This month marks 100 years since the Scopes "monkey" trial in Dayton, Tenn. The simple version is that a 24-year-old teacher had been charged with breaking a state law forbidding the teaching of evolution. But as national press descended on this small Tennessee town — at least 150 reporters and photographers in all — it soon became clear that this was bigger than a simple criminal trial. It was as if science itself stood accused.

Writer, former Banner reporter and MTSU professor Leon Alligood has long been obsessed with the Scopes trial. This week, he has written a deep dive on its lasting importance for the Banner. Among the questions the trial raised: What is the role of government in education? What should children taught or not taught? Can science be trusted? The parallels a century later are striking.

Guest: Leon Alligood

Host: Demetria Kalodimos

Producer: Steve Haruch

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices