Lars Gotrich / Jeremy VanderKnyff
Advertisements Struggle in the Age of Ad-Skipping
Courtney Kerrigan wonders about the future of advertisements. If DVRs remain, what is the future of ad-skipping? She researches the possibility that ad-skipping could be eliminated by TV networks.
Volunteers to Breed Stronger American Chestnut Tree
American chestnuts used to dominate the eastern forests, but then the blight struck. Now only root sprouts remain. But a group in Maryland wants to bring chestnuts back. Kelly Reeves tromps out to one of their orchards to see them pollinate a sapling and to find out why they spend so much time trying to breed a blight-resistant American chestnut.
Inset: Volunteers from the American Chestnut Foundation pollinate a tree.
D.C. Aerial Artists Depict the Dark Side of Urban Renewal
Jen Spyra reports on the consequences of urban renewal in Washington, D.C., with a profile of “Luxury Lofts Coming Soon,” a dance performance from the inaugural Capital Fringe Festival. She talks with the dancers about their unique medium and the underbelly of urban development.
An Interview with Ari Shapiro
Rita Garcia
Five years ago, the then twenty-two-year-old Ari Shapiro
was an intern for Nina Totenberg. Now, he's NPR's justice reporter. In an
exclusive interview, I found out his "dirty little secret," his opinion about
blogging, and how Bob Edwards taught him to strip a script down to its skeletal structure.
Illegal Immigrant Women Seek Abortions After Border Rapes
Reporter and Producer: Kira Neel
Kira Neel comments on her experiences as a translator and counselor at a Rhode Island abortion clinic. She highlights the experience of women who seek abortions after surviving rape assaults while illegally crossing the border into the United States from Latin America. She interviews health-care professionals and examines the importance of creating safe spaces for women to share their experiences.
Performers May Move Their Grooves into Metro Stations
Reporter and Producer: Arwa Gunja
Washington, D.C., street musicians may be allowed to perform inside Washington, D.C., Metro stations, if a bill to be voted on in the upcoming months passes. Arwa Gunja finds out how such a change would change the Metro system and affect Metro riders.
Risk of Suicide Plagues Police Profession
Suicide is a common problem among police officers. Shaleem Thompson speaks with law enforcement officials who can attest to the stresses of the job and the prevalence of suicide within the ranks. She researches a suicide awareness and prevention organization that aids emergency workers and their families.
Williams Syndrome Helps Explain Music and the Mind
Courtesy of Jeremy's parents
Fairy stories from around the world, tell of pixies, elves, fairies and other kinds of wee folk who spend their time singing and dancing. Some scientists now think that these stories are based on real life people -– people with a rare genetic disorder called Williams Syndrome. They have small bodies and elfin features and they LOVE MUSIC. Many of them are even good musicians, although they struggle with many aspects of everyday life. By studying the syndrome, researchers are finding out more about how the human brain works. Rhitu Chatterjee went to meet Jeremy. He is a drummer with Williams Syndrome.
Inset: Jeremy, a drummer with Williams Syndrome, started playing around on the piano when he was two years old.
