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Arizona Teacher Says Lack Of Mask Mandate Leaves Teachers And Students On Edge

Diane Lundahl, a Spanish teacher in Arizona, describes what the first few weeks of school have been like under a "mask optional" policy.

Taking a Ride with Elevator Man

Annie Cheney reports from New York on a legendary elevator operator, who's outfitted his place of work with plants, mood lighting and a sound system. His goal? To encourage passengers to start up a conversation.

The science on masking in schools

While many states have already lifted their statewide mask mandates, many mandates remain in place. But the science is mixed about masks effectiveness in schools — especially for kids.

A man wears a mask made from dried banana leaf in the eastern Congolese city of Bukavu. The unusual choice of material is likely meant as a protest against the government requirement of mask-wearing in public, with a stiff fine for violators.

PHOTOS: The Masks Of Congo Are Worn To Protect, To Protest — And To Strike A Pose

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, citizens are required by law to wear a mask in public. But the face coverings can have many meanings and materials — including banana leaves.

U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona visits a summer program at a Los Angeles school in mid-July.

Students Need To Be In Classrooms, With Masks, This Fall, Education Secretary Says

Students learn best in classrooms, U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona tells NPR — but "we have to make sure that we're following mitigation strategies."

Drew Warshaw, left, and Raj Goyle, right, are challenging State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, center, in a Democratic primary.

Capitol Conversations: Bureau reporters break down the latest

New York Public News Network reporters Jimmy Vielkind and Samuel King talk about the latest developments at the State Capitol in Albany.

'Accidental Racist': The Controversy And The Conversation

"Accidental Racist," the new collaboration between country singer Brad Paisley and rapper LL Cool J, has set off a firestorm. Paisley sings about the dilemma of balancing Southern pride without projecting a racist attitude. The artists have called the widely-panned tune a conversation-starter.

As omicron spreads, public health advocates urge states to reinstate mask mandates

A new statewide mask mandate in California went into effect Wednesday, bringing the total number of states with mask mandates to 10. That has some public health advocates worried as omicron spreads.

SPAC in Conversation featuring Julie Scelfo on 10/22

Saratoga Performing Arts Center’s popular fundraising event, “SPAC in Conversation,” returns on Wednesday, October 22 in the historic Hall of Springs, featuring award-winning journalist, former New York Times staff writer and media ecologist Julie Scelfo. Founder and Executive Director of Mothers Against Media Addiction (MAMA), Scelfo will lead an inspiring discussion on “fighting back against runaway tech to protect our kids’ childhoods.”

WAMC On the Road: Communities in Conversation, 'Does Music Matter?'

On March 22, WAMC On the Road presented a special conversation at historic Caffè Lena in Saratoga Springs, New York. A panel of experts attempted to answer the question “Does music matter?” (spoiler: Yes, it does.) by exploring topics surrounding music as a path to healing, empathy and health.Lead by WAMC’s Southern Adirondack Bureau Chief Aaron Shellow-Lavine, the participants were Caffè Lena Executive Director Sarah Craig, Associate Professor in the Psychology Department and Neuroscience Program at Skidmore College Dr. Dominique Vuvan, and folk-musician and educator Dan Berggren.

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