Almanac Producer's Blog

Almanac Highlights January 25, 2008

The Monologue
Big endowment gifts to local universities has gotten Dominic Papatola thinking. 

A New Type of Mining on the Range
We sit in on Friday's hearing at the capitol about the promise and dangers of non-iron mining in Northern Minnesota.  Our Mary Lahammer brings us the latest.

Newspaper Economic Woes
The Star Tribune has hired a management consulting firm to improve the company's bottom line.  We talk about the perils of running newspapers these days with Jane Kirtley from the U of M's Silha Center.

Meet Erik Paulsen
He's the Republican who's running for Congress in the Third District (that's Jim Ramstad's seat).

Live Music From Joanna James!
Twice she's won Female Vocalist of the Year honors at the Minnesota Music Awards.  Perhaps you've heard her on Dan Wilson's new CD.  Joanna joins us live in the tpt studios.

Human Rights in St. Cloud
A new office of human rights is coming to St. Cloud.  Minnesota's Commissioner of Human Rights Velma Korbel joins us to talk about how the office will work to address some of St. Cloud's recent cases of bias.

Weather with Paul
The cold spell has snapped.  Are Twin Citians out of practice when it comes to cold weather?  Paul Douglas stops by for his monthly Almanac weather chat. 

A Political Panel
This week's collection of politicos talks local politics and ponders presidential posturing.

The Wrapup
Two MInnesota history questions for your enjoyment... some reaction to last week's program... and a show-ending tune by guest Joanna James. 

Almanac Highlights January 18, 2008

An Illustrated Monologue
David Gillette is back.  This week his essay concerns the plans for the Republican National Convention.

The Sluggish Economy
We take a look at the state and national economy through the eyes of Art Rolnick at the Minneapolis Federal Reserve.  Among the topics of discussion:  President Bush's new plan for tax rebates. 

The Central Light Rail Corridor
Will it tunnel under the U of M and arrive behind the Union Depot?  We bring you a debate with all the major players:  Peter Bell with the Met Council... Ramsey County Commissioner Tony Bennett... and Kathleen O'Brien with the U of M.

Sports with Fitzy
Larry Fitzgerald with the National Programming Radio Network stops by for his monthly visit to chat regional sports.

The DNR Commish
The Department of Natural Resources has been holding statewide public meetings with hunters and conservationists.  We find out what the DNR plans to do with all the input.  DNR Commissioner Mark Holsten is our guest.

A Bonding and Bridges Primer
Our Mary Lahammer walks us through all the week's news about bridges... old and possibly new. 

Former Lawmakers Panel
Bonding, bridges, the environment... just a few of the topics we'll touch on with former lawmakers.  Republicans Fritz Knaak and Phil Krinkie joust with Democrats Dee Long and Wes Skoglund.

The Wrapup
Two fine Minnesota history questions (What state official skated at the Olympics in 1984?)  and a classic tune from the tpt archives. 

   

Almanac Highlights January 11, 2008

The Monologue
Is Jim Ragsdale on the juice?

A Push for Non-Partisan Redistricting
A blue ribbon committee is advocating for a new way to select legislative districts after the 2010 Census.  Former Governor Arne Carlson and ex-Senate Majority Leader Roger Moe join us in the studio to explain this new approach.

A Bad Report Card for Minnesota Teachers
A national report this week gave mediocre grades to ours state's teachers.  We explore some issues with Minnesota Education Commissioner Alice Seagren and Education Minnesota head Tom Dooher.

Live Music with Storyhill
The folk duo from Red House Records make sweet music in Studio B. 

Northwest and Delta
There's a lot of talk this week about a possible merger between the two airlines.  Travel consultant Terry Trippler of Trippler and Associates talks about what this may mean for Minnesota travelers.

Legislative Session Preview
Our Mary Lahammer gets you ready for the upcoming session in St. Paul.
 
Third District DFLers
The three Democrats who want to take Jim Ramstad's seat in Congress are live on the Almanac couch as we bring you a conversational debate.  Hopefuls Ashwin Madia, Jim Hovland and Terri Bonoff chat with Cathy and Eric.

The Wrapup
We hear again from Barb from Burnsville.  We ask you another Minnesota history question.  You weigh in on the Ethanol discussion from last week.  Then we hear another live tune from Storyhill. 

Almanac Highlights January 4, 2008

A New Year's Monologue
Susie Jones counts her blessings.

Winter Carnival's Ice Problems
The St. Paul Winter Carnival needs more cash for ice carving blocks.  And the carnival is just two weeks away.

Global Warming in Ely
Governor Pawlenty and explorer Will Steger teamed up in Ely on Friday to talk about global warming.  Our Mary Lahammer was there. 

Getting Your Fill of Ethanol?
Next week MinnPost.com will feature a four-part series on the politics and science of ethanol.  MinnPost reporters Ron Way and Mark Neuzil give us a series preview.

Library Merger
The Hennepin County Library system absorbed Minneapolis libraries this week.  What will it mean to you?  Find out as we chat with new system head Amy Ryan.

Liberian Refugees
The Minneapolis-based American Refugee Committee has an active gender-violence program in the West African nation of Liberia.  Minnesotan Eve Lotter is just back from seven months there and fills us in.

Remembering Carol Bly
The acclaimed Minnesota writer died of cancer in late December.  Back in 1991 Bly was featured on Channel 2's interview program "Portrait."  We play a few minutes from that wide-ranging interview.

Political Science Party
There's no better time to be a political scientist.  The Iowa caucuses have just ended and New Hampshire is right around the corner.  We check in with Steve Schier of Carleton College,  Larry Jacobs from the U of M, Hamline's David Schultz and Stacey Hunter Hecht from Bethel University.

Wrapup
Two nifty Minnesota History questions and some great show-ending music from a 2007 studio performance by Willie Murphy.