Staffers at Isothermal Community College, in Spindale NC - home to WNCW, were honored to welcome guest speaker, Jeffrey Blount, retired veteran director of NBC News programs like the Today Show and Meet The Press. Blount worked with the network for more than 30 years and is also an author, an award winning documentary script writer, and winner of an Emmy. Blount is traveling across the country to talk about his latest book, The Emancipation of Evan Walls, and to share thoughts on issues involving race and social justice. During his visit here, he spoke to local high school students, ICC staff, and community members about his early years, his career, mentoring and the power of education. Blount kicked off the college's celebration of Black History Month with his riveting speech at the college's Foundation for Performing Arts Center. The interview first aired on Feb. 7, 2020. Posted by Host and Producer of WNCW's The Friday Feature, Paul Foster- Senior Producer, News Director, and

New York, Connecticut and six other states have sued the Securities and Exchange Commission for ignoring the will of Congress and failing to protect mom and pop investors.

Connecticut’s first-ever chief manufacturing officer wants to return state industry to national prominence.

Ohio State University has agreed to pay nearly $41 million into a fund for the sexual abuse victims of a now deceased team doctor.

Yet another go at the Founding Fathers? Well, to judge from historian and documentary filmmaker Tom Shachtman’s new book, “The Founding Fortunes,” Yes and No. Subtitled “How the Wealthy Paid for and Profited from America’s Revolution,” Shachtman’s analysis of the years 1763-1813 merits a yes because he does revisit some of the big names and battles of the day. But the answer is also no because “The Founding Fortunes” is not just another look at Colonial and post-Colonial politics and economics. Shachtman has a timely and provocative take on who in America supported the War for Independence, and why. Relying on hundreds of historical documents and contemporary scholarship, Shachtman’s out to dispel what he calls “myths” about some of the movers and shakers of the day. And to suggest, by comparison, the less-than-generous or suspect ambitions of some of the wealthy today who would influence current events under the heading of patriotism. It’s a complicated and complex story Shachtman

Attorneys for Rick Bright, the government scientist who said he had been reassigned and subsequently filed a whistleblower complaint , say a government watchdog agrees that he should be reinstated to his post. Bright was serving as director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, which is working on a vaccine to combat the coronavirus. He said he was ousted from the position last month because he wanted to spend money on safe and vetted treatments for COVID-19 — not on ones without "scientific merit," such as hydroxychloroquine, the anti-malarial drug that President Trump and others had been touting. Trump on Wednesday called Bright "a disgruntled employee who's trying to help the Democrats win an election." Bright's attorneys say that the Office of Special Counsel, which hears whistleblower cases, determined there were "reasonable grounds" to believe that his removal was retaliatory and therefore prohibited. Bright's attorneys say OSC plans to contact the

The Pan American Health Organization this week warned of an impending humanitarian crisis in Haiti due to the coronavirus pandemic. Haiti has reported relatively few cases of COVID-19 but it shares the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic, which is experiencing one of the worst outbreaks in the hemisphere. With the Dominican Republic under lockdown, thousands of laid off migrant workers have headed home to Haiti and presumably some of them are carrying the virus with them. "There is real danger of a large-scale outbreak followed by a humanitarian crisis in Haiti," said Carissa Etienne, the head of PAHO, in a briefing this week with reporters. She said Haiti's health-care system is ill-equipped to deal with an outbreak of a highly-infectious, potentially-fatal respiratory disease. And the measures used elsewhere to stem the spread of COVID-19 are impractical or impossible in Haiti. "It is extremely difficult to institute proper social distancing in Haiti," she said —

Many factors have shaped jazz in Ann Arbor, but trumpeter and educator Louis Smith has to be at the top of the list for modern jazz and education. Sean Dobbins , Rick Roe, Justin Walter and Ingrid Racine will testify to his grace, wisdom, strength and total honesty as a teacher. He encouraged a professional attitude and exponential musical growth from middle school students. His students could play rings around others years older!

