The Retro Cocktail Hour Halloween Spook-tacular

This year's Halloween special is a hip-shakin', finger-snappin' monster mash.

We'll hear classic albums like Alfred Hitchcock's "Music To Be Murdered By," "Poe for Moderns," and "Shock: Music for Hi-Fi." The show's chockful of goodies from TV and movies with memorable music from "The Addams Family," "The Ghost and Mr. Chicken," and "The Bat." Plus, there's insane, spook-ified rock'n'roll by "Screamin' Jay Hawkins," "Nervous Norvous," and" Frankie Stein and his Ghouls." And we'll feature trailers for cheesy movies like "The Brain That Wouldn't Die," "Caltiki, the Immortal Monster," and "The Alligator People."

It's party music for grave robbers!

Retro Cocktail Hour

Arts & Culture

NPR

Fictional 'Mothers' Reveal Facts Of A Painful Adoption Process

After years trying to conceive, novelist Jennifer Gilmore and her husband decided to adopt. What they thought would be a relatively simple process was instead a long and painful one. In her latest novel, Gilmore channels these autobiographical experiences into fiction.

Food

NPR

In Raw Milk Case, Activists See Food Freedom On Trial

Activists say the case against Wisconsin dairy farmer Vernon Hershberger is about raw milk — and much more. His supporters have turned the case into a rallying cry for personal food freedom and the rights of farmers and consumers to enter into private contracts without government intervention.

Politics

NPR

Losers In Chicago School Closings Target Elected Officials

The Chicago school board on Wednesday voted to close dozens of schools, despite community protests that the closings disproportionately affect minority students. The Chicago Teachers Union and community activists plan to show their disapproval by campaigning against elected officials who disagreed with them.

Technology

NPR

How That 'Nigerian Email Scam' Got Started

You've probably seen it in your inbox before: Someone who claims to have come into a fortune needs your help. You can share in the profits — if you send along a deposit or your bank account number. Boston Globe correspondent Finn Brunton talks about the history of the "Nigerian prince" or "419" scam, which actually got its start long before email.