The One-Hunded Year Anniversary Of Mount Rushmore

It’s one of the most photographed landmarks in America, but behind the four stone faces lies a story of abandoned visions, a sculptor with a controversial legacy and a mountain long sacred to Native Americans. A century after the project was approved, we have a conversation about the landmark’s lesser-known history and who gets to shape the story of America. Matthew Davis, author, A Biography of a Mountain: The Making and Meaning of Mount Rushmore Links for more info: A […]

December 21, 2025

Viewpoints

Culture Crash: Train Dreams Is Netflix’s Newest Cinematic Masterpiece

Welcome to Culture Crash, where we examine American culture – what’s new and old in entertainment… The new film Train Dreams, which is now streaming on Netflix, is a powerful meditation on the American dream, life in the early 1900s, and grief. The film is based on a novella of the same name by Denis Johnson; it revels in the visual splendor of the Pacific Northwest and settles in to document the fictional life of character Robert Grainier, a railroad […]

December 17, 2025

Viewpoints

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

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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

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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