Weekend America

A Thin Line Between Towns

Along the Rio Grande in far west Texas, the small towns on opposite sides of the river are closer to one other than to major cities in their own countries. For years, Americans could go back and forth to the small Mexican towns of Boquillas and Santa Elena without even carrying a passport. But after September 11, Border Patrol agents cracked down on these casual border crossings, destroying the tourist economy that kept those isolated villages afloat. Weekend America's Michael May traveled to Boquillas with American Cynta De Narvaez, who's trying to help the town survive the tough times.

Gabe Hudson and ZZ Packer in Granta

Granta literary magazine released their list of Best Young American Novelists this spring. Among those writers were Gabe Hudson and ZZ Packer. Hudson wrote the story "Dear Mr. President," written in the form of a letter to the first President Bush by a soldier. And Packer wrote a story about love called, "Gideon." They share excerpts with us.

Listener Letters

Each week Weekend America hears from the listeners via e-mail, snail mail and telephone. This week a listener wrote to us about a comment made last week about Wiccans and giving respect where it's due.

The Twisted History of Sea Monkeys

The story behind, Herald Von Braunhut, the founder of sea monkeys, is as odd as sea monkeys themselves. He's been an inventor, salesman, and neo-Nazi--and was Jewish. Weekend America's John Moe delved into the history of the kitchy pet and its father. He found the real story from educator George Atamian, Mark Potok from the Southern Poverty Law Center, and 6-year-old Charlie Moe.

Karen Russell in Granta

Granta literary magazine choose Karen Russell as one of their best young American novelists this year. We asked Russell to read an excerpt from "The Barn at the End of our Term," a story about powerful men who find themselves in a world that makes less sense than their own after death.

Eddie Tuduri's Rhythm Section

Eddie Tuduri isn't living the life he expected when he came to California in 1968. Tuduri is a drummer, and back in the day, he toured and recorded with some of the biggest acts in pop music. But after an accident about 10 years ago, he switched to teaching drumming to developmentally disabled adults and children. Tuduri tells us about the path he's chosen.

The Frederick Madam

While the "D.C. Madam" makes headlines this weekend, they might be shaking their heads 40 miles away in Frederick, Md. It's a city of 50,000 people and it went through its own sex scandal a few years ago, complete with a Madam's black book made public. We asked Washington Post reporter Frederick Kunkel, who covered the story, to walk down memory lane with us.

Eighth Grade Commitment

On May 10, eighth-graders in Wisconsin can sign the Wisconsin Covenant. They'll agree to stay in the state for college, in exchange for admission guarantees and financial aid. What's it like to be 13 years old, and thinking of your future, we wondered. And how does an eighth-grader imagine their college-aged self? We asked some Cherokee Heights Middle School students just that.

Good News, Bad News, No News

Good News, Bad News, No News

Our panel of non-experts review the week's events in a parlor game to gauge what kind of week America had. Weighing in: This week we talk with former Simpsons writer, Dana Gould, Nancy French, the author of "A Red State of Mind," and Rabbi Debra Kassoff.

America's Next Public Radio Host?

The search is on to find the next voice for public radio and time is running out for those who want to throw their hat in the race. With almost a week left to submit and vote for finalists for the Talent Quest competition, Weekend America host Bill Radke talks with Talent Quest judge and Public Radio Exchange executive director Jake Shapiro.

Singing Lessons, in the Shower

Cathleen Wilder of Seattle, Wash., has made a career teaching people how to sing in the shower and other unlikely places. Weekend America guest host Desiree Cooper talks with Wilder about what it takes to hit the right notes without dropping the soap.

The Mount Denali Business Boom

This weekend is the unofficial start of the Mount Denali climbing season in Alaska. That means more than a thousand people will gather in the small town of Talkeetna as they approach the peak, the highest in North America. During the off-season it's hard to even find a meal but when the climbers show up, all businesses are open. Independent Producer Annie Feidt brings us the story.

A Renaissance, Cajun Style

The Cajun music scene is making a comeback. It's not just a part of music history classes or for folklore enthusiasts. People who are barely out of college are getting into the genre, and it's evident at this weekend's Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans. Music Critic Christopher Blagg checks out the Cajun renaissance for Weekend America.