Almanac Highlights November 20, 2009

An Illustrated Essay
David Gillette is going to Denmark next month to the global gathering on climate change.  He gives us all a preview.

The Tom Petters Trial
Testimony ended this week in the biggest federal trial around these parts in a long time.  We get the thoughts of Don Lewis, former federal prosecutor who is now the Dean of Hamline Law School.

Congressman Oberstar
Eighth District Congressman James Oberstar is an important player in the health care reform debate in Washington.  We'll talk about that and transportation issues with the senior member of Minnesota's Washington delegation.

A Thanksgiving Recipe with Al Franken
Al Franken joins Mary Lahammer in studio to cook up a holiday recipe.  To find the recipe just click on the Recipe link on the left side of the Almanac web page.

Unemployment Rises in Minnesota
But wait, employment went up too.  We find out more by chatting with Dan McElroy, Minnesota's head of Employment and Economic Development.

GAMC
Our state's General Assistance Medical program is scheduled to go away early next year.  This week we start a three part series exploring state medical services to our Minnesota's poorest residents.  Mary Lahammer starts off the series with some background on how we got to where we are. 

A Thanksgiving Recipe with Franni Franken
Franni Franken provides her own holiday recipe.  Tune in and see which Franken recipe you prefer.  Yes, it's all about competition.  :>) 

A Panel of Former Lawmakers
This week's show-ending panel ponders the big issues of the week.  Republicans Fritz Knaak and Dan Dorman square off with Democrats Wes Skoglund and Dee Long.

The Wrapup
Our sports history questions continue and we have a splendid show-ending video from 1980 by the Lamont Cranston Band. 

Almanac Highlights November 13, 2009

The Week's Monologue
It's Dominic Papatola's turn for some mischief. 

Will the State Need to Borrow?
If the budget forecast in early December isn't rosy, Minnesota may need to borrow funds to pay its bills on time.  How would that work?  State Budget Commissioner Tom Hanson explains.

Nazis in Austin
How much ink should a local paper give to a Nazi rally?  Jay Furst is the managing editor of the Rochester Post Bulletin and his paper's recent coverage has been debated by readers and bloggers. 

Weather with Paul Douglas
Paul revisits the great Armistice Day Blizzard of 1940.  And --as a bonus-- we all get a weekend forecast too.

John Gorka Live!
The noted singer/songwriter performs for us live and talks about his latest CD which was released today.  You can catch John at a CD release party at the Cedar Cultural Center at 8 pm November 14.

Kevin Diaz from D.C.
The Star Tribune's Washington-based political reporter chats up the historic health care vote that took place this week.  Kevin joins us by webcam.

A Law Firm Goes Green
Mary Lahammer visits a law firm in Minneapolis that is changing how law firms look... and how they use energy. 

Our Political Panel
Democrats Mike Hatch and Denise Cardinal trade barbs with Republicans Andy Brehm and Phil Krinkie.  Health care will be on the docket.  So will Governor Pawlenty's trip to Iowa.

The Wrapup
What inventor were we asking about last week?  And what's the answer to our Brett Favre question?  Plus we settle a family debate about a certain horse rider and then we present another live tune by John Gorka.

Almanac Highlights November 6, 2009

The Week's Monologue
Jim Ragsdale offers serious thoughts about the shootings at Fort Hood.

High Enough High Speed Internet?
A new task force report released Friday challenges Minnesota to improve statewide high speed broadband access.  Rick King heads up the group that created the report and is our guest.

Sports with Fitzy
Larry Fitzgerald Sr. stops by to talk about the Vikes, the T-Wolves and the troubles facing Tubby Smith's hoopsters.  Larry is an Almanac regular.  

Joe Dowling on the Guthrie Stage
Mary Lahammer interviews Guthrie Director Joe Dowling about his return to acting.  And where did Joe and Mary chat?  On stage at the Guthrie. 

Rethinking Family Violence
Leslie Metzen was a Minnesota judge for more than twenty years.  Now she's working with a group trying to reduce family violence in our state.  Find out why she thinks her new job is so important. 

"Jewel of Como"
That's the name of a new book about St. Paul's Como Park Conservatory.  Author Bonnie Blodgett talks about the grand tradition of public greenhouses. 

Going to Church in Iraq
It's the latest of our series of reports about the Red Bull Unit of the Minnesota National Guard.  Producer Luke Heikkila recently returned from Iraq.  One of the soldiers he met up with there was Chaplain's Assistant Jonathan Groeneweg.  This is his story.

Our Dynamic Poli Sci Duo
David Schultz of Hamline University and Dan Hofrenning of St. Olaf each teaches political science.  We pick their brains about the the big political news of this election week.

The Wrapup
Who said those racy words about Hubert Humphrey?  And who is the inventor subject of this week's Index File question?  In addition to history we bring you a nice vintage musical clip by the Red Clay Ramblers. 

Almanac Highlights October 30, 2009

An Illustrated Monologue
David Gillette has created a list of lists.

Food Donations Announced
State Agricultural Commissioner Gene Hugoson stops by to talk about a new program announced Friday that will stock state food shelves.  We also ask the commissioner about concerns about pork safety and this fall's wet harvest.

New H1N1 Hospital Policies
Several Minnesota hospitals have announced visiting policy changes in the wake of the H1N1 outbreak. Dr. Gretchen Phillips is with Fairview Hospitals and Clinics.

Red Bull Update
Tpt producer Luke Heikkila has recently returned from Iraq.  He brings us another chapter in the stories of the Red Bull National Guard troops from Minnesota who are based in Basra.

The Pines Lives!
The roots group's latest Red House CD "Tremolo" got a good review this month in Rolling Stone Magazine.  The group is back for an encore Almanac appearance in prep for its CD release party November 7 at the Paramount Theater in St. Cloud.

A New African-American History Museum
That's what's in the works for Minneapolis.  Learn all about it from Roxanne Givens the chair of the Minnesota African American Museum and Cultural Center.

Ride the Northstar Rail Line
That's what Almanac videographer Butch Bowring did this week as the commuter line prepares to open for business between Minneapolis and Big Lake. 

Private Monies For Public Roads?
Governor Pawlenty says he wants to blend public and private money when building state roads.  Is that a good idea?  We have a debate with Sean Kershaw from the Citizens League, Dane Smith from the group Growth and Justice and limited-government advocate David Strom.

The Wrapup
Who said those words about Hubert Humphrey back in 1966?  Learn some fun Minnesota history and hear another tune by The Pines.

Almanac Highlights October 23, 2009

The Week's Monologue
Bick Smith does the honors.  He ruminates about the big, puffy, teflon-roofed building over in Minneapolis.

H1N1 Update
Michael Osterholm is one of the world's leading authorities on the H1N1 virus.  We'll talk about vaccine delays... pig cases... and death rates in an extended interview.

A Green Honor
Minneapolitan Farheen Hakeem was elected this week to be one of the national co-chairs of the Green Party.  We talk to her about what it means to be Green.

Ann Reed Performs in Studio
Minnesota folk icon Ann Reed stops by for her first-ever Almanac appearance.  She chats about her new CD and plays us a tune.

Medicare... Getting There
Our friend Jan Smaby is the host of a new tpt series --"Getting There"-- aimed at Minnesotans Fifty Plus.  We show an excerpt from an upcoming program.  The topic is Medicare.

Help for the Central Corridor
A group of foundations has come together to form the Central Corridor Funders Collaborative.  The goal of the group?  To help businesses cope with the changes that light rail will bring.  Jonathan Sage-Martinson is our guest.

Tales of the Road:  Grand Portage
There's a great story connected to the tip of Highway 61 at Grand Portage.  Cathy Wurzer brings it to us.

Instant Runoff Voting Debate
Next month St. Paul residents will vote on whether to bring IRV to their city.  We hear from a proponent and an opponent. 

