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Here & Now Anytime

Here & Now Anytime

By WBUR

The 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.

Episodes

The case against Amazon; Master 'The Simple Art of Rice'

Judge Arthur Engoron found that former President Donald Trump, his sons and his companies deceived banks, insurers and others by massively overvaluing his properties and exaggerating his net worth to get loans and make real estate deals. Pultizer-Prize-winning investigative reporter David Cay Johnston tells us more. And, the Federal Trade Commission and 17 states filed an antitrust lawsuit against Amazon, accusing the retail giant of abusing its monopoly power in a way that raises costs for both shoppers and sellers. The Washington Post's Cat Zakrzewski joins us. Then, chef and author JJ Johnson shares rice recipes from all over the world in his new book, "The Simple Art of Rice." He shares tips and tricks.
27/09/23·23m 45s

Biden joins UAW picket line; 'Sparks' book tells of China's underground artists

In a presidential first, President Biden visits Michigan to join the picketing United Auto Workers on strike. Tamara Keith, senior White House correspondent with NPR, and Princeton University historian Julian Zelizer join us to talk about it. And, attorney Ryan K. Thompson joins us to talk about the lawsuit against Baton Rouge police for alleged abuse at a warehouse known as the "brave cave." Then, a new book called "Sparks: China's Underground Historians and their Battle for the Future" tells the story of underground artists working to document the country's history. The book's author Ian Johnson joins us.
26/09/23·26m 56s

'Maus' author Art Spiegelman on book banning; What the asteroid sample may reveal

Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., has been indicted on federal corruption charges. He is accused of accepting bribes and influencing an arms deal with Egypt, among other things. Brent Johnson of the New Jersey Star-Ledger tells us more. And, NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission capsule contains an 8.8-ounce asteroid sample that could help scientists worldwide learn more about the solar system's origins. We speak to Dani Mendoza DellaGiustina, the deputy principal investigator for the mission. Then, the American Library Association has dubbed next week, Oct. 1 through Oct. 7, as Banned Book Week, a time to celebrate reading and fight censorship. One author targeted by book banning is Pulitzer Prize winner Art Spiegelman, who wrote the graphic novel "Maus" as a memoir of his family's experiences during the time of Nazi Germany. Spiegelman talks about the potent irony of having a book about the rise of the Nazis being banned.
25/09/23·23m 30s

Books to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month; Recipes inspired by Spanish tapas

More than a year ago, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and Wisconsin providers stopped providing abortions. But they've resumed, and Tanya Atkinson, CEO of Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, joins us to talk about it. And, it's Hispanic Heritage Month. We've got a list of book recommendations telling Latinx stories from the creator of "The Stacks" podcast Traci Thomas. Then, our resident chef Kathy Gunst joins us to offer her takes on Spanish-style tapas recipes. They include chickpeas and leeks, fried potatoes and meatballs.
22/09/23·23m 3s

Culture wars are tearing apart country music; Wall Street investors outbid homebuyers

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in Washington to meet with President Biden, leaders at the Pentagon and members of Congress. He's asking for more aid from the U.S. in the fight against Russia, but he faces resistance from a small number of Republican lawmakers. Retired Adm. James Stavridis weighs in. And, out-of-state investors are buying up thousands of properties in Indianapolis and converting them to rentals. Their cash offers make it harder for average families to compete. The Indianapolis Star's Ko Lyn Cheang and Claire Rafford join us. Then, Rolling Stone's David Browne talks about the culture wars tearing apart the once close-knit country music industry.
21/09/23·26m 10s

Wisconsin GOP moves to oust Supreme Court justice; Climate Week NYC

Five Americans who were imprisoned in Iran are back in the U.S. Jared Genser, a human rights lawyer representing Siamak Namazi, one of those recently freed. joins us. Jason Rezaian, a Washington Post global opinions writer who spent 544 days imprisoned unjustly by Iranian authorities, talks with us about how the freed Americans are readjusting to society. And, Climate Week NYC is one of the largest annual events focused on climate change. Grist reporter Zoya Teirstein joins us. Then, Republicans in Wisconsin are working to lock in their redistricting map and impeach newly elected liberal state Supreme Court justice Janet Protasiewicz. Author and Mother Jones correspondent Ari Berman joins us.
20/09/23·30m 19s

