Hearsay With Cathy Lewis

Tune in for a broadcast of a panel discussion hosted by the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership at The University of Virginia and Christopher Newport University's Center for Public Policy. The discussion took place May 26th. Legislators taking part in the dialogue include: Sen. Tommy Norment, Sen. Frank Wagner, Del. Kenny Alexander and Del. Lynwood Lewis.

The Atlantic Hurricane Season starts today and runs through November 30th. And while Hampton Roads does not typically see an increase in storm activity until late August, there is always the conversation to be had about preparedness. Federal forecasters released their predictions for this season and say they expect and above average season with three to six major hurricanes. The forecast follows one of the busiest seasons on record last year that saw intense levels of storms, but no direct hit on the U.S. coastline. On the Wednesday edition of HearSay, the dean of weather forecasters, WAVY News 10's chief meteorologist Don Slater joins us along with Virginia's Coordinator of Emergency Management, Michael Cline to talk about what might lie ahead for us this season and how you can be prepared.

Is there a national surge when it comes to lying on the stand? Scandal after scandal in the past decade, we've seen headlines about many high-profile cases that have struck a damaging blow to our judicial system. Why do people lie under oath? On Thursday's HearSay, we'll talk with the author of "Tangled Webs - How False Statements are Undermining America: From Martha Stewart to Bernie Madoff." James Stewart talks about the consequences surrounding the "perjury epidemic" that's "undercutting the very foundation of our courts: reyling on witnesses to tell the truth." Stewart is a Pulitzer-Prize-winning reporter and also author of "Blind Eye," "Den of Thieves" and other non-fiction works.

The flea and tick season is literally heating up. HearSay's favorite veterinarian Dr. Phyllis Neumann joins host Cathy Lewis to tackle your troubling pet problems.

For the first in its 23 year history, the LGBT group Hampton Roads Pride will hold its annual "Out in the Park" festival at Norfolk's Town Point Park. The larger venue is not only expected to draw more people in the area, but more attention from others outside the local gay and lesbian community. On Thursday's HearSay, we'll talk about the evolution, the current state, and the ideas about the future of the LGBT community in Hampton Roads.

From the garden to the table - it's farmers market season in the region. Soon, area markets will be bursting with all kinds of vegetables and fresh foods. What will you find out Hampton Roads' markets? What are the latest trends? Is business expected to boom this year? We'll talk about the region's offerings with our favorite foodie, Patrick Evans-Hylton and Five Points Community Farm Market general manager, Bev Sell.

Despite the recent high-profile breakups of prominent political couples, American marriages are showing strong numbers these days. Our divorce rates are leveling off and new census statistics show that our marriages are lasting longer. On Tuesday's HearSay, we'll examine these new, and some would say surprising, trends in American marriages. We'll also talk about the struggles facing long-term marriages today and why some fail, while others survive.

On Monday's HearSay, we scour the headlines to talk about what everyone's talking about! Join the conversation and send in your comments by e-mail in advance to hearsay@whrv.org, post them on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/hearsaywithcathylewis, or send us a Tweet at www.twitter.com/HearSayWHRV. You can also call in live with your questions during the broadcast at 757-440-2665 or 1-800-940-2240.

How's your Spring vegetable growing? Gardening Guru Jim Orband joins us to tackle your questions about all things garden-related. Also in the hour, we'll talk with Amy Stewart, author of the new book "Wicked Bugs: The Louse that Conquered Napoleon's Army and other Diabolical Insects."

Last week's historic flooding in Memphis and the Mississippi and Ohio rivers has residents in Hampton Roads asking how prepared are we for floods here in our area? On Wednesday's program, host Cathy Lewis talks with Emergency Management officials and a local environmentalist about what plans are in place and how they can be improved. We'll also take a look at new trend in flood management called "natural river defenses," which allows rivers to reclaim developed land before nature demands it back.

On Tuesday's HearSay, we scour the headlines to talk about what everyone's talking about! Join the conversation and send in your comments by e-mail in advance to hearsay@whrv.org, post them on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/hearsaywithcathylewis, or send us a Tweet at www.twitter.com/HearSayWHRV. You can also call in live with your questions during the broadcast at 757-440-2665 or 1-800-940-2240.

What happens after the inevitable happens? Funeral planning isn't something many of us engage in until the last moment, but with an average cost between $6,000 to $15,000, a little up-front management could help ease the experience. On Monday's HearSay, two funeral experts join host Cathy Lewis to talk about how to go out in style - and share some of their more interesting memories about "death care."

Tonight, the TV series "Smallville" will end its 10-year run. The series chronicled how the boy Clark Kent became the ultimate "Man of Steel," Superman. This summer's film lineup is packed with superhero flicks from, "Thor" to "The Green Lantern" and there's a new Superman film in the works for next year. The popularity of Superman and other comic heroes begs the question, why do superheroes exist in the first place? On Friday's HearSay, we'll talk about the evolution of superheroes and how they reflect and emulate everyday people in our lives.

Five years ago, an overweleming majority of Virginians called for a ban on gay marriage in the Virginia constitutition. This week, a Washington Post poll,shows Virginians have had a dramatic shift in their opinion about gay marriage. 47% now say gay and lesbian couples should be allowed to legally wed. On Thursday's HearSay we'll delve deeper into those numbers. What factors have caused this shift and what do those changing views mean for gay rights groups?

Old Dominion University is hosting a two-day conference May 12 and 13 on "Getting to Know Europe: Local and Regional Communities and the European Union." The keynote speaker is his Excellency Joao Vale de Almeida, Ambassador of the European Union to the United States. It's part of a comprehensive initiative to build alliances and partnerships between Hampton Roads and Europe with discussions ranging from economic reform, austerity, health care and foreign policy.

Smartphones and computers are more than technology tools - they are rapidly becoming the go-to delivery channel for television programs, movies and even live events. On Tuesday's program, we take a look our changing television viewing habits. We'll look at how the TV entertainment experience is changing as we take our hand-held devices on the road. And we'll look at how television producers and networks are adapting (or not adapting!) to that change.

Sitting in your car at lunch? Tune in Monday on HearSay for some transportation talk. We're taking a look with you at the latest headlines on this hot button issue in Hampton Roads. Dwight Farmer, Executive Director of the Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization and the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission will join us.

With its ever-increasing popularity, running has become the newest, oldest sport around. Millions of people are lacing up their Asics and Nikes, signing up for road races and challenging themselves with longer and longer distances. On Friday's program, guest-host Barbara Hamm-Lee will examine at what is behind this new-found interest in running and talk with running experts about challenges facing both newbies and veterans of the sport. We'll also take a look at some wonderful local races coming up in the Hampton Roads region.

Today, an estimated 5.4 million Americans of all ages are living with Alzheimer's disease. Most people survive an average of four to eight years after an Alzheimer's diagnosis, but many can live as long as 20 years with the disease. This prolonged duration places increasingly intense care demands on caregivers. On Thursday's program, we'll take a look at the challenges facing these caregivers and new resources available to them.

More and more high school students and their families are beginning to question the long-held belief that a college degree is always worth the cost of admission. Faced with today's stagnant economy, a weak job market and every-rising tuition costs, they are asking, 'What is a college degree really worth?' On Wednesday's Hearsay we try to answer that question and take a look at some of the tough choices families are making about their childs' education.