Almanac Highlights March 14, 2008

The Monologue
Dominic Papatola is thinking about the political news of the week. Perhaps a bit too much...

It's the Economy
Friday's news was chock full of big economic stories... record high prices for gas and oil... a new low for the dollar... more mortgage fears... and a slumping Wall Street.  Jeanne Boeh, an economics prof at Augsburg College, is our guest.

Retiring Chief Justice
Russell Anderson announced this week he would step down as Chief Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court.  We visit with Justice Anderson as he talks about a quarter century on the bench.

Did You Know?
Dane Smith --longtime Star Tribune reporter-- found out that former reporters who come back to the Capitol sometimes face razzing from old colleagues. 

Arts, Arts and More Arts!
Many Twin Cities arts organizations are headed by new leaders.  We meet with four of them... Olga Viso with Walker Art Center... Michael Henson with the Minnesota Orchestra... Patricia Mitchell with the Ordway... and Kathleen Van Bergen with the Schubert Club.

St. Patrick Wasn't Even Irish?!
Learn things you never knew about the real St. Patrick from one of the world's leading authorities on the Patron Saint of Ireland.  Philip Freeman from Luther College is our guest.

The Legislative Week in Review
Our Mary Lahammer explores the question of how frequently and how well lawmakers are communicating with Governor Tim Pawlenty. 

The Political Panel
How are lawmakers dealing with the need for cuts in the State Budget?  That's one of the topics tonight with our political panel of DFLers Mary Jo McGuire and Mike Hatch and Republicans Fritz Knaak and David Strom.

The Wrapup
What Texan said those kind words about the Twins Five Years Ago?  Wouldn't you like to know.  Hear the details to this week's Index File Question and then listen to a great tune by the late jazz great Shirley Witherspoon.