The Wrapup
Two Minnesota history questions (who was that famed football coach?  and spoke those words about the United Nations in Minnesota in 1960?)  Plus another tune by Ann Reed.

Almanac Highlights October 16, 2009

The Weekly Monologue
Dominic Papatola is thinking about H1N1.

Health Care Debate Takes Over Airwaves
More than one hundred million dollars in health care ads have flooded American airwaves.  We talk to leaders of state chapters of two of the leading spenders.  Michele Kimball with AARP Minnesota and Bill Blazar with the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce join Cathy and Eric on the couch.

Meet Sarah Hicks
She's the new pops conductor at the Minnesota Orchestra.

Kevin Diaz from Washington DC
Kevin is the capitol-based political correspondent for the Star Tribune.  Each month he joins us by webcam to give us his take on what Minnesota's members of Congress are up to.

Candidates for Guv Square Off
This week the group Hunger Solutions sponsored the first bipartisan debate in the race for governor.  Our Mary Lahammer was the moderator and has this report.

Blue Zones in Albert Lea
Can a town create habits of living and eating better and increase the life expectancy of its residents?  That was the challenge that Albert Lea accepted this year.  We hear how things went from Albert Lea Community Development head Bob Graham.

A Political Scientist Panel
We chat up the week's big political stories with a group of card-carrying political scientist PHDs.  Larry Jacobs is with the U of M's Humphrey Institute.  Steven Schier teaches politics at Carleton College.  Stacy Hunter Hecht heads up the Political Science department at Bethel University.

The Wrapup
What Vike was on the cover of Sports Illustrated back in 1964?  And what is the answer of this week's question about a famed player turned coach?  Plus we hear your thoughts about our Viking Stadium discussion last week and hear a show-ending tune courtesy of John Gorka. 

Almanac Highlights October 9, 2009

The Monologue
Jim Ragsdale says no news is good news. 

A Death in Basra
We speak with Minnesota National Guard Chaplain John Morris in Basra, Iraq about the death this week of Major Tad Hervas. 

Darfur
Mark Hanis with the group Genocide Intervention Network is in town to talk about the killings in Darfur. 

Parks for the People
This new Tpt documentary tells the history of parks in the Twin Cities.  We show you a clip that talks about the long tradition of swimming and skating in Minneapolis' fabled parks. 

A New Way to Fund a Vikings Stadium?
We hear a debate between gambling proponent Rep. Tom Hackbarth and opponent Rep. Mindy Greiling.

Macalester:  It's Easy Being Green
Macalester College president Brian Rosenberg shows off his school's new LEED Platinum certified Markim Hall.

The Week's Political Panel
On the agenda for discussion:  The Republican Straw Poll for Governor... the Viking stadium proposal... and Obama's Nobel Prize.  Democrats Wy Spano and Dee Long mix it up with Republicans Phil Krinkie and Tony Sutton.

The Wrapup
Who read the part of Lincoln five years ago at the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra's production of "Lincoln Portrait?"  And what Viking made the cover of Sports Illustrated in September of 1964?  All that and some show-ending music featuring the late, great Stan Rogers.  

Almanac Highlights October 2, 2009

This Week's Monologue
Sheletta Brundidge talks about marriage... and the Vikings. 

Tough Times
MPR Economic Reporter Chris Farrell and Augsburg U prof Jeanne Boeh give us their take on Friday's weak employment figures. 

A BIG Sports Weekend
We have the two big football border battles... and the Twins' final regular season game at the Metrodome.  Larry Fitzgerald Sr. stops by to fill us in. 

Pipestone National Monument
We show a clip from the upcoming tpt special "Minnesota's National Park Legacy" that demonstrates the federally-protected sacred quarry in the Southwest section of our state. 

Truancy
If you believe it's an old-fashioned issue for law enforcement to care about, think again.  The Hennepin County Attorney's office is aggressively going after kids who skip school.  County Attorney Mike Freeman tells us why.

