When the world feels heavy, we look for small escapes.

For some, that means tuning out the headlines to binge a new show or watch a must-see film.

MPR News host Angela Davis talks with NPR’s TV and media critic and a Twin Cities entertainment writer about what they’re watching — and the hottest shows and movies right now.

Guests:

• Eric Deggans is the TV critic, media analyst and guest host at National Public Radio. He is also the Knight Professor of Journalism and Media Ethics at Washington and Lee University in Virginia.
• Lily Osler is an entertainment writer based in the Twin Cities. Her writing has been published in the New Yorker, Racket and Reactor. She is also the managing editor of Episodes, a newsletter and pop-culture blog.

President Donald Trump took the national stage Tuesday night for his State of the Union address at a pivotal moment for his presidency and for his party.

MPR News host Angela Davis talks about what the president said — and didn’t say — with a historian, a political scientist and our listeners.

Guests:

• Yohuru Williams is a distinguished university chair, professor of history and founding director of the Racial Justice Initiative at the University of St. Thomas.
• Whitney Court is a professor of political science and chair of political science at the College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University.

Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.

Americans say staying informed is essential to participating in civic life — especially when it comes to voting. But a new Pew Research Center study finds that many people also feel overwhelmed by the news, are distrustful of what they see and are increasingly selective about what they pay attention to.

So what does that mean for local journalism?

MPR News host Angela Davis talks about how newsrooms are trying to adapt to changes in news consumption with the editor of the Minnesota Star Tribune.

Guest:

• Kathleen Hennessey is the editor and senior vice president of the Minnesota Star Tribune. Prior to her current role, she was deputy politics editor for the New York Times. Before that, she led the regional politics team for the Associated Press. She covered the White House during President Barack Obama’s second term for the LA Times and the Associated Press and was the White House editor and deputy bureau chief for the Associated Press during President Donald Trump’s first term.

Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.