May 21 Watch 7:43 How George Floyd’s image became an icon for artists and helped communities mourn By Fred de Sam Lazaro, Sam Lane Next week marks the anniversary of George Floyd's killing in Minneapolis. His death at the hands of police touched off global protests and a worldwide artistic response. Special correspondent Fred de Sam Lazaro reports from Minneapolis for our series, "Race… Continue watching
May 20 Watch 6:04 Midori reflects on her quintessential prodigy story and what it means to be a performer By Jeffrey Brown, Anne Azzi Davenport This week, the annual Kennedy Center Honors for lifetime artistic achievement are being awarded, remotely. One of the honorees is the world-renowned violinist Midori. Starting as a child, the now 49-year-old has wowed audiences for decades, and has been a… Continue watching
May 20 Foundation urges UNC trustees to rethink Nikole Hannah-Jones tenure decision By Associated Press The foundation that funds the University of North Carolina professorship offered to investigative journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones is urging the university to reverse its decision to deny her tenure. Continue reading
May 19 Watch 7:57 The dangerous secrets inside the Secret Service, and how the agency has been shortchanged The motto of the United States Secret Service is "Worthy of Trust & Confidence," and its reputation for being an elite force is unparalleled. But a new book, "Zero Fail: The Rise and Fall of the Secret Service" from The… Continue watching
May 19 Pioneering comic Paul Mooney, a writer for Pryor, dies at 79 By Jake Coyle, Associated Press Paul Mooney, a boundary-pushing comedian who was Richard Pryor’s longtime writing partner and whose sage, incisive musings on racism and American life made him a revered figure in stand-up, has died. He was 79. Continue reading
May 19 ‘I am proud.’ Demi Lovato comes out as nonbinary By Associated Press Lovato said they picked gender-neutral pronouns as “this best represents the fluidity I feel in my gender expression.”… Continue reading
May 18 Watch 6:52 The trailblazing women behind 50 years of extraordinary journalism at NPR A new book, "Susan, Linda, Nina & Cokie: The Extraordinary Story of the Founding Mothers of NPR" explores the careers and friendships of trailblazing journalists Susan Stamberg, Linda Wertheimer, Nina Totenberg and Cokie Roberts. For NPR's 50th anniversary, Judy Woodruff… Continue watching
May 16 Watch 4:42 Yayoi Kusama, an art auction, and a story of friendship By Christopher Booker, Connie Kargbo Rare works from world-renowned artist Yayoi Kusama were auctioned this week, selling for more than $15 million. The collection comprised some of her earliest works — which for over 60 years were in the possession of one of Kusama's first… Continue watching
May 14 Watch 6:24 DC art exhibit makes shoes out of trash in nod to the ‘Great Shoe Spill of 1990’ By William Brangham, Anne Azzi Davenport The year 1990 saw the “Great Shoe Spill" where tens of thousands of Nike shoes fell into the Pacific. The accident led to some scientific discoveries, and now, whimsical art packed with an eco-friendly message. William Brangham plunges into an… Continue watching
May 13 The artist behind a George Floyd mural reflects on how it became a ‘ubiquitous icon’ By Sam Lane, Fred de Sam Lazaro, Dorothy Hastings Peyton Scott Russell's black-and-white mural of George Floyd's face became an iconic image amid the protests against racial injustice. The artist talks about how the large artwork came together and his mixed feelings about the global attention the mural received. Continue reading