The U.S. surgeon general recently issued an advisory saying the pandemic has contributed to already rising numbers in anxiety, depression and suicide rates among adolescents. We hear how middle school students are coping with Alma Lopez, who was named School Counselor of the Year. And, schools across the country are on wide alert after viral unconfirmed threats of violence spread on TikTok. Kim Lyons of The Verge shares the latest.

We speak with Phoenix's water services director about a new pipeline the city is building. The $280 million drought pipeline project will keep water flowing to 400,000 residents if cuts to the Colorado River continue. And, scientists are turning to 19th-century whaling logs in New England to figure out how critical wind patterns have changed due to climate change. WBUR's Hannah Chanatry reports.

Dr. Dave Chokshi, New York City commissioner of health and mental hygiene, talks about the two safe injection sites that recently opened in Manhattan. And, bell hooks, the trailblazing feminist and cultural thinker, died on Wednesday at 69. Min Jin Lee, award-winning author and former student of hooks, joins us about the legacy hooks leaves behind.

More than 800,000 Americans have died from COVID-19. But the number of deaths barely seems to register for many. Psychologist Paul Slovic has studied a phenomenon he calls "psychic numbing" for years. And, in response to the pandemic's threat to Indigenous communities, Oneida Indian Nation in central New York unveiled an art installation called "Passage of Peace." Oneida leader Ray Halbritter joins us to discuss.

Academy Award-winning actor Forest Whitaker talks about his role in the Netflix musical "Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey." And, a recent survey found 81% of people said they're "anxious" about gun violence. Forensic psychologist Joel Dvoskin discusses what impact this fear is having on Americans' mental health.

Monica Brady-Myerov's company "Listenwise" uses curated public radio and podcast excerpts to help students hone their listening skills. She joins us to discuss her work. And, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention hopes the new Center for Forecasting and Outbreak Analytics will stop the next pandemic. Marc Lipsitch, the center's science director, joins us.

We revisit our conversation with Yo-Yo Ma about "Songs of Comfort and Hope," the album he recorded with British pianist Kathryn Stott. And, the Good Grief Program helps families and children who are grieving the loss of a loved one from COVID-19, drug use, violence or other diseases. Social worker Maureen Patterson-Fede talks about childhood grief.

Many people are rethinking how they will celebrate the holidays this year. Chef Kathy Gunst shares three new recipes that will dazzle guests: garlic shrimp and scallop linguine, sweet potato gratin and maple crème caramel. And, 100,000 people have died of drug overdoses in the U.S. this year — a record high. Health officials point to fentanyl for many of them. We hear from a public health worker in Virginia about fentanyl test strips.

The Geminids meteor shower peaks overnight on Monday. And Comet Leonard is visible. Sky & Telescope senior editor Kelly Beatty tells us when and where to look. And, Taliban leaders have issued a "special decree" outlining women's rights in Afghanistan — one that outlaws child marriage but doesn't mention jobs or education. Wazhma Frogh, an advocate for Afghan women, joins us to discuss the situation on the ground there.

Want to gift books this holiday season? We get suggestions for this year's best kids and adult books from Juanita Giles, director of the Virginia Children's book festival, and Traci Thomas, host of "The Stacks" podcast. And, we learn why some Republicans want to strip power from the Wisconsin Election Commission and give it to the Republican-controlled state legislature.