Robin Young brings more than 25 years of broadcast experience to her role as host of Here & Now. She is a Peabody Award-winning documentary filmmaker who has also reported for NBC, CBS and ABC television and for several years was substitute host and correspondent for “The Today Show.” Learn more
Here & Now co-host Jeremy Hobson started telling stories on the radio when he was a kid and hasn’t stopped since. After joining Here & Now in 2013, he’s helped grow the program into public radio’s indispensable midday news magazine, nearly tripling the audience in just a few years. Learn more
Tonya Mosley is the third co-host of Here & Now, based in Los Angeles. Mosley has been the Silicon Valley bureau chief for KQED, the public radio station based in San Francisco. She is also the host of the new podcast Truth Be Told. As an Emmy and Murrow award-winning television, radio and print journalist, Mosley creatively uses her curiosity and tenacity to find and expose truths for the greater good of society. Learn more
Here & Now is a co-production between NPR and WBUR.
Update on North Carolina power grid; Gerrymandered map at the center of SCOTUS case
December 7, 2022
Georgia's U.S. Senate runoff has been called in favor of incumbent Democrat Rep. Raphael Warnock. Warnock defeated Republican Herschel Walker. Rahul Bali of WABE joins us. Then, after gunfire damaged two electrical substations in Moore County last week, some North Carolina residents are still without power. North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper joins us to give an update on the power grid and what's to come. And, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear a case Wednesday that could have major implications in elections. At the center of the case is a gerrymandered map that was drawn in 2020 by the Republican-controlled state legislature. Steve Harrison, politics and government reporter for WFAE, joins us.
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Decades of abuse in La Luz del Mundo megachurch uncovered; Floating wind farms
December 6, 2022
In California on Tuesday, dozens of energy companies are bidding for the right to build and operate floating wind farms off the coast of Morro Bay. This ambitious project is part of California's effort to create more renewable sources of energy. David Hochschild, chair of the California Energy Commission, joins us. Then, women's tackle football has been taking off in Europe. Michelle de Boer, center for the Dutch Lightning, joins us. And, Jennifer Tiexiera is the director of the new HBO documentary series "Unveiled: Surviving La Luz del Mundo," which recounts survivors' stories of sexual abuse in the megachurch La Luz del Mundo. The series premieres Tuesday night on HBO and HBO Max.
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Conflicting reports of Iran's morality police; Early childhood teachers of the year
December 5, 2022
Gunfire on Saturday damaged electrical substations in Moore County, North Carolina, leaving tens of thousands without power. For some, Duke Energy has said the outage could last well into this week. WFAE reporter Nick de la Canal joins us. Then, protests in Iran continue amid mixed reports about whether the country's morality police have been abolished. Borzou Daragahi, international correspondent for the Independent, joins us. And, early childhood teachers rarely get the recognition they deserve. But that's starting to change as Maryland and New Mexico honor two educators with teacher of the year awards. Berol Dewdney, a PreK teacher in Baltimore, and Tara Hughes, a special education teacher in Santa Fe, join us.
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Deshaun Watson returns to NFL field Sunday; Looking for a great read? We got you
December 2, 2022
ABC News political director Rick Klein and NBC senior congressional reporter Scott Wong discuss the latest moves in the lame-duck Congress to avert a rail strike. And, this weekend, one of the NFL's most controversial players will step back onto the field. The Ringer's Lindsay Jones reminds us of the sexual assault allegations against Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson and what to expect. Then, Andrew Limbong, host of NPR's "Book of the Day" podcast, talks about NPR's Books We Love site, which has more than 400 suggestions for great reads from the staff at NPR.
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The state of AIDS on World AIDS Day; Millions of Americans have no paid sick time
December 1, 2022
On World AIDS Day, we look at the status of AIDS in the present day. Marnina Miller, community outreach coordinator for the Southern AIDS Coalition, joins us to share what she tells young people about living with HIV and other thoughts. Then, the European Union is set to hold a crucial vote on whether to put a price cap on Russian oil. The aim is to cut Russia's oil revenue, but some people fear that this could adversely affect the energy market that has seen low U.S. gas prices. MSNBC anchor and economics correspondent Ali Velshi joins us. And, rail workers' fight for paid time off sheds light on the millions of Americans who also go without paid sick leave. Joe McCartin, the executive director of the Kalmanovitz Initiative for Labor and the Working Poor at Georgetown University joins us.
