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Why Is It So Hard To File My Taxes?
First up, this Tax Day, we ask: why is it so hard to file my taxes? We’ll talk with Beverly Moran, a senior tax fellow at Boston College.Secondly we'll chat about the helium shortage.. What’s going on? How is helium mined, how is it used (beyond the birthday balloons) and what happens if we do actually run out? We’ll ask Linda Doerrer, an Assistant Professor in Chemistry at B.U.’s college of engineering. Lastly, It’s peak pruning season. We’ll open phone and text lines to “Ask a Gardener,” with Wakefield Arboretum Executive Director Debbie Merriam. -
Is My Pollen Allergy Getting Worse?
First up - Edgar decodes our paychecks, asking "what exactly happens with all the money taken out each week?” We’ll have some help from Steven Dean, a professor of law at Boston University. Then, we'll exploring the world of microplastics research with oceanographic researcher Victoria Fuller, whose work has brought her as close as New England as far as Antarctica. Lastly we answer the question... Is the pollen in our air worse getting worse by the year? Richard Primack, a professor plant ecology at B.U., explains why there might be some truth to that idea. Caroline Sokol is a physician scientist who’ll speak to how pollen impacts us on a physiological level. -
How Can I Score 654 Points In Scrabble?
First up, Edgar hosts an AI news panel with Reuters tech reporter Deepa Seetharaman and Shaleen Title, former chair Cannabis Control Board commissioner who teaches AI regulation at Roger Williams University School of Law. They’ll talk about last week's attack on Open AI CEO Sam Altman, pushback to the construction of data centers in Everett, and the value of AI in school classrooms. Then, we’re celebrating National Scrabble Day with Bradley Whitmarsh, a competitive Scrabble player ranked in the top 100 for the U.S. We’ll talk strategy, learn about the world of competitive Scrabble, and take calls & texts from listeners. -
How Many Frogs At Are Mount Auburn Cemetery?
First up.... With some help from our studio audience, we’re playing a game of “bad fibs” – that's news-inspired mad libs, with nightside anchor Tori Bedford and a special guest appearance from reporter Marilyn Schairer. Then, All Things Considered host Arun Rath just so happens to be a practicing magician. He’ll join to talk about Boston’s rich history in the world of magic. He’ll also perform the first-ever live radio magic trick in Curiosity Desk history. (And yes... you can do this along at home, all you need is a desk of cards) Lastly, Mount Auburn Cemetery has become a living laboratory for scientists in the field of biodiversity. Edgar meets Herpetologist Joe Martinez & Vice President of Cemetery of Visitor’s Services Bree Harvey to talk about their work reintroducing native aquatic amphibians missing from the cemetery. -
How Do You Get A Species Named After You?
First, Edgar speaks with NASA flight director Rick Henfling, who is overseeing the Artemis II crew’s return this weekend.Next, shifting from outer space to the ocean’s depths, Edgar sits down with Boston University microbiologist Jeff Marlow to discuss his new book, The Dark Frontier: Unlocking the Secrets of the Deep Sea. Finally, Edgar explores the question, “Who’s really naming all these creatures?” in a conversation with Steve Heard, Honorary Research Professor at the University of New Brunswick, about his book, Charles Darwin's Barnacle and David Bowie's Spider: How Scientific Names Celebrate Adventurers, Heroes, and Even a Few Scoundrels
