Here & Now

The new Policing Alternative and Diversion Initiative in Atlanta has a 311 line and sends out response teams to help people with non-emergency concerns like medical care, housing and financial issues. Lisa Hagen of WABE reports. And, Matthew Bunn of the Harvard Kennedy School joins us to talk about how nuclear power fits into a carbon-free energy future.

New documentary "Citizen Ashe" tells the story of the life and activism of tennis great Arthur Ashe. His brother Johnnie Ashe, who appears in the film, joins us. And, in Massachusetts, conservationists have worked for decades to protect endangered bog turtles. As Hannah Chanatry of WBUR reports, their efforts are leading to some success.

We revisit our conversation with Bluegrass musician Billy Strings from March when he was fresh off of his first Grammy win. And, American fashion designer Virgil Abloh died Sunday at the age of 41 after privately battling a rare form of cancer. Fashion journalist Greg Emmanuel joins us.

The James Webb Space Telescope — the most powerful of its kind — will launch into space on Dec. 22. Astronomer Laura Kreidberg talks about what she hopes to learn about the atmosphere and weather of exoplanets. And, aviation reporter Peter Robison talks about his new book "Flying Blind: The 737 Max Tragedy and the Fall of Boeing," a deep dive into what caused two fatal crashes of Boeing planes.

"Third Squad" is a new podcast that tells the story of the bloodiest stage of the war in Afghanistan. A decade later, journalist Elliott Woods tracks members of the Third Squad down to talk about how what happened there still affects their lives today. And, a new book tells the story of how Polish and U.S. spy agencies began working together after the fall of the Iron Curtain. John Pomfret joins us to discuss "From Warsaw with Love."

The opera "Sweet Land" incorporates both Indigenous and non-Indigenous voices for a new take on the settling of America. Composer Raven Chacon and Aja Couchois Duncan, who co-wrote the libretto, join us. And, investigative reporter Geoffrey Cain writes about the Chinese surveillance of the Uyghur ethnic minority in western China. We revisit our conversation with him about his book "The Perfect Police State."

For Native people, Thanksgiving is not a day to rejoice. It's a day of mourning. We revisit our conversation with Kisha James, the granddaughter of one of the founders of the National Day of Mourning, which is honored every Thanksgiving in Plymouth, Massachusetts. And, we revisit Robin Young's trip to see the snow geese in Vermont with her now late uncle Lachlan Maclachlan Field — a Here & Now tradition.

Here & Now's Scott Tong sat down with author Kat Chow to dive into the family histories and personal reflections that characterized their respective books, "A Village with My Name" and "Seeing Ghosts." And, chef and author Gyulshat Esenova describes how the desert climate of her native Turkmenistan shaped traditional Turkmen food, such as lamb cutlet. Here & Now's Lynn Menegon has the story.

NASA researchers found that climate change may affect the production of rice as early as 2030. Among those trying to mitigate the losses is Pamela Ronald, who helped develop a new strain of rice that can survive weeks of flooding. She joins us. Film critic Ty Burr shares a list of film recommendations for films (and one TV show) that are available via streaming.

Last spring, the New York City's Tenement Museum added the Reclaiming Black Spaces walking tour, visiting important Lower East Side Black historical sites. Host Robin Young visited the museum to find out more. And, a single equation has been used for decades in the U.S. to determine whether you're eligible for a kidney transplant. Now, a task force has mandated the elimination of race as a variable. Sojourner Ahébée of WHYY's The Pulse reports.

Chestnuts were once a major food source in the U.S. for Native Americans and enslaved Black Americans. But a fungus killed off billions of American chestnut trees. Now, as Jacob Fenston of WAMU reports, there are efforts to revive trees and bring chestnuts back to the table. And, experts say the number of Americans with eating disorders has skyrocketed during the pandemic. Alaska does not have enough resources to help them. Claire Stremple of KTOO reports.

In 2014, John Tye revealed that the National Security Agency was running a secret spying program targeting Americans. That experience inspired Tye to start a non-profit called Whistleblower Aid that counsels would-be whistleblowers on how to sound the alarm effectively and safely. He joins us to discuss. And, Washington Post financial columnist Michelle Singletary breaks down what you should consider if you are thinking about early retirement.

Can we safely transplant organs from former COVID-19 patients who recovered from the infection prior to donation? Dr. David Klassen joins us to explore that question. And, Kyle Rittenhouse was found not guilty of all charges last week. Author and historian Ibram X Kendi talks about what the verdict means.

Boston radio station WBCN revolutionized rock radio in the late 1960s and 1970s. Host Robin Young speaks with filmmaker Bill Lichtenstein about "WBCN and the American Revolution." And, while the vaccine should make this year's Thanksgiving gatherings safer than last year, many are wondering if they should be taking extra precautions like getting the booster shot. Dr. Abdul El-Sayed helps us answer that question and more.

The San Antonio Zoo has successfully hatched 10 Komodo dragons. With less than 1,400 adults left in the wild, the event is also a chance to raise awareness about international conservation efforts. Craig Pelke, director of ectotherms at the zoo, joins us. And, the House of Representatives voted to censure Rep. Paul Gosar for posting an animated video that depicting him killing Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Professor Kathleen Hall Jamieson talks about whether the recent references to violence in political discourse are anything new.

Overnight, there is a near-total lunar eclipse that will be visible — weather permitting — across North America. It will be the longest lunar eclipse in almost 600 years, lasting for a few hours from start to finish. Sky & Telescope senior editor Kelly Beatty tells us all about it. And, before veteran Charles Waterhouse died, he painted portraits of more than 300 Marines who had received the Medal of Honor. His daughter Jane Waterhouse published those paintings in a book." She joins us.

Nikole Hannah-Jones has extended her work in the form of a new book. "The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story" expands versions of her original New York Times pieces through journalism, historical accounts, criticism and imaginative literature. And, with Thanksgiving just around the corner, Washington Post advice columnist Carolyn Hax shares tips on how to plan for tough holiday conversations on topics including politics, vaccines and more.

Human rights abuses are just as common in renewable energy as they are in the fossil fuel sector, according to a new report by the Business and Human Rights Resource Center. Program manager Jessie Cato tells us more. And, KUNC Colorado River Basin reporter Alex Hager discusses how an estimated $8.3 billion dollars in federal infrastructure money earmarked for Western water infrastructure might be spent.

Former Miami Heat basketball great Dwyane Wade joins us about his new book "Dwyane," which pairs photos of his life and career with thoughts and memories of those moments. And, on Monday, Ohio's attorney general announced a lawsuit against the company formerly known as Facebook, claiming Meta intentionally misled the public about the negative impact of its products on children. Roben Farzad, host of Public Radio's "Full Disclosure," has the details.

Historian Tiya Miles, author of "All That She Carried," tells the story of a cotton bag that Rose, an enslaved woman, gave to her daughter, Ashley, who was sold and separated from her mother. Miles joins us. And, there has been a shortage of school nurses for years. And with COVID-19, this school year has been especially hard. We talk with Susan Morgan, a school nurse in Emmett, Idaho.

We talk with Bryant Terry, editor and curator of the new book "Black Food: Stories, Art, and Recipes from Across the African Diaspora." And, NPR Books editor Petra Mayer died unexpectedly on Saturday. Producer Emiko Tamagawa, who worked with Mayer on Here & Now segments, has a remembrance.

Researchers have found that pocket gophers glow under UV lights. As WABE's Molly Samuel reports, scientists have some theories but they don't really know why. And, Thanksgiving this year could see the return of many Americans traveling to be with their families after being apart during the pandemic. But are airlines geared up for the surge in demand during this period? Transportation analyst Seth Kaplan explains.

Like many parts of the world, the Netherlands experienced heavy rainfall this year. But unlike its neighboring countries, it averted disastrous floods. Henk Ovink, the Netherlands' first special envoy for international water affairs, joins us to discuss what lessons we can learn. And, there's evidence that the frequency and intensity of burning in Alaska have increased in recent decades — and that has scientists worried. As Daniel Grossman reports.

The Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery is 100 years old on Thursday. Author Patrick O'Donnell tells the story of how that first soldier was selected and interred there. And, a new study shows how forced relocation of Native Americans in the U.S. has moved them to lands more susceptible to climate change. Fawn Sharp, president of the National Congress of American Indians, discusses the climate crisis facing Indigenous peoples.

Pennsylvania dairy farmer Brett Reinford discusses how methane digesters he installed on his family farm 13 years ago have been cutting down on environmentally harmful methane gas — and also generating revenue for the farm. And, many of those who served in Afghanistan are wrestling with the legacy on Veterans Day this year since the Taliban are in power once again. Former Marine Travis Horr joins us.

Making new friends can be an impossibly hard thing to do as an adult. Psychologist Marisa G. Franco says that's because as you get older, making friends no longer happens organically. She joins us to lend some friendly advice. And, it's apple season in some parts of the country. Resident chef Kathy Gunst joins us to share some new recipes using apples.

Sir Kenneth Branagh joins us to discuss his new film "Belfast," which he directed and wrote. The movie is loosely based on his childhood in Northern Ireland during the late '60s. And, a hand signal popularized on TikTok is credited with saving a North Carolina teenager who'd been reported missing by her parents. Andrea Gunraj of the Canadian Women's Foundation, the group that pioneered the gesture, explains its origins.

Journalist Porter Fox talks about his new book, "The Last Winter: The Scientists, Adventurers, Journeymen, and Mavericks Trying to Save the World." The book documents retreating snow and ice around the planet. And, viewfinders at parks in Tennessee allow people with colorblindness to see the many hues of fall. Blake Farmer of WPLN reports.

Writer-director Rebecca Hall adapted the story of the new film "Passing" from the 1929 novel by Nella Larsen. Hall talks about how the film connects to her own family history. And, as the COP26 climate summit heads into its final week, speeches and headlines are full of buzzwords like net-zero and carbon budget. Time Magazine's Justin Worland explains what it all means.

Compared to white people, Black and Brown communities are routinely getting less sleep, one recent study finds. Sleep researcher Girardin Jean Louis talks about the study. And, as COP26 continues, we revisit a conversation from Iceland, where scientists are using new technology to capture carbon emissions and inject them into basalt deposits.

Climate change is forcing the insurance industry to adapt and come up with new products. One experiment is testing out a policy to insure nature against extreme storms, specifically a coral reef in Mexico. Researcher Michael Beck tells us more. And, NPR investigative reporter Tim Mak's new expose of the National Rifle Association — "Misfire: Inside the Downfall of the NRA" — is out now. The book takes a deep dive into the three-decade-long reign of leader Wayne Lapierre.

Young people from around the world are at this week's global summit in Glasgow to advocate for urgent solutions to address climate change. Elizabeth Wathuti, a 26-year-old climate activist from Kenya, talks about COP26. And, hostages held in Iran back in 1979 were promised restitution — $4.4 million each — in legislation passed by Congress and signed by former President Barack Obama. But almost none of that money has been paid to them. Kate Koob and Barry Rosen, two former hostages, join us.

Dorie Greenspan talks about her new cookbook — "Baking With Dorie" — and shares some baking advice. And, scientists recently discovered that two endangered California condors were born without any genetic input from a male. Oliver Ryder, director of conservation genetics at the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, joins us.

We convene a roundtable of climate change reporters from Argentina, South Africa and the Philippines to hear about the stories top of mind on their beats — from sea level rise to drought — as world leaders meet for COP26 in Glasgow. And, Yahoo is pulling out of China. The company points to the increasingly challenging business and legal environment in China for those decisions.James Griffiths, author of "The Great Firewall of China," joins us to discuss.

