WAMU 88.5 - American University Radio

04/12/2022

Listen: Why COVID-19 booster rates remain low among D.C. area residents

82% of D.C. residents have gotten two jabs, but just 38% of those 12+ have gotten three.

Local health officials say most people are no longer afraid of COVID-19.

04/09/2022

‎Through The Cracks: Through The Cracks Presents: Motive on Apple Podcasts

We've got a feed drop this week for Through The Cracks podcast subscribers from our friends at WBEZ. A new season of their #Motivepodcast explores the hidden world of big prisons in small town America.

In this episode drop, Motive host Shannon Heffernan takes a closer look at the pattern of beatings in a blind spot at an IL. prison, and why it went ignored for years.

‎Show Through The Cracks, Ep Through The Cracks Presents: Motive - Apr 7, 2022

04/08/2022

Listen: In new novel, Mia Sosa writes a romantic D.C. locals can recognize

Mia Sosa joins WAMU to discuss her decision to depict local people and places in the D.C. region, how to write chemistry that crackles on the page, and why she wants to take readers on a “bananapants” journey with The Wedding Crasher.

“The Wedding Crasher” came out this week and USA Today bestselling author Mia Sosa talks about the “bananapants” journey it takes readers on.

04/08/2022

Get Out There: Cherry Blossom Parade returns to DC

After a two-year hiatus, the Japanese Street Festival and National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade are back on.

04/08/2022

Get Out There: Cherry Blossom Parade returns to DC

After a two-year hiatus, the Japanese Street Festival and National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade are back on.

04/05/2022

Listen: A Maryland doctor helps immunocompromised people access a life-saving drug

“It’s just simple, practical support. And also, I think moral support that, you know, they are not alone looking for these doses."

Evusheld is supposed to give immunocompromised patients some protection against COVID-19 for six months.

04/05/2022

'Neighborhood Defenders' Fight New Housing In Montgomery County

“The problem has always been, whose voices are heard? Who is empowered to speak up? And whose interests are being protected?”

The county needs more housing. One problem: Existing residents don't want it.

04/01/2022

A mix of emotions from families after many schools in the D.C. region drop mask requirements

“I feel like there was a lot of sympathy for my situation last year – having a parent with cancer who I had to take care of. It just feels like this collective good that we all entered the pandemic with has slowly waned.”

Some families have welcomed the decision to lift masking requirements, others are struggling to embrace the change.

04/01/2022

Listen: Maryland voters are ready for July primaries but the state's new congressional map isn't

Esther and Kojo review all the big news from the region this week:

A round up of some of the region's top stories from this past week with Kojo Nnamdi.

04/01/2022

Kojo In Our Community: How Can We Make The Roads Safer For All?

Do you feel safe walking near busy streets in your community? Should pedestrians and cyclists be responsible for keeping themselves safe, or should the onus be on drivers?

Join Kojo Nnamdi for a conversation about traffic safety on Tuesday, April 5 at 3pm. You can call into the live show, or submit your questions and comments in advance.

The D.C. region can be a dangerous place for cyclists, drivers, and especially pedestrians. Despite programs like Vision Zero, which aim to eliminate traffic deaths completely, fatalities have instead increased. What's going wrong? Kojo talks with officials, transit experts, and community members ab...

03/31/2022

Get Out There: Where should you take your parents in DC?

This week we try and help you solve this age-old dilemma...

On this week's arts and entertainment chat, we tried to answer the age-old question: Where do you take your parents when they visit D.C.?

03/31/2022

She Started Out Working The Door At 9:30 Club. Now She's The New GM

"I think we’re seeing more shows than ever... And I’m seeing shows sell out more than ever before as well. So it sounds like everyone is just very eager to make up for that lost time."

9:30 Club has someone new at the top after 20 years. Meet Angie Chamberland.

03/31/2022

With Change Afoot, Skateboarders Rally To Preserve Freedom Plaza

“This place is kinda like my neighborhood. It’s a breath of fresh air. This is my heart, my home. I wouldn’t want to skate anywhere else."

Skateboarders have long been drawn to the downtown expanse of white and gray marble, but federal planners say it might be time to rethink the plaza's look and design.

03/30/2022

Kojo In Our Community: How Can We Make The Roads Safer For All?

NEXT WEEK: Join Kojo Nnamdi for a conversation about traffic safety.

2021 was one of the deadliest years for traffic accidents in our region, despite widespread adoption of Vision Zero. What's going wrong?

Tune in on Tuesday, April 5 at 3pm.

The D.C. region can be a dangerous place for cyclists, drivers, and especially pedestrians. Despite programs like Vision Zero, which aim to eliminate traffic deaths completely, fatalities have instead increased. What's going wrong? Kojo talks with officials, transit experts, and community members ab...

03/29/2022

Listen: Local health officials remind residents the pandemic isn’t over just yet

It might feel like the pandemic is finally over — but health officials say we're not there yet.

In the D.C. region, cases have returned to levels from the fall, following the delta variant uptick but before the omicron surge took hold.

Public health workers are still trying to reach the remaining few who haven’t gotten any shots.

03/28/2022

Listen: How One D.C. Library Has Fared Throughout The Pandemic

A library is never JUST a library. Reporter Amanda Gomez checks in on how the last couple years have changed things at Shaw branch of the D.C. Public Library.

For many patrons of the Shaw library, the institution has become a one stop shop for COVID-19 tests and information on the virus.

03/25/2022

As War Rages In Ukraine, Arlingtonians Step Up For Their Sister City

As war rages in Ukraine, the Arlington Sister City Association is helping send humanitarian aid to their sister city, Ivano-Frankivsk, and educating Arlingtonians about their community’s ties to a place now in a war zone.

