WAMU: The Kojo Nnamdi Show

The Politics Hour

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 12:06:00 -0400

Fairfax County flirts with the idea of becoming a city. A romantic scandal involving a D.C. Council member ignites a new conversation about ethics and government contracts. And Maryland's governor woos Congress for a secondary stimulus package. Join us for our weekly review of the politics, policies, and personalities of the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia.

Our Region's Riverkeepers

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 12:06:00 -0400

They're the eyes and ears of the Potomac, Anacostia and Patuxent Rivers. The "riverkeepers" for our region spend much of their time on the water, looking for potential threats to our local ecosystem. We'll learn more about the health of our rivers and the growing riverkeeper movement -- sometimes described as an environmental "neighborhood watch" program.

Democracy Building & Consensus in Lebanon

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:06:00 -0400

In recent elections, Lebanese voters sent a pro-Western majority to parliament, denying a challenge from the militant Hezbollah. We look at the challenges ahead for the newly-named Prime Minister Saad Hariri -- son of slain former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri -- and look at the foreign powers like Syria, Saudi Arabia, and the U.S. are likely to play.

Opera for a New Generation

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:06:00 -0400

Conventional wisdom says that opera only appeals to a graying, aging audience. But a group of young Catholic University graduates has set out to dispel that idea. They've formed an ambitious new opera company geared to a younger, more diverse fan base. We'll talk with them about their approach to a tradition-bound art form, and get a live in-studio performance.

D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 12:06:00 -0400

For law enforcement, the summer isn't much of a time for vacation. Police in Washington have already conducted several "all hands on deck" weekends to prevent a summertime spike in crime. We talk with Police Chief Cathy Lanier about the challenges facing law enforcement in the District this summer and the city's long-term strategy for fighting crime.

International Corporations and American Courts

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 13:06:00 -0400

It's been more than a decade since acclaimed writer Ken Saro Wiwa and eight activists were tortured and executed by the military government of Nigeria. But a controversial lawsuit against an international oil company -- accused of aiding that country's pariah government -- only wrapped up last month in New York City. We examine the case of Wiwa vs. Royal Dutch Petroleum, and why a growing number of international corporations find themselves facing legal action within the U.S. for alleged misdeeds overseas.

Chef Patrice Olivon

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 13:06:00 -0400

When you think of French food, chances are you're not thinking about firing up the grill. But on Bastille Day, many French citizens take to the streets to celebrate with freshly grilled cuisine. We talk with chef Patrice Olivon about the surprising traditions of this French holiday, and how the cuisine of his homeland is evolving.

Computer Guys & Gal

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 12:06:00 -0400

Hear about discounted Operating Systems, new search engines, a Youtube for Books, and the latest iPhone app. The Computer Guys & Gal are here to answer your questions, and bring you up-to-date on the latest from the tech world. It's the first Tech Tuesday of the month!

Honduras Update

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 13:06:00 -0400

The Honduran President Zelaya, ousted in an apparent coup last week, is here in Washington trying to win the Obama administration's help in restoring him to power. We get an update on the challenges facing President Obama, Secretary of State Clinton, and the American Congress.

The Nation's William Greider

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 13:06:00 -0400

For more than four decades, journalist Bill Greider has kept a sharp lens focused on the 'People in Power' -- especially those who control the levers of the American economy. He joins Kojo to talk about today's political and economic realities, the challenges facing President Obama, and what policymakers can do to ensure those without power are treated fairly.

Security Questions at New Beginnings

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 12:06:00 -0400

It's only been open a little over a month, but seven juvenile offenders have escaped from the District's brand new, state-of-the art New Beginnings Youth Center, in two different incidents. All were quickly caught, but the escapes raise concerns about security at the new center, whose mission is rehabilitation rather than punishment. Kojo looks at the recent escapes and how local leaders are reacting.

Ending Sexual Abuse in Prison

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 12:06:00 -0400

It's a rampant problem with huge practical and ethical implications for the criminal justice system. More than sixty thousand prisoners are sexually assaulted in state and federal facilities every year. But prison rape is too often relegated to punchlines in jokes. We talk with members of a special commission to combat the problem, and examine how it influences communities outside prison walls.

Howard& Kojo

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 13:06:00 -0400

Many companies realize that increasing diversity among their workers can have a positive effect on the bottom line. Workplace expert Howard Ross joins Kojo to explore the unique position in which retailers find themselves, as they deal with the public and low-wage workers to overcome fear of 'the other.'

Simon Schama on the American Future (Rebroadcast)

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:06:00 -0400

History has a tendency to repeat itself. In his new book, Simon Schama delves into America's past conflicts over race, religion, immigration and war to put contemporary America into a historical context. Schama uses these debates to provide a basis for the future of America. He discusses his attempts to answer the ever-evolving question, "What is an American?"

The Washington Times

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:06:00 -0400

The Washington Times has long lived in the shadow of D.C.'s other daily newspaper, The Washington Post. In 2008, the Times tapped John Solomon, a former reporter for the Post and the Associated Press, to lead the paper. We talk with Solomon about the local and national media landscapes and where he sees the Times fitting into them.

"Your Turn"

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:06:00 -0400

It's your turn to set the agenda - whether it's the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq or the surge of new safety concerns about the Metro rail system.

Work-Life Balance: A Male Perspective

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:06:00 -0400

For decades, the movement to strike a healthy work-life balance focused on women. But a new generation of young men is adding a Y chromosome to the debate. Millenial men now want to share both the bread-winning and the child-rearing, and in fact report higher levels of work-life conflict than do women. Kojo examines the concerns of young working men and looks at how employers are beginning to respond.

New Models for Catholic Schools

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:06:00 -0400

In the 1950s and '60s, Catholic school meant white shirts, plaid skirts and nuns. Today, nuns in the classroom are rare, and the Catholic school system has shrunk by half since its heyday fifty years ago. Kojo looks at how rising costs, shrinking enrollment, and demographic shifts are affecting local Catholic schools, and explores innovative approaches to keeping the doors open.

Iraqi-American Perspectives on the U.S. Military Withdrawal

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:06:00 -0400

U.S. troops formally withdrew from Iraq's cities yesterday -- a symbolic moment for Americans and Iraqis. While some people celebrated in the streets of Baghdad, many others stayed home, anxious over the implications of security changes. We'll talk with Iraqi-Americans about how the withdrawal and Iraqi politics look from thousands of miles away.

Barbecue and American Food Culture

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:06:00 -0400

There are few foods as American as barbecue. But if you live in North Carolina, your idea of barbecue may be completely different from someone who lives in Texas. Barbecue even amplifies the cultural fault lines that exist within states. We explore the connection between the barbecue pit and our sense of identity and learn more about the recipes that define our local communities.

Scientific Evidence & The Courthouse

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:06:00 -0400

The Constitution guarantees criminal defendants the right "to be confronted with the witnesses against him". But more and more cases are being decided based on DNA analysis and drug testing, not witness testimony. Last week, a divided Supreme Court ruled that lab technicians must testify on their results, citing recent reports of mistakes and poor practice in labs across the country. Tech Tuesday explores how questions about technology and science are influencing the nation's courts.

Gadgets and the Risk of Early Adoption

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:06:00 -0400

A new iPhone has just been introduced that's faster -- and cheaper -- than ever. That's bittersweet news to the many people who bought the first edition of Apple's popular phone. And it highlights the tricky question we all face today: when should we jump on the bandwagon with a new technology, and when should we wait? We'll address that perennial tech conundrum and look at some of the latest gadgets on the market today.

Economic Realities in 2020: The Big & Little Picture

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:06:00 -0400

How is the quality of your life directly affected by climate change policy, healthcare reform, or America's solitary role as the world's only superpower? Economist and Democratic party activist Robert Shapiro has some answers -- and says the challenges facing the Obama Administration will have repercussions for all of us for many years to come.

Neighborhood Blogging

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:06:00 -0400

Lots of people are worried that economic woes of the news industry have permanently damaged the reporting of local news. But some engaged residents in the Washington area have taken it upon themselves to report hyper-local news on neighborhood blogs. We talk with neighborhood bloggers about the future of local news, and whether they can fill the gaps left by declining newsrooms.

Peaceoholics

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:06:00 -0400

Every summer, District officials brace for a spike in crime and violence across the city. For the last five years, they've worked closely with Peaceoholics, a non-profit targeting at-risk youths. We examine patterns of juvenile crime, and Peaceoholics' innovative and occasionally controversial approach to young people.

A Coup in Honduras

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:06:00 -0400

The president of Honduras, Manuel Zelaya, was ousted from leadership and flown into exile over the weekend. Some analysts were quick to call it a return to the "bad old days" of Latin American politics, but others said the roots of the coup are more complex. Join Kojo as we learn more about the dynamics that led to this change in power.

Fighting Corruption in Africa

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:06:00 -0400

Most observers agree: To gain respect on the world stage, African countries must combat corruption and embrace notions of "good governance." But it isn't as easy as outsiders may think. Kojo explores the life of a Kenyan Whistle-Blower -- a courageous activist whose personal and professional challenges highlight the entrenched roots of cultural and political corruption.