WPKN Community Radio

The Resistance Roundtable show interviews Branko Marcetic who discusses his recent Jacobin Magazine articles on Biden's horrific Gaza policy; and the apparent decision by the Harris campaign to keep Tim Walz off the campaign trail. Interview by Scott Harris, Richard Hill and Ruthanne Baumgartner, Oct. 12, 2024

On the October 20, 2024 episode of Mic Check, host Mike Merli is in conversation with Barbara Fair, LCSW, a community organizer and founding member of Stop Solitary CT. Barbara and Stop Solitary CT are currently calling for justice for J’Allen Jones, a 32 year-old community member who died in Department of Correction custody in 2018, in a horrifying and devastating situation. Barbara Fair can be reached at: barbfair848@gmail.com. More info on Stop Solitary CT at: www.stopsolitaryct.org/ x.com/stopsolitaryct www.instagram.com/stopsolitaryct/ More info on the death of J'Allen Jones at: https://www.ctinsider.com/news/article/jallen-jones-ct-garner-prison-death-video-lawsuit-19813830.php https://www.wfsb.com/2024/10/18/frustration-growing-over-death-inmate-activists-call-video-incident-be-released/#:~:text=for%20video%20of-,incident,-to%20be%20released https://www.wtnh.com/news/connecticut/hartford/activist-gather-at-department-of-corrections-in-wethersfield-to-protest-2018-death-of-an-inmate/ https://www.nhregister.com/news/article/activists-justice-death-prisoner-j-allen-jones-doc-19845959.php?utm_source=marketing&utm_medium=copy-url-link&utm_campaign=article-share&hash=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubmhyZWdpc3Rlci5jb20vbmV3cy9hcnRpY2xlL2FjdGl2aXN0cy1qdXN0aWNlLWRlYXRoLXByaXNvbmVyLWotYWxsZW4tam9uZXMtZG9jLTE5ODQ1OTU5LnBocA%3D%3D&time=MTcyOTMwMDQ0ODM5MA%3D%3D&rid=YmJiNzM1NmMtYTkyNi00MDdiLWJhMmEtMjk3YjljODM1NTc2&sharecount=MA%3D%3D

Leonard Aguilar, secretary-treasurer of the Texas AFL-CIO talks about the strategies and prospects for this massive organized labor body. Hosted by Michael Zweig and Richard Hill, Oct. 1, 2024

-Hurricane Milton destroys 500,000 homes at $85 billion cost -“2024 State of the Climate Report warns of Climate emergency -Antarctica's glaciers are in serious trouble -Pesticides aren't always necessary -United States continues to emit more planet-warming methane -Utah’s Great Salt Lake days may be numbered. -India unhappy with EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism tariffs -12% of Rep’s, and 59% of Dem’s, say must address climate change

Host: Duo Dickinson Wednesday October 16, 2024, 12 Noon WPKN 89.5FM www.wpkn.org A century of top-down architectural determination is over. Regimes of conferring worth via station and prestige have been replaced with the number of “likes” and “followers” accruing as if the entire world is one polling station. We have reached intellectual democratization, where popularity trumps insights (good or bad) – our world is becoming unending popularity contests and beauty pageants, where everyone is the judge and the contestant – “the most eyeballs wins”. So much so that the remaining organizations are trying to ban Tik Tok, control Artificial Intelligence and social media and limit access based on age. But the cow has left the barn. As a result, in architecture, the Starchitect, the image of the Power of Style has left the building. All media is losing its editorial guardrails as the internet’s overwhelming universal, free and open access to exposing every and any aspect of everyone’s life becomes the basis of cultural evolution. The elitist sensibility of anointing “important work” in controlled, highly exclusive journalistic exposure of architecture is collapsing. Popular culture critic Kate Wagner voiced the power of democratic revolution in media: “We all live in the world. We all deserve to participate in it. We all also deserve to see our own lives reflected in architectural media, not just the spaces of the rich and famous. That requires reshaping everything, even vernacular or popular design media culture.” Today we have two people who know the past, present and perhaps can see a future for architecture. Martin Pedersen is a New Orleans based writer, critic and editor, and is the executive director of the Common Edge Collaborative. John Connell is the co – founder of Yestermorrow, an Architect and Urbanist.

* Trump, GOP Preparing to Undermine Presidential Election Results if They Lose Justin Glawe, an independent journalist, frequent contributor to Rolling Stone magazine Producer: Scott Harris * Under Trump Project 2025 Would Sabotage Federal Storm Forecasting and Disaster Relief Andra Watkins, a New York Times bestselling author Producer: Scott Harris * If Completed the East African Oil Pipeline Will be a Destructive ‘Carbon Bomb’ Nico Udu-Gama, US Partnerships Coordinator at 350.org Producer: Melinda Tuhus

Director of Agriculture at CitySeed in New Haven which we talked about on a previous segment which you can hear in our podcasts section if you missed it. Kaitlyn is Owner of Sunset Organic farm in Naugatuck Ct. she is back to talk to me now about some of the issues farmers are facing due to some of this extraordinary weather many of us are experiencing.

Jeff Masters (Hurricane Expert, Yale Climate Connection), Kaitlyn Kimball (Director of Agriculture for Cityseed, New Haven), James Blanchfield (Wilton, Connecticut Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director)

Laura Modlin interviews Bill Lucey, Soundkeeper for the Long Island Sound with Save the Sound, about eels migrating out to the North Atlantic after decades spent in Connecticut's rivers and streams and what they encounter here. Aired October 6, 2024.

