Wpkn Community Radio

Prof. Michael Zweig, economist and Labor historian discusses: --UAW's defeat at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Alabama --75 Anniversary of Operation Dixie, the CIO's campaign to organize textile workers in the South; --The Poor Peoples' Campaign and organized labor gather in DC on June 29 to demand economic justice and an end to war and militarism. Host: Richard Hill

Prof. Michael Zweig, economist and labor historian, discusses: --UAW's defeat at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Alabama; --Operation Dixie, labor's failed 1946 campaign to organize textile workers in the Sough, observes its 75th Anniversary; --The Poor Peoples' Campaign will gather in Washington, DC on June 29 to demand economic justice for poor and working people. Host: Richard Hill

An interview with Dr. Crystal Cavalier-Keck and Jason Crazy Bear Keck about the tribunal in North Carolina that found the Mountain Valley Pipeline in violation of the rights of nature and people, plus Eric Fine explains his work with the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication.

On the June 3, 2024 episode of Counterpoint, Mike Merli filled in for Scott Harris. The show featured four interviews. The fourth interview was with Michael Watson. Michael Watson, a longtime Bridgeport resident and community member, speaks about his grassroots harm reduction and addiction recovery work in the city of Bridgeport. During the program, Michael mentions services and resources that can be found locally at: CCAR 430 State Street Bridgeport 203-332-3303 www.ccar.us Recovery Network of Programs www.recovery-programs.org If you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction, Michael can be reached directly for resources and help by calling 203-908-2383.

On the June 3, 2024 episode of Counterpoint, Mike Merli filled in for Scott Harris. The show featured four interviews. The third interview was with Stanley Heller. Stanley Heller, Administrator of Promoting Enduring Peace, speaks about his groups' work, and offers analysis on Israel’s genocidal campaign in Gaza, and local Gaza solidarity work. More information on Promoting Enduring Peace can be found at: www.pepeace.org More information on Middle East Crisis Committee can be found at: www.thestruggle.org

On the June 3, 2024 episode of Counterpoint, Mike Merli filled in for Scott Harris. The show featured four interviews. The second interview was with Joan Cavanagh. Joan Cavanagh, a New Haven resident and co-founder of the New Haven Sunday Vigil for Peace and Justice, speaks about her life of peace activism, and the weekly vigil against war and militarism taking place every Sunday in downtown New Haven. More information on the New Haven Sunday Vigil for Peace and Justice can be found at: https://www.newhavensundayvigil.wordpress.com And by emailing: Joan.Cavanagh@gmail.com

On the June 3, 2024 episode of Counterpoint, Mike Merli filled in for Scott Harris. The show featured four interviews. The first interview was with Jason A. Coombs. Jason A. Coombs, Bridgeport native and founder of the Bridgeport Film Festival, discusses his journey and his work with the Steering Committee for this year’s upcoming Greater Bridgeport Pride, taking place June 22nd. More information on Greater Bridgeport Pride can be found at: www.bridgeportpride.com www.instagram.com/Bridgeport_Pride More information on the Bridgeport Pride Center can be found at: www.instagram.com/BridgeportPrideCenter And by emailing: Info@BridgeportPrideCenter.org

* Trump's Fascist Threat to Democracy Downplayed by US Media; Jason Stanley, Jacob Urowsky professor of philosophy at Yale University; Producer: Scott Harris. * New Edition of “Compendium on Fracking” Finds Health Hazards Linked to Home Use of Natural Gas; Dr. Sandra Steingraber co-founder of Concerned Health Professionals of New York; Producer: Melinda Tuhus. * Group Challenging America's Undemocratic Electoral College System Gaining Support; Christopher Pearson, Secretary of the group National Popular Vote, former Vermont legislator; Producer: Scott Harris.

