OTTOS KANSAS COFFEE BAR

Hear Rep. Bill Otto and "the Lineball Sisters" discuss all manner of smalltown life in Kansas in the second hour after these news stories.

Program Summary: 26 Jan. 2015

Counterspin (30 min.)

Description: This week on CounterSpin: After the State of the Union address, one paper's headline was "Obama Pulls No Punches," but another said the speech consisted of "modest proposals," while a third deemed it "A Bold Call to Action Even if No Action Is Likely." What's the public to make of this exercise in political theater and the media's morning-after tea leaf-reading? We'll talk with journalist and activist Keane Bhatt.

Free Speech Radio News (30 min.)

Description: President and Prime Minister of Yemen resign in apparent coup by Houthi rebels; Austerity measures take center stage in Greek elections; Boko Haram claims responsibility for major attack in Nigeria; CIA whistle-blower case goes to jury; Pennsylvania governor’s inauguration draws opponents of fracking; U.S. Supreme Court hears state judicial campaign financing case; #ReclaimMLK actions vindicate King’s legacy of civil rights protests.  Also on the show: A proposed Pennsylvania law aimed at silencing Mumia Abu-Jamal targets our right to hear as much as his right to speak. Why aren't more journalists up in arms? We'll talk to one who is: Daniel Denvir, senior staff writer at Philadelphia City Paper.

Co-hosted during the second hour with Rep. Bill Otto, formerly of the 9th district, in the Kansas legislature listen in to conversations with "Traditional Republicans" who have lived small town life in Kansas across the generations.