Jazz legend Pat Metheny drops 'Dream Box'; How UAW strike could impact car sales

Michigan Rep. Debbie Dingell weighs in on the auto workers strike, now in day five, and its political impact in the swing state of Michigan. Lou Vitantonio, president of the Greater Cleveland Automobile Dealers' Association, talks about the effect of the auto worker strike on car sales. And, CBC's J.P. Tasker explains the diplomatic dustup between Canada and India over the killing of a Sikh activist in Canada. Then, long-time jazz guitarist and composer Pat Metheny — leader of the Pat Metheny Group for nearly a quarter century starting in the late 1970s — has released the album "Dream Box." He discusses his new work and the inspiration behind it.
19/09/23·29m 26s

U.S.-Iran prisoner exchange; American cyclist Sepp Kuss wins Vuelta A España

Five Americans have been released from prison in Iran. In exchange, the U.S. released five Iranian prisoners and gave Iran access to $6 billion in oil revenues that were previously frozen under sanctions. Borzou Daragahi, journalist and nonresident senior fellow with the Atlantic Council's Middle East Program, joins us. And, American cyclist Sepp Kuss has won Vuelta A España, the Spanish version of the Tour De France. He is the first American to win in more than a decade. Kuss joins us to talk about the victory. Then, some of the Supreme Court's recent decisions have spurred comparisons to the decisions of the late 1800s. Randall Kennedy, a professor at Harvard Law School, joins us to talk about these comparisons ahead of the new term beginning next month.
18/09/23·23m 57s

UAW members weigh in on historic Big Three strike; Kim Jong Un's trip to Russia

The United Autoworkers Union has called a historic strike against each Big Three auto manufacturer. We speak with Ford autoworkers and UAW members Tiffanie Simmons and Ryder Littlejohn. And, the death toll from the recent deadly flooding in Libya has continued to climb. Al Jazeera's Malik Traina speaks to us from Tripoli while he waits to gain access to the affected areas. Then, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is on the fourth day of his visit to Russia. Jim Walsh, senior research associate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Security Studies Program, talks about the visit.
15/09/23·27m 37s

Memphis' mark on the hip-hop world; Morocco's monarchy and disaster relief

South Dakota Republican Sen. Mike Rounds talks about whether lawmakers should regulate the use of artificial intelligence and a possible government shutdown this month. And, Samia Errazzouki, a postdoctoral fellow at Stanford, talks about Morocco's monarchy and what's behind the government's slow response to a devastating earthquake that has killed thousands of people. Then, rap has always been anchored in regional culture. Zandria Felice Robinson, writer and professor at Georgetown University, explains Memphis' unique rap scene and how this southern city punched above its weight in the burgeoning hip-hop world.
14/09/23·25m 46s

African leaders want a role in climate solutions; Conservatives plan to dismantle EPA

The death toll is expected to rise in Libya as thousands remain missing after heavy rain and flooding over the weekend. Al Jazeera's Malik Traina talks about the devastating flooding in eastern Libya. And, leaders from across the continent have stressed that the world should not just pity African countries as some of the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Instead, they say there should be more global investment in Africa as an innovator that could lead a clean energy transition. Grist's Katherine Bagley joins us. Then, Project 2025 aims to dramatically reshape federal agencies, reduce their independence, and give more power to the president if a Republican wins in 2024. Paul Dans, the director of Project 2025 at the conservative think tank Heritage Foundation. AP's Lisa Mascaro also talks about Project 2025.
13/09/23·24m 32s

Auto workers union negotiations; Native American activism through Johnny Cash's music

United Auto Workers are negotiating a new contract, and electric vehicles are at the center of the discussion. Michigan Radio's Tracy Samilton and Belvidere, Illinois, Mayor Clinton Morris, join us to talk about what's been discussed as part of the negotiations. And, the death toll from last week's earthquake in Morocco has reached 2,800. John Johnson, a nurse on the Doctors Without Borders emergency response team, joins us to talk about the organization's efforts south of Marrakesh. Then, it's been 20 years since Johnny Cash died. Colorado Public Radio's Vic Vela looks back on his early hits and how his music spoke up for Native Americans throughout the 1960s.
12/09/23·28m 2s

Earthquake devastates Morocco; Fair Play game highlights home life inequality

A 6.8 magnitude earthquake devastated the landscape of Morocco and residents are left picking up the pieces. Alice Morrison, writer and resident of the Atlas mountains, joins us. And, the Food and Drug Administration is expected to approve the latest COVID-19 booster shot. Experts say it will protect against the two most prominent variants of the virus. Epidemiologist Abdul El-Sayed joins us. Then, in most living situations, one person ends up taking on the most work around the house. The Fair Play card game seeks to address that inequality and rebalance it without causing conflict. Creator of the game and author of the book of the same name Eve Rodsky joins us.
11/09/23·24m 39s

Late-summer fruits recipes for scones and jam; Escaped murderer in Pennsylvania

Sahil Kapur of NBC News and Margaret Talev of Axios talk about Republican response to concerns about Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's health, and the latest polling on President Biden's re-election chances. And, convicted murderer Danelo Cavalcante has been on the run in Pennsylvania for eight days. Cavalcante escaped from prison last Thursday by crab-walking up a wall and scaling a fence. WHYY's Kenny Cooper shares the latest. Then, chef Kathy Gunst shares 3 recipes to make the most of end-of-summer fruits: blueberry and lemon scones, plum clafouti, and blueberry-ginger jam.
08/09/23·24m 8s

Asylum seekers in peril at the Southern border; NFL football is back. So is betting

Asylum seekers at the U.S.-Mexico border are often subject to arbitrary decisions made by border patrol agents who decide whether they can enter the country or not. And in Texas, a federal judge ruled Gov. Greg Abbott's floating barrier in Rio Grande. Reporter Lillian Perlmutter and Krish O'Mara Vignarajah, president and CEO of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, join us. And, as more companies return to in-office work requirements, the future of remote work is uncertain. Callum Borchers, columnist at the Wall Street Journal, joins us to explain what happens next. Then, the NFL football season kicks off on Thursday as the Kansas City Chiefs face off against the Detroit Lions. With the return of football comes the return of sports betting, now legal in two-thirds of states. But there's a darker side to the industry. Professor Lia Nower, director of the Center for Gambling Studies at Rutgers University, joins us.
07/09/23·29m 18s

WVU president defends cuts to language programs; DEI efforts in corporate America

David Miliband, CEO and president of the International Rescue Committee, says he's concerned the war in Ukraine is becoming "normalized." He talks about the war and the humanitarian crisis it has created. And, as part of its plans to make up for a $45 million budget shortfall, the leaders of West Virginia University announced it will end its advanced study of foreign languages programs. Paula Krebs, executive director of the Modern Language Association, explains what's at stake for students, and WVU President E. Gordon Gee shares how he is justifying the cuts. Then, a flurry of hiring of diversity, equity and inclusion specialists followed the murder of George Floyd three years ago. And now, DEI executives leaving their posts or being let go. Professor Shaun Harper, founder and executive director of the University of Southern California Race and Equity Center, joins us.
06/09/23·31m 36s

United Auto Workers strike likely; Most plastic in the U.S. can't be recycled

Amid demands for higher pay and a shorter workweek, the United Auto Workers are likely to strike when the union's current contract expires next week. University of Michigan Ross School of Business professor Erik Gordon joins us. And, New York City, attempting to reign in the short-term rental market, has placed new rules on Airbnb properties. Roben Farzad, host of public radio's "Full Disclosure," joins us. Then, while Americans often diligently sort and recycle plastics at home, only 5% of plastics in the U.S. can actually be recycled. Judith Enck of the non-profit Beyond Plastics joins us to talk about plastic pollution and solutions to it.
05/09/23·22m 6s

How to protect yourself from wildfires; The perils of hot neighborhoods

It's been a hot summer. "This is Wildfire: How to Protect Yourself, Your Home, and Your Community in the Age of Heat" explores the relationship between wildfire, humans and nature. Authors Nick Mott and University of Montana professor Justin Angle offer tips on how to prevent fires and stay safe if they do ignite. And, for researchers to find ways to protect American cities from extreme temperatures, they have to know exactly how hot it is. That's why cities like Phoenix and Chicago are undergoing heat mapping projects. Here & Now's Peter O'Dowd and Chris Bentley report on the projects. Then, solar energy is becoming more popular in the U.S. but infrastructure can take up lots of land. Enter floating solar. WUSF's Steve Newborn takes us to a pond in Florida where one energy company is conducting a floating solar pilot program.
04/09/23·29m 58s

End-of-summer book recommendations; Who was Wallace Stegner?

Even though summer is winding down, there's still enough time to bang out some reading. Creator of "The Stacks" podcast Traci Thomas and hosts Scott Tong and Robin Young offer some of their favorite books they read this summer. And, author Khashayar J. Khabushani joins us to talk about his debut novel "I Will Greet the Sun Again," which follows K., an Iranian-American boy living in Los Angeles. Then, depending on who you ask, Wallace Stegner was either the greatest writer in the American West or a name they've never heard. Melody Graulich is an emeritus professor of English and America Studies at Utah State University and has studied the life of Stegner and his works. She joins us.
04/09/23·35m 58s

Books banned in schools and prisons; Old Crow Medicine Show's new album

Former lawyer Rudy Giuliani is being sued for defamation by Georgia election workers. Michael Gottlieb, the attorney for two of those workers, joins us. And, Ali Velshi tells us about his new podcast, called "Banned Book Club," which focuses on books prohibited in schools across the U.S. And bans on books don't only apply to schools — Missouri has banned incarcerated people from receiving books in the mail. Dylan Pyles, co-founder of the nonprofit Liberation Lit, joins us to talk about it. Then, Nashville band Old Crow Medicine Show released a new album called "Jubilee." Ketch Secor, one of the band's founders and current frontman, joins us to talk about the new music and his commitment to gun policy reform.
31/08/23·29m 32s

Tennessee's flawed gun dispossession system; New technology may offer tinnitus relief

Hurricane Idalia made landfall on the Big Bend area of Florida on Wednesday and homeowners are reeling. Pamela Macrae joins us to talk about what she's seen in her hometown of Homosassa. WUFT's Christopher Will also joins us. And, WPLN criminal justice reporter Paige Pfleger joins us to talk about her joint investigation with ProPublica into Tennessee's flawed gun dispossession system. A large number of homicides are carried out by people legally barred from owning guns. Then, sufferers of tinnitus hear buzzing, ringing or other sounds in their ears, sometimes continuously. But new technology could provide some relief. Dr. Brian Fligor, audiologist and tinnitus expert at Tobias & Battite Hearing Wellness in Boston, and one of his tinnitus patients Elliot Gerberg join us.
30/08/23·25m 45s

Florida braces for deadly storm surge; Feral cats become blue-collar workers

Hurricane Idalia is expected to hit Florida's west coast on Wednesday, and residents are preparing for a potentially deadly storm surge. University of Miami hurricane expert Brian McNoldy joins us. And, when Spain won the women's World Cup, the head of the country's soccer federation, Luis Rubiales forcibly kissed forward Jennifer Hermoso. Why hasn't he been removed from the organization? The GIST's Lauren Tuiskula joins us to talk about how sexual misconduct pervades sports still. Then, Washington D.C.'s rat problem has been steadily worsening, and feral cats are part of the solution. The Humane Rescue Alliance's Blue Collar Cats program rehomes feral cats to live outside at houses around the metropolitan area. Washington Post reporter John Hudson is a participant in the program and joins us, along with Maureen Sosa, HRA's director of pet support.
29/08/23·24m 0s

Organizer on Jacksonville shooting; Long freight trains disrupt rural communities

On Saturday, a white gunman opened fire at a store in Jacksonville, Florida, killing 3 Black people. The gunman used slurs, had swastikas on his weapon and left behind racist writings. Kimberly Allen, CEO of 904WARD, joins us. And, as Hurricane Idalia approaches Florida, residents face an insurance crisis and a governor who's been distracted by a presidential campaign. Politico's Kimberly Leonard joins us. Then, some freight trains can stretch up to 2 miles long. In rural American communities, these trains stopped at stations can block traffic, school buses and more. The mayor of York, Alabama, Willie Lake and Associated Press railroad reporter Josh Funk join us.
28/08/23·25m 17s

Maui chefs cook up comfort; Blues artist Shemeika Copeland picks up accolades

This week in politics saw former President Donald Trump surrender himself in Georgia, the first Republican primary presidential debate and an impending Congress return. ABC News political director Rick Klein and USA Today White House correspondent Francesca Chambers join us. And, while residents of Maui continue to recover from the wildfires that devastated the island, a group of chefs is preparing thousands of meals per day to feed survivors. Sheldon Simeon, celebrity chef and owner of restaurant Tin Roof, joins us. Then, blues singer Shemeika Copeland just won the Critics Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album of 2022 and Female Blues Artist Of The Year by Living Blues Magazine. Copeland joins us to talk about her music.
25/08/23·31m 9s

Wagner Group leader reported dead; Recipes to savor the end of summer vegetables

The first Republican primary presidential debate took place last night in Milwaukee. Wisconsin Republican Charlie Sykes joins us to recap the main wins and losses seen from the eight debaters. And, Yevgeny Prigozhin, leader of the mercenary Wagner Group, was listed as one of 10 passengers on a plane that crashed in Russia. Prigozhin is reportedly dead. The Washington Post's Mary Ilyushina joins us. Then, the end of summer means the end of growing season rich with zucchini, corn, tomatoes and more. Resident chef Kathy Gunst offers three recipes to help you use up and savor the last of those seasonal vegetables.
24/08/23·18m 30s

