Almanac Producer's Blog

Almanac Highlights March 28, 2008

The Monologue
Essayist David Gillette is back with the next installment in his year-long cartoon history of presidential politics.  This chapter deals with the cold of winter. 

The Latest from the Legislature
Mary Lahammer brings us to date from the capitol.  Here's a preview:  The pace is picking up.

JOBZ
This is the governor's program to foster economic development around the state.  The program is under fire and may be eliminated by lawmakers.  We have a debate with House Tax Committee Chair Ann Lenczewski and DEED Commissioner Dan McElroy. 

Globetrotters Trotting
Curly Neal and Wildkat Edgerson play some tricks on Mary Lahammer live in the studio. 

Did You Know?
Did you know that some lawmakers were a bit starstruck when George Clooney come to Duluth?

"Suburban World"
That's the name of a new volume by Borealis Books about the everyday photographer of Bloomington Irwin Norling.  Norling's heyday was the fifties and sixties and we explore his work with author Brad Zellar.

The Race for U.S. Senate
Before it's all done 50 million dollars may be spent in Minnesota in the fall campaign.  Mary Lahammer checks in with the three leading candidates... Norm Coleman... Al Franken... and Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer.

The Political Panel
Republicans Sarah Janecek and Andy Brehm are pitted against DFLers Ember Reichgott Junge and Javier Morillo-Alicea.  They assess the legislative session and take a look at the Senate race.

Wrapup
Two fun Minnesota history questions... your thoughts about Rockie Lynne... and some historic show-ending music by the Mary Jane Alm Band. 

Almanac Highlights March 21, 2008

The Monologue
Dr. Mark has thoughts of warmer climes on this snowy day.

The New Chief Justice
Eric Magnuson was chosen this week to head the Minnesota Supreme Court.  He joins Cathy and Eric at the Almanac table.

First District Republicans
We invited the three Republicans running for Congress in the First District to join us live.  Two accepted our invitation:  Dick Day and Randy Demmer.  Candidate Brian Davis declined our live studio invitation.

Rockie Lynne Live!
Coon Rapids' own Rockie Lynne was named by Billboard Magazine as the artist it believes "Most Likely to Succeed."  He's been on the Grand Ole Opry a dozen times but this week he graces our stage.  Rockie is one of the featured artists on "Musicians for Minneapolis" a compilation CD devoted to I-35W Bridge Disaster Relief.

Did You Know?
Did you know that a teenage activist led to the creation of a new law this week?  Watch Mary Lahammer and you'll find out the answer.

FIRST Robotics
More than 50 high schools will compete in a robotic competition next week at Williams Arena on the U of M campus.  What happens at these events?  Prior Lake High School coach Joe Passafaro fills us in.

Easter Break for Lawmakers
Legislators emptied out of St. Paul this week for a spring break.  Our Mary Lahammer gives us the highs and lows of the first six weeks of the legislative session.

Former Lawmakers Panel
This week our political panel is composed of ex-lawmakers.  Democrats Ember Reichgott Junge and Andy Dawkins face off in the squared circle with Republicans Fritz Knaak and Phil Krinkie. 

The Wrapup
Did anyone answer our history question about the Texan who said those nice words about our Minnesota Twins?  We fill you in on that and then we enjoy another live tune courtesy of Rockie Lynne. 

 

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.

Almanac Highlights March 7, 2008

The Monologue
Sheletta Brundidge has a monologue you won't soon forget.

The Governor's Budget Balancing Plan
Mary Lahammer sums up Tim Pawlenty's proposal to make up the state budget shortfall.

Finance Commissioner Tom Hanson
The Commish the first shot at explaining the Governor's plan.

Legislators React to Budget
DFL Senator Dick Cohen and Republican Rep Paul Kohls give us their take.

Did You Know?
Did you know that the use of props on the House Floor is prohibited?  Someone better tell the Speaker.

The Sales Tax Hike for Transit
This is the optional metro quarter cent sales tax for transit use.  Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin explains how it might work.

Stopping Foreclosures
We look at one of the bills at the state capitol that hopes to slow the number of home foreclosures in our state.  Bill author Senator Ellen Anderson sits down with someone who has concerns about the bill... Joe Witt with the Minnesota Bankers Association.

Our Political Scientist Panel
We always get good feedback when this group is on.  Steve Schier, Guy Charles, Dan Hofrenning and David Schultz engage with each other about the big national political news of the week. 

The Wrapup
Two great Minnesota history questions, your thoughts about the new gas tax hike and a killer tune from a 1992 appearance by The Jayhawks.