Teenage drivers could help solve a trucking shortage

👻 Plus, a gathering of ghoulishly good podcasts.

View this email online Oct. 30, 2022 Scott’s Weekly Weigh-in Photographer/Source A good weekend to you. I have Part 2 of a few suggested classic films about America’s rambunctious politics, in time for midterms. All films are dated in their portrait of America. But all also have something vital to say.  Primary Colors, 1998. Mike Nichols, based on Joe Klein’s novel. John Travolta as the Clintonesque charmer, Emma Thompson as the brilliant, long-afflicted spouse, and Larry Hagman’s cameo as a governor with secrets. As Travolta’s character insists after another deception, “This is the price you pay to lead.” Election, 1999. Alexander Payne’s film, from Tom Perotta’s novel. with Reese Witherspoon as the ambitious student politician and Matthew Broderick as the teacher who takes it too personally. Great line from a student-assembly speech: “Who cares about this stupid election? We all know it doesn't matter!” Advise and Consent, 1962. Otto Preminger's film, based on Allen Drury’s 1959 bestseller. Henry Fonda as the nominee with a secret, Charles Laughton as a Sam Ervin-like adversary, and Don Murray a Utah senator with another kind of secret. First major Hollywood film with a sympathetic gay character. Betty White’s film debut, as a Kansas senator. Among memorable lines: A politician tells his son it’s all right to lie to a reporter: “It’s a Washington, D.C., kind of lie.” The Best Man, 1964. From Gore Vidal’s 1960 play. We rarely have contested political conventions anymore, but Lee Tracy’s portrayal of a Trumanesque ex-president still hits home. “It’s par for the course to fool the people,” he tells a young pol. “But it’s downright foolish to try to fool yourself.” Also, this week’s essay has a suggestion for how to entice candidates back into debates, and this week's show features an interview with a man who’s been in the streets of Tehran, protesting for liberty, and another with director Cameron Crowe on turning his beloved film Almost Famous into a musical. Scott Simon Scott Simon is one of NPR's most renowned news anchors. He is the host of Weekend Edition Saturday and one of the hosts of the morning news podcast Up First. Be sure to listen to him every Saturday on your local NPR station, and follow him on Twitter. Newsletter continues after sponsor message Stories you may have missed Amanda Berg for NPR The driver of the big rig one lane over from you might soon be a teenager. The trucking industry projects it will need to hire more than 1 million drivers over the next decade. One solution: Bring in younger drivers, starting in high school. As drought sends water levels in the Mississippi to record lows, a wedge of saltwater is creeping upriver from its mouth in the Gulf of Mexico, threatening drinking water supplies in New Orleans. The Army Corps of Engineers built an underwater levee to stop the intrusion, but with climate change and rising sea levels, Louisianans fear future saltwater incursions. One of the country's oldest nonprofit theater companies had to hire a private security detail after its artistic director began receiving death threats. She shared her story — and an outpouring of local and national support followed. William Shatner was excited to go to space last year. He didn't realize he'd be overwhelmed with sadness and go through "the strongest feelings of grief" that he'd ever experienced. Philosophers call it the overview effect. The best of Halloween podcasts GBH Welcome to NPR’s emporium of Halloween Delights! We’ve collected some ghoulishly good podcasts to help make your night of fright extra spook-tacular. You’ll find these picks and more at the bottom of your NPR One Podcasts tab. South Carolina Public Radio’s South of Spooky is a lighthearted exploration of local legends and unexplained hauntings across the state. Historians, authors and paranormal experts explain how these stories reflect our society's values, ways of life, and personal histories. 🦇 Listen to The Gray Man of Pawleys Island on NPR One. With the next season dropping soon, there’s never been a better time to revisit New Hampshire Public Radio’s true-crime thriller Bear Brook. Season 1 follows the decades-long mystery that led to an enigmatic serial killer — a cold case that changed how murders are investigated forever. 🗡️ Listen to Hide and Seek on NPR One. Halloween has religious origins that span more 2,000 years. Over time, the Catholic Church, pagan groups and even the brewing company Coors have played a role in shape-shifting the holiday. From a spiritual celebration to a multi-billion dollar industry, Throughline presents the many evolutions of Halloween. 💀 Listen to The Dance of the Dead on NPR One. Bullseye with Jesse Thorne is celebrating the season with its annual Halloween Spectacular! Listen to a conversation with R.L. Stine, creator of Goosebumps. Also, hear about the craziest day in the storied career of drag queen Monét X Change (Ru Paul's Drag Race, Hulu's Huluween Dragstravaganza) and an interview with Ana Fabrega of the TV series Los Espookys. 🧟 Listen to The Bullseye Halloween Spectacular on NPR One. Looking for kid-friendly frights? Start with GBH’s The Creeping Hour, a horror anthology series hosted by three friends who listened to too many scary stories and turned into monsters themselves. The whole family can huddle together for these terrifying tales, shivering with fright and shaking with laughter. 👻 Listen to Meet the Creeps on NPR One. Listen to your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to hear live radio from WUFT 89.1 (edit station). Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can sign up here. Looking for more great content? Check out all of our newsletter offerings — including Daily News, Politics, Health and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Best of NPR emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 Unsubscribe  |  Privacy Policy