Equal Time with Martha Burk

February 23 is Pinochio day, which yearly marks the 1940 Disney film of the same name. But Pinnochio was actually created by Italian book author Carlo Lorenzini way back in 1883. If you've ever been a kid you probably know that Pinnochio's nose grew every time he told a lie.

February is Black History Month in the U.S. Most of us think it began in 1976 when President Gerald Ford officially recognized it. But the origin goes back many decades before that, and there are a few surprises.

Movies can be funny, serious, or scary. One rating service calls some of them "rotten tomatoes". One on the big screen now might be just that. You decide.

There's a nationwide ritual that many folks take part in every year on the first Monday in February.  Could be good news or lousy -- what does it mean for you?

The most important Supreme Court decision of the 20th century was swept away -- along with women's autonomy. Since Roe v. Wade was overturned, women are steadily losing more control over their bodies.

Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) was a beacon of hope for our country. We need his strength now more than ever. 

The Heritage Foundation cooked up a scheme last year to transform the U.S. from a democracy to a theocracy. They're at it again, targeting the country's largest group.

Every year millions of Americans swear to New Year's resolutions. What are they, and will they be remembered in February?

2025 was full of wars, politics, bad weather, murders and mayhem. All downers.  Here's a few lighter ones you probably missed.

Shop till you drop is almost over. Here's a way to finish up, save money, and help your fellow citizens in the bargain.

A Catholic church near Boston changed its usual nativity display.  Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus are missing. In their place is a sign reading "ICE was here."

The U.S. declared war on Japan on December 8, 1941, the day after Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. One woman stood in opposition.

The holidays are here, Christmas, Hanukkah, and a host of others around the world. But the various religions are having a hard time agreeing on ownership of the symbolism.

We have many food companies in the U.S. with vittles fit for a Thanksgiving dinner.  Can we buy American for our grocery list this year?

There's no question our airline system is a total mess, for passengers and pilots alike. But the so-called "friendly skies"  don't exist for one other class of airline workers.

Veteran's Day the nation's annual day to honor those who served our armed forces and  recognize their contributions  and sacrifices to our country. But there's a new scam afoot that tarnishes vets and costs us all in the bargain.

Millions of Americans are at risk of losing food aid due to the government shutdown.  They may get "half a loaf" due to a last minute court ruling, but it's no way to treat our fellow citizens, and what happens next?

Halloween is here, with the usual ghosts.  goblins, ghouls, and scary clowns: this year watch out for a new one.

Every year the American Library Association puts out a list of banned books in libraries and schools. Censors are hard at work. 

Have you been seeing purple ribbons lately around your area on lamp posts, fences, and other public places?  They're aimed at one group you've probably never thought about.

Coffee fan alert:  Big new announcement  from Starbucks. They're upwards of 100 stores, and at least 59  just happen to be unionized. Coincidence? You decide.

It's Hispanic Heritage Month, so let's recognize their leaders, and raise a glass to the founder of the United Farm Workers. If you're thinking Cesar Chavez, you're a little less than half right.

The U.S. Census Bureau released the new wage data earlier this month.  Big surprise? Nope -- same old, same old. 

What with lousy politics, floods, guns everywhere you look, and fools on the Hill, there's not much to feel good about in the news.  So let's take a break and mark this week with some celebrations you probably don't know about.

Last June Secretary of the Navy Pete Hegseth announced the renaming of eight U.S. naval ships. The decree came during Pride month, when Hegseth gleefully celebrated the renaming of the USS Harvey Milk, which had honored the prominent gay civil rights activist. So it's no surprise that the seven ships remaining on Hegseth's current  hit list all honor women and minorities. 

This week we celebrate Labor Day, honoring American workers.  It's been celebrated every year since 1894, when President President Grover Cleveland signed the law making the first Monday in September a national holiday.  Bur how are our workers really doing?

Will students heading back to college this month be packing heat along with the books and booze?   The campus vigilante group Students for Concealed Carry claims to have 350 chapters on college campuses – to keep the students safe of course. 

August 26th marks a momentous day in U.S. History, but many Americans don't know about it, a few celebrate or mark it in any way. What is it?  Listen up and find out.

I thought I knew about most of US History, at least in passing. Boy, was I an ignoramus. You may be too. Here's the skinny.

The Dog Days of Summer aren't actually about dogs -- but the stars and ancient peoples. Still, here are a few humandogs to think about.

President Lyndon Johnson made history on July 30, 1965, when he signed two laws that would greatly improve the lives of Americans. Both have worked well, and are now under siege.  

It's come around again- one of the most enduring mysteries of modern times. In July 1937, Amelia Earhart and her navigator Fred Noonan disappeared in an attempt to fly around the world.  

If you've been thinking things couldn't get any worse in the good 'ol USA, think again. Trump's watchful government has guarded our virtue by banning a slew of words.

After a visit to his Alligator Alcatraz migrant detention facility in Florida -- which by the way will cost $450 million dollars a year and has already flooded -- Trump is celebrating the July third passage of his so-called greatest bill, saying “There's something for everyone."  He's got that right.  Here's a list.

When the Declaration of Independence was written, the "fathers of our country" looked in the mirror, and guess what they saw?

For decades U.S. storms and hurricanes had exclusively female names. Male forecasters had snickers and snide remarks about the female storms' "temperament" and "instability."  No more.

Trump's throwing a "big beautiful" birthday parade, masquerading as a tribute to the troops.  At a cost of $40 million and counting, what could Americans have instead?

Most people think June weddings are the follow-on to High School or college graduations, but the tradition actually goes back to antiquity.

Official history says the first Memorial Day celebration was held in Arlington National Cemetery on May 30, 1868, where Union and Confederate soldiers from the Civil war are buried.  Nope. The earliest ceremony was years earlier, and the participants not the people you learned about in school.

The world has been all atwitter for the last couple of weeks since the new Pope Leo XIV was installed. The Old Perp has been busy too -- starting with a picture of himself as pope. Let's see how they compare.

We just celebrated Mother's Day, honoring our moms, grandmoms, caretakers, and other women who helped us along the way. But let's not forget some who gave a different kind of birth – the mothers of invention.  Though you've probably never heard of them, their work has advanced society and made life easier. Here are just a few. 

Trump claims to love women. Let's see how the majority of the population, majority of registered voters, and majority of those who actually show up at the polls have fared since his inaugural.

Ever heard (or heard of) honky tonk music? How about the moniker "honky" given to whites by Black folks? Any relation? Listen and find out.

Many people think Earth Day was just a hippie invention that went away with the 1970s. Think again.

 The Trump-caused stock market crash is all over the news, but there's another national disaster going on under the radar at the same time, with senior citizens the on the receiving end.

We're all used to April Fool legends and pranks, but over time A LOT more has happened (and still is happening) than most people know about.

Universal suffrage for women came to the US in 1920. But poet from the 1800s tells a much earlier tale.

The Department of Defense operates 161 schools in 11 foreign countries, Guam and Puerto Rico serving about 65,000 students. The Musk/Trump administration has banned various books in those schools. You know, such dangerous books as No Truth Without Ruth, a children's book about Ruth Bader Ginsburg that are now banned.

St. Patrick's Day is celebrated worldwide, and the day's namesake is honored as green thru and thru. But was he actually Irish?

Women from all over the world are meeting at the U.N. this week in New York.  Where does the good 'ol USA rank?

Same old, same old. Amid the glitz and glam, there's still one category that comes out last every time. Can you guess?