WAMU 88.5FM American University Radio

The "Have Nots" of Health Care

The national debate over health care reform has implications for everyone in this country. Reporter Sabri Ben-Achour, who ranks himself among the uninsured, has been talking to people in the Washington area about what health care reform means to them...

Health Care Embarrassment

Senior Commentator Fred Fiske says he's amazed that more people aren't embarrassed about the state of health care in the U.S. today. Especially those spreading misinformation...

The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinions of WAMU 88-Five or American University. What do you think? Go to The Conversation and click on "Commentary Forum."

Health Care Reform: Where It's At

Jennifer Tolbert is the Principal Policy Analyst tracking health care reform for the Kaiser Family Foundation. She joins us to lay out the landscape of reform legislation...

Exploring Obsession

This is a story about love. It's a story about obsession. It's also a story about collectibles, museums and pop culture. From the National Museum of American History to the Corcoran Gallery of Art there's no shortage of institutions that set out to do their part to preserve pop culture. But some get more obsessed than others. Today, Andrew Hiller explores three hardcore collections in the region. He begins at a museum located in Baltimore's Camden Yards...

The Alexandria Kleztet

In music there are solos, duos, trios and beyond. But when you get into "kleztet" territory, it's likely you'll bump into Seth Kibel. He's the founder and clarinetist of the group The Alexandria Kleztet. They've got a new CD, "Peace, Love and Coffee" and they're performing at the Kennedy Center next Wednesday night. Seth joins us in the studio, clarinet in hand...

Colleen Fay's Best Bets

The arts season never ends in the Washington region. To help us pick out a few faves, our Arts Editor Colleen Fay shares her own Best Bets list...

The Musical Influence of Mali

Mali is not one of Africa's most populous nations, but its musical influence is sizable. It's produced such internationally known musicians as Salif Keita and Amadou and Mariam. There's even a noted Malian performer, Cheick Hamala Diabate living in the Washington area. According to critic Mark Jenkins, Diabate's new album incorporates both Malian music and other styles.

Cheick Hamala Diabate's new album is called, "Ake Doni Doni" - or "Take It Slow." Critic Mark Jenkins reviews music for Blurt and the Washington Post - and reviews film for npr.org and reeldc.com.