* US Media Sanitizes US Role in Israel's Savage War in Gaza and Lebanon; Norman Solomon, co-founder of RootsAction.org; Producer: Scott Harris. * Corporate Media is 'Sanewashing' Trump's Obvious Cognitive Decline; Parker Malloy, publisher of the Present Age newsletter, fmr editor-at-large w Media Matters 4 America; Producer: Scott Harris. * As Hurricanes Ravage the Southeast US, Fossil Fuel’s Destructive Infrastructure Impacts Rural Communities; Sydney Collins, climate activist, speaking at a Stop Project Maple rally in Hartford, in CT late Sept; Producer: Melinda Tuhus.

-UK set to stop producing any electricity from burning coal -90% of the planet’s soil is being degraded -Extinction of hundreds of bird species Threatens other systems -24 percent of plastic waste comes from just five companies: -Africa’s ecosystem threatened by climate change -Home insurance companies pulling out of risky states. -Connecticut sees first human case of new tick-borne disease

Friday October 4, 2024, 12 Noon WPKN 89.5FM www.wpkn.org Host: Peggy Nelson Part 1: Hot Spots – events in our area. Part 2: Director and actor Mike Boland discussing his film “Yo, Andrea”. Part 3: A conversation with Bridgeport artist Julia Contacessi Part 4: A tribute to Gavin Creel

* Israel’s Series of Assassinations, Lebanon Invasion Puts Middle East on Brink of Regional War; John Feffer Director of Foreign Policy In Focus at the Institute for Policy Studies; Producer: Scott Harris. * As Netanyahu Addresses UN General Assembly, Americans Protest Israel’s Genocide in Gaza; Gregory Daly a participant in a NYC protest against Benjamin Netanyahu on Sept. 26th; Producer: Melinda Tuhus. * US Secretary of State Antony Blinken Condemned for Advocating Reckless Action in Ukraine War; Joe Lauria, Editor-in-Chief of Consortium News; Producer: Scott Harris.

-Hurricane Helene Devastation -Vienna reduced impact of flooding caused by Storm Boris -Italy and Switzerland have redrawn their shared border -Germany embraces "balkonkraftwerk", or balcony solar -Climate-Ready Workforce Initiative was launched- -How much warmer is the Earth going to get?

On the September 29, 2024 episode of Mic Check, host Mike Merli is in conversation with Barbara Fair, LCSW, a community activist and founding member of Stop Solitary CT. Stop Solitary CT will be holding a press conference TOMORROW, September 30, 2024, at 9am at the Legislative Office Building - Room 1-B (300 Capitol Avenue in Hartford). This press conference will be addressing ongoing violations of the PROTECT Act, prison reform legislation which Stop Solitary CT led the fight to get passed. More info on Stop Solitary CT at: https://stopsolitaryct.org/ https://x.com/stopsolitaryct https://www.instagram.com/stopsolitaryct/

Dave Chapman, co-director of The Real Organic Project (realorganic project.org) discusses the Sept. 28 conference in Hudson NY, Real Organic; A World Movement which will feature a roster of speakers on the major issues confronting the organic movement today. Hosted by: Richard Hill, Diane Lauricella and Steve Munno

Friday September 27, 2024, 12 Noon WPKN 89.5FM www.wpkn.org Host: Peggy Nelson Part 1: Hot Spots – events in our area. Part 2: Deborah Burke, Creative Director of the Town Players of New Canaan, discussing the 2024-2025 Season of Plays. Part 3: Charles Rosenay discussing The Haunted Trolley presentation of “Final Stop: Murder On the Rails.” Part 4: Hamish Lutris discussing his book “Earth Ascendant: Awakening” and his upcoming talk at the Stratford Library on Sunday, October 6.

Hosts: Andrew Ross and Bonna Sue Burtt Wednesday, September 25, 2024, 12 Noon WPKN 89.5FM www.wpkn.org Guest Julia DiCola the Executive Director of Our TransLife A discussion about the climate of what it is to be a political target during the 2024 campaign especially when candidates are making spurious comments about trans people and how organizations like Our TransLife help the trans and non-binary community locally.

My guests this show are Lindley Dixon of the Real Organic Project. Linley serves as a Farmer representative and Co-Director of the Real Organic Project. Then Louise Washer a founder of the Pollinator Pathway joins me to tell us the latest news on the neonicotinoid pesticides problem Finally Gloria Frazee of Rewild Long Island makes her monthly visit to talk about….Rewilds fall programs and how long Islanders can get involved in community composting and planting pollinator friendly native plants.