A great musician never forgets the early life lessons that shaped them. Chris Collins, Artistic Director of The Detroit Jazz Festival has never forgotten and now carries on the Detroit jazz tradition of teaching and mentoring the next generations of jazz musicians. Chris talked with me this morning about what mentoring and creating music with aspiring players means to him.

As WEMU continues our yearlong celebration of 40 years of jazz, it is great to invite former staff members to join the party this Friday.

A proposal to eliminate the Regents exam in New York has alarmed some social studies teachers on Long Island. They worry if the state cuts the standardized tests, history will be the first to go.

Six lunar modules from the Apollo Program still sit on the surface of the moon, each with a name plate: “Made in Bethpage.”

A new study from Yale University and Oregon Health and Science University looks at how doctor’s prejudices toward LGBT patients change during medical school.

Connecticut Secretary of the State Denise Merrill stands by her office’s ability to protect voters’ access to polling centers.

Suffolk County prosecutors have charged a county legislator with perjury and ethics violations.

Senator Rich Funke of Rochester is the latest Republican lawmaker to announce he will not seek reelection. Funke joins a growing list of seven other minority party GOP senators who say they are moving on to other things, after less than a year under Democratic rule in the Senate.

Copyright 2020 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

State Senator Jeff Irwin wants all future elections to be done entirely with absentee ballots.

Copyright 2018 NPR. To see more, visit SCOTT SIMON, HOST: And Tropical Storm Florence continues to drench the Carolinas. There's flooding, downed trees and buckled roads. Trillions of gallons of water have come down as rain. Nearly a million people are without power. At least five deaths have been linked to the storm. And, of course, rescue efforts are underway at this moment. Todd Terrell is with the Cajun Navy, a volunteer rescue group, and he joins us from Wilmington, N.C. Mr. Terrell, Captain Terrell - whatever I call you - thanks so much for being with us. TODD TERRELL: Yes, sir. Thank y'all for having me. SIMON: And what are you seeing? How bad is this? And you have seen a lot. TERRELL: We've seen a lot. Last night, honestly, was about the scariest part I've been with a group of volunteers, even though it wasn't the worst weather we went through. In Wilmington, we - I guess, we caught the tail end of it. And as it came through here, they had some straight-line winds came through

Copyright 2018 NPR. To see more, visit SCOTT SIMON, HOST: He's part-man, part-machine - all cop. (SOUNDBITE OF FILM, "ROBOCOP") PETER WELLER: (As RoboCop) Let the woman go. You are under arrest. UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: (As Creep's Friend) You better back up, pal. (SOUNDBITE OF GUNSHOT) WILLIAM SHOCKLEY: (As creep, screaming). WELLER: (As RoboCop) Your move, creep. SIMON: 1987's "RoboCop" is a cult movie classic set in a dystopian Detroit before dystopian became a word used by seventh-graders. WELLER: (Laughter). SIMON: Peter Weller played RoboCop. And today Peter Weller acts, directs and produces. But over the years, he's also become a Ph.D. in Italian Renaissance art history. Next week, he will return to Detroit to be a featured speaker at the annual art conference Culture Lab Detroit. Dr. Peter Weller joins us now from Hawaii Public Radio in Honolulu. Thanks so much for being with us. WELLER: Thank you very much. Appreciate it. SIMON: So what made you go back to school to study art at

During a chat on Instagram Live, the 'I Love Me' singer and the 'American Idol' alum decide to show off their powerful vocals by performing an a capella duet of her 2016 single 'Stone Cold'.

Stories with a Heartbeat is a new WUNC podcast about the human condition in conflict. Host Will McInerney is an award-winning poet who travels the globe exploring conflict and what it says about us as people. Stories with a Heartbeat taps into the power of poetry, stories, music, and conversation to help us decipher conflict and find meaning.

The 16th annual African-American Male Wellness Walk takes place Saturday morning in Columbus, beginning at 7 at Livingston Park.

An exhibit at the James Art Gallery inside Ohio State University's Comprehensive Cancer Center reveals the power art can have in someone's darkest days. Mike Foley explains.

