Viewpoints Explained: Everything You Never Knew About Mount Rushmore

This is Viewpoints Explained… Earlier this year, Mount Rushmore made headlines after a republican lawmaker floated the idea of adding president Donald Trump’s face to the monument. if this happened, Trump would be the fifth face on the portrait, joining George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, And Abraham Lincoln. as the story grew, The National Park Service dismissed any new construction plans. according to experts, the granite rock is already fractured and any new blasting could compromise the whole mountain. […]

December 17, 2025

Viewpoints

Libraries On The Line: How Funding Cuts Are Affecting Local Libraries

There are more than 125,000 library branches across the country. For many smaller, rural towns, these locations aren’t just a place to get books but are a lifeline for countless other resources. Following an executive order that would reduce funding – which has since been overturned – libraries need support now more than ever. Our experts explain how these funds are used to enhance local communities and civil participation. Kate Laughlin, executive director, Association for Rural and Small Libraries Sam […]

December 14, 2025

Viewpoints

Saving Coral Reefs: Why These Animals Matter More Than We Think

Coral reefs are home to 25 percent of all marine life – approximately 800,000 species. But these vibrant, colorful landscapes are more than just a home for aquatic life. Coral reefs are animals themselves. Two ocean experts join us this week to share some interesting facts about these unique creatures and why people should care about their declining existence. Helen Fox, conservation science director, Coral Reef Alliance; Juli Berwald, ocean expert, author, Life on the Rocks: Building a Future for […]

December 14, 2025

Viewpoints

Culture Crash: Two “Succession” Co-Stars, Two New Thrillers

Welcome to Culture Crash, where we examine American culture – what’s new and old in entertainment… Fans of Succession are no strangers to brilliant acting from stars Sarah Snook and Matthew Macfadyen, who starred as Shiv Roy and Tom Wambsgans, respectively, on the HBO award darling. Now, each of them star in separate streaming shows that do not quite live up to the quality of a masterpiece like Succession, but put our familiar stars in enough tense situations to make […]

December 10, 2025

Viewpoints

Viewpoints Explained: The Tiny Clues That Expose Artificial Intelligence Footage

This is Viewpoints Explained… Go back two or three years ago and videos that were created by artificial intelligence were easy to spot. Today, they’re far more refined, making it harder to figure out what’s real and what’s not. For example, new video creation platforms like chat GTP’s Sora are able to quickly produce hyper-realistic humans that move and talk just like we do. If you’re watching a video online, here are some easy tell’s that it’s probably not real. […]

December 10, 2025

Viewpoints

The Hidden Forces Behind Modern Breakups

Breakups now unfold in a world where politics, feeds, and public opinion quietly shape how couples drift apart. And with so much of life happening online, those moments don’t stay private for long. Often, friends, followers and even strangers can influence how people interpret what happened and how they should feel about it. We cover how these subtle pressures make break up’s feel even harder these days. Mary Lamia, clinical Psychologist, therapist. Links for more info: Mary Lamia Website Holiday […]

December 7, 2025

Viewpoints

Nine Years Old & Online: The New Reality Of Tech Use

Kids are stepping into the online world earlier than ever, often before parents have mapped out the rules. We look at what changes when the average nine-year-old gets a smartphone, and the small, practical choices that can keep the experience safe without every day turning into a power struggle for parents. Catherine Pearlman, licensed clinical social worker, author, First Phone: A Child’s Guide to Digital Responsibility, Safety and Etiquette. Links for more info: Kid Tech Use Statistics & Info – […]

December 7, 2025

Viewpoints

Culture Crash: Jennifer Lawrence And Robert Pattinson Like You’ve Never Seen Them

Welcome to Culture Crash, where we examine American culture – what’s new and old in entertainment… Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson are, of course, most well known for their forays into big franchise entertainment. Lawrence was Katniss in The Hunger Games and Mystique in a handful of X-Men movies, while Pattinson was Edward in Twilight, Cedric in Harry Potter, and currently stars as Bruce Wayne and Batman in Matt Reeves’ Bat-verse. And yet the latest movie from Lawrence and Pattinson […]

December 3, 2025

Viewpoints

Viewpoints Explained: The Hidden Cost Of Thrifting Today

This is Viewpoints Explained… For more than a decade, environmental advocates have been warning about the potential impacts of overconsumption in the fashion industry. In the United States alone, it is estimated that 11.3 million tons of textile waste – about 85 percent of all textiles – end up in landfills every year. That’s according to the environmental protection agency. The process of producing new clothes includes other drawbacks like the use of harmful dyes and microplastics, and contributing to […]

December 3, 2025