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Multiple Sclerosis affects more than 400-thousand Americans. It can arise suddenly and often with debilitating effect. In 1991, Author Jackie Waldman found her entire life changed when she was diagnosed with M.S. In her book entitled "The Courage to Give", she gathered stories of people from around the county who, like her, confronted tragedy and found new ways to heal. In a recent conversation with WUOT's Ann Lloyd, Waldman says she learned everything she could about M.S., but it didn't prepare her for living with the disease. 
A month after Hurricane Katrina tore through the Gulf Coast, more than a million people are still displaced from that storm, attempting to make a life far from home. WUOT's Matt Shafer Powell recently spoke with two people who now live in East Tennessee, but whose hearts, and piano, are still in New Orleans.
Lately, politicians, environmentalists and scientists have been asking if the recent spate of intense hurricanes to hit the Atlantic is proof that global warming is real. WUOT's Ann Lloyd recently spoke with University of Tennessee Assistant Professor Jake Weltzin from the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. He says hurricanes may not be much of an indicator. He says the proof is elsewhere.
From James Joyce's "Ulysses", to Salman Rushdie's "The Satanic Verses", certain books have caused uproars of indignity. Over the years, many were forbidden to be sold or read in this country. This is Banned Books Week, a celebration of authors and ideas. The American Civil Liberties Union sponsors readings from some of the most notable banned books at venues across the U.S. WUOT's Ann Lloyd recently spoke with ACLU Tennessee President Hedy Weinberg. She says this is the fifth year that the Tennessee Chapters are participating.
Vertamae Grosvenor plays a lot of different roles--- poet, actress, writer, and a cultural correspondent for NPR. But her greatest accomplishments may come as a "culinary anthropologist". Through her cookbooks and writings, she's been able to find the common bonds that tie culture, food and people together from all corners of the world. WUOT's Chrissy Keuper recently sat down with Vertamae to talk about cooking, culture and life.
The University of Tennessee is commissioning a new permanent outdoor sculpture. More than 200 artists from around the world submitted portfolios for the job. Each week, the four finalists will present their concepts for the sculpture at public lectures on campus. UT Assistant Sculpture Professor Jason Brown heads the selection committee. He says nearly two years ago a UT alumnus offered to underwrite a $250,000 new work. WUOT's Ann Lloyd reports.
The remains of a Knoxville soldier killed in battle will be laid to rest during a military funeral tomorrow at New Gray Cemetery in Knoxville. But this soldier wasn't killed in Iraq. He was Marine Corporal Gerald E. King and he was killed in Vietnam more than thirty-seven years ago. WUOT's Matt Shafer Powell has this story.