Gloria Frazee Rewild Long Island #3 by WPKN Community Radio

-Record 2024 Central European floods -Multiple wildfires raging across northern Portugal -North Carolina saw historic rainfall -Vast areas of the Brazil on fire -Atlantic hurricane season poses increased risks -California’s closes plastic bag waste loophole -In Norway electric vehicles surpass gas automobiles -Gen Z & millennial workers back sustainability priorities

-Typhoon Yagi most powerful typhoon to hit Asia this year. -Severe drought in Cuba -Antarctic sea ice has been exceptionally below average -The lead ammunition poisonous to scavenging animals -Critical shortfall in pollination affecting world’s food crops, -EPA gives $4B in funding for clean energy projects -EV sales have not fallen, cooled, or slowed -New solar-charging Truck bed Power System

* Escalating Cross-Border Attacks Between Israel and Hezbollah Could Erupt into All-Out War; Jennifer Loewenstein fmr Assoc. Dir. Middle East Studies & Snr Lecturer at Univ of Wisconsin; Producer: Scott Harris. * Trump's Abortion Ban is Now Literally Killing Women; Amy Littlefield, The Nation magazine's abortion access correspondent; Producer: Scott Harris. * Gulf Coast Residents and Climate Activists Oppose FERC Approval of New LNG Export Terminals; Lisa Finn, an organizer with Third Act Virginia; Producer: Melinda Tuhus.

Neil Meyer, contributing writer to Jacobin Magazine, discusses his recent article spelling out a strategy for progressives to steer a Harris-Walz administration to the left should they win on Nov. 5 (https://jacobin.com/2024/09/harris-sanders-labor-dsa-strategy). Neil also co-edits The Left Noes Newsletter (https://www.left-notes.com/). Panel: Scott Harris, Ruthanne Baumgartner and Richard Hill Sept. 14, 2024

Friday September 20, 2024, 12 Noon WPKN 89.5FM www.wpkn.org Host: Peggy Nelson Part 1: Suzanne Kachmar, Iyabu Ibo Mandingo, and Carlos Biernay discussing their artists' trip to Venice and Portugal, Iyabu's show "Arwe Journey: Twentieth Century Afri-Caribbean Migration" and Carlos's show "Latinissimo". Part 2: Director Jim Andreassi discussing "Dracula – A Comedy of Terrors" at The Legacy Theatre in Branford. Part 3: Theater Reviews with Tom Holehan

Host: Duo Dickinson Wednesday September 18, 2024, 12 Noon WPKN 89.5FM www.wpkn.org There’s a long history of young architects who design their parents’ home, or their own home—something, anything, to make their bones as a designer outside the grinding path of apprenticeship and licensing. Robert Venturi did a house for his mother, Vanna. Frank Gehry renovated a house for his family before anyone hired him. Even Alvar Aalto and Walter Gropius honed their design skills on residences for themselves. Forty years ago, we awoke in our own home: its subsequent recognition and huge resonance over these decades was completely unexpected, but fulfilled a 29 year old architect’s hopes, but more became a family home that evolved overe 4 construction reinventions. Directly connecting home design to home use is daunting, empowering and just a bit terrifying: many architects never finish the homes they start, many have great hopes for validation go unfulfilled: On Home Page this week we have three other architects who built homes for themselves or family, sometimes multiple times. Mark Simon FAIA is a partner in Centerbrook Architects. Louis Mackall is a craftsman and architect who created Breakfast Woodworks with Ken Field, and built his own home. Jennifer Lee of Obra Architects created a home for her mother in her words “…in the grand tradition of building houses for their parents.”

*Donald Trump's Repeated Stochastic Terrorism Now Endangers Haitian Immigrants in Ohio; Wajahat Ali, author and creator of The Left Hook Substack; Producer: Scott Harris. *13-Week ‘Summer of Heat’ Climate Protest Building Movement to End Fossil Fuel Financing; Alec Connon, Executive Director of the group Stop the Money Pipeline; Producer: Melinda Tuhus. *Singer-songwriter Billy Bragg Reflects on his 40 years of Political Activism and the Power of Music; Billy Bragg, singer-songwriter; Producer: Scott Harris.

-Typhoon Yagi most powerful typhoon to hit Asia this year. -Severe drought in Cuba -Antarctic sea ice has been exceptionally below average -Lead ammunition poisonous to scavenging animals -Critical shortfall in pollination affecting world’s food crops, -EPA gives $4B in funding for clean energy projects -EV sales have not fallen, cooled, or slowed -New solar-charging Truck bed Power System

-A surge in giant sinkholes in Turkey. -Alaskan land would be protected from mining interests -Missouri to ban most exports of water from the state. -Drones used to fire "seed missiles" to grow trees -Replacing fossil fuels with hydrogen and electricity not enough -U.S. voters support legal action against plastics/fossil fuels -McDonald’s is set to reduce plastic waste

Victor De Masi is a citizen scientist and an extremely active member of The Pollinator Pathway. He was a wetland conservation officer in his hometown of Redding for 20 years and is presently a curatorial affiliate at the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History in New Haven. Justin Wiggins works with the Connecticut Aquatic Resources Education Program (CARE) he strives to create anglers and environmental stewards through hands-on science based lessons and fishing trips. They recruit, train, and manage volunteers to accomplish this goal. Since 1986 The program FISH WITH CARE has offered classes and events designed to engage people in the outdoors by showing how fun and easy fishing can be

In this interview with host Richard Hill, Nick Mottern describes his journey from Navy enlistee during the Vietnam war to full-time peace activist in western Massachusetts today. Nick's activities include picketing arms producers, civil disobedience leading to multiple arrests, and lobbying Jim McGovern, his congressman. He has written articles for Truthout and also engages in a daytime fast which he says gives him the clarity of mind to concoct new ways to organize resistance to the US colonial project. See: www.bankillerdrones.org; merchantsofdeath.org.

