Every upgrade is not necessarily an improvement. Commentator Shane Fernando opts for the tried and true (and the legendary) as he designs this year’s Cape Fear Shakespeare on the Green.Projectionwww.whqr.orgHear new commentary from Shane Fernando

Brian Berger is no longer a New Hanover County Commissioner. The board voted 3-to-2 to remove Berger during an amotion hearing yesterday.Board votes to remove Berger as NHC commissionerwww.whqr.org

Help plan the transportation future for Southeastern North Carolina!Kickoff for the Cape Fear 2040 Transportation Planwww.whqr.orgStarting today, residents of Southeast North Carolina will be able to give their input into the future of transportation. The Wilmington Metropolitan

Join Ben Steelman of StarNews and guest Karen E. Bender for light refreshments and a discussion of the author's book, "A Town of Empty Rooms." 7-8 PM at WHQR Public Radio!Prologue featuring Karen E. Benderwww.whqr.orgMay 20, 7-8 PM at 254 N. Front Street, 3rd Floor

Ira Flatow has arrived in Wilmington!

Ben Steelman of Star-News wrote an excellent article on Ira Flatow's science advocacy and his trip to Wilmington this week.NPR's Ira Flatow - 'America loves science'www.starnewsonline.com"America loves science," said National Public Radio personality Ira Flatow. The trouble is, some of its leaders haven't gotten the message.

Barbara Bush, WHQR’s finance manager and resident book-lover, talks with author Karen Bender about her new novel "A Town of Empty Rooms."Midday Interview: "A Town of Empty Rooms" with Karen E. Benderwww.whqr.org

A new bill that would lift the cap on the number of terminal groins allowed in the state passed the Senate Wednesday.Coastal Reform Act lifts cap on terminal groins in NCwww.whqr.orgRead and hear the full story on WHQR.org

A year ago, writer Neil Gaiman told the graduating class at Philadelphia's University of the Arts that life is sometimes hard — that things will go wrong in love and business and friendship and health, and in all the other ways that life can go wrong. And that the best thing an artist can do at those times is to "make good art."Author Neil Gaiman On Making 'Good Art' : NPRwww.npr.org

Philip Gerard has certainly heard his fair share of excuses. The excuse he'll share with us today, if not singular, is certainly outstanding.No Excusewww.whqr.orgHear new commentary by Philip Gerard

"In the arts mecca of New York City, subway buskers are often overqualified. But they're not usually world-class jazz singers with the lungs and charisma of old-school soul stars. Accompanied only by a pianist, Porter performs 'Be Good (Lion's Song)' on a vintage subway car in downtown Brooklyn."Gregory Porter: A Lion In The Subway : NPRwww.npr.org

Thalian Association Community Theatre presents the country musical Pump Boys and Dinettes, starring the Brent Stimmel Band.Midday Interview: "Pump Boys and Dinettes"whqr.orgListen to the full interview

Few of us consider the day-to-day struggle for survival taking place around us—from mice dodging cats under houses to flies writhing in spider webs. The struggle continues in today’s commentary from our local environmental expert, Andy Wood.Backdoor Dragonwww.whqr.orgCommentary from Andy Wood

"Any time we’ve dug into the landfill… we actually pull up waste that was deposited 15, 20, 30 years ago. Say – a newspaper. And when we pull that out, you can still read it – as if you’d just gotten it off a newsstand shelf."NHC to open Hazardous Household Waste Facilitywww.whqr.org90 percent of New Hanover County residents don’t recycle or properly dispose of household waste.

Proponents of nuclear energy say a new generation of reactors could solve certain nuclear waste problems.UK considers GE's PRISM nuclear reactor designwww.whqr.org

"Well, the thing about the IFR – the PRISM reactor, is that the fuel that it uses is essentially better than free. Because it uses depleted uranium. It uses old weapons. It uses nuclear waste. So it’s materials that we would gladly pay to get rid of."UK considers GE's PRISM nuclear reactor designwww.whqr.orgNuclear energy is nothing if not controversial.

Radio figures Ira Glass, Sylvia Poggioli, Neda Ulaby, and others have inspired restaurants, pets' names, license plates, and even songs.Why Do NPR Reporters Have Such Great Names?www.theatlantic.com

Attention This American Life fans! This Saturday's final Met performance will unfortunately bump This American Life to Sunday at 4pm.

