What’s on MPR News? – 12/6/17

Wednesday December 6, 2017

(Posting will be light here today as it’s my annual Xmas shopping trip day)

9 a.m. – MPR News with Kerri Miller
Home ownership has long been considered a part of the American Dream. In the 20th century, the mortgage interest deduction has incentivized that piece of the dream. But as part of the Republican tax overhaul, the MID is on the chopping block.

Guest: Tax law scholar Daniel Hemel.

9:30 a.m. – Omar El Akkad on his book “American War” (Rebroadcast)

10 a.m.- 1A with Joshua Johnson
Overcoming dyslexia. Dyslexia is one of the most common learning disabilities, affecting up to 17 percent of the population who have difficulty reading, writing and spelling. Recognizing dyslexia in students who are just learning to read, can be difficult, but once the disorder is identified, it can be addressed through special education — and the earlier, the better. A recent investigation by American Public Media reveals that “across the country, public schools are denying children proper treatment and often failing to identify them with dyslexia in the first place.”

Guests: Gayle Long, mother of a student with dyslexia; Kristin Long, student with dyslexia; Emily Hanford, senior education correspondent for APM Reports, the documentary and investigative journalism group at American Public Media; Kimberly Richey, acting assistant secretary for special education and rehabilitative services, Department of Education; Dr. Sally Shaywitz, The Audrey G. Ratner Professor in Learning Development at Yale University; co-founder and co-director of the Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity; author of “Overcoming Dyslexia.”

11 a.m. – MPR News with Tom Weber

11:20 a.m. – According to a report from National Public Radio, funding for the federal health insurance program, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), is very close to being gone.

Guest: Minnesota’s Department of Health and Human Services commissioner Emily Piper.

11:40 a.m.- The Supreme Court this week said the Trump administration’s travel ban – now in its third incarnation – can immediately be enforced. The justices allowed it to take effect even as lower courts continue to hear challenges to the law. The ban affects eight countries, six of them home primarily to Muslims.

Guest: John Keller, executive director, Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota.

12 p.m. – MPR News Presents
Economist Louis Johnston and APM economics correspondent Chris Farrell analyze the condition of the economy at year’s end, and look to the future. An annual event hosted by former MPR host Gary Eichten at St. John’s University. (Recorded on Monday)

1 p.m. – The Takeaway
Families and business owners in Houston have to get their lives back on track and there are widespread labor shortages in the construction industry. Day laborers become a key group of second responders. Day laborers respond to opportunities for work, but wage theft and safety lapses show it comes at a cost.

2 p.m. – BBC NewsHour
The view from Jerusalem with reports that President Trump plans to recognise it as the capital of Israel.

3 p.m. – All Things Considered
The quest to free Benjamin Spencer. Thirty years ago Benjamine Spencer was sent to jail for killing a man – a crime he says, he did not commit. Ten years ago, a judge decided Spencer deserved a new trial. Spencer became hopeful, he can finally go home. But his legal team needed new evidence, they did not have.

7 p.m. – The World
What Walmart, The Gap and JC Penny do and don’t do to protect garment workers making your clothes in Bangladesh.

8 p.m. – Fresh Air
Actor James Franco stars in the new film, The Disaster Artist, about the making of the film considered the “best worst film ever made.” His other films include playing Allen Ginsberg in Howl, and as a mountain climber in 127 Hours. He also played Harvey Milk’s longtime companion in the film Milk. He got his big break on the short-lived, but critically acclaimed, TV show Freaks and Geeks.