A new documentary called "The River" explores what's underneath the surface of the Colorado River

AZPM | By Mark McLemore

Published October 7, 2026 at 12:25 PM MST

River Reflection Documentary — Picture from documentary "The River" directed by Mara Tasker.

Featured on the October 8th, 2026 edition of ARIZONA SPOTLIGHT with host Mark McLemore:

A new documentary called "The River" explores what's underneath the surface of the Colorado River

medley heard poster unsized — "The Righteous Brothers," Bill Medley and Bucky Heard will be performing in Tucson on Sunday, February 16th at The Fox Tucson Theatre.

Exploring “The River”, a documentary about the water crisis impacting the Colorado River. Abby Holland interviews the film’s director Mara Tasker…

Courtesy Mara Tasker

A headshot of director of "The River" Mara Tasker.

The River Documentary Portrait — "The River" Documentary directed by Mara Tasker, screening now in select theaters.

A musical adaptation of the 1992 Whoopi Goldberg movie “Sister Act” opens at The Berger Performing Arts Center, presented by Saguaro City Musical Theatre. Mark talks with Crystal Stark, a native Tucsonan with a love for the Great American Songbook and a former “American Idol” competitor; and Saguaro City’s managing director Dena DiGiacinto…

Crystal Stark Sister Act — Crystal Stark stars in Saguaro City Music Theatre's rendition of "Sister Act".

Sister Act In Studio — Crystal Stark (left), Dena DiGiacinto (front), Ray Frieders (right)… sit in AZPM studio talking with Mark about "Sister Act" showcasing at Saguaro City Music Theatre.

Dena DiGiacinto Studio — Dena DiGiacinto in AZPM Talk Studio with Mark McLemore.

Find out about the current status and the future of the majestic Arizona Trail, when Tony Paniagua talks with Matthew J. Nelson, the executive director of the Arizona Trail Association….

arizona trail patagonia scan — Arizona Trail sign following one of the passages in Patagonia, AZ.

And Mark talks with 86-year-old Bill Medley of The Righteous Brothers, about bringing one of the most unique voices in the history of pop music to the Fox Tucson Theatre for an evening of love songs and soul…

righteous brothers 2025 — Bucky Heard and Bill Medley in concert.

Webpage by Anicia Trejo-Flores.

Arizona Spotlight airs every Thursday at 8:30 am and 6:00 pm and every Friday at 8:00 pm on NPR 89.1 FM / 1550 AM. You can subscribe to our podcast on Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon Music, or the NPR App. See more from Arizona Spotlight.

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A new documentary called "The River" explores what's underneath the surface of the Colorado River