The Cape Fear Garden Club recently donated the funds to create an educational apothecary garden at CFCC's Downtown Wilmington Campus.Midday Interview: Apothecary Gardenwhqr.orgHear the interview

The depths between couch cushions are notorious for eating everything—keys and loose change especially. But Community Commentator Suesan Sullivan lost something a little more substantial—and slippery.Suesan Sullivan - "Snakey"whqr.orgWHQR Community Commentary

Camilla Herlevich of Coastal Land Trust and David Paynter of Cape Fear Audubon tell us about a free gathering Friday night at 7:00 at the Northeast Library, hosting author Rhett Johnson.Midday Interview: "Longleaf: As Far As the Eye Can See"whqr.orgListen

Did you miss the WHQR News series on women in our military? You can read and listen to all three parts here:Shifting the Tide: Women in Combatwhqr.orgWHQR News presents a series on the shifting roles of women in our military.

Even though tossing electronic waste into landfills is illegal in North Carolina, only about 10% of residents in New Hanover County make the effort to recycle.Verizon hosts e-cycle rally on Thursday to boost NHC recyclingwww.whqr.org

Attention MC Erny Gallery attendees: We currently have a hoodie left behind here, most likely at the Dekker/Billingsley opening. If it's yours, please send a message describing it!

Clyde Edgerton reads from and signs copies of his latest book tonight at 7:30 at Old Books on Front Street. It’s a laugh-out-loud non-fiction work based on his own experiences, called "Pappadaddy’s Book for New Fathers."Midday Interview: "Pappadaddy’s Book for New Fathers"whqr.orgListen to the interview

Turns out our solar system — with its medium sized sun, its four small rocky planets, its four big gassy ones farther out — isn't like the others. We are unusual. Very unusual. Says one prominent astronomer, we are "a bit of a freak."Our Very Normal Solar System Isn't Normal Anymore : NPRwww.npr.org

The science behind olfactory memory is a complicated one, but just listen to the poetically rendered memories of Community Commentator Paige Owens. In today's commentary, she shares a few of her treasured memories with her late father.Paige Owens - Molecular Memorywww.whqr.orgAll new community commentary!

Some of the most iconic images of New Orleans musicians have come from Jazz Fest — thanks to photographers who jumble together at the apron of the stage, vying for the best shots.At Jazz Fest, Photographers Have A Culture All Their Ownwww.whqr.org

Tonight's the encore presentation for everyone that missed out last week (or just really want to see it again)! Hope to see y'all at Towne Tap & Grill for the complimentary pre-show meetup!This week: It's Wait, Wait... Don't Tell Me! on the big screen in Wilmingtonwhqr.orgIn this special staging of WWDTM, host Peter Sagal and official judge and scorekeeper Carl Kasell will be joined by panelists Paula Poundstone, Mo Rocca,

Amoroso's passion for election law reform will be put to work at the State level. The self-described conservative is championing changes to election laws in the state – particularly the new voter ID legislation.Business Brief: NHC GOP re-elects Amoroso; Governer appoints her to State Board of Electionswww.whqr.orgIt wasn’t until the addition of Sarah Palin to the Republican Presidential ticket in 2008, that Rhonda Amoroso’s desire to create political change re

Great turnout last night for the Wait Wait Don't Tell Me simulcast at Mayfaire! If you missed it, there's always this coming Tuesday's encore presentation:It's Wait, Wait... Don't Tell Me! on the big screen in Wilmingtonwhqr.orgIn this special staging of WWDTM, host Peter Sagal and official judge and scorekeeper Carl Kasell will be joined by panelists Paula Poundstone, Mo Rocca,

American folk singer Pete Seeger is 94 today! Here's his original song made famous by The Byrds, “Turn, Turn, Turn” from the Smithsonian Folkways album “If I Had a Hammer: Songs of Hope and Struggle.”"Turn, Turn, Turn" performed by Pete Seegersoundcloud.comFrom "If I Had a Hammer: Songs of Hope and Struggle" For over 50 years Pete Seeger's music has included songs on labor, civil rights, ...

The new building on the now-empty lot will rise between six and eight floors and offer 80 to 90 rooms. And while real estate agent Jeff Hovis says it’s only an estimate at this point, the project could create up to 100 new jobs.Downtown Wilmington to see new hotel from national chainwww.whqr.org

Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure may be far more likely to show up on an English syllabus than in a political science lecture. But Commentator Gwenyfar Rohler thinks the play has more to offer the world than a few, lyrical lines.Measure for Measurewww.whqr.orgNew Thursday commentary

After switching over to the Marines, Sergeant Stacy Blackburn-Hoelscher deployed to Afghanistan. Stepping up to serve on a Female Engagement Team, she crossed over lines drawn for her male counterparts. In the last part of our series about the shifting roles of women in combat, WHQR’s Sara Wood brings us her story.Shifting the Tide, Part 3: Sgt. Stacy Blackburn-Hoelscherwww.whqr.org

Looking for a summer volunteer position at WHQR? Well, you're in luck. We have an opening at our Front Desk! If you're interested in lending a hand once or twice a week, send us an email: whqr@whqr.org

The New Hanover County Democratic Party has a new Chairman. Elected to the post just nine days ago, Richard Poole is a former federal prosecutor from Washington, D.C.Chairman Elect to NHC Democratic Party discusses party concerns, planswww.whqr.orgRachel Lewis Hilburn talks with new NHC Democratic Party Chairman Richard Poole

Jeremy Loeb recently invited David Dondero to stop by WHQR and play a couple of songs for us.Spotlight: Singer-songwriter David Donderowww.whqr.org

Join us tonight at 6! Enjoy live music, wine, refreshments, and watch live illustration by Francisca!"CONTRAST" Paintings, Drawings, and Prints by E. Francisca Dekker & Benjamin Billingsleywhqr.orgOpening Fourth Friday Reception: April 26, 6PM - 9PM Two different people, two different cultures, two different styles - a perfect contrast! Guests are

Wait Wait Don't Tell Me is coming to Mayfaire next week. We're planning two fun meetups at Towne Tap & Grill before each showing AND ticket giveaways! Find out more and RSVP and enter below:This week: It's Wait, Wait... Don't Tell Me! on the big screen in Wilmingtonwww.whqr.org

Under North Carolina law, convicted criminals are only responsible for paying back attorney fees during their probation and if the probation is terminated.NC House bill to clarify public defender fees owed by convicted criminalswww.whqr.org

John Sallis said, "We are all of us who believe passionately in literature, all of us who write professionally... we are all Poe's children."Accidental Southerner: Edgar Allan Poewww.whqr.org

For 13 years, Lisa Ramos served in the Navy as a Religious Program Specialist. She served in a support role in Iraq, where front lines were invisible.Shifting the Tide, Part 2: Lisa Ramoswww.whqr.orgOngoing series featuring women in the military

The push to remove Brian Berger from his seat on the New Hanover County Commission Board is moving forward.Board censures Berger, sets ouster proceeding in motionwww.whqr.org

What Are Your Top Five Album Covers? : NPRwww.npr.orgThe death of Storm Thorgerson, who created classic album covers, including Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon, gets us thinking about our favorite album covers of all time.

Most people do not dream of moving into a nursing home. But it’s a reality for half of the population, and the costs can be enormous.Business Brief: Aging in Place Downtownwhqr.org

Lan Nichols just posted a video clip of Jeanne Jolly's sold-out return to Soup to Nuts Live! Check it out:Jeanne Jolly Returns to a Full House at STNL!whqr.orgThere's no mistaking the voice. Or the songwriting. Once again, Jeanne Jolly brought the whole package to WHQR's Soup To Nuts Live! in Wilmington NC on

WHQR turns 29 years old today! Hear a flashback to our first broadcast:

NPR has just announced that Talk of the Nation's Science Friday will not air this afternoon to allow the network to cover events related to the Boston Marathon bombing. NPR says that developments are changing so fast that it will run continuous coverage this afternoon from 2 to 4 p.m. when we’ll join All Things Considered as scheduled. We will also preempt The Diane Rehm Show this afternoon for NPR’s Special Report.

Jemila’s back.Friday Feedback for April 19, 2013www.whqr.orgAnd her listeners couldn’t be happier.