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Why has Meta put so much stake in VR?; Movies hitting the silver screen this winter
November 30, 2022
Workers at Zhengzhou, China's big Foxconn factory are protesting against COVID restrictions. The factory produces half of the world's iPhones. China Labor Bulletin researcher Aidan Chau joins us. Then, even after laying off thousands of employees, Facebook's parent company Meta is still on track to spend millions of dollars on virtual reality. Why is Meta betting so heavily on VR and how does gaming fit into the picture? Here & Now's James Perkins Mastromarino joins us. And, following a poor Thanksgiving box office, there's still much to look forward to in terms of movie releases this holiday season. NPR's Aisha Harris and KPCC's John Horn join us to give their new movie recommendations, from "Glass Onion" to "Pinnochio."
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Senate to vote on same-sex marriage bill; Mauna Loa erupts for 1st time since 1984
November 29, 2022
Congress is set to take up legislation this week to impose an agreement between railroad companies and union workers. Clark Ballew from the BMWED national union joins us. Then, we get the latest on Hawaii's Mauna Loa — the world's largest active volcano which erupted for the first time since 1984 over the weekend — from Bill Dorman of Hawai'i Public Radio. And, Columbia University law professor Katherine Franke talks about what the passage of the Respect for Marriage Act would mean. Utah County marriage clerks Russ Rampton and Ben Frei explain why they perform online marriage ceremonies for same-sex couples from countries where same-sex marriage is banned, even though it runs contrary to their church's religious teachings.
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China's 'zero COVID' policy; Effective altruism could be at a crossroads
November 28, 2022
Protests erupted in China over widespread restrictions as part of the country's zero COVID policy. Protesters have been calling for freedom of speech, freedom of the press and some even for Xi Jinping to step down. NPR China affairs correspondent John Ruwitch joins us. Then, the World Cup has also been rocked by protests as the U.S. team gears up to play Iran. Protests in Iran have continued for months since the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody for allegedly wearing her headscarf incorrectly. Journalist and author James Montague joins us. And, effective altruism is a philanthropic model that encourages people to make a lot of money so they can donate a lot of money. But after the fall of FTX's founder Sam Bankman-Fried, the movement is at a crossroads. The Atlantic's Derek Thompson joins us.
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Jennette McCurdy opens up about childhood fame, tumultuous relationship with her mom
November 25, 2022
Former "iCarly" and "Sam & Cat" star Jennette McCurdy never wanted to be an actor. But her mother wanted her to, so she spent her childhood at casting calls and on television sets. Her mother controlled her life off-screen, dictating what she wore, ate and did. McCurdy details it all in her best-selling memoir "I'm Glad My Mom Died," and joins us to tell her story.
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A smorgasbord of cooking conversations from corn tortillas to sheet pan sweets
November 24, 2022
Got some Thanksgiving leftovers that could work well as a taco? Make sure you're working with the best corn tortillas. Jorge Gaviria's book "Masa: Techniques, Recipes, and Reflections on a Timeless Staple" explores the history and science behind the corn dough used to create tortillas. Then, apples get all the attention in fall cooking, so why not switch it up with some pears? Our resident chef Kathy Gunst drops by with recipes for a salad, pork chops and a sweet crumble, all utilizing the sweet, tart fruit. And, sweeten the deal with these easy dessert recipes, all of which can be baked on one sheet pan. Molly Gilbert joins us to talk about her book "Sheet Pan Sweets" where readers can find simple recipes for birthday cakes, blondies and more.
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Start your Thanksgiving feast off right; Eddie Palmieri is an eternal student
November 23, 2022
Traveling over Thanksgiving weekend? You're far from the only one. Airlines are expected to enter the busiest season of the year, close to pre-pandemic levels. But are they ready for that increased demand? Transportation analyst Seth Kaplan joins us. Then, it's easy to feel peckish while cooking Thanksgiving dinner all day long. Whether for yourself or your houseguests, resident chef Kathy Gunst has three recipes that'll keep you satisfied before dinner without spoiling your appetite. And, Latin jazz pianist Eddie Palmieri has made musical magic on stages around the world over the last seven decades. He joins us to reflect on his life and career, calling himself an eternal student who never stops learning.
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Community healing after Club Q shooting; Student's $300 rent thanks to home sharing
November 22, 2022
In the wake of the Colorado Springs shooting, the Pikes Peak Metropolitan Community Church has rallied around folks from the community. Pastor Alycia Erickson says the church has an important role to play at this time. Then, Keir Radnedge, a reporter for World Soccer Magazine who is in Qatar, talks about Saudia Arabia's stunning win over Argentina in the World Cup. And, college student Natalie Ho lives by the beach in California for $300 rent. Her secret? Home sharing with an older adult. We hear about the trend.
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Jerry Seinfeld's 'Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee Book'; COP27 conference wraps up
November 21, 2022
A gunman opened fire and killed 5 people at Club Q, an LGBTQ+ club in Colorado Springs. The club existed as a safe haven for the gay community in a predominantly-conservative area. Paolo Zialcita, a general assignment reporter at Colorado Public Radio, joins us to discuss what we know so far. Then, after two weeks of talks, the COP17 climate conference wrapped up with some major developments, namely an agreement over a climate reparations fund. However, some other aspects such as mitigating rising temperatures were deemed failures. Alden Meyer, senior associate at climate change think tank E3G, joins us. And, Jerry Seinfeld's show "Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee" is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, and Seinfeld has debuted a book of the same nature. "The Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee Book" comes out Tuesday, and Seinfeld joins us to discuss it.
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'Magic: The Gathering' angers fans; Ticketmaster under fire
November 18, 2022
Three young climate activists from around the world discuss what sort of climate action they want from their leaders and explain how high the stakes feel for them. And, after two days of pre-sale pandemonium, TicketMaster announced it would be canceling the general public sale for Taylor Swift's highly anticipated Eras Tour. Mike Regan, senior editor at Bloomberg News, joins us. Then, "Magic: The Gathering" invented the trading card game model nearly 30 years ago. But a recent decision to sell a collectible product for a whopping one thousand dollars has fans up in arms. Here & Now's James Perkins Mastromarino reports.
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Why giving up meat is so hard; Nancy Pelosi steps down
November 17, 2022
Nancy Pelosi announced Thursday that she will step down from party leadership. Joe Garofoli, senior political writer at the San Francisco Chronicle, takes a look back on her remarkable career. And, the Washington Post's Ishaan Tharoor talks about the political debate surrounding the World Cup in Qatar. Then, why is it so hard for us to give up meat? We speak with a professor who studies the psychology of going vegetarian And we get some mouth-watering vegetarian recipes from award-winning chef Bryant Terry.
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Developing countries call for climate reparations; India's farmers face uncertainty
November 16, 2022
Today's episode is focused on COP27. First, we explore the challenges and opportunities that come with climate reparations with Saleemul Huq, director of the Bangladesh-based International Centre for Climate Change and Development. Then, we convene a roundtable of climate reporters from Brazil, Nigeria and Pakistan to hear about the key issues affecting their local communities — from deforestation to flooding. And, YR Media's Mukta Dharmapurikar visited her family's farm in India this summer and found the lack of rain and the changing monsoon season are causing fear and uncertainty about the community's future.
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Republicans move towards House control; Podcast tells story of adult autism diagnosis
November 15, 2022
Republicans have won 217 seats in the House. The party is one vote short of retaking the chamber. Scott Wong, senior congressional reporter for NBC News, shares the latest. And, about 48,000 unionized academic workers across the University of California's 10 campuses have taken to the picket line, calling for better pay and benefits. Summer Lin, the Los Angeles Times reporter covering the strikes, speaks with us. Then, public radio voice Lauren Ober's new podcast "The Loudest Girl in the World" is all about her later-in-life autism diagnosis. Ober joins us now to tell us about the show and her journey.
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Medical debt relief; Funding early childhood education
November 14, 2022
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky paid a surprise visit to liberated Kherson Monday as workers try to restore basics such as power, water and phone services. NPR's Frank Langfitt was on the phone with Ukrainian soldiers who recaptured the city. And, Toledo City Council teamed up with RIP Medical Debt to rid hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical debt for thousands of Toledo residents. Michele Grim, who led the effort, explains what other cities can learn from this. And, we speak with two early childhood educators about their fight for better wages.
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What's next for student debt relief; Number of homeless veterans drops
November 11, 2022
NBC News senior congressional reporter Scott Wong and Radio Iowa news director Kay Henderson discuss the latest news from uncalled congressional races. Then, a judge in Texas has just dealt another blow to President Biden's student loan forgiveness plan. USA Today education reporter Chris Quintana explains what happens next in the legal fight as a pause on payments is set to expire in December. And, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced an 11% drop in homeless veterans since the start of the pandemic, the largest drop in more than half a decade. CEO of the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans Kathryn Monet talks about how this drop came to be but warns that it could be a temporary win.
