This week Matter of Fact travels to Colorado where organizations are making an effort to keep former foster children off the streets. Plus, a civil rights attorney explains how a slate of lawsuits is taking aim at programs that help minorities. And, we meet a member of the EPA’s new youth-led council focused on addressing environmental issues.
Black lung. The disease is typically associated with coal miners of the past, but there’s be a recent spike in cases – with miners being diagnosed at younger ages. From 2013 to 2017, more than 400 people at one Appalachian clinic were diagnosed with black lung. The disease is caused by exposure to silica dust, which can damage and scar lungs when inhaled. John Robinson started working in the mines at 20 years old, and 27 years later, he received the diagnosis. Producer Teresa Krug travels to Virginia to hear his story.
Roy Wood Jr. is a comedian, an actor and an Alabama-native with a passion for baseball. As his national profile grows, he stays true to his roots by maintaining his commitment to help those in his home state. When it comes to politics, Alabama is on the verge of making state history if it sends a second Black representative to the U.S. Congress. Roy Wood Jr. joins Soledad O’Brien in studio to talk about all of this and the role of comedy in politics.
In the midst of the pandemic, wastewater testing rose to prominence as a way to monitor the spread of COVID-19. At a time when individual testing was hard to come by, wastewater testing provided insights on infection rates across the country. Kaitlyn Hess Jimenez is the Senior Group Lead for Analytical Chemistry at an MIT startup called BioBot. She says this testing method is a “game changer” that could help detect substances like medications, illnesses like RSV and more. She explains how BioBot is using wastewater to help communities.
This week Matter of Fact travels to Viriginia where one school district is working to address a high number of student absences. Plus, a scientist explains how wastewater testing is becoming a useful tool for analyzing community health. And, a biological anthropologist for Match.com explains why Americans are getting tired of swiping on dating apps.
Kids are missing school at a record rate. In the 2021-2022 school year, nearly 15 million students were chronically absent – meaning they missed more than 10 percent of the school year, including excused and unexcused absences. That’s nearly twice what it was before the pandemic. One Viriginia school district is taking a more direct approach to addressing absenteeism. Correspondent Jessica Gomez travels to Richmond, VA to learn why some staff members are going door-to-door to make sure students get into the classroom.
Since April 2023, nearly 17 million people have lost their Medicaid coverage. During the pandemic, access to Medicaid was expanded. Now, states are taking part in a nationwide effort to update their roles and return to pre-pandemic operations, but some people who qualify for Medicaid lost their coverage in the process. Matt Salo is the former executive director of the National Association of Medicaid Directors. He talks with Soledad O’Brien about how states are helping those in need re-enroll.
Arizona is experiencing a population boom. The state is home to three of the fastest growing cities in the country. But, the increase in residents is raising concerns over a sparse water supply. Due to a decades-long megadrought, there isn’t enough groundwater to support continued development of new housing. Correspondent Dan Lieberman travels to Buckeye, Arizona to meet with the mayor and community members who are looking for water solutions.
This week Matter of Fact learns how communities in Arizona are trying to support population growth while dealing with a lack of water supply. Plus, a health care advocate explains how some of the people who recently lost Medicaid coverage can re-enroll. And, a program in Colorado prepares new election officials after a record number of people resigned.
Chinatown in Philadelphia is one of the oldest in the country, and it’s also one of America’s most endangered historic neighborhoods, according to the National Trust for Historic Preservation. That’s because developers want to build a $1.5 billion basketball arena abutting the cultural hub. Residents worry the yearslong construction could impact their livelihoods and drive out local businesses. Correspondent Joie Chen travels to the city to talk to community members who are fighting to preserve their culture.