Congress Considers Cuts to Oklahoma’s Abstinence-Only Programs Friday, May 2, 2008 Consider this: twenty new babies are being born to Oklahoma teens every single day. The state ranks in the top ten in the country for highest number of teenage births. On top of teenage births, 6500 Oklahoma kids between ages 13 and 16 are living with a sexually transmitted disease. Democrats in Congress say the way to reduce such statistics is to spend more money on sex education that teaches kids about condoms and STDs. They’re calling for cuts to abstinence-only programs that exist in many schools in Oklahoma and other states. But the Bush Administration and some lawmakers think that would be a mistake. Sara Sciammacco reports from Washington. Guests include Oklahoma Congressman Tom Cole; Stan Weed, a Utah-based consultant who studies abstinence programs; Dr. Margaret Blythe of the American Academy of Pediatrics; AIDS Alliance for Children, Youth and Families Policy Associate Max Siegel and Stillwater school nurse Mary Ellen Holley.MP3

A Conversation With “This American Life” Host Ira Glass Tuesday, April 29, 2008 TIME Magazine calls him the “best radio show host in America” and Salon.com labeled his program “the medium’s coolest commodity.” In fact, Ira Glass, creator of “This American Life” has been credited with attracting a whole new generation of public radio listeners. His show airs Saturdays at noon here on KGOU, and combines a trademark blend of thematically-grouped stories from everyday people with short pieces of fiction, essays and music. This Thursday, for one night only, it’s coming to movie theaters across the country, including Tinseltown USA in Oklahoma City. Glass joins us to discuss his television program on Showtime, his newfound celebrity and the philosophy behind his radio show. Get tickets to the screening Thursday night at 7pm in OKC View clips and outtakes from the “This American Life” TV show Listen to Ira Glass discuss where he thinks “This American Life” will go in the next ten years: MP3 Listen to our entire interview with Ira Glass: MP3

Polar Palooza Brings Focus on Climate Change to Oklahoma Tuesday, April 22, 2008 Polar Palooza brings scientific insights and discoveries to life from the coldest reaches of the planet through high definition video images, artifacts, and the stories of people who live and work there. The Norman show at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History is one of more than two dozen across the nation during the International Polar Year that ends in March of next year. The program features the people who know the poles best – ice researchers, geologists, oceanographers, climate scientists, biologists and Arctic residents. The SNOMNH is the only institution in the region that will be hosting this special event. See videos and other images from the polar regions. MP3

Helping Oklahoma’s Female Vets Tuesday, April 15, 2008 The number of female veterans using VA facilities is expected to double in the coming years to its highest level ever. In preparation for this increase, the VA must equip itself to treat the unique mental and physical issues women veterans face, including Military Sexual Trauma, pregnancy, and the stress of returning from the battlefield to the role of family caregiver. So Senators Patty Murray of Washington and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska are introducing a bill that would focus more resources on female veterans’ needs. If Congress approves the measure, Oklahoma’s female veterans could see more personalized treatment at VA clinics and hospitals throughout the state. Jodi Breisler reports from Capitol Hill. In addition to Murray and Murkowski, guests include Sen. Tom Coburn, Democratic Congressman Dan Boren (D-Muskogee), Congresswoman Mary Fallin (R-Oklahoma City) and Ted Mickle of the Oklahoma City VA Center.MP3

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* KGOU Oklahoma In-Depth reports are featured within NPR's Morning Edition and All Things Considered, typically around 6:35AM, 8:35AM, 4:44PM and 6:44PM. Occasionally, pieces are also featured on Day to Day and Weekend Edition.

In addition, the News Department broadcasts local headlines, traffic and weather updates several times an hour on weekday mornings (6-9AM), from noon until 1PM, and afternoons (4-7PM), and produces Oklahoma Voices, a weekly, in-depth public affairs program.