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Which party connected more with working-class voters?; Michigan reelects Gov. Whitmer
November 10, 2022
Maricopa County election supervisor Bill Gates addresses the technical error that caused a delay at some voting centers in Arizona on Tuesday and assures that it was a technical glitch, not fraud or incompetence. He joins us. And, Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer won reelection in Michigan and a ballot proposal that adds the right to abortion and contraceptive use to the state constitution also passed. Matt Grossmann, a political scientist at Michigan State University, talks about the midterm results in Michigan. Then, we speak with Tim Petrowski, a steelworker in Michigan, and Georgetown University professor Sherry Linkon, who studies working-class issues, about which political messages resonated with working-class voters this midterm election.
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Abortion on midterm election ballots; How did election deniers fare in their races?
November 9, 2022
Midterm voting ended on Tuesday, and results are still rolling in from some states. What do the results we already have mean for American politics at large? NPR's Ron Elving and Princeton University historian Julian Zelizer join us to discuss what it all means. Then, abortion has been a hot-button issue seemingly forever, especially after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, leaving abortion legislation up to individual states. Vermont, California, Michigan, Montana and Kentucky all had abortion rights on the ballot this midterm, and NPR's Sarah McCammon has been tracking the results. She joins us. And, more than 300 election deniers — people who believe falsehoods about election fraud in 2020 or do not accept that former President Donald Trump lost the election — appeared on ballots across the country. Some won their races, some lost and Joanna Lydgate, president of the non-profit States United Democracy Center, joins us to unpack what that means.
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Worried about midterms? Try a comforting stew recipe; Races to watch as voting ends
November 8, 2022
NPR's Don Gonyea tells us which House and Senate races to watch on election night. Then, the U.S. Postal Service has advised customers to avoid sending mail using blue drop boxes due to a rise in mail theft. A small number of ballots appear to be getting caught up in the net. David Maimon, who studies cybertheft at Georgia State University, explains that ballots are unlikely to be the target of the theft. And, looking for some comfort on this tumultuous Election Day? Chef Kathy Gunst has three new stew recipes for fall.
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Why feelings matter more than facts; Angela Bassett rules in 'Wakanda Forever'
November 7, 2022
Midterm voting ends on Tuesday, but election results may not be available then. Election night is when most states start counting absentee and mail-in ballots. Domenico Montanaro, NPR senior political editor and correspondent, joins us. Then, emotion plays a heavy role in politics, especially when it comes to believing wholly-unfounded claims of election fraud from the 2020 election. Arlie Hochschild is a sociologist who's spent the past decade trying to understand how conservatives see the world and joins us. And, "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" comes out on Nov. 11, and Angela Bassett stars as Queen Ramonda. Bassett joins us to talk about the film and the late franchise star, Chadwick Boseman.
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Civil rights leader meets with Elon Musk; Who really writes celebrity memoirs?
November 4, 2022
Ahead of midterm voting ending on Tuesday, both President Biden and former President Donald Trump held rallies to motivate voters to cast their ballots. ABC News political director Rick Klein and USA Today White House correspondent Francesca Chambers join us to talk about what issues are driving voters this election season. Then, as Elon Musk takes over as head of Twitter, he faces pressure to combat hate speech and misinformation on the platform. Rashad Robinson, president of the civil rights nonprofit Color of Change, met with Musk and joins us. And, according to estimates by some in the industry, nearly 95% of celebrity memoirs aren't written by the person on the cover. So who is penning these autobiographies? Ghostwriters who remain nameless but make a hefty profit off the projects, for the most part. Here & Now's Grace Griffin reports.
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Biden calls out 2020 election lies; The most-read journalist you've never heard of
November 3, 2022
In a prime-time speech to the American public, President Biden called out lies about the 2020 presidential election that have led to political violence. But is that enough to embolden Democratic voting blocs like young and Black voters to turn out at the polls? Peniel Joseph, director of the University of Texas Center for the Study of Race and Democracy, joins us. Then, as midterm elections approach, five states have slavery on the ballot. In Alabama, Louisiana, Oregon, Tennessee and Vermont, loopholes exist that allow for the forced labor of incarcerated citizens, and voters will weigh in on whether to remove them from state constitutions. Christina Carrega, a national criminal justice reporter for Capital B News, joins us. And, "Listen, World!," a new book from Allison Gilbert and Julia Scheerer explores the life of Elsie Robinson, a prolific journalist and columnist born in the early 1900s. She became the most-read woman in America, though many didn't know her name. Author Gilbert joins us.
