While driving down an East Texas country road I spotted this scene. The autumn trees and the late afternoon sun made these golden bales of hay shine just a little bit more. Fortunately I had my camera with me. (c) James Q. Eddy Jr.

The Four States NPR News Source 2025 Kansas Association of Broadcasters Award Winner 2nd Place for Website in a Medium Market

Donate

Play Live Radio

Next Up:

0:00

0:00 0:00

Available On Air Stations

Stream and Listen To KRPS's Weekday Morning & Afternoon Newscasts In The NPR App

Journalist Geoff Bennett discusses his book on Black artists who shaped American comedy

NPR | By Scott Simon,

Eric McDaniel

Published March 21, 2026 at 6:43 AM CDT

NPR's Scott Simon talks with journalist Geoff Bennett about his new book, "Black Out Loud: The Revolutionary History of Black Comedy from Vaudeville to '90s Sitcoms."

Scott Simon

Scott Simon is one of America's most admired writers and broadcasters. He is the host of Weekend Edition Saturday and is one of the hosts of NPR's morning news podcast Up First. He has reported from all fifty states, five continents, and ten wars, from El Salvador to Sarajevo to Afghanistan and Iraq. His books have chronicled character and characters, in war and peace, sports and art, tragedy and comedy.

Eric McDaniel

Eric McDaniel edits the NPR Politics Podcast. He joined the program ahead of its 2019 relaunch as a daily podcast.