Both Robert Rodriguez and Payton Reed have been confirmed to sit behind the lens for the upcoming second installment of Disney's hit 'Star Wars' spin-off.

Weeks after COVID-19 shut down productions worldwide, Ryan Murphy admits that he has been contemplating between pushing production back by a year or changing theme.

The 'White Collar' main actor and the creator Jeff Eastin confirm discussions to bring back the drama series which originally ended in 2014 after six seasons.

Series creator Ryan Murphy reveals in a new interview that he has done writing the scripts for the new installment of the series, though the production has yet to start due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Filmmaker Wes Ball has signed on to do the movie adaptation of Catherine Webb's 2014 sci-fi novel using a script done by by 'Humans' writer Melissa Iqbal.

The 'I the Heights' helmer is disgusted by the casting scam for the sequels of the 2018 hit film, calling it a 'direct attack' to Asian American actors pursuing 'this dream that they never thought was possible before.'

Oscar winners Damien Chazelle and Justin Hurwitz are expected to take part in the 'Lionsgate Live! A Night at the Movies' event that will benefit the Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation.

When expressing hopes to steer clear from the upcoming Amazon Prime film, director Patty Jenkins admits that 'Wonder Woman 1984' has left her feeling creatively depleted.

In never-before-seen footage, the two actors are seen taking shelter from the strong winds while filming 'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' in the desert of Jordan.

The 'White Collar' main actor and the creator Jeff Eastin confirm discussions to bring back the drama series which originally ended in 2014 after six seasons.

Series creator Ryan Murphy reveals in a new interview that he has done writing the scripts for the new installment of the series, though the production has yet to start due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Almost 11 years ago to the day, the last branches of Woolworths closed their doors. Here we take a look back at when the colossal shopping chain had a store in Southampton.

Venue: Sir John Clancy Auditorium. Time: 8pm.

To support independent artists and small to medium arts, screen and cultural organisations impacted by COVID-19, Create NSW is implementing a number of measures. This includes accommodation assistance, new support for creatives to engage with online platforms, and a suite of initiatives that provide employment and development opportunities, and audience engagement and skill-sharing for arts, screen and cultural organisations and individuals across the State. > More detail (Create NSW)

Victorian government has announced a $16.8 million survival package to provide immediate support to Victorian creative organisations and individuals to sustain employment, develop new works and provide opportunities for creative community participation.

Authorities seized 400 grams of fentanyl during two investigations in Nassau County this week.

Duchess of Cornwall unveils stunning new Roald Dahl installation.

Artworks celebrate Stirchley’s history and point to the making of new prosperity : January – April 2012

Campaign to raise awareness of fraud among voters in the West Midlands launched.

Steve Beauchampé doesn’t like what he’s hearing on the airwaves.

Peter Lowe, Managing Editor of Sky News, is to be chairman of the judging panel for this year’s Midlands Media Awards, shortlisted nominations for which will be announced on Monday, May 13.

Richard Lutz gets lost in Shakespeare country.

Torae Carr has been a mainstay on the underground hip-hop scene since his debut mixtape, 2008’s Daily Conversation. Since then, he has released a number of excellent and varied projects, both solo and with collaborators like Marco Polo and Skyzoo. He also hosts his show The Tor Guide six days a week on Sirius XM satellite radio.

Torae’s superb brand-new album is called Entitled. We talk about that, but also take it way back to his earliest raps, his wild ride through the record industry, and much more.

See http://theciphershow.com/episode/139/ for full show notes and comments.

Andre “Doctor Dré” Brown is best-known for his time co-hosting Yo! MTV Raps with Ed Lover, a job he held down from 1989 to 1995. He and Ed used their chemistry and comic sensibility to bring hip-hop, and the artists who made it, to a worldwide audience.

But, as you’ll hear, there’s much more to Dré than his time at MTV. He was a key part of the group Original Concept, one of Def Jam’s early signings. He played a key role in the lives of some other early Def Jam acts, Public Enemy and the Beastie Boys. He’s made movies, worked in radio, and done pretty much everything else you can imagine.

See http://theciphershow.com/episode/185/ for full show notes and comments.