Broadway's "Girl from the North Country" is a powerful touchdown in Depression-era Duluth, Minnesota. The show showcases music in a way rarely seen on Broadway. We speak with some of the actors. And, more than 4 million square miles of carbon-rich soil in the Arctic has been frozen for hundreds, maybe thousands, of years. But in some places, it's beginning to thaw. Reporter Daniel Grossman talks with two scientists who say if that trend continues, the outcome could be catastrophic.

Climate change impacts really hit home when they, well, hit home. But what if you're not yet seeing it first hand? A new website can make climate change exist right on your doorstep, virtually. Sasha Luccioni, lead researcher on the project, joins us. And, Tuesday is Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. The traditional Mexican holiday has taken on a new meaning as the list of those who've died of COVID continues to grow. Here & Now's Chris Bentley reports.

Host Scott Tong spent some time with Democrat Terry McAuliffe and Republican Glenn Youngkin's gubernatorial campaigns in Virginia. And, the National Labor Relations Board has allowed three Starbucks stores in Buffalo, New York, to cast their vote for a union, striking down the company's desire for a single vote from the 20 stores in the area. Matthew Bodie, professor of law at Saint Louis University, explains.

Nkeki Obi-Melekwe is taking over the role of Tina Turner in the award-winning musical of the same name. We speak about the show with her and co-star Daniel Watts, who plays Ike Turner. And, the U.S. is on record to break 2020's record of 22 natural disasters. The increasing cost and destructiveness of these events pose a growing risk to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. We speak with Deanne Criswell, FEMA administrator, about the impact of climate change on these disasters.

It's that time of year when a lot of us are looking for a thrill — a good scary story just in time for Halloween. Petra Mayer of NPR Books shares a few favorites. And, Disney dropped a trailer this week for a new movie about the origin story of Buzz Lightyear from "Toy Story." Widely panned online, the movie still demonstrates how streaming companies are capitalizing on their intellectual property. NPR's TV critic Eric Deggans explains.

The origins of Halloween traditions go back to an ancient Celtic festival involving animal sacrifice and a cave of demons in Rathcroghan, Ireland. Mike McCarthy, a tour guide at Rathcroghan, joins us. And last month, the company Ancestry unveiled the world's largest digitized and searchable collection of Freedman's Bank and Freedmen's Bureau, a post-Civil War agency created to help Black people transition from slavery. An Ancestry consultant shares what she found about her own family's origin.

Music opinionator Fran Hoepfner talks about why the 19th-century French comic opera "Orpheus in the Underworld" and its famous can-can music is perfect music for Halloween 2021. And, for years, companies like ExxonMobil and Shell have fudged scientific and economic data to protect business interests. Historian Ben Franta tells us more about the industry's disinformation.

Jason Grissom, a professor of public policy and education at Vanderbilt University's Peabody College, talks about his research into the inequities of gifted and talented programs. Plus, Elizabeth Dwoskin of The Washington Post and Sheera Frenkel of The New York Times dive into what the Facebook Papers reveal about the company and how the social media platform works.

In the U.S., felons and those convicted of domestic violence crimes are not allowed to own or have guns. But an investigation found at least 100 cases of homicides by partners that were not legally supposed to have a firearm. Reveal reporter Jennifer Gollan joins us to discuss. And, Rod Roberson, mayor of Elkhart, Indiana, talks about how the self-proclaimed "RV capital of the world" went from "Joblessville, USA" a decade ago to topping a recent list of emerging housing markets.

Pumpkin can be used for so much more than pie. Resident chef Kathy Gunst shares three new recipes using pumpkin. And, there wasn't a COVID-19 vaccine this time last year. Wall Street Journal reporter Gregory Zuckerman talks about his new book "A Shot to Save the World: The Inside Story of the Life-or-Death Race for a Covid-19 Vaccine."

Canadian rapper Shad talks about his single "Black Averageness" and his new album "Tao." And, it was revealed that Spanish writer Carmen Mola is not a woman but rather three men. María Ramírez, deputy managing editor of the Spanish news outlet elDiario.es, tells us more.