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We should have said something on Wednesday, and we apologize, but this is something we call vacation, of a sort.

The Mediavore is on hiatus from Canada Day through US Independence Day. We’re providing basic morning and afternoon listings, but other than that, we’re kicking back.

We hope you can, too. See you Monday!

Recommended: On Point appears to be live for at least one hour, if not both, today, so it gets the first recommendation; Rehm recycles two interviews, each of which was popular with listeners; Fresh Air brings back John Mellencamp; and there’s live science on SciFri, too.

Diane Rehm: Annette Gordon Brown: The Hemingses of Monticello Hour 2: Andrea Wulf: The Brother Gardeners

On Point: Weekly news roundtable. Hour 2: The folk band “Crooked Still” plays in the studio.

Fresh Air: John Mellencamp in the studio, playing his songs.

Talk of the Nation Science Friday: Fourth of July experiments and black holes. Hour 2: Underwater explorer Robert Ballard and the drowning delta.

Tell Me More: Stories from those who have lost and regained their freedom.

The Story: Joanne Spencer is a dancer. She just realized that her own career has been inspired by Michael Jackson. She joins Dick to tell her story.

To the Point: Can Hollywood be part of a “soft power” diplomacy that restores America’s image?

Unemployment hits a new 26-year high of 9.5%; US military forces launch a major offensive in the Taliban controlled province of Helmand, in the south of Afghanistan; and it’s all in the family at Wimbledon as sisters Venus and Serena Williams advance to the finals again.  Other top stories on today’s PM programs include:

Marketplace: Americans are getting larger (see yesterday’s reports on adult obesity), and airplanes are getting more and more crammed.  But it isn’t so much the size of our waists as the size of the seats.  Airplane designers are trying to fit as many of us on planes as possible, by squeezing us into smaller seats.  The science and economics of airplane design.

All Things Considered: Politico.com broke a story this morning that has the media wold abuzz.  The Washington Post’s publisher and CEO had to cancel a “salon” at her house after Politico reported on a flier that reportedly offered lobbyists access to important elected officials and Post reporters–for a fee.  NPR’s Peter Overby reports on the fallout.

The World: President Obama will visit Russia next week.  In anticipation of the event, Russian president Dmitry Medvedev put out a video blog message in which he says it is time for Russia and the US to cooperate more in the fight against world problems.  Laura Lynch reports.

Recommended: On Point welcomes David Kessler, who has appeared on some other shows already, but makes a compelling argument about how the food industry manipulates our desire for food; Fresh Air talks to Christopher Dickey about lessons from Iran.

Diane Rehm: Possible new FDA restrictions on some popular pain killers. Hour 2: The history of Ellis Island.

On Point: Former FDA chief David Kessler takes on the food industry. Hour 2: Author Rick Bass on Montana wilderness.

Fresh Air: Christopher Dickey, Newsweek’s Middle East Regional Editor, who writes that dictators around the world are watching Iran for lessons learned.

Talk of the Nation: Community violence. Hour 2: Prescriptions for pain management.

Tell Me More: France’s president calls the traditional covering for Muslim women oppressive. Hear what Muslim women have to say about it.

The Story: Dick Gordon speaks with two teachers – a husband and a wife – both were laid off in the budget crisis in their town. Just when they thought all was lost, one was rehired.

To the Point: Questions about interrogation and torture.

The exiled Honduran president says he won’t return to his country until Saturday, the day of an internationally imposed deadline for the current leaders in Honduras to reinstate him; Wal-Mart lines up with President Obama’s health care plans; and a new report on obesity shows adults in 23 states are fatter than they were a year ago. Other top stories on today’s PM programs include:

Marketplace: Forget for a moment the question of when the economic recovery will start.  Macroeconomists are fighting over what shape that recovery will take–will we have a W-shaped recovery?  A V?  A squiggly line bearing a rough resemblance to Abe Vigoda’s profile?  Robert Reich chimes in.

All Things Considered: Barbara Bradley Hagerty looks at how the political fight around gay marriage is dividing some African American churches.  She speaks with two pastors on opposite sides of the issue.

The World: Today was the deadline for a new rule in China that would have required every new computer sold in the country to have internet filtering software installed.  But the government is backing down at the last minute.  Mary Kay Magistad reports.

Recommended: Rehm looks at the long expected Franken win in Minnesota; Fresh Air talks to Dan Balz and also considers “The Fellowship”; and the Political Junkie on TOTN.