New school year, new policies in some states; Herbie Hancock honors Wayne Shorter

Experts say that COVID-19 isn't going anywhere. And the newest booster shot should be available in late September and early October. Dr. Ashish Jha, who served as the White House COVID-19 response coordinator, joins us. And, in Florida, Kentucky and Iowa, students starting the new school year will be met with new guidelines and policies. Grant Gerlock of Iowa Public Radio, Kerry Sheridan of WUSF and Jess Clark of Louisville Public Media join us. Then, Herbie Hancock assembles a roster of jazz stars for a tribute concert dedicated to fellow jazz legend Wayne Shorter, who died earlier this year. Hancock joins us to talk about Shorter's life, music and legacy.
23/08/23·26m 44s

Phoenix schools try 4-day week; Sha'Carri Richardson sets 100-meter race record

Climate disasters have been in the news all summer, from extreme heat in the western U.S. to wildfires in Canada and Hawaii. Rachel Cleetus, policy director of the climate and energy program at the Union of Concerned Scientists, joins us to talk about how to navigate the frequency of disasters. And, a teacher shortage can be felt at schools nationwide. But the Cartwright School District in Phoenix has a potential solution: a 4-day week. Here & Now's Peter O'Dowd spoke with parents, teachers and a principal to see if the plan works. Then, U.S. sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson won the women's 100-meter race at the World Athletics Championship in Budapest on Monday. She set a world championship record. National sports writer for the Associated Press Eddie Pells joins us.
22/08/23·23m 29s

Lawyer fighting 'forever chemicals': 'Middle School Superpowers' offers parents tips

Rudy Giuliani became known for using racketeering laws to break up New York's mob. Now he's being charged with racketeering in Georgia for attempting to overturn the 2020 presidential election results. The New York Times' Maggie Haberman joins us. And, Robert Bilott is the lawyer that started the fight against PFAS, or "forever chemicals," in water systems. The chemicals are turning up in rainfall and the bodies of humans and animals. Bilott says the legal battle against these harmful chemicals ahead is long. Then, the new book "Middle School Superpowers: Raising Resilient Tweens in Turbulent Times" gives tips, strategies and anecdotes for parents of middle schoolers. Author and school counselor Phyllis Fagell joins us.
21/08/23·34m 27s

The perfect playlist to wind down the summer; Nat Myers releases album 'Yellow Peril'

Alt.Latino co-hosts Anamaria Artemisa Sayre and Felix Contreras offer a playlist of songs they can't stop listening to from Kumbia Queers to Tainy. And, what makes a track the song of the summer? It has to be "capable of changing the nation's psychic temperature," according to music critic Chris Richards. We look back at songs of the summer dating back to the 1960s with NPR music critic Ann Powers. Then, Nat Myers is putting a new twist on some of America's oldest music. The Korean-American musician's new blues album is called "Yellow Peril," and he describes himself as "a young Asian cat playing old Black music."
18/08/23·35m 19s

History lost to Maui wildfires; 'Stray Gods' lets players star in interactive musical

The indictment of former President Donald Trump has been made public in Georgia this week, accusing him of conspiring to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in the state. NBC White House reporter Katherine Doyle tells us what to know. And, Brianna Sacks tells us about her reporting on how power lines likely caused the first reported wildfire in Maui. The fires destroyed many homes and the Na'Aikane o Maui Cultural and Research Center, which housed artifacts of Native Hawaiian history. NPR's Jonaki Mehta reports on the devastation. Then, while most video games focus on shooting, spells or swordplay, "Stray Gods" focuses on singing. As players progress in their journey, their choices can change the characters' fates. Composer Austin Wintory joins us to talk about the unique game.
17/08/23·35m 4s

How communities and grassroots organizations are helping Maui wildfire survivors

A disastrous new school bus system delayed school's start in Louisville, Kentucky. We get the latest from Louisville Public Media's Jess Clark. And, Cardell Wright, president of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, reflects on this week's guilty plea by the six white former police officers who tortured two Black men. Then, in Hawaii, thousands of people are still without power. Grist's Gabriela Aoun Angueira says all across Maui, people in neighboring communities have been lining up to offer donations for those in need. Plus, one separated family found a way to be reunited in all the chaos, thanks to the grassroots supply network that's sprung up to keep the community going. NPR's Lauren Sommer went along on their journey.
16/08/23·24m 2s

