Frank Stasio has hosted The State of Things , WUNC’s public affairs program, since 2006.

It's 1934, the middle of the Great Depression in America. The federal government sends hundreds of jobless World War I veterans to the Florida Keys for a work program. On its face, it's a great idea – pay these men to build a highway between Miami and Key West as part of a New Deal construction project. The men have jobs live in a mild climate and are out of public view, but the plan doesn't take into account a major hurricane.

The impeachment proceedings on Capitol Hill, new indicators of a warming climate, the battle over a wall along the U.S. border with Mexico, the handling of migrants who’ve crossed the border, what will happen in the 2020 race for the White House: these are all, arguably, worth discussion as the big stories of 2019. But a great deal happened that impacts quality of life for residents in southeastern North Carolina.

Paul Gauguin, the French artist of the late 19 th century, routinely had sexual relationships with children and painted nude portraits of his victims. The New York Times reports that museum curators, other artists, and social activists have, over the last several years, asked the Woody Allen question about Gauguin: can you abhor the person and appreciate the art?

Eleven people diverse in age, ethnicity and political leanings are engaged in a year long experiment in civil discourse. Each month we bring you a conversation with members of the group.

Whales are the largest mammals on earth. They’ve also been around a long time. According to the University of California, Berkeley’s Evolutionary Biology website , the first whales evolved over 50 million years ago from a terrestrial ancestor. Consider the human – thought to have first appeared in Africa about 300-thousand years ago. Although whales and humans have shared the planet since humans popped up, it’s striking how little we understand about these marine creatures.

It was a surprise to Wave Transit officials and to some fellow Commissioners when Julia Olson-Boseman, Vice Chair of the New Hanover County Board, made a motion to end the County’s agreement with Wave.

Voters turned out in larger numbers for this year’s municipal elections. Brunswick County saw a 2% increase compared to 2017. In Pender County, turnout ticked up about a point and a half, and in New Hanover County, 19% of registered voters cast a ballot. That’s the biggest jump – nearly four-and-a-half points compared to 2017.

If you traveled to London and someone asked you to tea, would you know what the invitation meant? What about an invitation to supper, cream tea, high tea, or afternoon tea?

This month's topic: Donald Trump: Impeach or Not? It's a look at the qualities we seek in our leaders.