Diane Rehm: The shortage of primary care physicians. Hour 2: Al Franken’s Senate win.

On Point: Climate change bill. Hour 2: The case for kindness.

Fresh Air: Washington Post reporter Dan Balz talks about the Republican party in the wake of Governor Mark Sanford and Senator John Ensign’s extramarital affairs.

Talk of the Nation: NPR’s political junkie. Hour 2: “Generation Next” and the recession.

Tell Me More: The anniversary of Stonewall and the future of gay rights.

The Story: Dick Gordon speaks with astrophysicist John Grunsfeld. John was a part of the crew that repaired the Hubble Space Telescope.

To the Point: Are California’s problems making things worse for the rest of the country?

US troops have left Iraqi cities after six years.  The Iraqi government declared a national holiday to mark the occasion.  And a deadly bombing in Krikuk served as a reminder that city streets remain unstable.  The afternoon programs lead with reports on the significance of today for Iraqis people, the government there, and the US military.  Other top stories on today’s PM programs include:

Marketplace: Jeff Tyler reports on states on the brink.  The legislatures in Arizona, Indiana, and Mississippi, for example, could be shut down if they don’t balance their budgets by the time the fiscal year ends at midnight tonight.

All Things Considered: The Minnesota Supreme Court declared Al Franken (D) the winner of the race for US Senate over incumbent Norm Coleman (R).  Minnesota Public Radio’s Tom Weber discusses the decision, and the nearly 8 months of disputes.

The World: There has been little reason to expect a peace deal between Israel and Syria in recent years, but now some experts think it is possible.  David Miller reports.

Listen live at 11am ET/8am PT

New York Times reporter Edmund Andrews got a lot of attention several weeks ago when he published an account of his own experience with foreclosure. Then there was more discussion after a takedown in The Atlantic revealed other facts that Andrews failed to mention.

We expect a few questions about that today, but we’re also looking forward to hearing Andrews give an account of his own slide into foreclosure, and the industry that was more than happy to continue to lend him money.

Andrews is Kerri Miller’s guest on MPR’s Midmorning.

Listen live or on-demand.

Or maybe it was NPR’s A-list moment.

Kathy Griffin visited Morning Edition today, mainly to promote her show on Bravo, but also to cause some trouble.

It’s a golden seven minutes. David Greene, who is sitting in for Steve Inskeep, manages to keep up quite nicely. OK, he’s not quite Anderson Cooper-ish, but he’s quick on his feet and it’s a snappy exchange, something we expect Inskeep wouldn’t be able to handle as well.

If you missed it… Listen.

Listen live at 10:38am local time

Moby will be Jian Ghomeshi’s guest on Q today on CBC Radio One and we now know the interview is in the second half hour at 10:38 local time.

Moby’s new album, Wait for Me, officially releases today. Here’s how Bob Boilen describes it on NPR Music:

The disc feels like something I’m witnessing as a listener; like something that’s unfolding. Most records are made with listeners in mind, but Wait for Me makes me feel more like a voyeur peering into Moby’s emotions.

You can listen to Ghomeshi’s interview with Moby, and if you want to “hear before you buy” as they say, drop by NPR Music for a first listen to the new album.

To hear Q, pick your local time zone equivalent on the CBC streaming map, or listen earlier or later, as you please, to other time zone feeds.

Recommended: Both Rehm and On Point will look back at the Supreme Court’s term; Fresh Air will do the same, with Liptak.

Diane Rehm: Supreme Court review. Hour 2: Young adults with bipolar disorder.

On Point: Supreme Court and the New Haven firefighters. Hour 2: Gospel singer Naomi Shelton.

Fresh Air: A look back on the Supreme Court’s decisions this term, and a look ahead to what faces Sonia Sotomayor, with Adam Liptak of The New York Times.

Talk of the Nation: Iranian-Americans watch events in Iran.

Tell Me More: A mother of sextuplets talks about how raising “multiples” affects families.

The Story: The recent protests in Iran have some parallels to 1989 when East Germans demanded change. Dick Gordon speaks with one man about what led him and tens of thousands of others to risk their lives in public protest.

To the Point: The White House asked gay and lesbian leaders to an event celebrating the Stonewall riots 40 years later. Not all feel like toasting Barack Obama.

