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The Best of Our Knowledge explores topics on learning, education, and research.The evolutionary history of turtles has remained something of a mystery. But a new study sheds new light on our shelled neighbors.And for some native birds in Hawaii, resulting to theft is sometimes the easiest way to build a nest.

Renewable energy sources – in particular solar and wind – are growing by leaps and bounds around the world, in great part because the price for them has been plummeting over the years. This has made renewables the lowest-cost source of electricity in many places.

(Airs 06/05/26 @ 10 p.m.) The Legislative Gazette is a weekly program about New York State Government and politics. On this week’s Gazette: With pharmacies around New York closing at high rates, local advocates are trying to pass legislation to revitalize the industry, additional funding in the budget should help avoid major service cuts, but Upstate transit agencies say more funding is needed, and the black-crowned night heron could disappear from New York City in 10 years.

(Airs 06/05/26 @ 3 p.m. & 06/07/26 @ 6 p.m.) The Media Project is an inside look at media coverage of current events with former Times Union Editor, current Upstate American, Substack columnist Rex Smith, Judy Patrick, former Editor of The Daily Gazette and former Vice President for Editorial Development for the New York Press Association, and Barbara Lombardo, Adjunct Professor at the University at Albany and former Editor of The Saratogian. On this week’s Media Project, Rex, Judy, and Barbara talk about Scott Pelley, 60 Minutes and CBS News, the FCC fight the Trump administration is waging, the increase in public officials refusing to talk with journalists, and more.

Ocean energy or marine energy refers to renewable energy obtained from the ocean’s motion (waves, tides, and currents) and thermal properties that are used to generate electricity. It is a largely untapped, consistent, and clean resource that has great potential. But a combination of high development costs and the challenges of operating in such a harsh environment has kept ocean energy as largely a research topic rather than a significant contributor to society’s energy needs. But that is gradually changing.The annual report of the Ocean Energy Systems international collaboration agency highlights many of the ongoing projects in ocean energy.China has tidal power demonstration projects, one of which has continued stable operation for over 8 years. China also has a floating wave power platform producing megawatt-level power.The UK has the world’s largest operational tidal stream project, the MayGen in Pentland Firth, in operation since 2018.The Shetland Tidal Array has been operating for more than nine years.There are additional operating systems in Ireland, Sweden, the Netherlands, Spain, and Italy. Several other countries have systems under development or planned. In North America, Canada has multiple projects under development. The US has test systems in many locations on both coasts but no commercial-scale projects underway.The ultimate potential for ocean energy is enormous. Estimates are that it could power nearly 57% of U.S. electricity needs from just our two coasts. Globally, it could supply double the world’s current demand for electricity.

Ann Patchett's new novel, Whistler, begins with a chance meeting at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Daphne Fuller unexpectedly encounters Eddie Triplett, the former stepfather who vanished from her life decades earlier.Their reunion reopens memories of a childhood tragedy and a relationship that quietly transformed them both. The latest novel is 'Whistler' which explores grief, coincidence, and the lingering pull of the past.

A company developing solar geoengineering – blocking radiation from the sun to cool the planet – recently revealed its recipe for the particles that would be released into the atmosphere. Stardust Solutions, founded in 2023, has received $75 million from investors and has applied for a patent for its technology. It continues to perform laboratory tests of its materials and methods.

(Airs 05/07/26 @ 3 p.m.) WAMC’s David Guistina in conversation with John Kaeney, Executive Director of Reinvent Albany, about Governor Hochul’s power in negotiating a state budget, Hochul’s support for redistricting, the push to get lobbyists to reporter their positions on bills, and more.

Kathryn Stockett became a literary phenomenon with her debut novel ‘The Help,’ a book that spent more than two years on the bestseller list and was adapted into an Academy Award–winning film. Now, nearly two decades later, she returns with ‘The Calamity Club,’ a sweeping historical novel set in 1933 Mississippi.

Beavers are large semiaquatic rodents best known for building dams, but new research suggests they may also help in the fight against climate change.