The Point

As we get out about and about in nature with the warmer weather, it's time we also need to be vigilant about ticks and tick bites. On The Point, we discuss the health risks associated with tick bites, and best practices to limit exposure. Guests on the program are: Larry Dapsis, Entomologist and Deer Tick Program Coordinator at Cape Cod Coorperative Extension ; and Dick Johnson, Dukes County Tick Program Biologist. Mindy Todd hosts. Watch informative videos of Larry Dapsis on the tick topic .

"Snowplow parents" are emerging as a hyper-intensive version of "helicopter parenting." It's when parents plow ahead of their children, trying to clear obstacles in the path of sucess. Children may lose the opportunity to experience challenges, failure, and the coping skills these life lessons offer. The parents may not understand the potential damage of efforts to ensure that ther kids have only the best, and every advantage. Many college- aged youth today are found to lack some very basic

Gardening on The Point is back! Our host Mindy Todd is joined by Horticulturist/ Entomologist Roberta Clarke to inspire us for the new gardening season, along with callers from around the region. There's still time to prune those trees and shrubs, and get some compost "top dressing" on plants. We hear tips on what to plant when, and where, as well as new varieties to try.

WCAI News Director Steve Junker hosts a roundup of some of the top local and regional news of the week, including: today marks a year since Sgt. Sean Gannon of the Yarmouth Police was killed in the line of duty; Stop and Shop supermarkets go out on strike, with a big impact for the outer cape and the islands; and a right whale calf is spotted in Cape Cod Bay.

As the natural world shifts from brown to green, many start planning their vegetable gardens. Wild edibles expert Russ Cohen has a different approach: he looks for native species in fields, forests and vacant parcels that make for good nibbling. We talk with Cohen about the many edible native species in the northeast and his efforts to replace invasive plant species with edible ones.

Sitting at the intersection of therapy and criminal justice, research shows Drug Courts reduce drug use and crime. With a new Drug Court set to open in Falmouth District Court, we sit down with Drug Court officials from Fall River to discuss how the courts operate, who is eligible and how Drug Courts fit into the larger picture of addressing this public health crisis. Mindy Todd hosts.

With warmer weather, the Cape, Coast and Islands are seeing the return of many migrating birds. Ospreys are back, and hummingbirds will be here soon. Year-round birds are also gearing up for the nesting season with great intensity. Mark Faherty just returned from a trip to Tanzania, and he shares his experiences with animals he encountered there (see slide show). Mark is a wildlife biologist at Wellfeet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary . We hear about various nests being built, bird songs to listen for at

WCAI News Director Steve Junker hosts a roundup of some of the top local and regional news of the week, including: the state’s Attorney General questions the financials behind the decommissioning of the Pilgrim Nuclear Plant; the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe gets a hearing on a bill to protect its lands; and Cape towns receive state money to help address the shark threat.

A global decline in the number and variety of pollinators is a serious concern. On The Point, we discuss some of the causes for the decline and how we can help protect and promote pollinators, including beekeeping.

Last month's mass shooting at a mosque in New Zealand and last year’s mass shooting at a synagogue in Pittsburgh underscore the marked increase of anti Semitic and anti Muslim hate crimes. We discuss the reasons behind this uptick, some of the more subtle cases of discrimination and harassment, and how we can respond, individually and as a community.