The Point with Mindy Todd

The ocean covers three quarters of the planet and provides half the oxygen in our atmosphere. It's home to an estimated ninety percent of life on Earth.

Despite its vastness, the ocean is also vulnerable to human impacts - plastic pollution, overfishing, and the myriad changes wrought by rising carbon dioxide levels.

On the weekly News Roundup: the first great white shark of the season is spotted off Nauset Beach; the Cape Cod Baseball League season gets under way; and top science stories of the week. Mindy Todd speaks with reporters and editors from around the Cape and Islands. 

Over 100 field recordings from throughout Cape Cod were collected by Berklee College of music professor Steve Wilkes for the "Hear Cape Cod" Project. Later, he mixes the sounds with original music. Mindy Todd talks with Professor Wilkes about the project and listens to some music off his new CD, "Upstream". Later in the hour, author Brian James talks about his book Headstone which is a humorous memoir of his Father.

The story of Nantucket's water system is filled with colorful characters and one man's determination.  On The Point, historian Frances Ruley Karttunen talks about her book "Moses Tapped the Washing Pond - a History of Wannacomet Water Company."  Also joining the conversation is Nantucket Water Commission general managers Bob Gardner.

Why has the character of Superman endured in American culture for over 75 years? The latest Superman movie "Man of Steel" premieres this weekend and Larry Tye, author of "Superman: the High Flying History of America's Most Enduring Hero," talks about his book and the movie on The Point. Tim Miller, entertainment editor at the Cape Cod Times, also joins Mindy Todd with his picks for the summer movie season.

It’s estimated there are 8.7 million species alive on planet Earth today. But scientists have only named and cataloged about fifteen percent of that number and there’s increasing concern about the rate at which species are going extinct.

Eastham agrees to nearly $2 million settlement for well pollution; Cape Cod's young professionals work to reverse the trend of young people leaving the Cape; latest science news; and more. Mindy Todd speaks with reporters and editors from around the Cape and Islands on the weekly News Round-up.

Veterinary surgeon and author Nick Trout has treated countless animals and chronicled his experiences in three works of non fiction.  His latest book The Patron Saint of Lost Dogs is his first work of fiction and combines comedy, drama, and a little romance with a dose of veterinary medicine. Dr. Trout is lead surgeon at the Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston. He joins Mindy Todd to talk about his experiences as a veterinary surgeon.