Wpkn Community Radio

John Nichols, The Nation Magazine's National Affairs Correspondent, analyzes Joe Biden's State of the Union address and discusses his reelection prospects in light of his domestic and foreign policy agendas. Panel: Ruthanne Baumgartner, Scott Harris and Richard Hill

A CT expert explains how the climate crisis is exacerbating the biodiversity crisis.

The March Spotlight on Arts and Culture features Emily Derr, Christine Irvine, and Tania Hoppe from the Stamford Arts Association. In this conversation, The Stamford Arts Association discusses their approach to establishing a welcoming, inclusive space for artists to begin or nurture their career through workshops, exhibitions, and community!

* Humanitarian Crisis & Starvation Used as a Weapon of War in Gaza Demands Immediate Ceasefire; Abby Maxman, Oxfam America's Pres. & CEO, Dr. Karameh Kuemmerle a member of Doctors Against Genocide; Producer: Scott Harris. * Beyond the Devastation in Gaza, Repression & Violence Impact Palestinians in the Occupied West Bank; Mazin Qumsiyeh, Professor, Director of Cytogenetics Services at Bethlehem University & Dir. PIBS; Producer: Melinda Tuhus. * Corporate Media Coverage of Election 2024 is Riven by Journalistic Malpractice; Rick Perlstein, journalist, historian, and author; Producer: Scott Harris.

-A record number of fires threat the Amazon this year -MethaneSAT, built to detect methane from . -2.5 million Americans left their homes because of Extreme Weather -World's largest coral reef ecosystems threatened -Texas increased its solar capacity by 3,700% ranks 3rd in U.S. -Heinz creates a new version of its plastic bottle cap that's recyclable -Groundbreaking discovery, of a novel paint technology for insulation

MY guest on Digging in the Dirt is Louise Washer. Louise serves on the Board of the Pollinator Pathway and is also President of the Norwalk River Watershed Association. Louise is a regular on DITD because she is tirelessly working on issues that affect you and I and our planet. She is here to tell us about an upcoming conference on pesticides, that she is part of, that is taking place next week.

Exxon CEO argued oil industry is not primarily to blame for climate breakdown Cargo ship was sunk by rebels could cause ecological damage to the Red Sea. The biggest blaze ever recorded in Texas due to climate change North Atlantic ocean is, on average, warmer than any other time on record, Hundreds of thousands of fall-run Chinook salmon die Mexico City metropolitan area has endured weeks of water shortages Renewable energy costs in Asia last year were 13% cheaper than coal “virtually unlimited” geothermal power may become available

*Ongoing Gaza Catastrophe Rouses Michigan Primary Voters to Send Biden a Message; James J. Zogby Ph.D., co-founder and president of the Arab American Institute; Producer: Scott Harris. *The World and Americans Must Hold all Israeli Institutions Accountable for Occupation, Apartheid, and Genocide; Ofer Neiman, a Jewish Israeli anti-apartheid activist living in Jerusalem; Producer: Melinda Tuhus. *Review of Trump's Total Immunity Claim, Effectively Delays Jan 6 Trial Until After Election; Thomas G. Moukawsher, a former Connecticut complex litigation judge; Producer: Scott Harris.

-Unseasonable warmth means winter is probably over -World’s oceans reached the hottest temperatures ever recorded early in 2024 -Amazon rainforest faces ecosystem collapse as soon as 2050 -Climate change warming threatens the Lake Geneva’s biodiversity -Pregnant women in Indiana show increased amounts of weedkiller in their urine, -New $24 million funding to support clean energy workforce training -44,000 of the world's species are on the brink of extinction

* Julian Assange Fights Last Battle to Stop UK Extradition to US; Kevin Gosztola, publisher of the Dissenter Newsletter and author; Producer: Scott Harris * Worldwide Protests Demand Insurance Companies Stop Fueling the Climate Crisis; James Hiatt, a native of Southwest Louisiana, and founder of For a Better Bayou; Producer: Melinda Tuhus * New Information Emerges in the Assassination of Malcolm X Implicating the FBI; Theodore Hamm, Assoc Prof & Chair of Journalism, New Media Studies at St. Joseph's University; Producer: Scott Harris

