Thursday      
April 30, 2009

Swine Flu Update

The World Health Organization raised its alert level to number 5, one notch below full-scale pandemic. So how contagious is it really, how many people are likely to get it and how deadly could it be? Matt McGrath, science correspondent for the BBC, is our guest.

‘The Sicario’ Speaks

In his latest report from the frontline of the drug-related violence in Mexico, journalist Chuck Bowden tells the story of a hitman in Juarez — a man who tortured and killed people for the drug cartels. The hitman, known as The Sicario, is no longer a killer. He says he has found God, but now there’s a contract on his head. Bowden’s story about the killer is in the May issue of Harpers.

Climate Change with Columnist Thomas Friedman

Two new studies published today in the journal Nature say that current goals of cutting Carbon Dioxide emissions are not dramatic enough to sufficiently slow global climate change. We speak with New York Times Columnist Tom Friedman about what he says is the only solution. We caught up with Friedman at Boston’s Museum of Science, where he was recently awarded the Washburn award for his writing on the environment.

Student Financial Aid Deadline

Tuition deposits are due at many colleges on May 1st, but Gail MarksJarvis, who is the personal finance columnist at the Chicago Tribune, says it’s not too late for students to try to negotiate better financial aid deals.

A.R.T. and ‘Hair’ Director Diane Paulus

Diane Paulus (center) during a rehearsal for a gala performance of 'Hair.' (Michael J. Lutch)

Diane Paulus (center) during a rehearsal for a gala performance of 'Hair.' (Michael J. Lutch)

We speak to one of the hottest voices in the American theater scene today, Diane Paulus. Not only is Diane the director of the critically acclaimed and commercially successful revival of the musical “Hair” but she has taken over the helm at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She tells us about her plans for the upcoming season.

Music from the show

  • Tito Puente, “Royal T”
  • Steve Reich, “Nagoya Marimba”
  • Steely Dan, “My Old School”
  • Vince Guaraldi, “Linus and Lucy”
  • “Hair,” from “Hair,” Lyrics by James Rado & Gerome Ragni, music by Galt MacDermot
  • “Let the Sunshine in,” from “Hair,” Lyrics by James Rado & Gerome Ragni, music by Galt MacDermot
  • “Let a Little Sunshine In,” from “Best of Both Worlds,” Lyrics by Randy Weiner, Music by Diedre Murray
  • “86 Years,” from “Red Sox Nation,” Lyrics by Willie Reale, Music by Robert Reale
  • “Aquarius,” from “Hair,” Lyrics by James Rado & Gerome Ragni, music by Galt MacDermot
  • Radiohead, “There, ThereThe Wee Trio, “About a Girl”
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Friday, May 18, 2012
The Appian Road, in the Monti Aurunci area of Italy. (Robert Kaster/University of Chicago Press)

For many people, this time of year is an occasion for road trips — up and down the coasts, across the U.S., through Europe. For Robert Kaster, it was a time to venture along the most ancient roads of all time: the Appian Way in Italy.

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Friday, May 18, 2012
(Michael M. Phillips/Wall Street Journal)

It was supposed to be a calm ride for marines travelling in Zaranj, along Afghanistan’s border with Iran, but a suicide bomb changed that. Photographer Michael Phillips witnessed the scene unfold and joins us.

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Thursday, May 17, 2012
Musician John Fullbright at Here & Now studios at WBUR in Boston. (Jesse Costa/Here & Now)

Okemah, Okla., is the birthplace of folk legend Woody Guthrie. It’s also the hometown of singer-songwriter John Fullbright, who at just 24, is already being compared with folk great Townes Van Zandt.

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