Stephen Thompson is a writer, editor and reviewer for NPR Music, where he speaks into any microphone that will have him and appears as a frequent panelist on All Songs Considered. Since 2010, Thompson has been a fixture on the NPR roundtable podcast Pop Culture Happy Hour, which he created and developed with NPR correspondent Linda Holmes. In 2008, he and Bob Boilen created the NPR Music video series Tiny Desk Concerts, in which musicians perform at Boilen's desk. (To be more specific, Thompson had the idea, which took seconds, while Boilen created the series, which took years. Thompson will insist upon equal billing until the day he dies.)
On today's show, we hear about new research from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences that could help explain why the Marshallese community faces higher rates of chronic health conditions. We also learn about the influence of Lucinda Williams' music. Plus, a different kind of Veterans Day celebration in Gentry this weekend.
Canopy Northwest Arkansas director Joanna Krause says the federal government’s new refugee limit — the lowest in U.S. history — could further destabilize local resettlement programs and separate families already waiting to reunite in the region.
After the deaths of Clinton and Kristen Brink at Devil’s Den State Park, outdoor leaders and state officials reflect on safety, awareness and new measures to strengthen security across Arkansas’ park system.