Economist Michael Zweig discusses the various union organizing efforts that are moving forward nationally. Interview by Richard Hill, Feb. 6, 2024

VETERAN OF 4 SPACE SHUTTLE FLIGHTS & FORMER NASA ADMINISTRATOR CHARLIE BOLDEN DISCUSSES HIS EXPERIENCES AS A YOUTH IN THE SEGREGATED SOUTH, & HIS AND OTHER BLACK ASTRONAUTS EXPERIENCES WITH & CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE U.S. SPACE PROGRAM

Brandon "Taz" Niederauer is a prodigious guitarist. He was an original cast member of the Broadway musical "School of Rock" and has played on stage with everyone from Buddy Guy to Gregg Allman to Tedeschi Trucks. Taz is bringing his talents to Bridgeport on Saturday, February 24, 2024, as part of WPKN's celebration of Black History Month. He is performing at the Bijou Theatre, and tickets are available here through Eventbrite. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wpkn-celebrates-black-history-month-w-brandon-taz-niederauer-friends-tickets-809332183347

My guest this episode on DITD will be Ellen Montgomery the Director of the Public Lands Campaign for Environment America. Environment America is Working together with many organizations on a myriad of environmental issues . We be talking about EA's efforts to preserve the U.S ‘s old growth forests from logging because they are one of our best defenses against the warming of the planet.

* As Ukraine War Enters 3rd Year, It’s Time to Stop the Killing Melvin Goodman, a senior fellow at the Center for International Policy, former CIA analyst Producer: Scott Harris * Veterans for Peace Demands Biden Stop Sending Weapons to Israel, Investigate Violation of US Law Mike Ferner, national director, Veterans for Peace; Matthew Hoh, associate director, Eisenhower Media Network Producer: Scott Harris * Coalition Proposes Federal Legislation to Clean Up Zombie Coal Mines’ Environmental Hazards Chelsea Barnes, director of Government Affairs and Strategy for Appalachian Voices Producer: Melinda Tuhus

-New Zealand has ruled in favor of indigenous leaders lawsuit against polluters -Local governments are banning green energy projects faster than building them -Lake Powell still in danger of new “deadpool” low levels -National Academy of Sciences,wants a new hurricane category 6 storm rating -Horse shoe Crabs are in jeopardy due to recent human activities -17 million pounds of plastic trash removed from the Pacific Ocean

Special Guest Miranda Gould, who owns the New Petal Flower Farm (https://newpetalflowerfarm.com) in Monroe, CT, talks about how she grows organic tulips during the winter by "forcing" them in her basement. Hosts: Richard Hill, Laura Modlin and Steve Munno.

James Sirch, Education Director at the Peabody Museum in New Haven, CT, discusses the numerous pros of native plants and urges us to grow them from seeds and avoid mistaking them for pesky weeds. Hosts: Richard Hill, Laura Modlin and Steve Munno

Henry Lowendorf, chair of the New Haven Peace Council and longtime peace and social justice activist, speaks about the continuing brutal Israeli massacre taking place in Gaza. Panel: Ruthanne Baumgartner, Scott Harris and Richard Hill.

*Biden's Ineffectual Response to Israel's Ongoing Carnage in Gaza War Phyllis Bennis, a fellow at the Institute for Policy Studies Producer: Scott Harris. * One Year After East Palestine Toxic Train Derailment Residents Still Seeking Help on Heath Impacts Hilary Flint co-founder of the group, Unity Council for the East Palestine, Ohio Train Derailment Producer: Melinda Tuhus. *SCOTUS Hearing on Colorado's Removal of Trump from State Ballot Ignores His Role as Insurrectionist Amira Mattar, Counsel with the group Free Speech For People Producer: Scott Harris.