The Point

Solar power installations in Massachusetts have increased 80-fold in just six years, outstripping state officials' goals and surprising many.

If you've ever thought solar power was only for the tropics or desserts, think again. In May of this year, Governor Deval Patrick announced that solar installations in Massachusetts - photovoltaic, the electricity-generating panels, not solar hot water - had already reached the goal his administration set for 2017. He then proceeded to raise the goal to 1,600 MW installed by 2020.

A conversation about shifts in the role of faith, church and religion in our lives. On The Point, Mindy Todd sits down with several religious and spiritual leaders to discuss the evolution of faith, and questions such as: what are people looking for from their spirituality and their church? How have our perceptions of the afterlife changed? How do we balance our religious beliefs with our political views? 

As any dog owner will attest, having a dog brings great joy, but also requires work. Training, exercise and preventative health care are commitments you make for the life of the animal.  On The Point, Mindy Todd explores canine genetics, habits, food, play, and more, veterinarian Larry Venezia, and dog handler Melissa Berryman. And we hear from many listeners about their dog’s health and habits.

Audio of The Point is posted above.

3D printers have been around for at least three decades, but a convergence of computing power, design software, and market forces are pushing the technology to the fore.

The Transom Story Workshops train people from around the globe in the craft of radio. We  hear examples of the stories the students have found, with Mindy Todd and  guests on The Point: Jay Allison, Radio Producer and founder of Transom.org, Rob Rosenthal, Transom Story Workshop's Lead Instructor,  and Sarah Reynolds Associate Instructor.

The holidays are here, and our experts have selected books on everything from food to crafts to coping with family stress. Jill Erickson, Reference Librarian at Falmouth Public Library, and Melanie Lauwers, Books Editor at the Cape Cod Times, talk about Holiday Books with Mindy Todd on The Point.

For the first time in 125 years, Thanksgiving and the first day of Hanukkah fall on the same day. Gwenn Friss, Food and Friday Lifestyle Editor at the Cape Cod Times, and Elspeth Hay, producer of our Local Food Report, join Mindy Todd on The Point to talk holiday foods, ideas for infusing Thanksgiving with some traditional Jewish flavors and ideas to incorporate more locally grown or raised foods into preparations.

This week on the Friday News Roundup: After a self-imposed moratorium, the utility NStar resumes spraying herbicides to kill plants beneath its power lines, despite local opposition. People are paying close attention to the casino prospects of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), after a tribal election there.  And the Audubon Society puts aside a proposal to install a wind turbine in Wellfleet.

WCAI Senior Reporter and Editor Sean Corcoran discusses these stories and more with some of the region's top journalists. 

November 22nd marks the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. There are a number of books looking back on his life and his presidency.  Among them is the first collection of his letters, edited by historian and author Martin Sandler. He talks with Mindy Todd on The Point about the project.