Arts Apr 11 Ukrainian novelist Andrey Kurkov on preserving his country’s culture during war Andrey Kurkov is one of Ukraine's best-known novelists, and his new book, "Grey Bees" addresses his country's past struggles with Russia. It's set several years ago in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, amid what was then a simmering conflict…
Education Apr 06 Push to purge some books from schools highlights nation’s cultural schism A new report from the American Library Association shows that attempts to ban books in the U.S. surged last year to the highest level since the group began tracking book challenges 20 years ago. According to the study, most of…
Arts Apr 01 British artist Yola’s ‘genre-fluid’ blend turns heads in Nashville With the Grammys set to take place Sunday night, the artist Yola is in the running this year in two categories, including "Best American Roots Song" and "Best Americana Album." Jeffrey Brown went to see why the musician has chosen…
Arts Mar 29 Oscar-winner Troy Kotsur reflects on his historic victory for ‘CODA’ One of the most moving moments from Sunday’s Oscars ceremony was the award for best supporting actor to Troy Kotsur, making him the first male deaf actor to win an Oscar Award. The film he appeared in, “CODA,” was also…
Arts Mar 28 Breaking down the major moments from the Academy Awards Ripple effects continued Monday after some unscripted drama at Sunday night’s Academy Awards ceremony, as actor Will Smith struck presenter Chris Rock on stage. But there are also many other highlights to explore. Jeffrey Brown reports for our arts and…
World Mar 17 Ukraine’s cultural sites under threat from Russia’s invasion The theater in Mariupol that was reduced to rubble when it was bombed by Russian forces Wednesday is just one example of the risk the war poses to Ukraine's important cultural sites. Memorials, museums and churches, all places that speak…
Poetry Mar 16 Poet Cornelius Eady on exploring the everyday lives of Black people in America The National Book Critics Circle is presenting the Black poetry group "Cave Canem” with the inaugural Toni Morrison Achievement Award, saying “no institution has played such a definitive role in shaping the poetry of the 21st century.” For our CANVAS…
Education Mar 10 Nationwide effort to ban books challenges freedom of speech Advocates are sounding the alarm about a set of measures that they say target teaching and writing related to LGBTQ issues, race and freedom of speech. Around the country, efforts to ban specific books or even whole categories of books…
Arts Feb 28 Ukraine’s blue and yellow colors ‘everywhere’ as the world demonstrates solidarity Artists, entertainers, performers and others around the world are finding ways to show their solidarity with Ukrainians during this time of crisis. The efforts range from singing to light displays to prayer and beyond. Jeffrey Brown has a look for…
Arts Feb 18 Yo-Yo Ma and Gabby Giffords perform ‘Sound of Silence’ to honor lives lost to gun violence NewsHour profiled former Rep. Gabby Giffords' journey to "retrain her brain" after she was shot in 2011. Part of her routine includes playing her childhood instrument, the French horn. That piece caught the eye of cellist Yo-Yo Ma, who then…