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Only 5% to 6% of plastics get recycled; 'Anthems We Love' and why we love them
November 2, 2022
As the U.S. Supreme Court hears two cases involving affirmative action in relation to college admissions, the Washington Post found that the lawyers arguing cases in front of the Justices are mostly white and male. WAPO's Tobi Raji joins us. Then, a new Greenpeace report shows that only 5% to 6% of plastics in the U.S. are recycled. The report also concludes that plastics are "fundamentally not recyclable" and calls for the petrochemical industry to end the narrative that places blame on individual consumers instead of the corporations producing so much plastic. Lisa Ramsden, senior plastics campaigner at Greenpeace, joins us. And, the right song can lift us up and make us feel alive. How have some anthems — like "ABC" by the Jackson 5 or "God Only Knows" by the Beach Boys — transcended decades, remaining popular the whole time? Music journalist Steve Baltin spoke to some of the hitmakers for his new book "Anthems We Love: 29 Iconic Artists on the Hit Songs that Shaped our Lives," and joins us.
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The math behind the poverty line; Julie Andrews pens the history of 'Do Re Mi'
November 1, 2022
Supreme Court Justices heard arguments in two cases with major implications for whether race can be used as one factor in college admissions. Slate's Dahlia Lithwick joins us. Then, ahead of the November midterm elections, we are hearing how people want to prioritize inflation and the rising cost of living. Demographer Beth Jarosz with the nonprofit Population Reference Bureau dives into the math behind poverty lines. And, musical icon Julie Andrews and her daughter Emma Walton Hamilton wrote a kid's book, "The First Notes: The Story of Do, Re, Mi," which tells the story of the 11th-century monk who invented a system of musical notation that we use today. The authors join us.
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Chelsea Manning's new memoir; Witchy romcoms are flying onto bookshelves
October 31, 2022
A new bulletin warns of a heightened "domestic violent extremist threat" in the final days of this midterm election cycle and following the outcome. Robert Pape, director of the University of Chicago Project on Security and Threats, has been tracking the potential for domestic political violence since the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Then, Chelsea Manning tells her story in a new memoir, "README.txt." The book goes from her struggles with gender as a child to being charged with 22 counts related to the unauthorized possession and distribution of classified material. And, happy Halloween! In the last two years, witches spelled over into romance novels — making contemporary romance just a little bit more magical. Here & Now's Kalyani Saxena reports.
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States adapt to federal free lunch ending; Beavers are moving back into Milwaukee
October 28, 2022
The federal free lunch program ended, and now some states are looking into reinstating the program at the state level. Colorado is one state considering bringing the program back, and Colorado Public Radio reporter John Daley joins us. Then, as midterms approach, how elections are run and more is at stake on the ballot, especially in Ohio and Nevada. Cleveland-based NBC senior national political reporter Henry Gomez and editor of the Nevada Independent Elizabeth Thompson join us. And, the American beaver is back in Milwaukee. Beavers were hunted and trapped beavers for their pelts, and the population plummeted. But now that they're returning, ecologists say it's a sign the ecosystem is recovering. Here & Now's Chris Bentley reports.
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King Promise rises as an Afrobeats star; The future of elections is at stake in Pa.
October 27, 2022
All the promises countries have made to reduce carbon emissions are not enough to prevent a climate catastrophe — and the window for action is closing, according to a new United Nations report. Inger Andersen, executive director of the UN Environment Program, talks about the report. And, in swing state of Pennsylvania, voters won't have the option to select their secretary of state this November. Here & Now's Samantha Raphelson reports. Then, a genre of music from Ghana and Nigeria is gaining traction around the world. King Promise, a rising Afrobeats star, talks to us while on a recent U.S. tour stop.
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Ye's latest controversy and its impact; You never forget your first (concert)
October 26, 2022
With COVID, the flu and respiratory syncytial virus all on the rise, public health care professionals warn against a "triple-demic." Patients of all three are filling hospitals nationwide. Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo, director of the division of infectious diseases at the University of Alamaba Birmingham, joins us. Then, Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, has always been a controversial figure. But his recent antisemitic comments have caused an uproar among his professional and business contacts. NBA players dropped out of his sports agency, Donda Sports. Adidas, Balenciaga and other major brands ended their partnerships with him. Chenjerai Kumanyika, assistant professor at New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute, and Karen Attiah, columnist for the Washington Post, join us. And, Here & Now's newest co-host Deepa Fernandes is getting ready to take her daughter to her first concert. Ahead of it, she caught up with other staff members about their early concert memories and shared some of her own.
