The Story

An African American student’s struggle to succeed at the University of Texas. Also in this show: high-wire walker Nik Wallenda on his planned walk across the Grand Canyon; and two little girls explain the “worst haircut ever.”

As the U.S. Supreme Court considers the Voting Rights Act of 1965, host Dick Gordon speaks with an activist and a resident who were at the center of the civil rights fight in Holmes County, Miss.

Guest host Phoebe Judge speaks with Michael Patrick McDonald, who is covering the Whitey Bulger trial. He grew up in South Boston, where Bulger is a legend. Also in this show: Haley Morris-Cafiero, an overweight photographer, has been taking photos of people who mock her body; and Kristen Ulmer, who became one of the best skiers in the world by taking jumps without fear.

Ailyn Perez and Stephen Costello are husband-and-wife opera singers. They talk with Dick about the peculiarity of their relationship, which includes competing to see who can hold the longest notes, and trying to get cast in the same productions so that they can spend time together. Also in this show, wildlife photographer Tim Laman tells Dick about his journey to photograph every species of the Birds of Paradise. It took him 8 years and 18 expeditions to do it, and there are still a few he was not able to capture. The feathers and colors are hard to believe.

Jennifer Thompson was a college student when she was raped. During the attack Jennifer tried to memorize what the man looked like so she could identify him later. Jennifer identified Ronald Cotton. Cotton served 11 years before he was exonerated. Also, Lamonte Armstrong was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his elderly next door neighbor. He was exonerated last summer and is still trying to negotiate life in a world he was removed from for years.