JULY 3, 2024

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• TELEVISION PBS' annual "A Capitol Fourth" concert; the MPB Original, "1964: The Fight for a Right"

• RECIPE  Barbecuers: Should You Let the Meat Rest?

• LEARNING  Educators Can Now Register for "A Day of da Vinci"

• NEWS  "Mississippi Edition" Interviews Civil Rights Icon David Dennis, Sr.

• RADIO   Special Fourth of July Programming; Marshall Ramsey Talks to the Grayson Family

• FOUNDATIONEnjoy On Demand Viewing with MPB Passport

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Mississippi Views

MPB wishes Mississippians a safe and fun-filled celebration of America's birthday! Our partners at Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks shared some photos to start the festivities. Share your celebrations with us in an email to photos@mpbonline.org.

PBS Presents the 44th Annual 'A Capitol Fourth'

The longest-running live national July Fourth TV tradition returns this year from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. Iconic host Alfonso Ribeiro returns to "A Capitol Fourth" with performers from every genre of entertainment: Smokey Robinson, Darren Criss, Jack Everly, the National Symphony Orchestra, and more. America's 248th birthday party will end with a spectacular fireworks show over the nation’s capital. Watch July 4 at 7:00 p.m., stream here, or use the MPB Public Media App.

MPB Commemorates 60th Anniversary of the 'Summer of Freedom'

By the mid twentieth century, Mississippi’s African Americans had suffered from nearly 75 years of Jim Crow discrimination. To break open the closed society, hundreds of young white volunteers from around the nation converged for a 10-week voter registration campaign in Mississippi in the summer of 1964. MPB partnered with the Mississippi Humanities Council (MHC) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) for the MPB Original, "1964: The Fight for a Right." Watch July 7 at 10 p.m. via broadcast, stream live here, or use the MPB Public Media App.

Should You Let Meat Rest?

Many grillers consider the need to wait before serving red meat a myth. However, there’s a reason professional chefs recommend that you wait between cooking meat and serving. Sheril Kirshenbaum of "Serving Up Science" reveals the science behind this important step that should not be overlooked if you hope to serve the juiciest steaks, chops, and roasts.

Courtesy of PBS Food

Learning to Let Art Inspire and Inform

In conjunction with the new PBS documentary by Ken Burns, Sarah Burns, and David McMahon coming this fall, "Leonardo da Vinci," MPB Learning has developed "A Day of da Vinci." This statewide learning initiative for educators offers lesson plans to promote K-12 interdisciplinary STEAM instruction - principles exhibited in the work of one of the greatest minds in history, Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci. Three events are scheduled throughout the state for convenience:

• July 23 at MPB Learning on Ridgewood Road in Jackson

• August 14 at Mississippi School of the Arts in Brookhaven

• September 5 at Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science in Columbus

Participants who complete the requirements can receive three Continuing Education Units (CEUs) that count towards state licensure. Click below for details and registration.

'Mississippi Edition' Interviews Civil Rights Icon

Host Desare Frazier and Producer Kobee Vance recently released a two-part interview with Civil Rights leader David Dennis, Sr. The icon helped organize the events of Freedom Summer in Mississippi in 1964. In the 60th anniversary of this historic event, Mr. Dennis describes how he got involved in a pivotal moment in the fight for equal rights. "Mississippi Edition" airs weedays at 8:30 a.m., and click to listen to the podcasts.

Special Programming Celebrating America

Think Radio announces this year's July Fourth holiday shows to highlight America's 248th Birthday:

• At 9 a.m., "Broad Stripes, Bright Stars and White Lies: America's First Flag" shares the truth behind the myth of Betsy Ross according to research from the Smithsonian Institute.

• At 10 a.m., host Paul Ingles celebrates the holiday with a curated mix of music with "America," "American," or "USA" in every title in "A Music Mix for America." 

• At 11 a.m., "America the Beautiful" (from With Good Reason) looks at expressions of American patriotism from the flip side of history.

Listen live via broadcast, online here, or using the MPB Public Media App.

'Now You're Talking' Interviews Local Father/Daughter Emmy Winners

Host Marshall Ramsey welcomes long-time local personality Walt Grayson and his daughter, puppeteer and performer Keri Grayson Horn, on July 8. The two will discuss their very different but equally Emmy-winning careers in Mississippi media on "Now You're Talking with Marshall Ramsey" on MPB Think Radio July 8 at 10 a.m. Listen live via broadcast, online, or on the MPB Public Media App.