Wpkn Community Radio

Host Mike Merli speaks with Attorney Alex Taubes and Bridgeport resident Clifford Holly. The discussion examines the Commutations Process in Connecticut: what it is, how it works, and the recent history of Commutations as an avenue for clemency for people incarcerated in Connecticut. A recent press conference organized by Republican lawmakers on March 7th called for the state of Connecticut to "slow down" the commutations of prison sentences. In response, many are speaking out in support of incarcerated people having a second chance at freedom and life, and speaking out in support of Carlton Giles and Connecticut's current Commutations Policy and Process. Tomorrow, 10am on Monday March 20, 2023, there will be a hearing in Room 2-C at the Legislative Office Building (300 Capitol Avenue, Hartford) regarding the re-appointment of Carlton Giles as the Chair of the Board of Pardons and Paroles. Written Testimonies are being accepted until Tuesday March 21, 2023 regarding Connecticut Senate Bill 952 (https://w

Lorena Venegas, a member of the environmental group 10,000 Hawks (www.10000hawks.org), discusses the movement to generate public comments about the proposed Tweed Airport expansion at the FAA-monitored meeting scheduled for 1:30 PM, April 1 at East Haven High School. Interested people can consult www.tweedmasterplan.com or Save Our Shoreline on Face Book. Interview by Richard Hill, March 17, 2023

-Cherry blossoms Bloom earliest yet -A 5,000-mile-wide swarm of seaweed threatens Florida -100 trillion untracked pieces of old satellites circling the planet -The world's first honeybee vaccine has been approved -The global food system and the agriculture cause global warming -Big Oil makes record profits, urged to embrace Green Tech -China’s emissions rose by 2.2 percent in 2022 -agrivoltaic’ technology- combining solar panels with agriculture -(EPA) proposes mandatory limits on PFAS levels in water

Today's show feature a focus on two potentially cataclysmic issues: the War in Ukraine; and the continuing war against womens' reproductive rights at home. Mel Goodman, foreign policy and national security expert discusses the escalating dangers posed by the war in Ukraine. Amanda Skinner, president of Planned Parenthood of Southern New England talks about the latest rightwing assault on women, targeting the abortion medication pill in many Republican-controlled states. Panel: Ruthanne Baumgartner, Scott Harris and Richard Hill

Peace Corps volunteers create Pathways Togo to empower girls and women. Harvard Professor and world class expert on empathy shares how to grow our empathic skills.

* GOP Pushes Repressive Laws Targeting LGBTQ Community, Trans Youth & Drag Shows; Tori Cooper Dir Comm. Engagement, Lindsey Clark, Senior Regional Field Organizer w Human Rights Campaign; Producer: Scott Harris. * Republicans Working to Outlaw Medication Abortion in All 50 States; Steph Black, a feminist, abortion activist and writer based in Washington, D.C.; Producer: Scott Harris. * Stop Cop City Protests Today’s Frontline on Issues of Police Violence and Environmental Justice Activist; Fiona Mac and Independent journalist Kat Morris; Producer: Melinda Tuhus.

Gary Leupp, professor of History at Tufts University, talks about the causes of the war in Ukraine and how it could escalate into a nuclear confrontation between Russia and the US. Interview by Richard Hill

Two interviews with locals about the effort to Stop Cop City in Atlanta, plus a conversation with Bill McKibben, founder of Third Act for those over 60 working on democracy and climate, about the Spring Equinox actions focused on the four banks funding the most fossil fuel development.

-California faces new round of extreme weather -Despite the heavy rainfall and snow California has a drought -Home insurance companies are leaving California -Mysterious dust fell over parts of the Virginias -Nasa’s new instrument to track Dust storms -Link found between deforestation and rainfall decline -Ocean floating turbine commences operation -Historic agreement on a High Seas Treaty

* Fox News’ Republican Propaganda Machine Tests the Limits of Free Speech Victor Pickard, prof. of Media Policy & Pol. Economy, Univ of Penn’s Annenberg School for Communication Producer: Scott Harris * After Ohio Train Derailment Biden, Congress Must Implement New Safety Standards, Worker Protections Tracy Carluccio, Deputy Director of the Delaware Riverkeeper Network Producer: Melinda Tuhus * ‘Scrap the Cap:’ How to Save Social Security Without Cutting Benefits Sarah Rawlins, Program Associate with the Center for Economic and Policy Research Producer: Scott Harris

My guest today is Louise Washer returning to Digging in the Dirt because she is doing great work for us here in the state of CT. and for our planet. Louise Washer serves on the board of the Pollinator Pathway, a grassroots movement she helped create in 2017, in Wilton, CT and which has since spread to over 325 communities across 11 states. The PP helps give pollinators of all kinds habitats to thrive in. She also serves as president of the Norwalk River Watershed Association, as a member of the Norwalk Mayor’s Water Quality Committee, and on the steering committee of the Hudson-to-Housatonic Regional Conservation Partnership known as (H2H).

