2010 December | Here & Now

The troubled Texas singer-songwriter Townes Van Zandt inspired a generation of talented artists, but Steve Earle is the only one to pay tribute to Van Zandt by recording a CD of his poignant songs. We revisit our conversation with Steve Earle.

We take a look at the continuing effort to train Iraqi forces to take over security when U.S. forces pull out by the end of 2011.

Friday we heard music from Sigur Ros, Art Blakey and more.

Carol Burnett has entertained audiences for generations. Most recently, she guest-starred on Fox’s “Glee,” but older audiences will never forget her famous Tarzan yell. We revisit a conversation with Burnett about her memoir.

This year’s discoveries included 2 dinosaur species, the oldest leather shoe, a new anti-HIV gel and more. We review the most interesting and important.

The debate over the new health care law looks to continue into 2011 as many new reforms take effect January 1st. We take a look at some of the looming repeal fights.

Writer Susan Orlean explains the #, aka hashtag. Twitter gave the symbol new life and Orlean appreciates its new function.

Gladys and Jamie Scott were sentenced to life in prison in 1994 for an armed robbery which netted $11. Civil rights groups have been lobbying Gov. Haley Barbour of Mississippi to release them, and this week he did.

The Ivory Coast’s ambassador to the UN, Youssoufou Bamba, says the situation in the West African country could devolve into genocide, as the dispute continues between presidential rivals, incumbent Laurent Gbagbo and challenger Alassane Ouattara.

The government is in the midst of a far-reaching effort to collect information about thousands of Americans, even though many haven’t been accused of wrongdoing.

On Thursday we heard music from Joe Jackson, Tito Puente and more.

We revisit our conversation with musician Travie McCoy. His song, “Billionaire” was all over the airwaves this past summer and he’s scheduled to perform on Fox’s New Year’s show.

On Wednesday we heard music from Charles Mingus, Jimi Hendrix and more.

Mojo Magazine calls Dave Rawling’s first solo CD, “A Friend of A Friend,” one of the best Americana records of the year. Rawlings is perhaps better known as bluegrass singer-songwriter Gillian Welch’s musical partner, but she supports him on his first record as a headliner.

The Army’s final report on a firefight that cost nine American soldiers their lives in Afghanistan in 2008 is playing down the findings of an earlier investigation. We take a look at why.

The New Oxford American Dictionary named Sarah Palin’s mash-up of refute and repudiate, “refudiate,” as its word of the year. Merriam Webster chose austerity. What were the words that caught your attention in 2010?

We take a look at the backlash after President Obama called Jeff Lurie, the owner of NFL star Michael Vick’s team, and thanked him for giving Vick a second chance following his prison sentence.

Along with fast food and premium coffee, Journalist Ethan Watters argues that American models of disorders like anorexia and depression are being embraced in other countries.

As public officials worry about the cost of snow removal, the Boston suburb of Quincy has been trying an experiment with an eye to cutting costs.

On Rosanne Cash’s 18th birthday, her famous father wrote down a list of 100 essential country songs he felt Rosanne should know. Now, Rosanne Cash’s album “The List” is up for a 2011 Grammy.