Economist and labor historian Michael Zweig discusses the latest developments on the labor front with host Richard Hill Interview conducted on September 3, 2024

*New Book Warns Voters of Fascist Threat Posed by Trump in 2024 Election; Mark Green, former New York City public advocate and author; Producer: Scott Harris. *Portland, Maine City Council Votes for Israel Divestment Resolution Over Gaza War; Abigail Fuller, Co-Chair of Maine Voices for Palestinian Rights; Producer: Scott Harris. *Retired Journalist Bikes to Washington Building Opposition to Israel’s Gaza War; Bob Sanders a retired Jewish journalist from New Hampshire; Producer: Melinda Tuhus.

-A surge in giant sinkholes in Turkey. -Alaskan land would be protected from mining interests -Missouri to ban most exports of water from the state. -Drones used to fire "seed missiles" to grow trees -Replacing fossil fuels with hydrogen and electricity not enough -U.S. voters support legal action against plastics/fossil fuels -McDonald’s is set to reduce plastic waste

-Weedkiller Dacthal serious health risks to unborn babies, banned. -Record-setting heat wave in the west -221 thousand pounds of dead fish in Greek port -Worst droughts sweeping across southern Africa -Multimillion-dollar estates sliding into Pacific Ocean -Legos, changing its plastics formula to be environmentally friendly. -

-The Atlantic Ocean is cooling at a record speed -The inevitability of rising temperatures due to climate change -Farmer-first’ successful agrivoltaics projects -Inflation Reduction Act has sparked a manufacturing boom -New solar utility-scale operations are largest source of electricity -Electric car sales growing fastest -Americans want to prioritize developing alternative energy

* Gaza War Continues to Kill as Massive Israeli Protests Blame Netanyahu for Latest Hostage Deaths; James J. Zogby, co-founder and president of the Arab American Institute; Producer: Scott Harris. * Activists Protesting Federal Reserve Climate Policy Block Road to Wyoming Annual Symposium; Ethan Wright a climate activist working with Climate Defiance and Planet Over Profit; Producer: Melinda Tuhus. * Coalition Demands US News Media Aggressively Cover Election Campaign Threats to Democracy; Nora Benavidez, Senior Counsel and Director of Digital Justice and Civil Rights at FreePress.net; Producer: Scott Harris.

Migrating birds need our help, but they give to us in return. Learn about the world of our feathered friends who summer and winter in separate locations and what you can do in your own backyard to assist them. Join Laura Modlin as she interviews Jim Sirch, who worked as a naturalist and educator at the Yale Peabody Museum for 23 years - and just recently retired in May. Before that, he worked for CT Audubon for 10 years. Aired September 1, 2024.

* US Doctor Shares His Eyewitness Account of Gaza War Horrors; Ahmad Javed Yousaf, MD, an internist and pediatrician practicing in Benton, Arkansas; Producer: Scott Harris. * Trump's Racism is the Primary Driver of his Voter Support; James Risen, a best-selling author and former New York Times reporter; Producer: Scott Harris. * Youth Incarceration in the U.S. Declines, but Racial Disparities Persist; Joshua Rovner, Director of Youth Justice with The Sentencing Project; Producer: Melinda Tuhus.

-Catastrophic flooding hits southwestern CT -North Carolina beachfront home falls into the Atlantic Ocean -Mediterranean Sea reaches highest recorded temperature -Phoenix has been over 100 degrees F for 77 straight days -Current and future human health are at serious risk -Greece is facing a severe water shortage problem -IRS is offering rebates up to a 30% on clean energy products

* As Slaughter of Palestinians Continues Gaza Ceasefire Talks Could be at Critical Juncture; Jennifer Loewenstein fmr Asst. Dir. Middle Eastern Studies & Senior Lecturer at the Univ of Wisconsin; Producer: Scott Harris. * Assessing Presidential Candidate Kamala Harris' Economic Policy Proposals; Matt Bruenig, president of People’s Policy Project; Producer: Scott Harris. * Toxic Hair Products Marketed to Women of Color Cause Cancer and other Health Dangers; Micaela Martinez,PhD,Director of Environmental Health, WE ACT for Environmental Justice; Producer: Melinda Tuhus.

* As Slaughter of Palestinians Continues Gaza Ceasefire Talks Could be at Critical Juncture; Jennifer Loewenstein fmr Asst. Dir. Middle Eastern Studies & Senior Lecturer at the Univ of Wisconsin; Producer: Scott Harris. * Assessing Presidential Candidate Kamala Harris' Economic Policy Proposals; Matt Bruenig, president of People’s Policy Project; Producer: Scott Harris. * Toxic Hair Products Marketed to Women of Color Cause Cancer and other Health Dangers; Micaela Martinez,PhD,Director of Environmental Health, WE ACT for Environmental Justice; Producer: Melinda Tuhus.

