To the Point

College is now regarded as the "new high-school," with a four-year degree considered necessary for success in America's evolving economy. So why are so many four-year graduates underemployed and ill-equipped for the high-skilled jobs that are available? Would vocational schools better serve the workforce — and the economy? 

New studies show an Antarctic ice sheet larger than Mexico is likely to melt much sooner than had been predicted. It could mean disaster for coastal civilization. But, despite the potential consequences for young people living today, policy makers.

NAFTA, CAFTA and the Trans Pacific Partnership are complex, economic agreements. Even economists disagree about who wins and who loses, so it's a challenge for voters to know which candidate is right or wrong. We rebroadcast Warren Olney's conversation about “free trade” and political trade-offs.

America faces an epidemic of overdose deaths from prescription pain medications as well as illegal heroin. We hear how new thinking about drug addiction has led to new ways for doctors and the pharmaceutical industry to deal with drug addiction.

The dangers of lead poison — especially to children — have been known since the days of the Romans. But some 2000 water supplies around the country are contaminated with lead. We hear about a public health crisis that didn’t need to happen and what it will cost to fix it.

Western officials say they've increased "momentum" against the Islamic State, and high-ranking ISIS leaders are being killed. But can military action destroy ISIS if Muslim societies don't address angry young people caught between modernization and an ancient religion?

Around the country, expanding legal protections for lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people are being challenged -- often in the name of religious liberty. But the sports world and corporate America are lining up with LGBT people.

Broadcast and cable news networks promise fair political coverage as a public service, with critical time and attention to all candidates. In this year's presidential campaign, the rules are being broken as never before. We hear how "free media" has given Donald Trump an unprecedented advantage over rivals in both parties.

The FBI and Apple are fighting it out in court over digital privacy and national security, but it's more than a legal dispute. Those are issues with potential effect on almost every American. We hear about the implications of a surprise move by the FBI.

The "unified" countries of Europe are being challenged to crack down on terrorists within their own borders—while preserving the values of liberal democracy. We update the scene in Brussels after the second terrorist attack in just four months and hear the response of candidates for the White House who've seized the issue for their campaigns.