Midday

Baltimore City Councilmember Mark Conway, chair of the Public Safety Committee, joins Midday to share his perspectives on the recent spate of police-related deaths. He also addresses the danger of underground fires and the opioid overdose crisis.

Maryland's Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joins Midday to provide an update on recent congressional and political matters. He discusses the $9 billion rescission vote, which affected public broadcast funding, and the deportation case of Maryland resident Kilmar Abrego Garcia.

International students in the United States are adapting to recent changes to visas and travel that may impact their higher education goals. Today on Midday, we speak to reporters and members of the international student community about the challenges these students face in completing their studies.

Karin Fischer, a reporter for The Chronicle of Higher Education, and Ellie Wolfe, a reporter for the Baltimore Banner, join Midday to address the obstacles these students face locally and nationwide.

Additionally, Tom speaks with a panel of guests who play critical roles in Baltimore's international student community. Kara Kauffman, the International Services Coordinator at the University of Baltimore, joins the show along with two international students from Italy and India.

Baltimore City Council President Zeke Cohen joins Midday to discuss renewed scrutiny of the city's crisis response system. A recent series of police shootings of people experiencing mental health problems has residents and officials asking why alternatives to law enforcement were not used.

The city council has held hearings recently related to police accountability, and last night Cohen announced he will hold a hearing on August 27 to discuss the city’s crisis response system.

We also ask Cohen about the city's plans for millions of dollars in funds for opioid abuse treatment coming from settlements with manufacturers and distributors of opioids.

Plus, Cohen publicly rebuked energy company BGE for its plan to increase rates. Is there more the city can do to ease the burden on ratepayers?

Maryland is home to world-class colleges and universities—shining ivory towers of learning and research. Institutions like Johns Hopkins University and the University of Maryland are not just places of learning. They are also major drivers of the state’s economy, creating tens of thousands of jobs and bringing in research grants and other opportunities for development.

Now, restrictions on international students, and cuts to research grants are poised to greatly reduce the economic footprint of these institutions in the region. How will these events be felt outside campuses?

Dr. Richard Clinch joins Midday to discuss. He is the Director of the Jacob France Institute at the University of Baltimore and the author of several studies on the economic impact of Maryland’s universities and colleges.

Amanda Litman's new book is a manual for young leaders with advice on how to navigate the changing demands of running nonprofit and for-profit organizations.

Now in her mid-thirties, she’s begun to notice that she was no longer the only young person heading organizations and companies like hers.

Drawing on her own experience of balancing her professional demands and the demands of motherhood, and in interviews with more than 100 Gen Z and Millennial leaders, Litman provides a how-to guide to changing the paradigms for the being the boss.

The book is called When We’re in Charge: The Next Generation’s Guide to Leadership.

Guest host Farai Chideya explores how AI-generated content can target and harm individuals and entire communities, and examines the efforts of advocates and policymakers working to address these threats.

Kristen Griffith, an education reporter for The Baltimore Banner, joins Midday to share her reporting on a local example of an AI-generated deepfake used to harm the reputation of local school principal Eric Eiswert in 2024.

Eiswert, the former principal of Pikesville High School where the incident occurred, addressed the incident in a statement submitted to WYPR. To continue our discussion on AI issues, we hear from Mutale Nkonde, the CEO and founder of AI for the People. This organization advocates for policies that promote responsible AI development. Nkonde also serves on TikTok's Content Moderation Board and is the author of "Automated Anti-Blackness: Why We Need to Name Race to Create Just Technological Futures."

Midday theater critic J Wynn Rousuck joins our show for weekly theater reviews. Today, she shares a review of Young Vic's production of "The Yeoman of the Guard." The story is set at The Tower of London and includes a planned execution, a secret marriage, and a brave escape.

"The Yeoman of the Guard" runs through July 20.

In the early hours of the morning, the U.S. Senate voted to approve President Donald Trump's rescission package, which includes the elimination of $1 billion for public broadcasting. The package will now move forward with the possibility of final approval from Congress by Friday.

If the package is approved, how will the public broadcast industry face this funding challenge?

Joining Midday to discuss this critical issue are Baltimore Public Media President and General Manager Craig Swagler, American Public Television Stations President and CEO Kate Riley, and National Public Radio Media Correspondent David Folkenflik.

Midday goes Back to the Garden as the summer reaches its peak.

Farmer Chippy and Farmer Tiara from Plantation Park Heights and Carrie Engel from Valley View Farms join Midday to help you choose the right plants for the summer.

They share their best tips on how to care for your garden, and answer your questions about peppers, fruit trees, cucumbers and more.