-Catastrophic flooding hits southwestern CT -North Carolina beachfront falls into the Atlantic Ocean -Mediterranean Sea reaches highest recorded temperature -Phoenix has been over 100 degrees F for 77 straight days -Current and future human health and wellbeing at serious risk -Greece is facing a severe water shortage problem -IRS is offering rebates up to a 30% on clean energy products

-Tropical Storm Debby swamped Florida’s sewage systems -Climate warms Artic permafrost releasing ancient Mercury -U.S. DoE awards $147 million for world’s storage facility in Maine -Ebron Solar will invests $942 million in New Mexico’s solar -U.S. Government to fund $1.45 billion to solar manufacturer -Plastic waste is piling up at a daunting pace around the world -China to accelerate cutting greenhouse gasses by 2035

Tune into this episode to hear Sabrina Godeski, Director of Business Development & Tourism for the City of Norwalk and staff to the Norwalk Arts and Cultural Commission, and Brian Kaspr, a Norwalk artist, who will discuss Norwalk’s art scene and how the city is driving their local economy through the arts and culture!

Gloria Frazee joins me as a regular monthly guest on Digging in the Dirt. Gloria is co-chair of the Social Media & Web Committee and co-leader of the ReWild/South Fork chapter and its Summer Program for high school students. She is also the founder of ReWild/East Hampton Compost…. in collaboration with the Town of East Hampton.

* Kamala Harris Can Politically Neutralize Dangerous SCOTUS Presidential Immunity Ruling; Lawrence Lessig, Roy L. Furman Professor of Law and Leadership at Harvard Law School; Producer: Scott Harris. * Can Gov. Tim Walz's Minnesota Progressive Legislative Victories be Replicated Nationally?; Branko Marcetic, staff writer with Jacobin magazine; Producer: Scott Harris. * In NYC Climate Protest Citibank Orders Arrest of Activist Classical Cellist Performing Bach; John Mark Rozendaal an activist with Extinction Rebellion NYC; Producer: Melinda Tuhus.

-Debby rains bring New Jersey flooding -Law suit win on mass spraying insecticides -Record-breaking heat wave in Antarctica -Glacial lake outburst floods Juneau Alaska -Glaciers supplying water disappearing -Jane Goodall says It’s Not Too Late to Save the World

Light pollution is worse than the dark. Laura Modlin interviews Leo Smith, Chair of the CT chapter of Dark Sky International, on what light pollution is, how it harms animals, our ecosystem, human health - and what fixes there are to this issue. Originally aired August 11, 2024

I speak with Sarah Taylor, founder and executive director of the Huneebee Project, and Alex, a youth worker in the project, which, according to its website, brings "bee hives to community gardens and vacant green spaces, equitable employment opportunities to local youth, and raw honey & beeswax products to you." I first learned about this inspiring effort on a bike tour, and wanted to learn more, so I interviewed Sarah and Alex at one of the community gardens.

Laura Modlin talked to Annie Hornish, CT state director and lobbyist for the Humane Society of the United States, about the effect of fireworks on animal habitats and public safety and how we can advocate for animals. Aired June 2, 2024

Laura Modlin interviewed Dr. Ramani Durvasula. author of "It's Not You," a NY Times bestselling book on identifying and healing from narcissistic abuse. They discussed what happens when do-gooder groups are targets for narcissists who want to use the cause to advance themselves. And what can be done about it. Aired July 7, 2024

-Tropical storm Debby -Philippines capital flooded from Typhoon -Dragonflies swarm beachgoers in Rhode Island -Oil-well blowout in Kazakhstan spews methane -New rules for methane emissions at landfills -First US solar-covered canal coming -Brazil’s proposal for a 2% wealth tax on billionaires

Chuck Collins of climatecriminals.org is my guest on this "Digging in the Dirt". Chuck is here to talk about why he believes It’s time to name the names of the individuals delaying climate action and financing the climate crisis, so they can be held accountable. Chuck Collins is an American author and a senior scholar at the Institute for Policy Studies in Washington, DC, where he directs the Program on Inequality and the Common Good. His latest book is a novel, “Altar to an Erupting Sun,” an eco-fiction exploration of the causes of climate disruption.

* Israel’s High-Level Assassinations Provoke Retaliation and Risks a Wider Middle East War; Trita Parsi, Executive Vice President Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft; Producer: Scott Harris. * Democratic Party Isolation from Working Families Examined in Ralph Nader's New Book; Ralph Nader America’s leading public interest lawyer & four-time independent presidential candidate; Producer: Scott Harris. * Pres. Biden Pressured to Grant Leonard Peltier Clemency, Likely His Last Chance to Gain Freedom; Justin Mazzola, Deputy Director of Research with Amnesty International USA; Producer: Melinda Tuhus.

Sephra Alexandra, The Seed Huntress, is an ethnobotanist on a mission to restore the biodiversity of our environment by finding, saving and replanting our legacy seeds (www.seedhunress.com). Hosted by Richard Hill and Diane Lauricella

-Florida prepares for powerful Hurricane -Philippines capital underwater after deadly Typhoon -Thousands of dragonflies swarm Rhode Island Beach. -Kazakhstan record accidental methane leak -New EPA rules for methane emissions from landfills, -America gets its very first solar-covered canal -Brazil’s proposes for a 2% wealth tax on Billionaires

-Earth has warmest two days on record globally since 1940, -US will miss emission reduction goals -Twenty-five states ask Supreme Court to stay coal pollution rules -South Africa enacts Climate Change Bill -Key Largo tree cactus goes extinct in US -Atlantic sturgeon back in Swedish Rivers due to conservation -Federal government to phase out plastics

Organic farmer Kaitlyn Kimball is my guest on this show. Kaitlyn is Owner of Sunset Organic farm in Naugatuck Ct. with her husband Lawrence Passeck. Sunset is a USDA Certified Organic vegetable and flower farm focused on sustainability and community. Kaitlyn is also Director of Agriculture at CitySeed in New Haven. CitySeed has a mission to "create a healthy, sustainable, and just food system for all.”

