Humans have enduring connections to nature, but people of color are often marginalized in wilderness areas or by environmental groups. We speak with an author of a book about the relationships people of color have with the great outdoors and with a woman who is hiking the Ice Age Trail this winter.

Humans have enduring connections to nature, but people of color are often marginalized in wilderness areas or by environmental groups. We speak with an author of a book about the relationships people of color have with the great outdoors and with a woman who is hiking the Ice Age Trail this winter.

We hear how private schools are handling changes to enrollment, in-person learning and more because of the pandemic. Then, we learn how Illinois is managing sales of recreational marijuana a year after legalization.

As the state’s new poet laureate, Dasha Kelly Hamilton’s job is to promote poetry, which she calls “word art.” She joins us to talk about the craft of poetry creation, performance and inspiration as well as what it means to be the state’s first Black woman in this role.

Pioneers in African American history include Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks and Maya Angelou. For this Black History month, children’s book author and publisher Cheryl Willis Hudson helps us recognize other notable figures and celebrate Black culture through literature.

We hear from a high-ranking state education official about the governor's budget proposal to increase funding for schools. Then, a WPR reporter discusses a handful of bills, including those related to COVID-19 business relief and the state's unemployment benefit system.

What are the chemical reactions that create concrete? How do scientists transform tree rubber into race car tires? Is there a way to make photosynthesis more efficient? The host of the new PBS NOVA series "Beyond the Elements" joins us to explain the amazing chemistry occurring around us.

We learn about a lawsuit challenging a Waukesha water diversion project. Then, we discuss the problems with using salt on our sidewalks and roadways during winter and what alternatives are best.

America’s suburbs face a host of pressing challenges including poverty, traffic, ecological imbalance and blight. And according to the authors of a new book, architecture can help. We discuss retrofitting strategies to improve suburban communities.

America’s suburbs face a host of pressing challenges including poverty, traffic, ecological imbalance and blight. And according to the authors of a new book, architecture can help. We discuss retrofitting strategies to improve suburban communities.