Maui resident reflects on loss; Youth plaintiffs win climate case against Montana

Former President Donald Trump was indicted Monday night for attempting to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia. Princeton University historian Julian Zelizer joins us to talk about what the indictment means, and former Georgia district attorney Gwen Keyes Fleming discusses the legal strengths and weaknesses. And, wildfires devastated the island of Maui and more than 99 people have already died. We speak to Catlin Carroll, a marine biologist who lived in the Lahaina neighborhood and lost her house. Then, in a lawsuit 16 young people filed against the state, a judge ruled that Montana's fossil fuel policies violated a provision in its constitution that guarantees "a clean and healthful environment." Plaintiff Rikki Held and her attorney Nate Bellinger join us.
15/08/23·30m 58s

Maui recovers from deadliest U.S. wildfire in a century; Coal's future in Kentucky

In Hawaii, residents are mourning after the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than 100 years killed at least 96 people. Bill Dorman of Hawai'i Public Radio shares the latest. And Kekoa McClellan, a spokesperson representing hotel industries in Maui, talks about the future of the industry and how workers are faring after the deadly fires. Then, a small newspaper in central Kansas underwent a raid by local police, resulting in the seizure of computers, cell phones and servers of reporters and editors. Emily Bradbury of the Kansas Press Association tells us about how the illegal raid has raised concern over First Amendment rights. Plus, the world's appetite for coal is dimming as we grapple with the effects of climate change. But the communities in Kentucky that have mined it for generations are struggling to adapt. Louisville Public Media's Ryan Van Velzer reports.
14/08/23·26m 18s

Where to hit the road this summer; Restoring the Great Barrier Reef

Los Angeles journalist Brendan Borrell and photographer Tom Fowlks embarked on a kayaking journey from Tulare Lake to San Francisco Bay. It took 10 days. We hear from them about the trek. And, summer's winding down, but it's not too late to set out on a road trip. Travel expert and writer Heather Greenwood Davis offers tips about how and where to travel before the warm weather ends. Then, marine heat waves have been damaging the Great Barrier Reef. But scientists are working to restore the damage already done and protect it from even more. Marine biologist Kate Slaughter joins us to talk about these efforts.
11/08/23·28m 19s

American credit card debt passes $1 trillion; Maui wildfires

At least 36 people are dead on Maui as wildfires continue to burn, forcing thousands of people to flee and destroying hundreds of structures in the historic town of Lahaina. The Honolulu Star-Advertiser's Dan Nakaso shares the latest. Plus, we're joined by Laren Gartner who owns Cheeseburger in Paradise, a business that burned down in Lahaina, Hawaii. And, American credit card debt passed $1 trillion this week. It's another milestone that appears alarming on the surface — but what is the story behind that debt? The Washington Post's Michelle Singletary tells us. Then, Jordannah Elizabeth talks about her book for middle school readers, "A Child's Introduction to Hip-Hop: The Beats, Rhymes and Roots of a Musical Revolution."
10/08/23·29m 24s

Role of hip-hop in Megan Thee Stallion shooting case; 'A Compassionate Spy' doc

In Ohio, voters rejected a proposal to make the state's constitution harder to amend. Why? Reporter Abbey Marshall tells us about it. And, three years ago, rapper Tory Lanez shot fellow artist Megan Thee Stallion in the foot. We unpack the role of hip-hop in the legal case that ensured with Andscape senior culture writer Justin Tinsley. Then, a new documentary called "A Compassionate Spy" tells the story of Ted Hall, the scientist-turned-spy who gave secrets to the Soviet Union while developing the atomic bomb. Documentary filmmaker Steve James joins us.
09/08/23·24m 56s

Phoenix expects record-breaking heat deaths; Mapping hot neighborhoods in the U.S.

In Juneau, Alaska, a glacial flood swept at least two houses into the raging river. Several other homes were damaged. Juneau's Deputy City Manager Robert Barr joins us. And, this summer's record heatwave in Phoenix that sent temperatures soaring past 110 degrees for 31 straight days will be historically deadly, according to the Maricopa County medical examiner. Here & Now's Peter O'Dowd reports from Phoenix. Then, federal government scientists are busy this summer mapping the hottest parts of 18 communities in 14 states. Teams of volunteers are fanning out to collect data that will help them better understand the impact that extreme heat has on people living in cities. Here & Now's Peter O'Dowd and Chris Bentley report from Sedona, Arizona, and Chicago, Illinois.
08/08/23·28m 41s

Should Fed halt rate hikes?; Couple distributes overdose reversal meds at festivals

The Writers Guild of America recently met with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers to discuss contract negotiations. With little progress made, however, the strike will continue indefinitely. The Hollywood Reporter's Alex Weprin joins us. And, as fears of recession cool, some economists think it's time for the Federal Reserve to halt interest rate hikes. Jill Schlesinger, host of the podcast "Jill On Money," is one of them. She joins us to talk about why. Then, Ingela Travers-Hayward and William Perry spent the summer traveling to different music festivals handing out opioid-overdose reversal medications and teaching attendees how to use them to save someone's life. They talk about their non-profit This Must Be The Place and the work they're doing.
07/08/23·22m 37s

Fans react to lawsuit against Lizzo; 'Food, We Need to Talk'

Margaret Talev of Axios and Marc Caputo of The Messenger talk about the latest indictment against former President Donald Trump and how his legal troubles might impact the 2024 presidential election. And, pop singer Lizzo is facing serious allegations in a new lawsuit filed by three of her former dancers. We get the latest fan reactions from Here & Now's Femi Oke. Then, podcasters and authors Juna Gjata and Dr. Edward Phillips tell us about their new book, "Food, We Need to Talk: The Science-Based, Humor-Laced Last Word on Eating, Diet, and Making Peace with Your Body."
04/08/23·30m 47s

How to stop multitasking; Rabbi reacts to Pittsburgh synagogue shooter sentence

Rabbi Jonathan Perlman and Stephen Cohen, co-president, of New Light Congregation, one of the three Jewish congregations to meet in the Tree of Life synagogue, react to the jury recommending a life sentence for the shooter. And, does it matter, legally, whether or not former President Donald Trump believed the lies he told about the 2020 election? Can ignorance be a defense? Harvard University's Laurence Tribe weighs in. Then, attempting to multitask usually ends in a worse outcome and can negatively impact our mental health. Oliver Burkeman argues that doing one thing at a time instead is actually a superpower. He joins us to talk about his book, "4000 Weeks: Time Management for Mortals."
03/08/23·28m 27s

Henrietta Lacks' grandson on settlement; Trump indicted for crimes against democracy

Former President Trump faces his third criminal indictment, which centers on his refusal to accept that he lost the 2020 election and his efforts to remain in power, despite losing. Barbara McQuade, University of Michigan law professor and former federal prosecutor, joins us. And, the family of Henrietta Lacks reached a settlement about the use of her cells for medical research. Ron Lacks — Henrietta Lacks' eldest grandson and the author of "Henrietta Lacks: The Untold Story" — reacts to the long-awaited settlement. Then, Grist reporters Lylla Younes and Jake Bittle talk about the environmental impact of liquefied natural gas export terminals that are popping up at a rapid pace along the Gulf Coast.
02/08/23·28m 20s

Trump remains GOP primary favorite amid charges; Effects of wildfire smoke exposure

WABE's Sam Gringlas talks about the investigation into former President Donald Trump's alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia. But Trump still leads in Republican primary polls by wide margins, even as GOP support has slipped amid more criminal charges. Princeton University political historian Julian Zelizer tells us more. And, scientists are urgently calling for more research to be done on the long-term effects of prolonged exposure to wildfire smoke. STAT's Megan Molteni joins us. Then, pickleball enthusiast Marcella Meyer created a new family card game called Pickleball Slam incorporating the game's strategies and terminology with an action-packed game including characters ranging from a ballerina, a superhero, a few chefs and a knight in shining armor. She tells us about the game.
01/08/23·28m 40s

The dark side of South Korea's beauty standards; Arrest made in Gilgo Beach murders

Patrick Braxton became mayor of Newbern, Alabama, in 2020 — but says he has been fighting to hold onto his title after the white former mayor and his council members held a special election and reappointed themselves to their positions. Aallyah Wright of Capital B News tells us more. Then, New York Times reporter Corey Kilgannon tells us about Gilgo Beach, New York, and the suspect in a spree of killings there. And, NPR's Elise Hu talks about her book "Flawless: Lessons in Looks and Culture from the K-Beauty Capital," which looks at the South Korean beauty industry — the third largest cosmetic and skin care exporter in the world.
31/07/23·25m 35s

'Worst national anthem' singer's redemption; 'Bobi Wine: The People's President'