Trump's Depraved Embrace of Nuclear Weapons Endangers the World; Lawrence S. Wittner, Professor of History Emeritus at the State University of New York at Albany; Producer: Scott Harris. * 'Project 2025' Envisions the Imposition of an Authoritarian Christian Nationalist Theocracy; Andra Watkins, a New York Times bestselling author; Producer: Scott Harris. * Coalition Campaigns to Stop Private Jet Expansion, Asserting it’s a Luxury our Climate Can’t Afford; Alex Chatfield of the Coalition to Stop Private Jet Expansion at Hanscom or Anywhere; Producer: Melinda Tuhus.

I am pleased to have Kaitlyn Kimball as my guest this show, Kaitlyn is Owner of Sunset Organic farm in Naugatuck Ct. with her husband Lawrence Passeck. Sunset is a USDA Certified Organic vegetable and flower farm focused on sustainability and community. She is also Director of Agriculture at CitySeed in New Haven.

* World Court Rules Israeli Occupation of Palestinian Land Violates International Law Michael Lynk, Associate Professor of Law at the University of Western Ontario, Canada Producer: Scott Harris * After Biden Pressured to End Campaign, Vice President Harris Defacto Democratic Party Nominee Aaron Regunberg a member of the group Pass the Torch steering committee Producer: Scott Harris * New Haven City Government Moves to Shutdown Catholic Worker Shelter for Unhoused Joel Nieves, an occupant of a shelter built for the unhoused at the Amistad Catholic Worker House Producer: Melinda Tuhus

-June 2024 was the warmest June since 1850. -Climate change drought affecting worlds crops negatively -Seven out off ten people want to switch to clean energy -Puerto Rico filed suit against fossil fuel companies -EPA is weighing controversial geoengineering ocean experiment -Abu Dhabi Mangrove Initiative to plant 100 million Mangrove trees

Special guest John Nichols, National Affairs Correspondent for The Nation Magazine, analyzes the current state and fate of our democracy as the 2024 presidential election fast approaches. Panel: Scott Harris, Ruthanne Baumgartner and Richard Hill Interview conducted on July 13, 2024

The campaign to clean up dog poop pollution at Johnson Beach in the Short Beach district of Branford, CT. Ann Davis, citizen scientist, and Amy Scholtz, Deputy Director of the East Shore District Health Department, discuss the project to remediate the extremely high bacteria levels measured at this small beach on the Connecticut shoreline. Interview by Richard Hill and Diane Lauricella, July 18, 2024

* GOP Uses Assassination Attempt to Shut Down Condemnation of Trump's Authoritarian Agenda; Michael Podhorzer, former political diretor and assistant to the president of the AFL-CIO for strategic research; Producer: Scott Harris. * Poll Finds Americans Reject and Fear Trump's Right-wing Extremist 'Project 2025' Agenda Bryan Bennett, senior director of polling & analytics at the Hub Project Producer: Scott Harris * Activists Working to Reverse NY Gov. Hochul’s “Pause” on NYC Congestion Pricing Plan Michael Gerrard, an attorney working to see the congestion pricing plan program revived and implemented Producer: Melinda Tuhus Between The Lines - 7/17/24 ©2024 Squeaky Wheel Productions, Inc.

-Over a million homes and businesses remained without power in Texas -California ties or breaks heat records this week - heatwave is forecast to continue across Europe -Melting of North America’s largest icefields has accelerated -Bridgeport’s Seaside Beach closed due to bacteria levels -Shell documents point to company knowledge of Climate change -UK’s new Labour Government increasing solar power deployment.

I want you to welcome back Gloria Frazee of ReWild Long Island. At ReWild, Gloria is co-chair of the Social Media & Web Committee and co-leader of the ReWild/South Fork chapter and now is a regular contributor to this program. Gloria will be joining me every 2nd Thursday of the month during the 12 noon hour.

I'd like to welcome back Dr. Carl Safina from the Safina Center to Digging in the dirt. Carl has taken the story of his previous book "Alfie and Me" to another level and created a picture book for children called "Owls in our yard" ! Carl is a good friend of Digging in the Dirt and WPKN radio. Dr. Safina is the endowed chair for Nature and Humanity at Stony Brook University. A MacArthur “genius fellowship" winning ecologist and founder of the Safina Center.

I'd like to welcome to Digging in the Dirt, Kaitlyn Kimball Director of agriculture for CitySeed up in New Haven. CitySeed has a mission to create a healthy, sustainable, and just food system for all.” We will be talking about CitySeed's fabulous Farmers Markets. Kaitlyn is also Owner of Sunset Organic farm in Naugatuck Ct. with Lawrence Passeck . Sunset is a USDA Certified Organic vegetable and flower farm focused on sustainability and community.

On the July 2024 episode of Spotlight on Arts and Culture, we discuss arts equity, philanthropy, and community impact. We are joined by Fairfield County's Community Foundation's Julian Pierce, the Director of Economic Opportunity, and Lutonya Russell-Humes, the VP of Grants and Programs. We announce the 2024 Arts in the Service of Equity grantees, the power of arts and culture as an anchor to where we live and how we live, art as a driver of the local economy.

