On The Record

Unlike other Maryland jurisdictions, Baltimore City public schools have their own dedicated police force. Its officers do not carry guns inside schools during the school day, and the city school board is considering whether to change that. We discuss the mission of school resource officers and concerns about how pupils are policed. Our guests: Maurice Canady, executive director of the National Ass...

“From WYPR, I’m SK. We’re On The Record”Harry Houdini is known for grand illusions and death-defying escapes. But what lies behind the curtain of Houdini as a performer? Why were some uses of trickery reviled by the master of magic? The exhibit at the Jewish Museum of Maryland called ‘Inescapable: The Life and Legacy of Harry Houdini’ .. reveals answers to those questions and more. We hear from Ma...

Adam Gopnik talks about why ‘compromise’ or ‘practicing empathy’ shouldn’t be mistaken for an inability to stand up for your beliefs and Loyola philosophy professor Drew Leder discusses how reconnecting with nature can cultivate empathy and tolerance for others. Do you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pitch? Contact On the Record at: Senior Supervising Producer, Maureen H...

Baltimore Mayor Pugh now says her search for the city’s next police commissioner may stretch into next month. Many say the public should have bigger role in choosing the next commissioner, who would be the fourth to lead the BPD this year. Journalist and former City Paper editor Brandon Soderberg joins us to talk about the search, and the effect it’s having on policing in Baltimore .. at the same...

Here’s a Stoop Story from Kimberely Lynne about the risks of live theater. You can hear her story and many others at stoopstorytelling.com, as well as the Stoop podcast. Do you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pitch? Contact On the Record at: Senior Supervising Producer, Maureen Harvie she/her/hers mharvie@wypr.org 410-235-1903 Senior Producer, Melissa Gerr she/her/hers m...

Early voting begins today, and on the minds of many Marylanders is education. Whether it’s a lockbox for casino revenue ... universal pre-kindergarten, or an education watchdog - incumbent Republican Governor Larry Hogan and his top opponent Democrat Ben Jealous have made many funding promises. We break down their claims with Hopkins education-policy professor Henry Smith and journalist Karen Houp...

Next month, Johns Hopkins physicians will present research on a range of topics about women’s health. Two doctors join us for a preview. Deidra Crews describes the disproportionate impact of kidney disease on women of color, the challenge of detecting an illness that often presents no symptoms in early stages, and her research on how diet helps. Then, the number of people living with Alzheimer’s i...

An end-of-life doula offers compassion and companionship to the dying and the people who love them. We talk with Debbie Geffen-Jones, bereavement program manager at Gilchrist, about what it takes to assume the doula role. And Kay Berney, who has volunteered in bereavement services for more than a decade, tells us what’s she’s learned as an end-of-life doula and how it differs from the stereotype s...

Across Maryland, Republicans are trying to capitalize on Governor Hogan’s popularity. Especially in Baltimore County, where Republican Al Redmer faces Democrat Johnny Olszewski for county executive. John Lee, who covers the county for WYPR, says the vote could be an upset. Listen to his reporting from the campaign trail here. And listen to the candidate's debate on today's Midday at noon. Then, WY...

Community members are working to revive the neighborhoods around Pennsylvania and North Avenues in West Baltimore. Now, there’s even more momentum behind it ... with the aim to secure funds to restore the facade of the historic Arch Social Club. We hear from Marion Blackwell, manager of the non-profit ‘Historic Pennsylvania Avenue Main Street,’ … and from the cultural curator of ‘Leaders of a Beau...

Maisha Drayton tells her Stoop Story about the power of narrative and facing one’s own misconceptions about others. You can hear her story and others, at the OTR page at wypr dot org, and also on the Stoop podcast. Do you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pitch? Contact On the Record at: Senior Supervising Producer, Maureen Harvie she/her/hers mharvie@wypr.org 410-235-1903...

A week before early voting starts, we look at what the top two gubernatorial contenders say about criminal justice, and keeping Marylanders safe. Our analysts are Andy Green, opinion editor of the Baltimore Sun and Morgan State criminal-justice Professor Natasha Pratt Harris. Do you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pitch? Contact On the Record at: Senior Supervising Produ...

Biotech as a hobby? The Baltimore Underground Science Space - known as BUGSS - welcomes amateurs and experts to experiment at its laboratory, and dive into classes on DNA, gene editing, and microbes. We speak to executive director Dr. Lisa Scheifele. And two local high school students describe their efforts at BUGSS to design a blood-clotting bandage that could save lives of gunshot victims. Help...