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Exploring Oaxacan culture in LA; 3 hearty winter squash recipes
October 25, 2022
Multiple allegations of voter intimidation have been reported in Arizona as early midterm voting gets underway. The Arizona Republic's Sasha Hupka joins us. Then, after Los Angeles City Council members were caught on an audio recording making racist remarks including comments about Oaxacans, Indigenous people from Southern Mexico who make up a large portion of the city's immigrant population. Author and restaurateur in Los Angeles Bricia Lopez and assistant professor at the University of California Irvine Brenda Nicolas join us. And, as the weather cools down, pick up some winter squash at the grocery store and try out these three recipes from Kathy Gunst, our resident chef. She shares how to make a ramen dish, a farro salad and an herbaceous galette.
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Cuban Missile Crisis, 60 years later; Physicist creates space for disability in STEM
October 24, 2022
The National Report Card came out Monday and paints the broadest picture of student achievement during the COVID-19 pandemic. The report finds children have suffered record declines in the past few years. Head of the National Center for Education Statistics Dr. Peggy Carr joins us. Then, we reflect on what the U.S. can learn from the Cuban Missile Crisis, 60 years later. As the war in Ukraine weathers on and North Korea threatens missile usage, tensions are heightened yet again. Senior research associate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Security Studies Program Jim Walsh joins us. And, it's Black In Physics week and NASA scientist K. Renee Horton is carving out a space for Black and disabled people in STEM fields. Horton herself experiences hearing loss and will soon embark on a special flight with other people with disabilities. She joins us to talk about her career and advocacy work.
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Why are U.S. generals on foreign governments' payrolls?; History of live music
October 21, 2022
After only 45 days in office, UK Prime Minister Liz Truss resigned, making her the shortest-serving leader in British history. After former Prime Minister Boris Johnson's abrupt departure is instability the new norm in British politics? King's College London Politics Professor Anand Menon joins us. Then, some retired former U.S. military generals appear on the payrolls of foreign governments. They're being paid to provide their military expertise, and some question how ethics, oversight and national security factor into the issue. Washington Post investigative reporter Craig Whitlock joins us. And, live music is more than just artists playing instruments in front of an audience. It also has a rich history in the U.S. as a major business venture. Steve Waksman, music professor at Smith College and author of "Live Music in America: A History from Jenny Lind to Beyoncé" joins us to discuss both its cultural and business significance.
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Mississippi River reaches record low water levels; 'Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed'
October 20, 2022
Governor races in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Michigan are heating up as midterm elections approach. Reporters covering the governor's races in each state join us. Then, due to a major drought in the Midwest, the Mississippi River's water levels dropped below previous record lows. The river is a major economic avenue accounting for billions of dollars of trade, and the future may spell more trouble. Daily Memphian's Keely Brewer joins us. And, the silly, nostalgic charm of the "Ghostbusters" movies has been translated into video game form in the newly released "Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed." Gamers can play as ghost hunters or the ghost itself, and chaos ensues. Here & Now's James Mastromarino reports.
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Confusion abounds over DeSantis' voting fraud arrests; 'Outlander' star's memoir
October 19, 2022
In Florida, a video shows police arresting 19 people accused of committing voter fraud. A 2018 state constitutional amendment restored the right to vote to many felons, but not those convicted of murder or felony sex offenses, leading to confusion over who was eligible. Neil Volz, deputy director of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, joins us. Then, human-made threats are responsible for the decline of nearly half of bird species. One in eight species is threatened with extinction, according to a new report, and birds tell us a lot about the state of the environment and the health of the planet. Stuart Butchart, a chief scientist at BirdLife International and a co-author of the report, joins us. And, Sam Heughan may not be too similar to his "Outlander" character Jamie Fraser, but he has a tale of his own journey to tell. The actor documents his hike of Scotland's West Highland Way while reflecting on his personal life and acting career. "Waypoints: My Scottish Journey" comes out on Oct. 25 and Heughan joins us.
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Could Democrats lose control of the Oregon governor's office?; Iran's 1906 revolution
October 18, 2022
For four decades, Democrats have had a tight grip on the governor's office in Oregon. But the seat may soon slip from their grasp as Republican candidate Christine Drazan has a viable path to victory. Oregon Public Broadcasting's Lauren Dake joins us. And, Iran scholar Reza Aslan discusses anti-government protests in Iran and how it reminds him of the first democratic revolution in the Middle East in Iran in 1906. Then, the NBA season starts Tuesday night following a busier off-season than usual. Michael Pina, senior staff writer for The Ringer, brings down all the storylines swirling around the upcoming NBA season.
