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This Dec. 3, 2019, photo shows Adam Black having his photo taken with Santa Claus in Napakiak, Alaska.
AP Photo/Mark Thiessen

The 21st Show

Dealing with safety and a shortage of Santas

This year, demand to see Santa in-person has increased by 120%, but the Santa workforce is down 15%. We talked to the founder of Hire Santa about how the world of Santa performers is navigating a shortage, despite the high demand, while keeping performers and kids safe from COVID-19.

The 21st Show

Jay Caspian Kang on Asian American History and Identity

Today we explored the question of what it means to be Asian American. Specifically, whether it makes sense to have a single marker of identity for that broad group of people hailing from a huge portion of the Earth’s landmass and how they fit into a nation that has a longstanding binary along the poles of Black and white. We talked about it Jay Caspian Kang, who explores the topic in his new book, “The Loneliest Americans."

Matthew Ehrlich, professor emeritus of journalism at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and his new book

The 21st Show

“Dangerous Ideas on Campus”: the evolution of academic freedom

The early 1960s were a time of transition in American—especially in higher education—when universities were preparing for the tidal wave of Baby Boomers that would be flooding onto campus and also reckoning with growing calls for more freedom on campus, especially among young women. We spoke with the author of a book on the subject.

The 21st Show

Is the future of American democracy in peril?

In December 2021, there was written evidence from former White House lawyers and the former chief of staff to then-President Donald J. Trump about attempting to use the military to overturn the results of the election and keep Trump in power. The 21st was joined by a political scientist and professor to tackle the question of why the U.S. has been characterized as a "backsliding democracy" and if it can be saved.

A heavily damaged Amazon fulfillment center is seen Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021, in Edwardsville, Ill. A large section of the roof of the building was ripped off and walls collapsed when strong storms moved through area Friday night.
AP Photo/Jeff Roberson

The 21st Show

Deadly tornadoes sweep across the Midwest

The National Weather Service confirms four tornadoes in Illinois on Friday night. One storm in the Metro East area struck an Amazon warehouse, killing at least six people. To talk about the effects of these storms and increasingly severe weather, we were joined by a reporter from the Metro East and a climatologist.