• News/Talk
  • Music
  • Entertainment

Hour 1

  • Proposition 8 could ban same-sex marriage in Calif

    Prop 8 and Me

    In California, a state initiative called Proposition 8 is on the ballot to ban gay marriage through an amendment to the state constitution. The outcome of Proposition 8 could affect whether other states allow gay marriage. And the race has gotten close, expensive and extremely polarized. But there are some people who, though they have strong opinions, are trying to stay above the fray.

  • America's Infrastructure

    America's Infrastructure: St. Louis Paratransit

    St. Louis Call-A-Ride Bus

    This weekend in St. Louis, public transit advocates are making a last push to convince voters to pass Proposition M. It would increase sales taxes by half a cent. If it doesn't pass, officials say they'll have to slash services, raise fares, or maybe both. Weekend America and the PBS television project Blueprint America sent reporter Rick Karr to St. Louis to visit the people who're most likely to suffer from service cuts.

  • Music Bridge:
    Go
    Artist: So Percussion
    CD: So Percussion (Canteloupe)
  • Aging Out

    Tyondra Newton

    Each year 26,000 American teenagers in foster care make a difficult transition as they turn 18 and become adults in the eyes of the state. This weekend, 700 people will gather for a conference that connects former foster care kids with mentors and educational programs. Ellen Guettler of American RadioWorks brings us the story of one young woman in the years after she aged out of foster care.

  • Music Bridge:
    Mel Under
    Artist: Sack and Blumm
    CD: Shy Noon (Gefreim)
  • Conversations with America

    Conversations with America: Julia Alvarez

    Julia Alvarez

    For a few weeks now, we've been bringing you essays from folks around the country about what they think should be on voters' minds this election. We're calling it "Conversations with America." In the final days before the election, our last piece comes from Vermont writer Julia Alvarez.

  • Music Bridge:
    Mima
    Artist: Helios
    CD: Caesura (Type)
  • The Great Halloween Candy Fiasco

    Johnny Vince Evans in 1981

    Trick or treating is over, and you might have a giant mound of candy to get rid of. A couple weeks ago, we asked you for suggestions on what to do with your Halloween leftovers. A number of you wrote back, but one idea in particular stood out. It came from the budding entrepreneurial mind of Johnny Vince Evans. The plan he hatched in junior high was perfect. Until it went horribly awry.

  • Cooking with Loser Candy

    Loser Candy

    Maybe you've got that bowl, that plastic pumpkin, that pillowcase of sweets. What do you do with the good stuff? Easy. Eat it. But what about the loser candy? You know, Smarties, Tootsie Rolls, generic suckers from the drug store. Eating that stuff just plain tastes like defeat. Don't worry, we're here to help. Lynne Rosetto Kasper offers us tips on cooking with loser candy.

  • Music Bridge:
    The Day After Halloween
    Artist: The Sippy Cups
    CD: One Day Soon (Snacker Disc)
  • Running the Music Marathon

    Rocking the route at the 2006 NYC Marathon

    At various points along the New York City marathon route this weekend, runners will hear everything from bagpipes, hip hop, rock and jazz fusion to a high school band playing the theme from "Rocky." The focus is naturally on the runners, but the dozens of musicians who show up are posted along the route to entertain onlookers and lift the runners' spirits.

Hour 2

  • John McCain Campaigning in Pennsylvania

    The Last Weekend

    It's the last weekend for crucial campaigning efforts before the election. Both presidential campaigns are pushing hard in places where the going is tough in a game of electoral math. For John McCain's campaign, that means a huge focus on Pennsylvania, whose 21 electoral votes could help him secure the presidency. Barack Obama's campaign has been concentrating on the tightening race in Arizona.

  • Music Bridge:
    Windsurf
    Artist: Windsurf
    CD: Coastlines (Internasjonal)
  • Good News, Bad News, No News

    Obama Infomercial, Joe the Plumber, Candy Cutbacks

    Sen. Obama's Infomercial

    Our panel of non-experts weigh in on this week's news events in a parlor game to gauge what kind of week America had. Joining us on this week's panel are: Luke Burbank, host of the radio show "Too Beautiful To Live"; Nancy French, author of "A Red State of Mind"; and David Rakoff, whose latest book is "Don't Get Too Comfortable."

  • