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Sports Mania Grips State
Kevin Garnett inks a new deal... the Vikes and Gophers are undefeated on the gridiron... and the Twins are playing playoff games in the dome this weekend. Larry Fitzgerald pays us his monthly visit.

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Super Teachers a Super Idea?
The governor came up with a new education proposal this week... to pay bonuses for select urban school teachers. Is it a good idea? We'll have a debate for you.

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Pawlenty's Mission to Montreal
Our Mary Lahammer was the only Minnesota TV reporter to accompany Tim Pawlenty this week on his first trade mission. Mary's half-hour special can be seen Sunday at noon at TPT-2 and Sunday night at 9 on TPT-17. We have an excerpt for you.

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Superintendent Second Thoughts
A number of prominent African Americans in Minneapolis are concerned about the newly appointed Superintendent of Schools David Jennings. State Rep Neva Walker is one of those concerned. She joins us at the table.

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Out and Equal
This weekend Minneapolis is hosting the nation's largest gathering of gay and lesbian professionals. The Out and Equal Workplace Summit is the event and we have Julia Staub-French on the program to talk about it.

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A Week Chock Full of Politics
Ron Eibensteiner... the looming California Primary... new polls on the war and the President. This week's Political Panelists give us their two cents worth.

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The Wrapup
Two Minnesota history questions... your comments about the show... and special Minnesota show-ending music.

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Trouble After the Game Tonight?
There's a big football game at the Metrodome Friday night between the Gophers and the University of Michigan. What if trouble breaks out as it did over the weekend in Mankato? State lawmaker Carla Nelson thinks she has a bill that could help keep the peace.

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Superintendent Search Starts Over
Minneapolis Superintendent David Jennings abruptly stepped down on Wednesday after criticism about credentials and process. What talk to School Board member Colleen Moriarity about what happens next.

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Ron Eibensteiner's Troubles
He faces indictment on charges relating to a campaign contribution last fall. Eibensteiner's attorney Bill Mauzy is our guest.

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A Segway Segue
Joe Linn is a state worker who only wants to ride his Segway to work. Find out the guy and his machine live in the studio. We'll even let him scoot around a bit.

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Those Autumn Leaves...
...are a tumbling down. Paul Douglas gleefully tells us about our glorious week and how it all will soon come to a tragic end.

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Will U Workers Gopher Strike?
Clerical workers at the U of M are poised to strike. Mary Lahammer talks to both sides as she explores what these U of M workers do.

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Our Political Panel
A possible state strike... trouble for Minnesota's Republican Party chair... and an extraordinary recall election in California. Republicans Tom Horner and Brian Sullivan tussle with DFLers Greg Gray and Ellen Anderson

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It's a Wrap(up)
Two mighty fine Minnesota history questions... your thoughts about last week's program... and show-ending music courtesy of Rambling Jack Elliot.

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The Monolog
Dominic Papatola urges we all use the persuasive powers of fatherhood to solve our problems.

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Allegations of Brutality
This week's major regional story concerned serious allegations of abuse by the Minneapolis Police Department against Stephen Porter. You hear from all sides as we provide you with extended coverage.

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A New Met Council
... with a new 30 year plan. Metropolitan Council head Peter Bell explains what his council is up to.

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Richard Hendrickson Recovers
He's the lawyer who was shot earlier this month at the Hennepin County Government Center. He comes on Almanac to tell us his dramatic story.

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Yuck!! Science!!
You won't hear that from any of Natalie Rasmussen's students at Minneapolis North High School. Rasmussen won a national prize this week honoring creative classroom teachers. She's our guest.

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The First Termers Return
Our first term legislative panel pays us a visit to give us their take on the big political news of the week.

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The Wrapup
Two history questions (including the worst wrong answers in memory)... your odd viewer comments... and some show-ending music by Cisco Houston. Old Cisco was in town this week in 1944.

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Wellstone World Music Day
Twin Cities music critic Jim Walsh created the idea for a day of music dedicated to the late Paul Wellstone. Find out about some of the performances scheduled this weekend as brothers Jim and Terry Walsh join us.

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Is Job Z EZ Money?
Andersen Windows was the first recipient of the state's new Job Z economic development program. But are the new tax-free zones a good idea? We promise a lively debate between House members Steve Sviggum and Tim Mahoney.

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Congressman John Kline
He's just back from Iraq and he still thinks the President's policy is the right one. 2nd District Congreeman John Kline joins us live.

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Remembering Gideon
There was a celebration this week of the 30th anniversary of the Hennepin County Public Defender's Office... and the 40th anniversary of the landmark Gideon U.S. Supreme Court decision. Hennepin County Public Defender Lenny Castro emceed this week's event and he's our guest.

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Reporters Remember October 25
We look back at the death of Paul Wellstone one year later. Veteran political reporters Kerri Miller, Dane Smith and Bill Salisbury are our guests.

