Arts Nov 18 In rural Michigan, Detroit artists reimagine the iconic American barn The American barn is a cultural icon, but one that is quickly disappearing. In Port Austin, Michigan, an art project aims to draw attention to these structures -- and maybe even save some of them along the way. Jeffrey Brown…
Arts Nov 10 What Don DeLillo dreads — and finds compelling — about a blank screen In Don DeLillo's new novel “The Silence,” all screens go dark and technology fails. That very lack of knowing, in the short distance between us and our screens, is the space in which this novel unfolds.
Arts Nov 09 Remembering ‘Jeopardy!’ legend Alex Trebek Alex Trebek was known to millions the world over for hosting the TV game show “Jeopardy!” Diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer, he continued taping programs until recently, with the final episode of “Jeopardy!” due to air on Christmas. The Canadian-born…
Education Nov 02 How the pandemic could cause significant ‘learning loss’ for students Paul Tough is the author of “Helping Children Succeed: What Works and Why,” the October selection for the NewsHour-New York Times book club, Now Read This. The coronavirus pandemic has upended American life. What are its consequences for the education…
Arts Oct 27 Author Paul Tough answers your questions about ‘Helping Children Succeed’ Paul Tough, author of our October pick for the NewsHour-New York Times book club, Now Read This, joins Jeffrey Brown to answer reader questions about “Helping Children Succeed: What Works and Why.”…
Arts Oct 23 The show will go on! Performing arts pivot during pandemic The coronavirus pandemic has affected nearly every aspect of American life, including the performing arts. Actors and dancers are experiencing unemployment rates over 50 percent, and many companies have said they will remain closed for in-person performances for the foreseeable…
Arts Oct 16 Leaving Dixie behind, The Chicks get even more personal — and political The Chicks, formerly known as the Dixie Chicks, are the best-selling female band of all time in the U.S. But they may be known just as much for a comment lead singer Natalie Maines made during the lead-up to the…
Arts Oct 15 With muralism, Mexico’s rich tradition of public art extends well beyond its borders Muralism in Mexico represents one of the world's great art movements. Sparked partially by a trio of renowned painters in the 1920s, Mexico's vibrant tradition of public art now reaches well beyond its borders -- as seen in a recently…
Politics Oct 01 The first Trump-Biden debate was unruly. Is American civil discourse dead? After Tuesday’s remarkable presidential debate, much attention has been focused on President Trump’s unconventional conduct. But does the lack of substantive debate and civil discourse reflect a broader phenomenon in American society? Two distinguished political scientists, Harvard University’s Danielle Allen…
Arts Sep 30 Philadelphia DA explores new role for arts in the criminal justice system Mixing art with criminal justice has become increasingly common in the U.S. The work often tackles complex subjects of redemption and reform. Jeffrey Brown traveled to Philadelphia to explore a program that brought art to an unexpected part of the…