Bernie Madoff is sentenced to a century-and-a-half in prison for defrauding thousands of investors out of billions of dollars; Justice David Souter officially retires from the US Supreme Court; and protesters take to the streets in Honduras after the military exiled the country’s president in a coup. Other top stories on today’s PM programs include:

Marketplace: This Fourth of July is going to be a lot quieter and less colorful in communities across the country, as many municipalities have decided they can’t afford Independence Day celebrations this year.  Curt Nickisch has the story.

All Things Considered: The Supreme Court ruled today that the city of New Haven Connecticut violated the civil rights of white firefighters when it dumped the results of an exam that would have predominantly promoted white members of the department.  Today’s decision reverses that of three judges on the US Court of Appeals in New York, one of whom was Supreme Court candidate Sonia Sotomayor.

The World: As Colombia’s president, Alvaro Uribe, meets with President Obama in Washington, trade unionists back in Columbia are dealing with constant threats of violence.  John Otis reports that Uribe needs to show that he has a plan to reduce anti-union violence in order to get a free-trade pact with the US.

There’s the story of the Von Trapp family that we all know and love from The Sound of Music. Then there’s the real story of the Von Trapps, which is somewhat different, but still inspiring.

As most of us know, Baron Von Tapp, Maria, and the children escaped the Nazi advance through Europe, eventually making a new life in Vermont. They built a beautiful lodge in Stowe, which attracts thousands of visitors every year.

Earlier this month, surviving members of the Von Trapp family returned to the lodge. They were joined by a few members of the movie cast, too, including Duane Chase, who played Kurt in the film. The occasion: the dedication of an apple tree in the small family cemetery next to the lodge.

Vermont Public Radio’s Charlotte Albright reports. Listen

photo: Todd Mundt

Check out this video from Minnesota Public Radio’s Nikki Tundel. She visited foreclosed homes with the “trash out” companies hired to clean them up for sale. Her report is interesting, but the video is captivating, and rather eerie.

Watch

Charlie Rose’s hour with GE CEO Jeffrey Immelt is fast-paced and substantive, with an in-depth conversation about the state of the global economy from the perspective of the CEO of a global company.

Immelt is one of a group of business leaders advising the Obama administration, and he offers his views on President Obama’s style, as well as the effectiveness of the stimulus, and the need for health care reform.

We also get a look inside GE and how Immelt runs the company.

Recommended: The Iraq discussions on Rehm and On Point; The topic on Fresh Air is intriguing; So is the conversation about genes on The Story.

Diane Rehm: Iraq withdrawal. Hour 2: A fictional portrait of life in New York City in the summer of 1974.

On Point: Troop pullout in Iraq. Hour 2: Karl Greenfeld on “Boy Alone.”

Fresh Air: The life of the foreign correspondent. We’ll hear from doctor Anthony Feinstein. As a psychiatrist, he helps war correspondents overcome post-traumatic stress. And reporter Chris Cramer tells how his experience as a hostage evolved into an effort to protect and train journalists in hostile conditions.

Talk of the Nation: Something interesting, we hope.

Tell Me More: Men who had heart attacks while in their 40s, and younger.

The Story: Did you know that genes can be patented? Dick Gordon speaks with a woman who has filed a federal lawsuit over the issue. The company that holds the gene patent related to a breast cancer marker is also the only one that can run the test for the gene – making it impossible to get a second opinion.

To the Point: This year’s last big decision by the US Supreme Court involves black and white firefighters in New Haven, Connecticut. Affirmative Action could be on the line.

Wall to wall coverage of Michael Jackson’s death and the public’s reaction dominates the airwaves today, and public radio has been no exception.  The PM programs continue the coverage.  ATC leads with news of the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the King of Pop’s cause of death, and The World lives up to its name by getting reactions from fans in China, India, and other spots around the globe.  Meanwhile, Marketplace’s Stephen Beard reports from London, where Jackson was to kick off a comeback tour next month.  Other top stopries on today’s PM programs include:

Marketplace: Contracts for drilling in Iraqi oil fields are scheduled to go up for auction soon, but the country’s parliament has yet to set regulatory rules.  And as Jeff Tyler reports, this has many concerned that corruption and bureaucracy will block any potential economic gains for the Iraqi people.

All Things Considered: Leaders from the Group of 8 (G8) nations met in Trieste, Italy today.  Afghanistan was supposed to dominate the agenda, but instead the focus is on Iran.  Sylvia Poggioli has the story.

The World: Science correspondent David Kohn reports on the problem of “soft food.”  Apparently, the growth of the soft food diet may be the lead culprit on our losing battle with obesity.