Former Sen. Joseph Tydings died of cancer last week at age 90. Just two months earlier he had invited us to his apartment in Washington to discuss the memoir he published last spring. It’s called My Life in Progressive Politics: Against the Grain. Do you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pitch? Contact On the Record at: Senior Supervising Producer, Maureen Harvie she/her/h...

What do you have in common with a fish? Dr. Steven Farber has a good idea: turns out, it goes clear down to the genes. He tells us about his research on heart disease using--of all things--the tiny Zebrafish. He’s also created a short beginners’ genetics curriculum based on fish development -- called BioEYES. We meet BioEYES outreach educator Terrone Jasper, and Leaha Charles Pierre, a science tea...

A new exhibit called “Repurposed with Purpose” at the Maryland Art Place features local artists who either use everyday items in unexpected ways, or turn traditional forms upside down with unusual materials. Doreen Bolger, former head of the Baltimore Museum of Art, curated the exhibit. She describes how she selected works and the materials on display. The exhibit is on display through November 10...

Paige Bourne tells her Stoop Story about her escapades on the trail. Do you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pitch? Contact On the Record at: Senior Supervising Producer, Maureen Harvie she/her/hers mharvie@wypr.org 410-235-1903 Senior Producer, Melissa Gerr she/her/hers mgerr@wypr.org 410-235-1157 Producer Sam Bermas-Dawes he/him/his sbdawes@wypr.org 410-235-1472

Between 1850 and 1950, more than 4,000 black men, women and children were killed in ‘racial terror lynchings’ in the U.S. No one was convicted of these crimes. At least 40 of those lynchings took place on Maryland soil. We ask Professor Nicholas Creary of Bowie State University, who has researched the Maryland lynchings -- who was killed, how and why. We also meet filmmaker Will Schwarz, president...

In four short weeks voters will decide who will lead the state--- incumbent Republican Governor Larry Hogan or Democrat Ben Jealous. We speak with WYPR reporter Rachel Baye and Bradley Herring, an associate professor of health policy at the Bloomberg School about health issues in the election, including Jealous’ Medicare-for-All proposal and why health-insurance premiums have dropped in Maryland....

Interview with Future Today Institute founder Amy Webb about future integrative technology. Do you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pitch? Contact On the Record at: Senior Supervising Producer, Maureen Harvie she/her/hers mharvie@wypr.org 410-235-1903 Senior Producer, Melissa Gerr she/her/hers mgerr@wypr.org 410-235-1157 Producer Sam Bermas-Dawes he/him/his sbdawes@wypr.o...

Research on autism can take years to trickle down to people affected. An annual conference later this week aims to bring new findings directly to an audience of families, health care providers, and educators. Rebecca Landa, founder of the Kennedy Krieger Institute's Center for Autism and Related Disorders, gives a preview of her talk on early intervention. She says coaxing pre-verbal communication...

The Supreme Court is now in session. The high court began its new term this week with just eight justices on the bench. How does the empty seat influence which cases the court decides to hear, and how the justices rule? University of Baltimore law professor Michael Meyerson steps us through some of the arguments over criminal law the high court will hear this term--including a case that could upen...

Get to know Baltimore and its history this weekend. Doors Open Baltimore is offering open-house events at 60 sites across the city, from Lord Baltimore Hotel to 18th century homes in Fells Point. And remember legendary mystery writer Edgar Allan Poe at a festival marking the 169th anniversary of his death. Do you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pitch? Contact On the Reco...

In years past, Baltimore’s Chinatown was a bustling area, home to restaurants, shops, and cultural parades. Today, only a handful of Asian-owned businesses remain. Two women are leading a revival of the area, hoping to unite Asian American identity in the city. We meet Katherine Chin, a longtime community leader and Stephanie Hsu, an organizer with the Chinatown Collective: Do you have a question...

Interview with JHU researchers Luke Osborn and George Levay about creating an electronic skin for prosthetic users. Do you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pitch? Contact On the Record at: Senior Supervising Producer, Maureen Harvie she/her/hers mharvie@wypr.org 410-235-1903 Senior Producer, Melissa Gerr she/her/hers mgerr@wypr.org 410-235-1157 Producer Sam Bermas-Dawes h...