Midday

A new book aims to rekindle the conversation about Black resistance to white supremacy in the history of the United States.

We Refuse: A Forceful History of Black Resistance, is an impassioned love letter to Black resilience in our past and present.

The author, Kellie Carter Jackson, is an Associate Professor and Chair of Africana Studies at Wellesley College and a cohost of This Day in Esoteric Political History. Her 2019 book Force and Freedom was a finalist for the Frederick Douglass Book Prize and the Museum of African American History Stone Book Award.

Email us at [email protected], tweet us: @MiddayWYPR, or call us at 410-662-8780.

Immigration continues to be a key issues in the run up to the 2024 election year. Polling suggests immigration is ranked as one of the most pressing topics among voters across the nation.

Earlier this month, President Joe Biden announced several executive actions designed to clamp down on immigration. If the number of crossings surges, the new order will prevent migrants from seeking asylum. The policy is similar to moves made during the Trump administration, which were successfully challenged in court. The ACLU has already vowed to challenge Biden’s actions, as well.

Among all of the rhetoric, what is the reality on the ground, at the U.S.-Mexico border and here in Maryland? Marielena Hincapié joins us to discuss the latest. For more than 20 years, she worked at the National Immigration Law Center, serving as its Executive Director from 2008-2022. She is a Distinguished Immigration Fellow and Visiting Scholar in Cornell University's Immigration Law and Policy Program.

Email us at [email protected], tweet us: @MiddayWYPR, or call us at 410-662-8780.

Extreme heat is expected to roast most of Maryland over the next week, with triple-digit temperatures forecast for Saturday and Sunday.

National Weather Service meteorologist Austin Mansfield joins Midday to discuss the heat, and what is behind the extreme weather.

The first heat-related death in Maryland occurred earlier in June. Dr. Sarah Lee, an emergency medicine physician at the University of Maryland Medical Center and an instructor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, talks about how to identify and treat heat stroke and heat exhaustion.

Email us at [email protected], tweet us: @MiddayWYPR, or call us at 410-662-8780.

Last year, fans in Baltimore were gripped by the Orioles' run into Major League Baseball's postseason, success not seen in nearly a decade. As the O's attempt to continue their winning ways this season, Midday takes a stroll down memory lane.

John Eisenberg, a longtime sports columnist for the Baltimore Sun, draws from decades of his interviews with baseball stars of yesteryear. He joins Midday to discuss the series and what he learned from the legends of Orioles baseball.

Email us at [email protected], tweet us: @MiddayWYPR, or call us at 410-662-8780.

Every year, the Lyric invites area students to “Dream Big” with a contest inspired by Dr. Martin Luither King, Jr in which young people are asked to reflect on the question, "What will it take for us all to be free?" They respond to that prompt with essays, poems, videos or visual art.

Tom's guest to discuss the annual contest is Denise Kumani Gantt, the director of education at the Lyric Theater in Baltimore. 

Email us at [email protected], tweet us: @MiddayWYPR, or call us at 410-662-8780.

The Grammy-nominated vocal ensemble Sweet Honey in the Rock celebrated their 50-year anniversary in November. Their current roster includes vocalists Carol Maillard, Louise Robinson, Aisha Kahlil, Nitanju Bolade Casel, and Navasha Daya, with Romeir Mendez on upright acoustic/electric bass, and American Sign Language interpreter, Barbara Hunt.

Carol Maillard, a founding member of Sweet Honey in the Rock, joins Midday to look ahead to weekend performance Saturday and Sunday at the Keystone Korner Jazz Club in Baltimore.

Email us at [email protected], tweet us: @MiddayWYPR, or call us at 410-662-8780.

After weeks of speculation of the future of the long-serving head of Baltimore City Public Schools, the school board voted to renew CEO Sonja Santelises' contract for one year. Santelises sought a longer contract, according to reporting by the Baltimore Banner.

Liz Bowie, education reporter for the Baltimore Banner, joins Midday to discuss the unusually protracted negotiation process, and what the contract renewal means for city schools.

(photo credit: Eli Pousson Via Wikimedia Commons)

Email us at [email protected], tweet us: @MiddayWYPR, or call us at 410-662-8780.

Theater critic J. Wynn Rousuck joins Midday to share another weekly review of a local theatrical production.

We discuss Long Way Down, at Olney Theatre Center through June 23. The production is a world premiere. Does it have a long future ahead?

(Photo from Teresa Castracane Photography)

Email us at [email protected], tweet us: @MiddayWYPR, or call us at 410-662-8780.

What needs to happen to jumpstart the local economy while the Key bridge is rebuilt. Will there be a lag until things are back to normal?

Tom speaks with Mary Kane, the CEO of the Maryland Chamber of Commerce and Dr. Christina DePasquale, an associate professor of practice in economics at the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School about the impact of the bridge collapse on area businesses, non-profits and the labor market.

[Photo by John Lee, WYPR]

Email us at [email protected], tweet us: @MiddayWYPR, or call us at 410-662-8780.

Recovery and clean up efforts continue following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in March. Earlier this week, the port of Baltimore's channel fully reopened following 11 weeks of demolition and scavenging to remove debris from the Patapsco River.

Gov. Wes Moore joins Midday to discuss the latest. We ask him about how much of the $60 emergency funds remain unspent, and if there is the possibility of speeding up the rebuild of the bridge spanning the Patapsco's channel.

Email us at [email protected], tweet us: @MiddayWYPR, or call us at 410-662-8780.