* Shocking Supreme Court Ruling Granting Presidential Immunity Enables Future Autocrats; Marge Baker, Executive VP for Policy and Program with the group People For the American Way; Producer: Scott Harris. * Supreme Court Chevron Doctrine Ruling Jeopardizes Countless Federal Regulations; David Doniger, Senior Attorney, Strategist for Climate & Energy with the Natural Resources Defense Council; Producer: Melinda Tuhus. * Democrats Balk at Going Public with Rising Concern that Joe Biden Unable to Defeat Donald Trump; Stewart Lawrence, a long-time Washington, DC-based policy consultant; Producer: Scott Harris. ©2024 Squeaky Wheel Productions, Inc.

Economist Michael Zweig and labor activist Bill Fletcher Jr. analyze two momentous recent Supreme Court rulings that effectively curtail federal regulation of corporate activity and place the president of the United States above the law. Interview by Richard Hill, July 2, 2024

-Hurricane Beryl Hits Mexico headed to U.S. -Scorching temperature fry U.S. west -52% rise in days when temperature is 95 degrees -Temps are below zero overnight in many places in Australia -63 coastal communities in Panama to relocate -Native American tribe removes of 2 ecosystem-disrupting dams. -The EU has passed a law to restore 1/5th of its land and sea -13 young Hawaiian plaintiffs groundbreaking settlement

* After Disastrous Debate Urgent Calls for Joe Biden to Step Aside & Find a New Candidate; Jeff Cohen, co-founder of the online activist group RootsAction.org; Producer: Scott Harris. * Julian Assange is Free, but his Prosecution Threatens Press Freedom; Kevin Gosztola, publisher of the Dissenter Newsletter and author; Producer: Scott Harris. * Civil Disobedience Protest at Citibank's NYC HQ Demands End to Fossil Fuel Financing; Alec Connon, Juan Mancias, Dr. Sandra Steingraber; Producer: Melinda Tuhus.

-Supreme Court overturns Chevron rule -Exxon, Suncor lawsuit upheld -Costly Beach nourishment projects, -Mississippi River “Cancer Alley -one in four households in the U S has high soil lead levels -Suffolk County Long Island Planning Commission rejects yacht storage

Small Farms Report with Steve Munno of Massaro Farm in Woodbridge, CT Special Guest: Richard Meyers of Park City Harvest (www.parkcityharvest.com) talks about his urban farming project and discusses growing micro-green which he hopes will inject super nutrition into urban communities. Hosted by Richard Hill and Diane Lauracella

* US Provocatively Permits Ukraine to Use American Weapons to Attack Targets Inside Russia Lawrence B. Wilkerson, retired US Army Colonel, former chief of staff to U.S. Sec. of State Colin Powell Producer: Scott Harris * Active Duty US Soldiers ‘Appeal for Redress’ to Voice Opposition to America's Role in Israel's War in Gaza Juan Bettancourt senior airman on active duty while seeking conscientious objector separation Producer: Scott Harris * Two years after Roe was Overturned New Play Tells the Stories of Women Who Had Abortions Before it was Legal Martha Boesing and Victoria Rule, who created “Voices from the Silenced” Producer: Melinda Tuhus ©2024 Squeaky Wheel Productions, Inc.

On this episode of “Spotlight on Arts and Culture,” founders of ‘The Hive’ Frederic Chui and Jeanine Esposito talk about how they engage community through the arts and engaging community conversations. Tune in!

-A large dome of high pressure causing excessive heat -1,000 pilgrims on Hajj lose lives due to heat -India touches new highs at 127.22 F -Greek tourists dying due to excessive heat -Capri halts the arrival of tourists due to no water -3 States have sued U.S, to protect Oil and Gas industry -The Plastic Recycling Deception -The American Climate Corps deploys 9,000 workers

Luisa Maria Gonzalez, Prensa Latina's Vice President of the News Division, speaks about the Cuba-based global news outlet and its role in providing alternative coverage to the Global South. Interview by Richard Hill on June 4, 2024

* Israel's New Air War in the West Bank Kills Rising Number of Palestinian Children; Catherine Cartier, a journalist pursuing an MA in Global Journalism & Near Eastern Studies at NYU; Producer: Scott Harris. * Fossil Fuel Industry Working to Further Criminalize Climate Protests Against Oil and Gas Projects; Emily Sanders, Senior Reporter with ExxonKnews.org; Producer: Melinda Tuhus. * SCOTUS Scandals and Blatant Corruption Demand Urgent Reform; John Bonifaz, Co-founder and President of the group Free Speech For People; Producer: Scott Harris.

