Here & Now

Here & Now. It is a nationally syndicated news magazine program distributed by NPR and produced in partnership with its founding station, WBUR-FM in Boston. The show provides live coverage and analysis of breaking news, alongside in-depth interviews and features on a wide array of topics including politics, science, culture, and global affairs. Its format is designed to offer timely, substantive conversation that reflects the day's most pressing events and ideas, serving as an afternoon complement to NPR's flagship morning program, Morning Edition.

Overview

Launched from the studios of WBUR-FM, a major public radio station licensed to Boston University, the program has grown from a regional broadcast to a cornerstone of National Public Radio's daily schedule. It is carried by hundreds of member stations across the United States, reaching a significant national audience. The program's editorial mission centers on delivering agile, intelligent journalism that connects immediate news developments with broader context, often featuring voices from The White House, Congress, and influential institutions like the Brookings Institution and the Council on Foreign Relations. Its production involves close coordination with other major public media entities, including American Public Media and the BBC World Service.

History

The program originated in the late 1990s as a regional news show on WBUR-FM before being adopted for national distribution by NPR in 2013, significantly expanding its reach and resources. This transition marked a strategic effort by NPR to bolster its daytime news offerings and provide a fresh alternative to other long-form talk programs. Key to its national launch was the involvement of veteran journalists from prominent outlets like The New York Times, CNN, and The Washington Post. Over the years, it has covered landmark events such as presidential elections, the COVID-19 pandemic, and major Supreme Court rulings, including those pertaining to the Affordable Care Act and Roe v. Wade.

Format and content

The program typically airs live for two hours each weekday, structured around segments that blend breaking news updates with prepared reports and extended conversations. Its content is diverse, regularly featuring interviews with authors shortlisted for the Pulitzer Prize, scientists from MIT or NASA, analysts from the Pentagon, and correspondents from international posts in cities like London, Beijing, and Jerusalem. Segments might explore the economic policies of the Federal Reserve, artistic movements emerging from Broadway, technological breakthroughs from Silicon Valley, or humanitarian crises reported by agencies like the United Nations and the Red Cross.

Reception and impact

The program has been generally well-received within public media circles, praised for its pacing and depth, and has been recognized with several awards, including honors from the Radio Television Digital News Association and the Gracie Awards. It has carved a distinct identity within the NPR lineup, often noted for its ability to delve deeper into afternoon news stories than shorter newscasts. Its interviews and investigations have occasionally influenced wider media discourse, with segments being cited or followed up by major print and digital outlets such as The Atlantic and Politico. The show's success is reflected in consistent listener support during fundraising drives for local stations from KUOW in Seattle to WNYC in New York City.

Notable contributors

The program has been hosted and shaped by a roster of esteemed journalists. Robin Young, an Emmy Award-winning former correspondent for ABC News and CBS News, served as a founding co-host. Jeremy Hobson, previously of Marketplace, also co-hosted for many years. Other significant voices have included Tonya Mosley, a veteran of Al Jazeera America and CNN, and Scott Tong, a correspondent with extensive experience covering China and global economics. The program regularly features contributions from a network of NPR correspondents like Mara Liasson and Ayesha Rascoe, as well as commentators such as Cokie Roberts and analysts from the Heritage Foundation and the American Civil Liberties Union.

Category:American radio news programs Category:NPR programs Category:WBUR-FM