Out
June 18, 2020 17:55 - 42 minutesA recent article co-authored by Colorado State University professor Edward Barbier is titled "The COVID-19 pandemic is not a break for nature – let's make sure there is one after the crisis." He joins host Robin Young to discuss how land grabs, illegal mining and lack of funding are devastating natural environments around the globe. Also, as sports resume in some places, members of one high school baseball team in Iowa knelt during the National Anthem to support the protests against racial in...
Black American Economic History; Georgia NAACP Reacts To Rayshard Brooks Killing
June 17, 2020 18:10 - 42 minutesDuke University Professor William Darity joins us to discuss the historic events that have set Black Americans back economically. And, prosecutors in Atlanta have yet to decide whether to file charges against the former police officer who shot Rayshard Brooks. Rev. James Woodall, who is head of the NAACP in Georgia, joins us to discuss.
Pandemic Hits Black-Owned Businesses; Fact Checking George Floyd Death Rumors
June 17, 2020 18:06 - 42 minutesAccording to new research, the COVID-19 shutdown has disproportionately impacted black-owned businesses. We talk with Ron Busby, president of U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. Also, the police killing of George Floyd sparked hundreds of rumors and conspiracy theories, many circulated over social media. We speak with Snopes.com editor Bond Huberman about the various myths she and her colleagues have been dispelling.
#SayHerName Campaign; The State Of The Coronavirus Pandemic
June 16, 2020 18:14 - 42 minutesA new model out Tuesday from the University of Washington predicts that 200,000 Americans will die from COVID-19 by October 1. Pulitzer Prize-winning author and emerging disease expert Laurie Garrett joins us to discuss the latest developments on the coronavirus. And, the killings of Black men at the hands of law enforcement have sparked national outrage, but the killings of Black women don't tend to evoke the same response. The #SayHerName campaign works to bring awareness to these women.
Cuckoo Bird Migration Stuns Scientists; Daycares Face Reopening Challenges
June 16, 2020 17:24 - 43 minutesScientists have logged one of the longest animal migrations ever recorded. British ornithologists tracked cuckoo birds on a migration more than 7,500 miles, spanning southern Africa and East Asia. Chris Hewson, a senior research ecologist at the British Trust for Ornithology. Also, Here & Now's Peter O'Dowd is like a lot of other parents around the country, wondering when it's safe to send his daughter back to daycare. Meanwhile, childcare centers will reopen to a world of new restrictions th...
Black Clarinetist Anthony McGill; How Colleges Plan To Reopen
June 15, 2020 19:49 - 42 minutesIn a viral YouTube video, New York Philharmonic clarinetist Anthony McGill plays a mournful rendition of "America the Beautiful," then drops to both knees and holds his clarinet behind his back. Now the hashtag #TakeTwoKnees is spreading through the classical world. And, colleges across the country have announced plans for their fall reopenings. We hear about what next year will look like at The University of Texas at Austin with Professor Art Markman.
Calculating COVID-19 Health Risks; How 'Unbundling The Police' Would Work
June 15, 2020 17:29 - 42 minutesAlso, Derek Thompson, senior editor at The Atlantic, writes that the police are being asked to do many functions. Host Jeremy Hobson speaks with Thompson about how unbundling some of those functions from the police may improve policing. At least 22 states are now seeing spikes in COVID-19 cases. Yet in most cities, officials continue to ease restrictions despite warnings from some physicians that it might be happening too quickly. Host Robin Young talks to University of Massachusetts Dartmout...
How Black Lives Matter Resonates In Africa; Changing The Definition Of Racism
June 12, 2020 18:04 - 41 minutesCountries across Africa are joining global protests in response to the death of George Floyd. Moky Makrua, executive director of nonprofit Africa No Filter, explains why the Black Lives Matter movement is especially taking off in South Africa, where parallels of racism can be drawn with that in the U.S. Also, Merriam-Webster Dictionary will change its definition of racism after receiving a letter from Kennedy Mitchum, a recent graduate, who suggested that the definition should include a refer...
NBA Legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar On Protests; Some Troops Reconsider Service
June 12, 2020 17:10 - 42 minutesLong before Colin Kaepernick took a knee in protest of police brutality, retired NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar boycotted the 1968 Olympic Games to protest injustice against Black Americans. We talk to Abdul-Jabbar about his continued legacy of social activism. Also, when the National Guard was deployed during protests over the killing of George Floyd, some troops refused to go. Now, they may face disciplinary action. Others are reconsidering service.
Understanding Antifa; 'The Last Kings Of Shanghai' Book
June 11, 2020 18:02 - 41 minutesA new book called "The Last Kings Of Shanghai" looks at the history of China's development and the important role played by two Jewish families with massive business empires. Author Jonathan Kaufman joins us to discuss. And, NBC News reporter Brandy Zadrozny joins us to discuss her reporting into the threat of Antifa.
Child Vaccinations Drop During Pandemic; Violence As Form Of Protest
June 11, 2020 17:06 - 41 minutesThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is reporting in a dip in the number of children who are getting routine vaccines during the pandemic, and there's concern about what this could mean for public health. Also, some have argued that violence has no place in the struggle for social change. Historian and author Kellie Carter Jackson says violence has long been a part of the movement for racial justice.
Future Of Policing; Oil Executive Criticizes Trump
June 10, 2020 19:54 - 40 minutesCities across the country are debating defunding police departments in the wake of protests over police brutality and the killing of George Floyd. Professor Lorenzo Boyd, director of the Center for Advanced Policing at the University of New Haven, joins us to discuss what the police department of the future could look like in practice. And, a longtime Republican donor and oil executive is calling out President Trump for his response to the pandemic and protests.
How To Talk About Race With Kids; Nurses Demand Congress Address Lack Of PPE
June 10, 2020 17:25 - 41 minutesProtests across the country over the death of George Floyd are forcing parents to have conversations with their children about racism. Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum, child psychologist and author of "Why Are All The Black Kids Sitting Together? And Other Conversations About Race," discusses how parents can talk to their kids. Also, the largest union of registered nurses in the country is testifying Wednesday to the House Oversight and Reform committee about the need for more PPE for medical worker...
New York Passes Bill Banning Police Chokeholds; Talking About Race
June 09, 2020 20:12 - 41 minutesThe New York state legislature passed the Eric Garner Anti-Chokehold Act to ban police chokehold. Democratic State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie joins us to discuss. And, the National Museum of African American History and Culture has a new online exhibition called "Talking About Race." Museum educators Candra Flanagan and Anna Hindley join us.