Talks of new charges against former President Donald Trump and a push for President Biden's impeachment dominate the week in politics. NBC's Scott Wong and USA Today's Francesca Chambers join us. And, in 2011, Harper Grace went viral for singing what's been called the "worst national anthem ever." Grace joins us to talk about her redemption tour and using her platform to speak motivationally, too. Then, a new documentary follows the life of musician and member of Uganda's parliament, Bobi Wine, on his unsuccessful run for the 2021 presidency of Uganda. Wine and his wife Barbie Kyagulanyi join us.
28/07/23·31m 23s

Blerdcon celebrates Black nerds; Texas pecan farmer caught up in immigration turf war

Dean Scheinert, executive director of the senior day shelter Justa Center, speaks about what concerns him most about homeless seniors in the record-setting heat this month in Phoenix, Arizona. And, pecan farmer Magali Urbina talks about her involuntary entanglement in a turf war between the U.S. Border Patrol and Texas authorities over immigration enforcement. Then, Blerdcon is unique in catering expressly to Black nerds — or blerds. Founder and CEO Hilton George explains the rise of Black nerdom and the events he puts on to celebrate it throughout the year.
27/07/23·23m 40s

Texas prisons charge more for water amid heat wave; Caring for Colorado's unhoused

A federal judge blocked President Biden's new policy that would make it tougher to apply for asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border. Krish O'Mara Vignarajah, president of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, joins us. And, there's an ongoing, deadly heat wave in Texas, and the state approved a 50% price increase on water bottles. Paul Flahive, accountability reporter for Texas Public Radio, joins us to discuss the danger of price gouging. Then, we talk with Miriah Nunnaley, director of the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, about the care the coalition provides to the state's unhoused population. Among those receiving help is Ed Clair, a man who lived on the street throughout the winter and had to have his feet amputated after they froze in the cold weather.
26/07/23·1h 39m

What not to eat to beat the heat; A national monument to Emmett Till and his mother

Founder and CEO of Blacks in Green Naomi Davis talks about the new national monument and Emmett Till's legacy as the catalyst of the civil rights movement. And, there's another adaptation that can help you survive a heatwave: diet. Washington Post environmental reporter Allyson Chiu shares tips on what to eat to beat the heat. Plus, climate scientist Heidi Cullen talks about a report says the record heat waves we're seeing in the American Southwest and southern Europe have almost no chance of happening without climate change. Then, Chinese prospectors arrived in rural northwest Afghanistan in a kind of new gold rush as they try to corner the market on lithium for electric car batteries. Washington Post correspondent Gerry Shih joins us.
25/07/23·28m 58s

Alabama's banned voting map; What to do with all the empty office space in NYC

What charges might a federal grand jury recommend for former President Donald Trump in a historic third indictment? University of Michigan law professor Barbara McQuade joins us to discuss. And, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a new congressional map out of Alabama is racially discriminatory. Bill Britt, editor-in-chief for the Alabama Political Reporter, joins us for the latest in this partisan fight. Then, when COVID-19 shuttered office buildings, more people than ever started working from home. In the years since, hybrid or remote work has continued, leaving office buildings vacant. Manhattan in particular has a massive number of half-empty high rises. Andrew Rice, feature writer at New York Magazine, joins us.
24/07/23·24m 33s

How Greta Gerwig's 'Barbie' deconstructs a toy icon; Seeing the Perseid meteor shower

Parts of Kentucky are still recovering after flooding this week — one year after areas in the eastern part of the state were devastated by flooding. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear joins us. And, Greta Gerwig's new film "Barbie" might look pretty in pink — but it also tackles heady themes. The director discusses her vision, the legacy of the controversial doll and how she collaborated with star Margot Robbie. Then, the Perseid meteor shower is one of the most dramatic celestial events of the summer. Sky & Telescope's Kelly Beatty explains how to best witness the highly anticipated meteor shower and the rich history behind their discovery.
21/07/23·23m 35s

Women testify against Texas' strict abortion ban; Universities end legacy admissions

In Texas on Wednesday, a courtroom of lawyers listened to three women share heart-wrenching testimony about the impact the state's abortion ban had on their pregnancies. The Texas Tribune's Eleanor Klibanoff shares the latest. And, Washington Post national immigration reporter Maria Sacchetti explains how new asylum rules have created a 'fragile calm' at the southern border. Then, Wesleyan University will no longer consider an applicant's relationship to previous graduates in its admissions process. The practice of legacy admissions has been under scrutiny since the Supreme Court ruled to ban consideration of race in admissions when it struck down affirmative action. POLITICO's Bianca Quilantan tells us more.
20/07/23·20m 35s
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