Conspiracy theories used to weave together random bits of evidence with speculation on secret, nefarious actors working behind the scenes -- think the 9-11-was-an-inside-job theory. Authors Russell Muirhead and Nancy Rosenblum claim that conspiracy theories have changed: they no longer even require evidence, however distorted. It's enough to claim, as their book's title suggests, "a lot of people are saying..." And the authors are very worried about this trend's threat to democratic norms.

Happy Earth Day! We've come a long way since the first Earth Day in 1970. Haven't we? There is a greater environmental ethic now, perhaps, but still a need for reminders to take good care of the planet. The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics is happy to provide reminders, in its quest to have people reduce their impact on the landscape.

Congress has been reluctant to take action on high prescription drug prices, so the states have made some moves on their own. A flock of bills in front of the Oregon legislature addresses drug price information and could set up systems for Oregonians to receive cheaper drugs from Canada. The package is supported by the Oregon Coalition for Affordable Prescriptions . OCAP President Mark Griffith visits to give an overview of the legislative package, which already counts one victory, the house

Not all arts events are sedate affairs held indoors. And as if to prove the point, the Oregon Fringe Festival (OFF) returns to Ashland for its sixth year on and about the Southern Oregon University campus. Events range from violin concertos to plays like "Excuse Me, May I Borrow Your Underwear?" Would you expect anything different from a fringe festival?

Oregon forests have a reputation for growing gigantic trees. Which often overlooks another product of the very same forests, often at the base of the very same trees: mushrooms. The woods abound with delectable varieties that can be found and picked with just a little effort. We focus on mushrooms in this month's edition of our food segment, Savor. Louis Jeandin, who owns a business called Mushrooms All Year , is our guest.

It's been disrupted by the Internet, but a century ago, radio was the great disrupter. And the early days of radio as a mass medium were chaotic, with some major powerful figures emerging. Among them were David Sarnoff, the head of RCA, and inventor Edwin Armstrong. The story of these friends-turned-enemies is at the center of Scott Woolley's book The Network: The Battle for the Airwaves and the Birth of the Communications Age .

Reading the name of Oregon's current Poet Laureate can make people do a double-take. Because his name is Stafford. Kim Stafford . He is the ninth poet laureate of the state, and the second with the name Stafford; his father William also held the job in the 70s and 80s. Kim Stafford has made his own way in the world of literature, writing and teaching poetry and prose.

Even if the wet winter produces a light fire season and a relatively smoke-free summer, there are perceptions to counter. Our region got a reputation over the last few years as a place where wildfires get big and destructive, and smoke collects at unhealthy levels. This creates issues for local residents and the tourism business, a mainstay of the region's economy. Travel Southern Oregon and Southern Oregon University joined forces for a marketing study examining tourist perceptions of wildfire

The Rogue Valley Symphony reached out for a world-class pianist to perform in its final concerts of the season, "Masterworks 6." And RVSO reached all the way to... Ashland. That's where Alexander Tutunov works and plays and teaches piano. He'll play Beethoven's Piano Concerto #3 in the concert. And we get a musical preview, as Tutunov and RVSO Musical Director Martin Majkut pay us a visit... in the music studio, complete with piano.

"A rising tide lifts all boats" is often the rationale for tax cuts for wealthy people. But the phrase can be applied in other ways, too. For one, the California Immigrant Policy Center recommends helping residents develop skills for the workforce, regardless of immigration status, because it can help the overall economy. CIPC lays out the case in a recent policy brief .