Weekly Best of Nite Lite for May 2
From Nite Lite with Pete Schwaba and Greg Bach by Pete Schwaba and Greg Bach
May 2, 2026
About this episode
The episode discusses environmental concerns regarding mining near the Boundary Waters and provides insights into modern Iran's culture and politics.
It’s the Weekly Best of Nite Lite with Pete Schwaba and Greg Bach. Pete and Greg start with a conversation that’s pretty close to home, bringing on Chris Knopf from Friends of the Boundary Waters to talk about the fight over mining near the Boundary Waters Wilderness. He lays out what’s at stake—the potential for sulfuric acid pollution in one of the most pristine areas in the country—and why so many people are pushing back. It’s not just environmental groups either; there’s bipartisan support and a growing Midwest coalition focused on protecting clean water. From there, the show shifts halfway across the world. Dartmouth scholar Golnar Nikpour joins to give some real context on modern Iran—going beyond the usual headlines. She talks about the country’s cultural depth, its political structure, and how its prison system has developed over time with global influences. They also get into the harder realities, including the impact of war and the tragic bombing of a girls’ school. Guests: Golnar Nikpour, Chris Knopf
People in this episode
Hosts: Pete Schwaba, Greg Bach
Guests: Chris Knopf, Golnar Nikpour
Topics covered
- environmental issues
- mining
- clean water
- Iran
- cultural context
- political structure
- impact of war
Keywords
- Boundary Waters
- sulfuric acid pollution
- Midwest coalition
- Iran
- cultural depth
- political structure
- war impact
- girls' school bombing
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Friends of the Boundary Waters
Places: Boundary Waters Wilderness, Iran
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