This week Matter of Fact explores the efforts to encourage a new generation of rural farmers. Plus, we meet a member of the EPA’s new youth council focused on improving the environment. And, members of one of the largest Protestant denominations divide over LGBTQ policies.
In 2024, many high school students will have the option to enroll in a new Advanced Placement course – African American Studies. The College Board says over 300 scholars were consulted over three years to develop this highly-anticipated and much-debated course. But, what exactly does the curriculum include? Soledad O’Brien speaks with Dr. Brandi Waters, the senior program manager at the College Board, about the effort behind creating the course and the range of material that it’s expected to cover.
Gerrymandering has become a major concern for Americans, especially in states like Ohio. In a recently released report card, watchdog group Common Cause gave Ohio and six other states an F for using redistricting practices that negatively impact minorities. Correspondent Diane Roberts travels to Ohio to meet with people who are concerned about who’s drawing the state’s dividing lines.
This week Matter of Fact travels to Ohio where advocates say unfairly drawn district lines are weakening some people’s votes. Plus, a representative for the College Board describes the forthcoming AP African American Studies course. And, a staffing shortage makes it difficult for aging Americans to find at-home care.
This week Matter of Fact catches up with a family that became a lot bigger when they made a surprising discovery about their ancestry. Plus, an award-winning chef “decolonizes food” with a menu inspired by his indigenous roots. And, a 14-year-old scientist receives a top honor for creating a soap to treat skin cancer.
Jack Johnson made a name for himself as the first Black heavyweight champion of the world. In the ring, he dominated the competition, but his success was often met with malice due to the racial tensions in a segregated America. Now, a poet wants to paint a full picture of the boxer’s life with a new graphic novel. Correspondent Alexis Clark travels to Chicago to meet the man behind “Last on His Feet.”
In 2024, more than one in five election workers will be serving in a presidential election for the first time. That’s equivalent to up to two election workers leaving office every day since the last president election in 2020, according to the Brennan Center for Justice. The staggering turnover has more states focusing on training and retaining workers for the 4-year election cycle. Correspondent Dan Lieberman travels to Pennsylvania to find out what needs to change to keep people on the job.
This week Matter of Fact travels to Pennsylvania to see how the state is dealing with high turnover of election officials and preparing new workers for the 2024 presidential election. Plus, a poet remembers the complicated legacy of heavyweight boxing champion Jack Johnson. And, a small town newspaper looks for a new owner.
Torosaurus, Ceratosaurus, Mymoorapelta — these dinosaurs haven’t roamed the Earth in over 65 million years. But thanks to paleontologists and designers like Robert Gaston, we can get a better understanding of what these creatures once looked like through life-sized replicas. Producer Tara Cleary travels to an area known as Dinosaur Diamond to learn how Gaston got into this prehistoric craft.
The cost of college is on the rise. According to the Education Data Initiative, the average price for tuition and fees at public four-year institutions in the U.S. increased by almost 180% in the last 20 years. Because of this, many college students are choosing alternative options. Correspondent Laura Chavez travels to Kokomo, Indiana to meet some high schoolers who are getting a jumpstart in the workforce instead.