-Mexico City is just weeks away from Day Zero of no water -New Delhi soared to a record high of 126.1 degrees -Worst flood in the history of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil - Marathon, Texas, fell more than 50 degrees from 105 degrees -Alaska's brooks and streams have been turning a dirty orange -USA today has the 2nd annual America's Climate Leaders list. -Vermont enacts a law for fossil fuel companies to pay for climate change damage - New England’s largest fossil fuel-fired plant powers down -Utah institutes curbside zero waste program

-A giant iceberg, has broken free in Antarctica. -Mexico and Colombia running low on water - that 80 percent of Americans tested positive to harmful chemical -N,Y, State considers “packaging reduction and recycling plan,” -End Polluter Welfare Act, could save Billions -Pope Francis says the climate crisis has "gotten to the point of no return"

My guest on this show of “Digging in the Dirt” has been Chairman of the Westport Community Gardens for 20 years. He also has been Director of Long Lots Preserve for the last 2 years and a Sixth grade science teacher for 20 years. In the past he has run programs in New York City for recycling and alternative fuels for transit buses The first time Lou was here we discussed the existential threat to the Westport Community Garden and apparently the situation has gone from bad to worse. The garden has been targeted by the towns politicians for destruction.

* Rightwing extremist network financed Moms For Liberty; Maurice T. Cunningham, author of "Dark Money and the Politics of School Privatization”; Producer: Scott Harris. * Green Workers Alliance Fights for a Livable Wage, Safe Working Conditions for those in the Renewable Energy Industry; Matthew Mayers, Executive Director with Green Workers Alliance; Producer: Melinda Tuhus. * EPA Issues New Standards for PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Drinking Water; Mary Grant, Public Water for All campaign director at Food & Water Watch; Producer: Scott Harris.

Up next on Digging in the Dirt is a local, guy Joe Gloria. Joe works for one of the gardening establishments just about everybody in the area has been to one time or another and that's Gilbertie's. They've always been at the forefront of organic from the beginning. Joe Gloria is a garden guru of plants, shrubs, and perennials alike. Joe Gloria has a passion for caring for plants and the people who love them! We going to learn about vermicompost teas.

My next guest is Alice Ely. Alice is a UConn Advanced Master Gardener & Master Composter, and the creator of multiple public and private butterfly gardens in Fairfield County. She speaks frequently on the importance of gardening for habitat, food and not least of all, joy. In addition to promoting native plants through the Pollinator Pathway, and educating on sustainable gardening at Westport’s Wakeman Town Farm, and Weston’s Town Farm, when she's not out digging in the dirt of her own garden, she coaches homeowners on how to garden sustainably, through her business, Gardenwithalice.com

-Northern India, reeling under a fierce heatwave -Scorching heat hit Texas, Gulf Coast, South Florida -Thwaites Glacier in Antarctica is melting rapidly -Panama Canal faces a water crisis amid drought -Tree ring data confirms it's never been hotter -One in eight Europeans lives in an area”at risk area”

Host: Andrew S. Ross Co-Host and Programming Coordinator: Bonna Sue Burtt A conversation with author Jeffrey L. Richards about his book "We Are Only Ghosts." Author website: www.jeffreylrichards.com

Description: On this episode, Victoria McCraven, curator and art historian, chats about her current exhibition “It Will Go On” at MoCA Westport. We also discuss her experiences curating culturally competent exhibits as well as her journey as a doctoral scholar.

On the Sunday May 19, 2024 episode of Mic Check, host Mike Merli sat down with Susan Bramhall, an organizer with Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) New Haven, and a Board Member of Eyewitness Palestine. Susan discusses her life of activism, and the upcoming Walk for Gaza CT, taking place this Thursday thru Saturday, May 23 - 25, 2024. For more on the upcoming Walk for Gaza CT: linktr.ee/walkforgazact To register for the Walk: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc0arMVj25nD9lQUiQlmy2joldt56h8zwUc7vDzX4cU4cPVyA/viewform For more on JVP New Haven: jvpnh.org For more on Eyewitness Palestine: www.eyewitnesspalestine.org

In the first half a conversation with artist and scientist Nicholas Milkovich who is giving a talk on his work at the Yale Franke Program and in the second half a conversation with Andres Versoza about his collection of baskets currently the subject of an exhibition at the Unionville Museum!

Guests: --Irene Mulvy, president of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP), discusses the organization's protect of free speech by students and teaching staff on campuses; --Jeff Cohen, media critic, journalist and founder of Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting (FAIR), assesses the performance of the corporate media in covering the Israeli assault on Gaza and the campus protests that have swept the US. Panel: Ruthanne Baumgartner, Scott Harris and Richard Hill