Almanac Producer's Blog

Almanac Highlights August 31, 2007

The Monologue
More musings by cartoonist David Gillette.

State Schools Report Card
The latest yearly progress reports were released late Thursday and many Minnesota schools slipped.  State Education Commissioner Alice Seagren explains. 

A Voice for Design
Tom Olslund wants to make sure that design remains a strong consideration in the rebuilding of the 35W bridge. 

"An Average Family"
That's the name of a play making its world premiere next month at the Children's Theatre Company.  Playwright Larissa FastHorse talks about how her experiences growing up in South Dakota shape the play. 

Eagles on Rainy Lake
Meet someone who's devoted his life to researching and caring for the eagles on Rainy Lake.  It's the first in a series of stories by Mary Lahammer about the remarkable lake that straddles Minnesota's border with Canada. 

A New Brain Test?
Dr. Apostolos Georgapoulus from the U of M (and the V.A.) has pioneered the use of a new brain imaging test that may hold great promise in the diagnosis of a range of serious brain disorders. 

The Political Week That Was
A possible special session... a new presidential caucus date... and the arrest in Minnesota of a U.S. Senator have made this anything but a sleepy August news week. Republican panelists Fritz Knaak and David Strom mix it up with Democrats Ember Reichgott-Junge and Andy Dawkins. 

The Wrapup
The Index File is back.  We proudly give you the only right answer from last time... and then present a spanking-new Minnesota history question.  We end the show with a tune by jazz great Charles Lloyd who performed in the tpt studios this week in the year 2000.

Almanac Highlights August 24, 2007

Dr. Mark at the Fair
It's an annual trek for Almanac's monologist physician. 

Flooding Update
Hear the latest from Kris Eide.  She's Minnesota's Director of Homeland Security and has been coordinating recovery efforts in Southeastern Minnesota. 

The First U.S. Senate Debate Live in Studio!
The three leading DFL candidates for Senate join us live on Almanac for a free-wheeling conversation.  Mike Ciresi, Al Franken and Jim Cohen face questioning by Cathy and Eric.

Live Music by Beau Kinstler
The Twin Cities singer/songwriter pays a visit to Studio B.  Beau will be performing Saturday night at the 400 Club in Minneapolis. 

Rod Grams
The former U.S. Senator was named this week to be our state's U.N. Day Honorary Chair.  We do some catching up.

Senator Amy Klobuchar
Minnesota's junior senator has spent time this week touring flooded Minnesota counties.  She's also been working on the plans for a new 35W bridge. 

Almanac Highlights August 17, 2007

The Monologue
Her son is now one and Sheletta Brundidge is still trying to recover from it all. 

Light Rail and the New 35W Bridge
Are there mixed messages about transit and the new river crossing?  We debate the issue with Met Council Chair Peter Bell and State Senator Scott Dibble. 

Changes at Minneapolis North High
We introduce you to Ellen Hebert, the new principal there.

Weather with Paul
Paul Douglas talks drought and storms and heat as he stops by for his monthly Almanac chat.  In his real life Paul is the chief weather person at WCCO TV.

Carleton College History
It's another installment from an upcoming Almanac Hands-On History special focusing on Northfield.  Check out the great old film footage. 

This Week's Political Panel
Four former lawmakers talk about transportation funding among other topics.  Democrats Wes Skoglund and Jane Ranum are paired with Republicans Phil Krinkie and Fritz Knaak.

Almanac Highlights August 10, 2007

The Monologue
Bick Smith notes the hardiness of Minnesotans in the face of tragedy.

35W Bridge Update
Bob McFarlin from the Minnesota Department of Transportation stops by to bring us the latest on the 35W bridge and plans to rebuild.

Legislative Leaders
Will there be a pre-agreement for a special session to raise the gas tax?

The 1987 Twins!
They were a team of destiny. Twenty years ago the Twins gave Minnesotans their first World Series Championship. Tom Kelly was the rookie manager of that team and he stops by to reminisce with us.

A Bit of Northfield History
Mary Lahammer gives us another sneak peak at the Northfield Hands on History program. This week... the history of St. Olaf.

The Panel
The politics of rebuilding a bridge in the wake of tragedy brings politicians together. At least here in Minnesota. Republicans Fritz Knaak and David Strom join DFLers Wy Spano and Ember Reichgott Junge on the old Almanac couch to take a look back at the week.

The Wrapup
Our final 50th anniversary Index File answer... this week's musical question...and some good Irish music from the archives to send you on your way.

Almanac Highlights August 3, 2007

The Weekly Monologue
Jim Ragsdale has been thinking a great deal about the tragedy Wednesday.

Pawlenty and Rybak
Governor Pawlenty and Mayor Rybak join us with the latest about the 35W bridge collapse.

Senator Coleman and Representative Oberstar
Norm Coleman and Jim Oberstar talk to us live from Washington DC about federal funding for a new bridge.

The Transportation Battle
Struggles with transportation funding tie up our state legislature each year.  Even if we get much more aggressive with fixing our state's infrastructure problems, can the funding be found?  We hear from two of the keenest transportation minds at the Capitol:  DFL Senator Steve Murphy and GOP Rep. Mary Liz Holberg.

Mr. McFeely in the Tpt Neighborhood
The Speedy Delivery person from Mister Rogers' Neighborhood is in town to help Channel 2 celebrate its 50th anniversary this weekend.  Visit Mr. McFeely Saturday in downtown St. Paul.

Tpt Heavyweights
This weekend Twin Cities Public Television celebrates its 50th anniversary.  We sit down and chat about the past and future of public broadcasting with the current General Manager and two former ones.  Bill Kobin, Dick Moore and Jim Pagliarini are our guests.

Republican National Committee
The group has been meeting in the Twin Cities this week in prep for next year's national convention.  RNC member Brian Sullivan stops by.

The Big Garnett Trade
Remember when THIS was going to be the big story of the week?  Larry Fitzgerald touches on the KG swap... the Castillo trade... and the Vikes pre-season.

Tpt Treasures
We talk about the fun block of historic programming that tpt will air starting Sunday at Noon.  It's a great lineup.

The Big Picture
How will the 35W bridge collapse change our transportation and work patterns, and for how long?  We gather a group together to do some big-picture thinking.