The Farm Stand lineup: --Steve Munno's Small Farm Report from Massaro Farm in Woodbridge, CT --Vincent Kaye's Honey Bee update --Annie Hornish, CT director of the National Humane Society, talks about pending legislation that would change the protocols for bear management in the state. Hosts: Richard Hill and Laura Modlin

TOMORROW, Monday 2/28 at NOON tune into WPKN Community Radio on 89.5 for a special solo show with our founder, Rob Fried! This month’s show will talk about how we can each be caretakers for our special state, including the vital shoreline and our waterways!✨

New lithium reserves discovered in India Impressive growth in wind and solar energy in 2022. Colorado River Compact to share water is in dispute heat waves in Middle-East predicted to increase 600% Super-pig crossbreeds threatening to invade the northern U.S. Climate change and the savannization of the Brazilian Amazon New material paves the way for ultra-efficient solar panels?

* Putin’s Suspension of New START Treaty Endangers Last Remaining US-Russia Nuclear Arms Pact; Jon Rainwater, executive director of Peace Action and the Peace Action Education Fund; Producer: Scott Harris. * Toxic Ohio Railroad Derailment Underscores Urgent Need for Tough Government Regulation; Mel Buer, an associate editor and labor reporter with The Real News Network; Producer: Scott Harris. * Third Act, Organizing People Over 60 to Defend Democracy and Address the Climate Crisis; Bill McKibben, writer, activist, and co-founder Third Act; Producer: Melinda Tuhus.

While you may not totally overcome trauma you can learn to manage it. And rejection is always possible, but it need not hold you back.

My guests on DITD today are Robert Peck and students Kimberly and DJ. Robert manages Green Village Initiatives Youth Leadership Program, which has a summer employment program in which they employ Bridgeport High School students to work and learn about how to operate an urban farm. Participants spend 8 weeks through the summer at Reservoir Community Farm learning in workshops and thru hands-on experience on the farm. , Kimberly, and Dejhanae are 2 students who are in the program under Robert. Green Village Initiative’s mission is to grow food, knowledge, leadership and community, through urban gardening and farming, and to create a more just food system.

Defunct Indian Point nuclear facility to dump 1 million gallons of radioactive water into Hudson River. The Thwaites Glacier ice shelf is melting slower and faster. Sea ice around Antarctica has hits a record low UN Secretary-General warns the world's cities are at risk of flooding drought in Italy dries up canals of its watery city Venice The Dept. of Energy offers $74 million to geothermal pilot projects Electrify America breaks ground on the site called “Solar Glow 1 Global investment in low-carbon energy technology reaches $1.1 trillion

* Professor Vows to Resist Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' Censorship of Black History; Marvin Dunn, Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Florida International University; Producer: Scott Harris. * Fox News Exposed for Consciously Spewing Toxic Propaganda to Their Audience; Sergio Muñoz, Media Matters For America's Vice President of Research and Policy; Producer: Scott Harris. * Reflecting on Progress Made Since the American Indian Movement’s Occupation of Wounded Knee Madonna Thunder Hawk, Cheyenne River Organizer with the Lakota Law Project Producer: Melinda Tuhus.

Sheena Graham is an educator, songwriter and poet – she’s also a member of our WPKN Black History Advisory Committee. She's a retired teacher who worked at Harding High School and Central High School, Bridgeport CT. She has worked with students across grade levels throughout her career and continues to be energized by her students and colleagues. Sheena has been featured in the book “Notable Valley African Americans.” She has received the Beard Excellence in Teaching Award, Teacher Of the Year Awards from the NANBP, NAACP, and Bridgeport and is the 2019 CT Teacher of the Year. *Rhythm of Power – event Sheena and the Bridgeport Group GANG POETRY will perform at The Bijou for Juneteenth in Bridgeport