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'Stop the Steal' leader recruits poll workers; What draws us to the music we love?
October 17, 2022
As Michigan gears up for midterm elections, Republicans in the state have tapped one ringleader who promoted attacking the Capitol on Jan. 6 and claims of a stolen 2020 election to recruit poll workers to administer elections. Politico reporter Heidi Przybyla joins us. Then, whether you like hip-hop or bluegrass music, there's a reason behind it. The new book "This Is What It Sounds Like: What the Music You Love Says About You" explores why people enjoy the music they do. Susan Rogers, who co-authored the book with Ogi Ogas, joins us. And, drone strikes hit Kyiv in the latest of Russia's attacks on Ukraine. The early-morning strikes killed at least three people on Monday. Missy Ryan, who covers national security for the Washington Post, joins us.
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'Beat scientist' Makaya McCraven's new album; Arizona's election-denying candidates
October 14, 2022
Arizona is one of several battlegrounds where candidates backed by former President Donald Trump have echoed his baseless claims of voter fraud. Here & Now's Peter O'Dowd reports from the state. Makaya McCraven is a drummer, composer and self-described "beat scientist." He's kicking off a tour in support of a new album, a collection of original compositions that he's been refining for years. Here & Now's Chris Bentley reports. And, the Jan. 6 committee voted unanimously to subpoena Trump. Democratic Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren of California, who is a member of the select committee, joins us.
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Florida jury sentences Parkland shooter to life; Maggie Haberman on making of Trump
October 13, 2022
A Florida jury has decided that the Parkland shooter will spend the rest of his life in prison. Nikolas Cruz killed 17 people at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018. We learn more with WPLN reporter Gerard Albert. Then, Andrew Selee of the Migration Policy Institute joins us to talk about the increasing cap on H-2B visas and new procedures for Venezuelans arriving in the U.S. And, for years, New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman has covered former President Donald Trump. Now, she has a new book tracing his origins from New York real estate developer to president. She joins us with more.
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Photographer documents war atrocities in Ukraine; U.S. faces maternity care deserts
October 12, 2022
A new study out of Northwestern University anticipates that rain storms in the eastern part of the country will grow more intense and drop more precipitation as the climate continues to change. Ryan Harp, co-author of the study, joins us. Then, photographer Mark Neville began documenting the atrocities of war in Ukraine in 2015 after the Russian annexation of Crimea. Now, Neville continues to take photos while providing humanitarian aid to those affected by the war. He joins us. And, millions of pregnant people in the U.S. live in maternity care deserts, meaning they do not have access to healthcare that would help them safely deliver their babies. Theresa Gaffney, a multimedia producer at STAT, the health and medicine publication, joins us.
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Too young, too old, or just a woman?; Wendell Pierce stars in 'Death of a Salesman'
October 11, 2022
New York City Mayor Eric Adams the city needs tents to shelter migrants coming to the city including migrants sent by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. Professor Felipe De La Hoz joins us. Then, "The Wire" and "Treme" actor Wendell Pierce stars as Willy Loman in Arthur Miller's Pulitzer Prize-winning "Death of a Salesman" which, for the first time on Broadway, centers around a Black Loman family. And, women are often seen as either too young or too old in our culture. Host Deepa Fernandes brings together two aging experts to talk about "gendered ageism."
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Robots designed to teach Indigenous languages; Louise Erdrich's 'The Sentence'
October 10, 2022
In one of Russia's most expansive attacks since the beginning of the war, several Ukraine cities were hit by explosions. Ukraine bureau chief for the Washington Post Isabelle Khurshudyan joins us. Then, one Native American inventor has built robots designed to teach Indigenous languages and culture to children who may not be exposed to it any other way. Danielle Boyer, the founder of the nonprofit The STEAM Connection who is making these robots, joins us. And, we revisit a conversation with Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award-winning author Louise Erdrich about her novel "The Sentence" about a haunting at a Native American bookstore in Minneapolis in 2020.
