Here & Now Anytime

Even when it's freezing and covered in snow, Minnesota's Sax Zim Bog attracts birders from around the world. They flock there hoping to spot owls, hawks and rare songbirds that spend most of their time in northern Canada. Many of those birds are feeling the pressure of the warming climate, however, so local scientists and wildlife enthusiasts are working to conserve their habitat, which also happens to be a peatland adept at storing carbon. Here & Now's Chris Bentley reports. Then, volunteer naturalist Rich Hoeg recently installed listening devices across northern Minnesota to record elusive species of birds. Some of his recordings are informing scientific studies of owls, and surprising even lifelong birders.

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The United States does not have a rich diamond mining history. But an exhibit at the Smithsonian proves that some of the world’s most dazzling gems are homegrown. We speak with Gabriela Farfan, curator of gems and minerals at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, about two of their best American gems on display. And, voting by mail became a major political flashpoint during the COVID-19 pandemic, but controversies over voting remotely aren't new. During the Civil War, tens of thousands of soldiers used a simple envelope to cast their ballot from the battlefield. Dan Piazza from the Smithsonian National Postal Museum tells the story of one of those envelopes.

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As the U.S. and Israel hit Iranian targets from the air, some Iranian Kurdish groups are reportedly discussing whether to launch an incursion from Iraq, potentially opening a new front in the conflict. Al-Monitor correspondent Amberin Zaman discusses the conversations happening behind the scenes. Then, retired Adm. Mark Montgomery supports the war but has concerns the Trump administration hasn't planned for what comes next. He tells us why. And, former Iranian news editor and Tehran resident Ali Safari talks about what the mood is in Iran's capital city during U.S. and Israeli bombardment. Last year, Safari told us bombings by the U.S. made some Iranians rally around the government.

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More than 10 years ago, journalists Yeganeh Rezaian and her husband, Jason Rezaian, were wrongfully imprisoned in Iran. She was released after more than two months; he was held for 544 days. Yeganeh Rezaian shares how she views the U.S. war with Iran. 

Former Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson talks about Secretary Kristi Noem testifying before Congress, the Iran war and the partial government shutdown. 

Then, Democrats aim to flip a dozen Republican-held House seats in red districts around the country. The person leading the charge, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairperson Suzan DelBene, explains how they plan to make that happen.

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Reuters correspondent Emily Rose joins us from Jerusalem to explain what the war with Iran could mean for Israeli politics after decades of Prime Minister Netanyahu pushing for intervention in Iran.

Then, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) attended a classified briefing with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. She’s part of a cohort of Democratic lawmakers working to rein in President Trump, and details what an upcoming vote on war powers could mean.

And, the Trump administration has cited regime change, destroying nuclear weapons and preemptive action as justifications for war with Iran. Former Deputy Director of National Intelligence Beth Sanner shares more.

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