The Story

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.

Jason Puracal was working in Nicaragua when he was wrongfully convicted of drug trafficking, money laundering, and organized crime.  He was sentenced to 22 years in one of the worst prisons in the country.  His sister Janis led the charge for his release. Also, a forensic DNA expert who has devoted himself to using new DNA technology to free the innocent.