Ian Pickus

The New York Racing Association has placed its top executive on unpaid administrative leave pending a state investigation into $8.5 million in winnings that weren't paid out to bettors on horse races.  WAMC’s Ian Pickus reports…

The state Racing and Wagering Board's interim report on the unpaid winnings was released Monday and was highly critical of NYRA's top management.

Occupy Albany is back, this time with a specific platform to change New York government and politics.  WAMC’s Ian Pickus reports…

The group credited in part with pushing Governor Andrew Cuomo to accept a higher tax on millionaires plans opening ceremonies from noon to midnight Tuesday across from the Capitol, coinciding with international May Day protests.

The park is within shouting distance of the Democratic governor dubbed "Governor 1 Percent" because of some of his policies and because his biggest campaign contributors are top corporate executives.

WAMC's Ian Pickus speaks with journalist Blaine Harden about the thrilling life of Shin Dong-hyuk, the only person born in a North Korean concentration camp to escape to tell his story. Harden is the author of Escape from Camp 14:  One Man's Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West.

Last week's challenge
Think of an 11-letter adjective beginning with U that describes a person who isn't getting all that he or she needs. Drop the first R from this word, and you'll get another adjective that describes something given to a person who shouldn't be getting it. What are these adjectives?
Answer: The adjectives are UNDERSERVED and UNDESERVED.

WAMC's Ian Pickus and resident quizzer Mike Nothnagel mark a special anniversary with a show about Boston.

Last week's challenge
Think of two words that are each used to mark the first space on a game board. Add an E, then rearrange the letters to spell the eight-letter name of a popular board game. What are the words, and what is the game?
Answer: The words are START and GO, and if you follow the directions, you can spell STRATEGO.

WAMC's Ian Pickus speaks with rock journalist Stephen Davis, who co-authored Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Levon Helm's memoir This Wheel's On Fire. Helm, a member of The Band and a respected solo artist, died this week, succumbing to cancer at 71.

WAMC's Ian Pickus speaks with former Melody Maker journalist Brixton Key, who went on to manage Chris Isaak and survive two brain aneurysms before penning his debut novel, Charlie Six.

We welcome Harvey Araton and speak with him about his book, Driving Mr. Yogi: Yogi Berra, Ron Guidry, and Baseball's Greatest Gift.

WAMC's Ian Pickus and resident quizzer Mike Nothnagel roll the dice and pass go en route to a show about board games.

Last week's challenge
Start with the phrase SEDER PLATE. Rearrange these ten letters to spell two things you can do to a bicycle. What are they?
Answer: You can PEDAL and STEER a bicycle.

WAMC's Ian Pickus speaks with maritime historian Daniel Allen Butler, a Titanic expert whose seminal recounting of the doomed voyage, Unsinkable: The Full Story of the RMS Titanic, is now out in a new edition.

Music: Salut d'Amour - Ian Whitcomb conducting The White Star Orchestra on the album, Titanic: Music As Heard On The Fateful Voyage