A Red Bull Story
All year tpt has been working with the Minnesota National Guard to tell the stories of troops based in Iraq.  In this series of reports we focus on the soldiers overseas and the families they leave behind.  This week we bring you the story of Suzie and David Mayo. 

GOP Straw Poll This Weekend
The governor's election is more than a year away but this weekend at the State Republican Convention delegates will conduct a straw poll on the race.  Mary Lahammer talks about it with state party chair Tony Sutton.

The Political Panel
We'll pick up the political conversation with this week's version of our political panel.  Democrats Mike Hatch and Ember Reichgott Junge mix it up with Republicans Sarah Janecek and Fritz Knaak. 

The Wrapup
Some football history... a symphony mystery... and a music clip of Richard Thompson from 1999.  What do they have in common?  Each is featured in this week's show-ending segment. 

Almanac Highlights September 25, 2009

An Illustrated Monologue
David Gillette took pen to paper and created an essay about falling asleep on the job.

Look!  Rain!
A half inch fell at the Chanhassen Weather Station Friday.  Meanwhile, SW Minnesota got a lot more rain than that.  Mark Seeley from the U of M joins us to talk about our warm and --at least until today-- dry September.

Cold Cases in St. Paul
The St. Paul Police Department's new Cold Case unit solved its first case this week.  Investigator Anita Muldoon tells us all about it.

Speaking in Tongues Live!
A cross-cultural quartet of percussionists joins us live in Studio B.  The group will be performing Saturday September 26 at 2 pm at the Cedar Cultural Center.  It's all part of the Cedar's annual Global Roots Festival.

Iraqi Sister City
Minneapolis now has a sister-city relationship with Najaf, Iraq.  We hear from two Najaf residents and a Minneapolis City Council member about what they hope to get out of the arrangement.

Minnesota's Deadliest Tornadoes
Mary Lahammer continues her tour of terrific twisters from our state's past.  This week she tells the story of the F-5 tornado that led to the creation of the Mayo Clinic.

The Political Panel
This week's version of sparring politicos includes Republicans Gregg Peppin and Andy Brehm and Democrats Javier Morillo-Alicea and Rep. Alice Hausman.  Tim Pawlenty's possible presidential ambitions will be one topic we tackle.

The Wrapup
Two history questions about Minnesota football lore and a show-ending tune by Speaking in Tongues. 

Almanac Highlights September 18, 2009

This Week's Monologue
Dominic Papatola has civility on his mind.

Minnesota’s U. S. Attorney
B. Todd Jones was sworn in today for his second stint as Minnesota’s U. S. Attorney. It’s been 8 years since he held that office. What’s changed?

The Week in Sports
Larry Fitzgerald stops by to chat about the Twins chances for post-season play, the Vikings new quarterback Brett Favre and the Gopher football team’s new on-campus stadium.

Sweet Land
Film Director Ali Selim and author Will Weaver talk about next week's broadcast premiere of "

Sweet Land" on Twin Cities Public Television.

Remembering Norman Borlaug
Norman Borlaug died this past weekend. Back in 2004 we were honored to have the Nobel Peace Prize winner as a guest. Here are some excerpts of that interview.

“7 Lessons for Leading in Crisis”
That’s the name of Former Medtronic CEO Bill George’s new book. Tune in and find out why he thinks the current financial crisis is more about subprime leadership than subprime mortgages.

A Tornado Settles the Score
Our look at the state’s deadliest tornados continues. This week Mary Lahammer finishes the story of the 1886 tornado that may have settled the rivalry between Sauk Rapids and St. Cloud once and for all.

Flu Pandemic Prep

H1N1 flu has hit Minnesota hard this month. Officials are meeting and preparing businesses, schools and individuals to handle the pandemic. Our guests are John Stine, Assistant Health Commissioner with the Minnesota Dept of Health, Dr. David Hilden from Hennepin County Medical Center and Carmen Teskey, Minneapolis Public Schools’ nursing supervisor

It’s A Wrap!

We’ll have the long awaited answer for last week’s Index File question. This week’s new question. And some show ending music from our archives.