Toms River was just like any other small town in America—except that children were dying at very high rates. For Earth Day, With Good Reason speaks with Pulitzer Prize winning writer Dan Fagin, whose 2013 book, Tom's River: A Story of Science and Salvation tells the story of how that small town fought against the pollution—and the polluters—killing their children. Fagin also discusses his current project, a book that follows the plight of the monarch butterfly as it tries to survive the very real changes that humans have brought to this planet. Plus: Meet Marc Edwards the professor who helped uncover the water crises in Flint, Michigan and has now been charged with fixing it.

Later in the show: Growing up in Appalachia, Maddison Couch noticed an unusual number of thyroid disorders in her community. As a student at she discovered new information suggesting that these disorders weren’t inherited—they’re caused by coal. And: The distinctive appearance of the largest salamander in North America has inspired some colorful nicknames: hellbenders, big log of snot, ol¹ lasagna sides, and snot otter. Biologist Wally Smith is trying to better understand where these creatures live and why they're disappearing.