Thursday, September 20, 2022, 12 noon WPKN 89.5 FM www.wpkn.org Host: Duo Dickinson What is “Good Architecture?” Morally? Ethically? Aesthetic? Every person has a sense of “Good” – in life and its outcomes – and architecture synthesizes humanity’s values – both universal and fully idiosyncratic. ArchDaily is the preeminent architectural website, with 3 million visits a week, often 1 million in a day: They ask me to write once a month for them on their monthly Site Topic: This week’s topic is What Makes Architectural Beauty?” Here is my piece out THIS MORNING: https://www.archdaily.com/989288/is-good-architecture-synonymous-with-beauty For fifty years architect and scientist Christopher Alexander spent his life defining what is “Good Architecture.” He wrote that “Good Architecture” has an essential truth: “The quality is objective and precise but cannot be named.” His (and many others) pursuit of “Wholeness” in architecture was fully “objective and precise” but in the end came to have the result of “Beauty” without any other definition. When lifetimes are spent in architecture to an end that “cannot be named”, the acceptance of the fact that we cannot define, let alone control “Beauty” is daunting. Leonardo da Vinci offered a prescription that defies any control by the creator: “Life is pretty simple. You do some stuff. Most Fails. Some works. You do more of what works.” Beyond building, what works to make architecture, is “Beauty.” Humanity wants to define and control and reproduce success – but if success in making “Good Architecture” is facilitating the uncontrollable responses that are manifest in our genetics, then “Beauty” is out of our control. The exquisitely subjective reality of our humanity has a universality of truth in architecture. I think finding what is already there within each of us and listening to that essential reality, “without a name”, is the hardest and most natural way to define “Good Architecture. The measure of “Good Architecture” is found in every human, much to the frustration of those who seek to validate their worth in judgments born of rationalization. As the writer Henry James said, “I don’t care anything about reasons, but I know what I like.” A group of people join HOME PAGE – architects, real estate brokers, editors – to give their life-long realizations on what they find to be “Good” in architecture. Architects Turner Brooks,Steve Mouzon, Clay Chapman, Realtor Leigh Whiteman, Editor Martin Pedersen, Architecture Dean Jim Fuller, Builder Keith Knickerbocker give us their thoughts! JOIN US!

-Record heat will effect 22 million people in the US this week -Powerful storms flood much of South Florida -Millions of septic tanks are turning a public health concern. -NA ’s largest farmed salmon producer may have defrauded U.S. -Dozens of climate activists at Citibank HQ in NYC -Birth of a rare white buffalo fulfills a Lakota prophecy

My guest this episode of Digging in the Dirt is Gloria Frazee. Gloria is Secretary of the East Hampton Energy & Sustainability Committee. At ReWild, she is co-chair of the Social Media & Web Committee and co-leader of the ReWild/South Fork chapter and its Summer Program for high school students. She is also the founder of ReWild/East Hampton Compost…. in collaboration with the Town of East Hampton. You can find her talking with folks about turning food scraps into soil food at the ReWild table at Springs Farmers Market in East Hampton most Saturdays. ReWild Long Island is dedicated to collaborating with local communities across Long Island to protect and improve the biodiversity, resilience and health of regional ecosystems.

Diego Osses is an Agricultural engineer with an MBA and a Masters degree in Finance who has extensive experience in farm management, international business development, and diplomacy. He brings over 25 years of experience developed in both his home country of Chile and abroad in countries such as China and Thailand. During his first year working with GVI, Diego was responsible for coordinating the 3 main GVI programs: Reservoir Community Farm, Community Gardens, and Youth Leadership; contributing to the GVI mission of creating a more just food system in Bridgeport. Currently, Diego is actively planning the extension of GVI programs throughout 2024 and exploring innovative methods of community engagement through urban gardening and farming.

I'd like you to welcome to Digging in the Dirt Brad Kurtz Vineyard Director of Gloria Ferrer vineyards. Brad has led his winery into becoming a leader in sustainable and regenerative practices within the California sparkling market. Brad focuses on sustainable agricultural programs and technology to advance wine quality across a broad range of varietals and vineyard sites. Brad is here to talk about all that….. as well the fact that Gloria Ferrer recently was named winner of the California Green medal.

June is always one of the most exciting times of the year in New Haven with the arrival of the International Festival of Arts and Ideas. Spanning three weekends, the Festival presents free concerts, innovative plays, provocative discussions, and multiple ways to celebrate New Haven. The Festival's Executive Director, Shelley Quiala, describes what is in store for New Haven's audiences.

* International Criminal Court Targets Both Israeli & Hamas Leaders for War Crimes; Marjorie Cohn, prof. emerita Thomas Jefferson School of Law, past pres. National Lawyers Guild; Producer: Scott Harris. * People’s Tribunal Convened to Expose Mountain Valley Pipeline’s Violation of the Rights of Nature; Dr. Crystal Cavalier-Keck, convener of the People’s Tribunal and her husband Jason Crazy Bear Keck; Producer: Melinda Tuhus. * Claudia Sheinbaum Wins Historic Election as Mexico's First Female President; Laura Carlsen, Coordinator of Global Solidarity & Learning, with Just Associates in Mexico City; Producer: Scott Harris

-Planet Earth has 12 consecutive months of temp. record highs -Searing record temperatures across U.S, -Nine tornadoes struck the state of Maryland -6th house collapse on Outer Banks of N C -St. Petersburg Fl. rising water is constant threat. -Great Pacific Garbage Patch -Spanish Graveyard solar

Steve Munno's Small Farm Report from Massaro Farm in Woodbridge, CT Vincent Kaye's Honey Bee Update Dan Wood, manager of Whitegate Farm in East Lyme describes his operation. Hosted by Richard Hill and Diane Lauracella

Waldingfield Farm: history and mission. Steve Munno, exec. director of Massaro Farm, Small Farm Report Host: Richard Hill and Diane Lauracella

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