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The Wrapup
Our patented Index File questions... and some show-ending music by Paul Robeson who performed this week in 1940 at the U of M's Northrop Auditorium.

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A Spooky Monolog
J.G. Preston + one fine prop = this week's monolog.

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Congresswoman Betty McCollum
The U.S. House voted to approve a 87 billion dollar military aid program. Last week John Kline sat down to tell us his war views, this week 4th District House Member Betty McCollum is our guest.

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Don't Know Much About History??
There is serious criticism of our state's newly proposed K-12 Social Studies standards. We have a debate between Education Commissioner Cheri Pierson Yecke and U of M history professor Sara Evans.

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The New Almanac Set
The gameplan is to unveil a new Almanac set next week, our first makeover in over a decade. J.G. Preston will walk you through it.

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Rick Kahn Speaks
He caused great controversy one year ago this week during the Paul Wellstone Memorial service. Rick Kahn joins us for his first live television interview.

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BWCA Turns Twenty-Five
It was a difficult birth, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area has made it into adulthood. Kevin Proescholdt is the author of "Troubled Waters: The Fight for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness" and he's our guest.

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A Young Political Panel
We touch base with heads of Minnesota college student groups representing the Republican, Democratic and Green parties.

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The Wrapup
Two Index File right answers courtesy of Duluth callers, a great new history question and some great show-ending music by Bruce Springsteen who performed at the Target Center on Halloween night 1992.

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A Monologue
Dr. Mark DePaolis has stress-reduction tips for Almanac viewers trying to adjust to our first new set in 19 years.

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Don't Call Me Chief!
At least not for much longer. St. Paul Police Chief William Finney announces he's stepping down. We'll ask him why.

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North Star Corridor Controversy
It's a Twin Cities to St. Cloud heavy rail project that's come under heavy criticism. Hear a debate between supporter Dave Kleis and opponent Phil Krinkie. Each is a state lawmaker.

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It's Lonely at the Humphrey Terminal
Our Mary Lahammer looks into the lack of traffic at the spanking new Humphrey Terminal at Twin Cities International.

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A New Stadium Commission
Governor Pawlenty announced a stadium commission this week which will have the job of evaluating new Twins and Vikes proposals. Committee chair Dan McElroy is our guest.

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The Political Panel
Tuesday's election will be one of the topics...Democrats Wy Spano and Greg Gray take on Republicans Sarah Janecek and David Strom.

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The Wrapup
Two mighty fine history questions... your comments about Rick Kahn's appearance on the show last week...and some show-ending music by the King. Contribute to this part of the show by dialing 651-229-1430.

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The Monologue
Kids today... that's the topic of Dominic Papatola's 90 second bit.

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Last Day For Mr. Weaver
Charlie Weaver... no not the Hollywood Square... the Governor's Chief of Staff. Today is his last day on the job before he takes the top post at the Minnesota Business Partnership. His last public duty is appearing on Almanac.

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Importing Prescriptions from Canada
The governor is all for it... but one his usual allies --the Minnesota Taxpayers League--is all again' it. Here a debate between David Strom with the Taxpayers League and State Human Services Commissioner Kevin Goodno.

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Social Studies Standards and Columbus
Some American Indian leaders are demanding an apology from State Education Commissioner Cheri Yecke after some comments she made about Christopher Columbus. We invited the commissioner and an Indian leader to join us tonight to talk about her comments. The commissioner declined our invitation but Native American leader Clyde Bellecourt agreed to join us.

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Big Week for Ventura
There was a book and a portrait unveiling this week. Our Mary Lahammer fills us all in.

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Coaching Greats
Sports historian Ross Bernstein has kicked out another book. "Legends and Legacies" explores coaching history in our state. We look at four of the coaches featured in Ross' book including John Gagliardi.

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Da Panel
This week's political panel chews and then digests the big political news. Republicans Mary Krinkie and Fritz Knaak match wits with Democrats D. J. Leary and Blois Olson.

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The Wrapup
Two history questions including the new one (what DID happen in Austin on November 13, 1933?), your thoughts about the Northstar Rail line and some show-ending music courtesy of Don Williams.

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A New Face at the 10pm Desk
KARE11 has named a successor to Paul Magers. He's current KARE staffer Frank Vascellaro. Frank drives in from Golden Valley to join us live.

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Gay Marriage
This week's Massachusetts ruling has led to an effort for a constitutional amendment here in Minnesota. We'll debate the issue for you.

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The Lahammer Sisters Cook Up a Storm
If not a storm, at least a few Thanksgiving family recipes. Mary, Connie and Peggy Lahammer cook up some family holiday recipes.

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Snow in November!!
It's been a foreign concept in the Twin Cities this year, but weather whiz Paul Douglas says all that will change this weekend as he joins us for his monthly chat.

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More Change for the St. Paul
The St. Paul Companies is merging with Travelers. Why... when... and where. Andrew Whitman from the U of M's Carlson School of Management tells us about the changing face of the American insurance industry.

