The Political Junkie

Brad Paisley doesn't possess the most distinctive voice in country music, and his guitar solos exude a lot of arena-friendly rock 'n' roll flashiness. But he's become a huge country star on the basis of just this combination of aw-shucks ordinariness and ostentatious skill.

The Dallas Mavericks beat the Miami Heat 86-83 to take game four of the NBA finals Tuesday night. The teams are now tied at two games each in the best-of-seven series. Florida Congresswoman Frederica Wilson and Texas Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson have waged on the NBA finals between their home state teams. Host Michel Martin speaks with Wilson and Johnson about their wager.

Host Michel Martin has a "Wisdom Watch" conversation with Connie Chung, whose award-winning broadcast news career began in 1969. Chung is the first Asian and the second woman to become a nightly news anchor at a major network. She talks about rising in a field where women and minorities were discriminated against. She also reflects on her mistakes, controversial interviews, and desire to make something of the "Chung" family name.

Host Michel Martin and Judy Bradford of the Center for Population Research in LGBT Health discuss the report's findings and the LGBT community's most prevalent health issues. Demographer Gary Gates also joins the conversation. He is debunking famous sex researcher Alfred Kinsey's claim that 10% of males in the U.S. are gay. He talks about this percentage, the real number of America's LGBT people, and challenges to gathering accurate data.

The 200 members of Patriotic Millionaires for Fiscal Strength are advocating higher taxes on the wealthy. Group member Dennis Mehiel says this is part of balancing the country's fiscal policy. Host Michel Martin speaks with Mehiel to learn more about this concept. Martin also checks in with Washington D.C. restaurant owner Andy Shallal for his views on taxing the business elite.

With topics ranging from parental involvement to school testing to teacher accountability, Jessamine County School superintendent Lu Young met with the Fayette County community Tuesday. The 51-year-old is a finalist to replace Stu Silberman, who is retiring from FCPS. At last night's public forum, Young recognized that moving from Jessamine County to a larger district would be a challenge.

You're a high school sophomore.

A guy.

And that's your dad in the Little Mermaid costume waving to you as the school bus pulls away.

And it's dad dressed as a pirate, a Star Wars storm trooper or the Wicked Witch from The Wizard of Oz.

For 170 straight school days. A different costume each day.

Dozens of Syrian tanks were rumbling toward a northern border town Wednesday, witnesses said, as residents abandoned their homes in fear of a brutal strike by government troops after dozens of security forces died there earlier this week.

A human rights worker in Syria confirmed that large convoys of tanks and elite troops were closing in on the area around Jisr al-Shughour and that an attack seemed imminent.

It looks like Bahrain will not be hosting a Formula One Grand Prix in October, as was announced last week.

The BBC reports that: