The Point

WCAI News Director Steve Junker hosts a roundup of some of the top local and regional news of the week. His guests include Gwenn Friss of the Cape Cod Times; Tim Wood of the Cape Cod Chronicle; Sara Brown of the Vineyard Gazette; Josh Balling of the Nantucket Inquirer and Mirror; Ed Miller of the Provincetown Banner; Barry Stringfellow of the Martha's Vineyard Times; and Derrick Perkins of the Falmouth Enterprise.

In 1977 Robert Ballard and a team of oceanographers from The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution made an incredible discovery, deep-sea hydrothermal vents. On The Point, we talk with Bob Ballard about the discovery of hydrothermal vents 40 years ago, and how it has changed our understanding of life in the oceans and in space.

The education system in America is driven primarily by tests, and teachers have little time to deviate from the mandated curriculum. What is lost when teachers can’t take advantage of those unplanned opportunities to explore outside the lesson plan, and how can we make more room for spontaneous learning moments? On The Point, we talk with Kim Allsup , a former teacher in Waldorf Schools. Her new book is titled A Gift of Wonder, A True Showing of School as it Should Be.

Donald Trump was elected on an "America First" platform, and a populist and nationalistic agenda. How has this played out on the international stage since he took office, and what are the implications for human rights protections both at home and abroad? On The Point, we talk with Phil Robertson , Deputy Director of the Asia Division at Human Rights Watch about changes in U.S. policies and human rights protections in the first six months of the Trump Presidency. Later, we listen in on a

David McCullough is an honored historian, winner of two Pulitzer Prizes and two National Book Awards. His past books include The Wright Brothers , 1776 , and John Adams . On The Point, we hear about McCullough's latest book, a collection of speeches he’s given over his career to Congress, universities and historical societies. It’s titled The American Spirit, Who We Are and What We stand For . This book reminds readers of the core values to which all Americans subscribe, regardless of region,

On The Point, a conversation with authors and illustrators of children’s books. We hear from Susan Schaefer Bernardo , who writes books to help children facing loss and personal struggle. Kim Rodrigues ' new book tells the story of a boy who raises money for a wounded veteran to get a service dog.

WCAI's Kathryn Eident hosts a roundup of the week's news. Her guests: Sean Driscoll from the Cape Cod Times; Josh Balling from the Nantucket Inquirer and Mirror; Andy Tomolonis from the New Bedford Standard Times; Ann Wood from the Provincetown Banner; Sarah Brown from the Vineyard Gazette; Tim Wood from the Cape Cod Chronicle; and George Brennan from the Martha's Vineyard Times. Among the stories this week: local residents react to the recent events in Charlottesville; swastikas found on two

Holly FitzGerald recounts her harrowing honeymoon lost on the river in the desolate jungle of the Amazon in her book Ruthless River: Love and Survival by Raft. She talks with Mindy Todd in our Woods Hole studios.

The 45th running of the Falmouth Road Race is Sunday, August 20th. On The Point, we look back to its beginning with Paul Clerici, author of “ A History of the Falmouth Road Race: Running Cape Cod . ”

On The Point, a discussion about denial. From rationalizing and blaming to outright lies, we examine a range of behavior that people engage in. Psychiatrist Dr. Marc Whaley and psychologist Dr. Michael Abbruzzese join host Kathryn Eident in the studio.