WAMU 88.5FM American University Radio

Immigration Reform Protest

Thousands of immigrants from the DC region took part in the massive rally near the U.S. Capitol this week. The protestors wanted to send a message to Congress to back immigrant-friendly policies, including a proposal before the Senate that would let many undocumented immigrants earn citizenship. A number of participants at the rally said that they don't usually get involved in protests and politics. But they felt compelled to speak out.

Organizers of the rally say it marks a turning point for the Washington area's immigrant community. They say immigrants here have finally found their voice. But others say it's too early to gauge the emerging political power. Gabriel Escobar, with the Pew Hispanic Center, spoke with WAMU's Sarah Hughes. He says, because many of the region's immigrants are newcomers, and because many of them are not yet U.S. citizens, it will take extra time for them to gain political strength.

Microbicides - New Hope in the Fight Against HIV/AIDS

The D.C. Appleseed Center for Law and Justice released a report this year that says an estimated one in twenty residents in the District has HIV or AIDS - the highest rate for any urban area in the country. At the same time, on the other side of the Potomac, an Arlington-based non-profit called CONRAD is leading the way in developing a product for women that some believe will one day be as effective as condoms in preventing the spread of sexually transmitted infections including HIV. WAMU's Jack Zahora has the story on the local research being done on "microbicides."

Commentary by Fred Fiske - Creation Problems

WAMU's Senior Commentator Fred Fiske cannot understand the insistence of teaching creationism in the country's schools. To him, the evidence of evolution is obvious.

Swimming in the Potomac

A few weeks ago, we aired a story about people who want to make the Potomac River trash-free within the next several years. And we tiptoed through the mountains of garbage lining the riverbanks. This week: a story about people who want to go swimming there within the next several months. Which begs the question - just how dirty is the river? And how clean does it have to be before we decide it's okay for a swim? As the would-be organizers of a D.C. triathlon try to navigate their way through the reams of red tape leading to the water's edge, WAMU's Sidsel Overgaard looks at whether the Potomac's sullied reputation could be due for a makeover.

Aquatic Therapy for Pets

From humans dreaming of a dip in the Potomac we shift to pets taking therapeutic laps around the pool. Many of us catch the occasional well-deserved rest at an area spa, but it turns out that our animals can ALSO benefit from a day of "hydro therapy." Today we visit the Northern Virginia Animal Swim Center, a facility that lets dogs and horses go off the deep end, for physical fitness and rehabilitation. WAMU's Stephanie Kaye traveled to Middleburg, Virginia where owner Roger Collins was doing laps with the horses...in the pool, NOT on the track.

Peter Fay's Best Bets

Every few weeks arts editor Peter Fay joins us with a preview of the music, theatre and visual arts happenings in the D.C. region. He scans the scene, sees the shows and reports back on the must-see events. And this time, he says there is a LOT of great theatre going on...

Flipping My Lid

There are two types of people in the world...those who rejoice at the sight of blossoms on the trees, and those who scramble for the eye drops. Writer Suz Redfearn is in the second camp.

Suz Redfearn lives in Falls Church. She manages to write for The Washington Post, Slate and Salon...when she's not frantically rubbing her bloodshot eyes.