Stories - AZPM

Rosa Parks is most famous for her peaceful protest on a Montgomery, Alabama bus on December 1st, 1955. This staged photo was taken later.

"Who Framed Rosa Parks?" - Brenna Wynn Greer on the history of Black imagemakers.

Also on Arizona Spotlight: Geraldine Brooks reflects on her novel "Year of Wonders"; and a tale of love and loss written by a 6th grade student.

Jelani Cobb: "Whose Vote Counts?"

Also on Arizona Spotlight: Chris Dashiell recommends standout shorts from the "What's Up Docs?" online film festival; and the uncertain future of the Chiricahua Leopard Frog.

Oak Flat, east of Superior, Arizona. A company proposes to build one of the world's largest underground copper mines at this location.

Lauren Redniss on "Oak Flat: A Fight for Sacred Land in the American West".

Also on Arizona Spotlight: The hidden history of Tucson's Barnum Hill; living with dementia during the pandemic; and a short story read by Aurelie Sheehan.

Composed of images taken by the Galileo spacecraft in 1995 and 1998, this reprocessed image of the icy Jovian moon Europa shows cracks, ridges, “microchaos,” and more. We now believe that Europa, like several other moons in the solar system, is an ocean world. Due to heat caused by Jupiter’s gravitational push-and-pull, there is liquid salt water beneath the ice, water that may contain life.

"Beyond Earth's Edge: The Poetry of Spaceflight".

Also on Arizona Spotlight: "DUSTWUN", a film about life, death and trust on the U.S. / Mexico Border.

Author Marilyn Heins, as depicted in by artists Dave Fitzsimmons in her book "A Traveler's Guide to Geriatrica".

"A Traveler’s Guide to Geriatrica: A Journey into the Changing Land of Aging”

Also on Arizona Spotlight: Why Tucson's "Dancing Man" does what he does; Chris Dashiell looks at three standout selections from the virtual Tucson Cine Mexico Film Festival; and the unlikely return of the drive-in theatre.

A voter turns in his ballot at a polling site set up at Tucson's Temple Emanu-El on the day of Arizona's primary election, Aug. 4, 2020.

Overcoming Post-Election Partisan Hostility

Also on Arizona Spotlight: The VOTE Program uses conversation to defuse political conflict, and a pair of personal reflections on Election 2020 from Adiba Nelson and Fenton Johnson.

The TusCon Science Fiction Convention was begun in Tucson in 1974, long before the internet made communication between fans of fantastic fiction possible.

The TusCon Science Fiction & Fantasy Convention goes virtual.

Also on Arizona Spotlight: "Stories That Soar!" brings a 2nd grade writer's story to life; and author Benjamin Lorr talks about his book "The Secret Life of Groceries: The Dark Miracle of the American Supermarket".

Alicia, Ember and Anya were all recognized for their creativity and skill in a middle school division of the poetry contest, co-sponsored by the University of Arizona Poetry Center, The Pima County Public Library and Arizona Public Media. The theme was "What do you want the world to know about how you feel?".

"My voice pouring from me with all the soul a rainstorm has..." Teen poets are ready to change the world.

Also on Arizona Spotlight: Susan Miner on creating "Peace Inside, Beauty Outside"; and some happy chaos from The Scamp Radio (1/2) Hour.

Robert Taylor as novelist Craig Johnson's hero Sheriff Walt Longmire in the television series "Longmire".

Author Craig Johnson talks about Sheriff Walt Longmire's "Next to Last Stand".

Also on Arizona Spotlight: Real talk about living with autism, from some folks in our community who have first-hand experience.

Vivienne, Stella and Liam were all recognized for their creativity and skill in a K-5 division poetry contest, co-sponsored by the University of Arizona Poetry Center, The Pima County Public Library and Arizona Public Media. The theme was "What do you want the world to know about how you feel?".

Young Tucson poets share their feelings about life in the year 2020.

Also on Arizona Spotlight: The lifelong connection between a UA educator and the American Western; and part 4 of Youth Crossing Gender Borders: “Riding the Ambiguity Train”.

Christopher Johnson as Armand and Carley Elizabeth Preston as Désirée in "Désirée's Baby", based on the short story by Kate Chopin.

Rogue Radio presents Kate Chopin's “Désirée's Baby”

Also on Arizona Spotlight: "I DREAM IN WIDESCREEN" 2020 has NOT been cancelled; and a look back at Tucson's drive-in history from Chris Dashiell.

In 1856, William Henry Perkin, an 18-year old chemistry student at the time, was trying to synthesize malaria drug, when accidentally developed a purple dye. This dye is believed to be one of the first steps of chemistry taking over the world.

What living in a world made from chemicals means for "The Sensitives".

Also on Arizona Spotlight: Jes Baker on making self-love a part of the pandemic; and a Summer 2020 insect update from "The King of Sting", Justin O. Schmidt.

Steve Roach in his adopted home, the desert.

Composer Steve Roach believes "The music is the medicine".

Also on Arizona Spotlight: How the podcast "Epilogue" tells the story of one woman's suicide, and the family she left behind; plus a very short story about love adrift at sea by Aurelie Sheehan.

A Black Lives Matter mural painted by Robbie Lee Harris June 2020 at Tucson's Rialto Theatre.

You may know how you feel about a social issue, but have you asked yourself why?

Also on Arizona Spotlight: A Tucson nurse on being a coronavirus survivor; the stage lights are back on at Invisible Theatre; and a look back at the cinematic paradox of "La Jetée".

Life casts can be a powerful tool for self-exploration, says Paul Weir, a key organizer of Tucson's annual All Souls Procession.

Behind the Mask

Also on Arizona Spotlight: A plea on behalf of sacred lands threatened by border wall construction; and a sincere thank you to comic book legend Dennis J. O'Neil.

In his book "At the Center of All Beauty: Solitude and the Creative Life", Fenton Johnson uncovers what role did solitude play in the lives of famous writers, thinkers and artists.

"At the Center of All Beauty": Author Fenton Johnson on the connection between solitude and creativity

Also on Arizona Spotlight: How a DNA test revealed a sensitive family secret; and essays from two young women about the changes the COVID-19 pandemic has brought to their lives.

More Books Stories