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Fight over mail-in ballots plays out in Wisconsin; To brunch or not to brunch
October 7, 2022
As midterm elections approach, absentee ballots are a source of contention in Wisconsin. The number of mail-in ballots skyrocketed during COVID-19 and some used that as a way to spread baseless claims of voter fraud and call for changes to the election process. Here & Now's Chris Bentley reports. Then, human rights advocates in Ukraine, Russia and Belarus were awarded Nobel Peace Prizes. All three recipients oppose Russian and Belarusian state rule and Russia's ongoing war with Ukraine. NPR's Rob Schmitz joins us. And, we try to settle a staff-wide debate about whether brunch is just an over-hyped breakfast or truly the best meal of the weekend. Farha Ternikar, author of "Brunch: A History," joins us to talk about brunch's cultural significance.
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Conspiracies enter Wisconsin midterms; Disaster relief for underserved communities
October 6, 2022
Despite the claims of voter fraud propelled by former President Donald Trump that were wholly unfounded, widespread distrust in the election process lingers in Wisconsin. Here & Now's Chris Bentley reports from Green Bay about the election officials and poll workers trying to restore trust in the system. Then, underserved communities were disproportionately impacted by hurricane Ian, and many wonder how disaster relief will get to them. Former Tampa emergency manager and CEO of the Institute of Diversity and Inclusion in Emergency Management, Chauncia Willis, joins us. And, OPEC+, or the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, announced plans Wednesday to cut oil production by 2 million barrels per day. This comes amid security concerns around the Nord Stream pipeline. Andreas Eriksen, Norway's State Secretary for Petroleum and Energy, joins us.
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Are candidate debates a thing of the past?; 'Singing Our Way To Freedom'
October 5, 2022
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, or OPEC+ Alliance, is meeting Wednesday to consider a cut in oil production of up to 2 million barrels a day. Managing editor at S&P Global Platts Herman Wang joins us to talk about how this could be disastrous for gas prices. Then, Brookings Institution senior fellow John Hudak joins us to examine the importance of political debates and why lately, many candidates have opted not to participate in them. And, a new documentary "Singing Our Way To Freedom" celebrates the life and music of Ramon "Chunky" Sanchez. Director Paul Espinosa joins us to talk about the film.
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'Making Black America' takes a journey through history; SCOTUS redistricting case
October 4, 2022
The Supreme Court is hearing a case Tuesday that experts say could further erode the landmark 1965 Voting Rights Act. Yurij Rudensky, senior counsel at the Democracy Program at the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law, joins us. Then, some residents in southwest Florida are seeking shelter at a local high school after Hurricane Ian flooded their homes. WUSF's Cathy Carter reports. And, Henry Louis Gates Jr. talks about a new PBS series focusing on the vast richness of Black life in American history called "Making Black America: Through the Grapevine."
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Ian wreaks havoc on Sanibel Island and insurance crisis; SCOTUS hears wetlands case
October 3, 2022
Sanibel and Captiva Islands were hit with a barrage of tropical weather from Hurricane Ian. Maria Espinoza, the executive director of FISH, a nonprofit providing disaster assistance, joins us. Then, Florida's already-existing insurance crisis was worsened by the storm's damage. Florida State University associate professor Charles Nyce joins us to explain why state residents were paying some of the highest homeowners insurance rates in the country, even before the hurricane struck. And, the government's role in preserving the country's wetlands is at the center of a Supreme Court hearing on Monday. Dr. Bob Bond, who grew up going to Priest Lake — the site at the center of the case after a couple tried to fill in wetlands on their property to build a house — joins us.
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Rents dropped last month. But will the trend continue?; Hunter Biden's laptop
September 30, 2022
Law professor Kimberly Wehle recaps what the House committee investigating the attack on the Capitol on Jan. 6 has revealed in recent months and what to look out for as it continues its investigation. Then, apartment rents dropped for the first time in two years in August. Roben Farzad of Public Radio's "Full Disclosure" talks about whether renters can expect this trend to continue. And, New York Magazine Washington correspondent Olivia Nuzzi explains why mainstream media should have paid more attention to the story of Hunter Biden's laptop and what she learned after viewing its supposed contents.
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Sigourney Weaver's new movie 'The Good House'; Major Taylor's cycling legacy lives on
September 29, 2022
After Hurricane Ian rocked Sarasota County, Florida, the area is beginning recovery efforts. Jamie Carson, communications director for the county, joins us. Then, Sigourney Weaver joins us to discuss her new movie "The Good House," in which she plays Hildy Good, a woman trying to recover from alcoholism and care for her family and business. Plus, Black-led bike clubs carry on cyclist Major Taylor's legacy while carving out an inclusive space in Missouri's bicycling community. KCUR's Luke Martin reports.
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