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As an avid world traveler and galivanter, Valarie never lost sight of which way was home. A Native to Western Kansas, she has been pursuing a life long career in the many forms of expressive arts including radio, photography, videography, graphics and design. Graduating from Western State College with a bachelors in Art, Valarie once again returns to percolate her love for High Plains Public Radio. Involved with HPPR since 2006, an inquiry about a drive way moment landed her a position as local host of Weekend Edition. Having worn many hats at HPPR, from Director of Development to regional program producer, Valarie is perhaps most known as the host of Songbirds, a one-hour folk show that concluded in 2025. However, she often leans in to cover the mic on High Plains Morning, sits in during HPPR Radio Readers Book Club events, and she's a regular during HPPR Membership Drives. Valarie now keeps quite busy as an in-demand mental health counselor, so stay tuned for more wonderful developments with this High Plains hero.

Michael Schaub is a writer, book critic and regular contributor to NPR Books. His work has appeared in The Washington Post, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Portland Mercury and The Austin Chronicle, among other publications. He lives in Austin, Texas.

David Gilkey and NPR's Afghan interpreter and fellow journalist Zabihullah Tamanna were killed June 5, 2016, near Marjah, in southern Afghanistan.

Longtime listeners recognize Jacki Lyden's voice from her frequent work as a substitute host on NPR. As a journalist who has been with NPR since 1979, Lyden regards herself first and foremost as a storyteller and looks for the distinctive human voice in a huge range of national and international stories.

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