Weeks into the conflict in Ukraine, Arlingtonians are finding ways to support the people of Ivano-Frankivsk, a city in the country's southwest.

03/25/2022

Judge rules in favor of Virginia students with disabilities on school masks

But the judge made clear that his ruling only applies to the schools and classrooms relevant to the plaintiffs in the case, not schools across the commonwealth.

The ruling only applies to the schools and classrooms relevant to the plaintiffs in the case, not schools across the state.

03/24/2022

Get Out There: Thrifting new clothes for spring

Let's go thrift shopping!

For this week’s Get Out There, we chatted about where you can find your new favorite local thrift shop.

03/24/2022

We're back on the air for one last full day of inviting you to join the team of WAMU members! Your gift now makes a big impact. Plus you can choose a thank-you gift for a little treat yourself! Donate now before the final countdown! https://wamu.fm/3ib0Atj

03/22/2022

How D.C. native Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson inspires other Washingtonians

“Seeing somebody break that glass ceiling that you, you know, respect, and someone that deserves it so much, it’s going to be very emotional for me,” says Jo-Ann Sagar, a D.C. appellate lawyer and a mentee of Ketanji Brown Jackson’s. “I’m full of pride. I’m just honored to witness this moment.”

For the Washingtonians who know Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson personally, the moment will carry particular significance.

03/22/2022

Listen: The Washington region is faced with a blood shortage

In January and February of this year, the largest provider of blood in the D.C. region had just a day’s supply.

Earlier this year, blood donation services had less than a week's supply of blood available for patients.

03/21/2022

Support WAMU

Today, NPR and WAMU will cover the confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson. Live coverage like this is made possible by members like you. https://wamu.fm/3ib0Atj

When you give to WAMU during the Spring Membership Campaign, you help fund the news and programming you rely on. Join as a member today!

03/21/2022

Watch Live: Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson's Supreme Court confirmation hearings

Coverage like this is possible because of support from members. Become a member of WAMU today!

If confirmed by the Senate Judiciary Committee this week, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson would become the first Black woman to serve on the nation's highest court. Watch the hearings here.

03/19/2022

Heat up your night and take a break with Hot Jazz Saturday Night! If you're one of the first 200 people to donate during the show, you'll get a Starr-Gennett inspired magnet as a bonus gift! Tune in, donate, and get a little bit of jazz history to go with you! (Jazz Cat for your viewing pleasure) https://wamu.fm/3ib0Atj

03/18/2022

When you make a new, renewed, or upgraded monthly gift in any amount, not only is your first month matched, but you'll also get a podcast sticker sheet as a bonus gift! Your sustaining membership is WAMU's constant companion. Learn more about the campaign here: https://wamu.org/2022-spring-membership-campaign/

03/17/2022

DC Hotel Workers Face Uncertain Future With Layoffs And Fewer Hours

In an attempt to protect laid-off workers, D.C. lawmakers passed an act requiring large hotels to first offer newly-available jobs to the workers they let go of during the pandemic. But a local union says some hotels have circumvented the law.

At least one D.C. hotel is keeping its pandemic-related cutbacks on housekeeping, impacting workers’ wages and benefits.

03/17/2022

Get Out There: The Cherry Blossom Festival kicks off this weekend

Plus, did you know there's a Women's Storytelling Festival happening this weekend?

Here's how to enjoy the four-week festival and other cherry blossom-related events around D.C.

03/17/2022

The divide over the future of the Washington Teachers' Union explained

Issues arising from the school system's pandemic response exacerbated mounting tensions between members of the teacher union.

In recent months, disagreements within the DC union have led to clashes and personal attacks in Zoom meetings. In recent months, disagreements within the union have led to clashes and personal attacks in Zoom meetings.

03/17/2022

Listen: Wilson High School photo club shines in exhibit at Phillips Collection

How many 16-year-olds have showcased their work at America’s oldest museum of modern art? The answer: not a lot.

For the first time, students at Wilson High School will have their photography displayed at the country's oldest modern art museum.

03/16/2022

Listen: Drumming Became This Man's Pandemic Passion

Like many people over the last two years, Mark Lampert found a hobby to pass the time when he was isolated from the rest of the world.

Like many people over the last two years of the pandemic, Mark Lampert found a hobby to pass the time when isolated from the world.

03/16/2022

Today is the first day of WAMU's Spring Membership Campaign. It is also New Member Day! The first 500 people to donate today will automatically receive a mini WAMU Constant Companion keychain as a bonus gift. Give now and get yours https://wamu.fm/3ib0Atj

03/15/2022

Listen: How does the Smithsonian decide its COVID-19 policies?

Did you know the Smithsonian had a chief medical director? Dr. Anne Christensen spoke with WAMU about the decision to lift the institution's indoor mask mandate and what her job looks like on a weekly basis.

Dr. Anne Christensen is the Smithsonian's chief doctor. She's responsible for helping the institution accomplish its mission safely.

03/15/2022

Man Detained In Attacks On Unhoused Residents In DC, New York

Police sources say a man was stopped and taken into custody early Tuesday morning on Pennsylvania Avenue SE and brought to the homicide branch for questioning.

The development comes less than 12 hours after officials increased a reward to $70,000 and widely shared images of the suspect's face.

03/11/2022

Lines At This Ukrainian Bakery In DC Have Been Out The Door For Weeks

Each weekend since Russia invaded Ukraine, lines snake around the block for D Light Café & Bakery in Adams Morgan.

Anastasiia Derun, the Ukrainian immigrant who owns D Light alongside her younger sister Vira, says she’s dreamed of huge crowds gathering at the establishment since it opened this fall. But not like this.

“This is not the reason I want to have a lot of people,” she says.

D Light Cafe and Bakery in D.C. has seen lines out the door for weeks as the local community has shown support for its Ukrainian owners.