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More Cooking with the Lahammer Sisters
Mmmm-mmm!

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Political Scientists Three
We switch panels on you by talking politics with a group of Minnesota political scientists. Steve Schier, Dan Hoffrening and Guy Charles sit down on the newly restyled Almanac couch.

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The Wrapup
What's an Almanac without your voicemail comments... our history questions... and some show-ending music from the vaults of the Almanac office?

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The Monolog
Is holiday music harmful to your health? J.G. Preston gets to the bottom of this growing international controversy.

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Sexual Predators
The arrest this week of Alfonso Rodriguez Jr. led to a political firestorm over the issue of how to deal with Level 3 sex offenders. Our Mary Lahammer reports.

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Civil Commitment Law
When should sex offenders be kept in state custody after their prison terms expire? We have a big debate for you between lawmaker Wes Skoglund and William Mitchell law professor Eric Janus.

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Peter Ostroushko Live!!
The legendary Twin Cities musician performs in Studio B in prep for two weekend concerts at St. Paul's Fitzgerald Theater. For more info about this concert check out mpr.org

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Remembering Ron Clark
Ron Clark --longtime editorial page editor of the St. Paul Pioneer Press-- passed away recently due to cancer. We will bring you highlights a recent tribute to Ron Clark. We also have the full tribute available here in Realvideo.

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Sports with Fitzie
Larry Fitzgerald of the Minnesota Spokesman newspaper is back for his monthly Almanac sports chat. On the agenda, Larry's son's quest for the Heisman Trophy.

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Looking into the Budgetary Crystal Ball
New state budget forecast numbers were released this week. Mary Lahammer makes sure you have them all.

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The Political Panel
To talk budget... sexual predators... and the death penalty. Republicans Sarah Janecek and Linda Runbeck square off against DFLers Wy Spano and Dee Long.

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The Wrapup
Four wrong answers to the Index File question... your thoughts... and some show-ending music courtesy of the Steeles.

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A Musical Monologue
Lawyer Toni Halleen does the honors. She's a real lawyer with the group Fun With Law. She even has her own website: www.funwithlaw.com

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Winter Flu Review
Minnesota's state epidemiologist Harry Hull will answer our questions about the fast start to the influenza season.

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New Statewide Poll Out
A St. Cloud State poll was released today on a bunch of topics. Pollster Steve Wagner of St. Cloud State joins us to tell us what the polls says.

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Holiday Cooking with Gas
J.G. Preston and Eleanor Ostman and Kathyrn Koutsky have some fun with our LP gas tanks. Kathyrn and Eleanor worked on the new "Minnesota Eats Out" book just published by the Minnesota Historical Society Press.

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Hizzoner's Long Drive
Duluth Mayor Herb Bergson wins the Almanac long-distance driving award tonight. He's driven down from the Zenith City to be our guest.

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Somali Security
Our Mary Lahammer examines concern in the local Somali community about post 9-11 America. This report is part of a broader project called "By the People" which examines America's Role in the World.

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More Cooking with J.G. and his Buds
Eleanor and Kathryn hang around to talk more recipes and cooking.

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Being Hard on Soft Money
What does this week's U.S. Supreme Court ruling on campaign finance reform really mean to voters? Veteran Minnesota campaign observer David Schultz gives us his take.

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Da Panel
Our political panel tackles some of the week's bigger political news.

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The Wrapup
Cathy asks the history questions... you give us your thoughts... and Rosemary Clooney provides the show-ending tune.

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Senator Norm Coleman
Senator Coleman weighs in on the week's big international events.

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Senator Mark Dayton
Minnesota's Senior Senator tells us what he thinks the significance is of this week's arrest of Saddam Hussein.

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The Story of J.G.'s Blue Xmas
J.G. Preston and former TPT producer Jim Bickal try to set the record straight on what happened on that chilly night back in 1989 that led to an annual Almanac holiday tradition: J.G. Preston's rendition of Blue Christmas.

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Social Studies and Science Standards: Round Two
Our Mary Lahammer reports on the revised standards released Friday by Education Commissioner Yecke. We'll hear from the commissioner and from a skeptical classroom teacher.

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Small Wonders, Little Giants
It's an exhibit at the Minnesota History Center. J.G. Preston introduces us to toy and action figure maker --and Minnesotan-- Steve Kiwus. Steve's work is part of an exhibit at the Minnesota History Center called "Small Wonders, Little Giants." Find out more about it by going to http://www.mnhs.org/places/historycenter/exhibits/smallwonders/index.htm

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The Political Panel
The panelists four gaze into a crystal ball and preview the upcoming legislative session as proposals start flying around the capitol.

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The Wrapup
Two great Minnesota history questions, we explain the screw-up in last week's wrapup and some show-ending music from the St. Olaf Christmas concert of 1997.

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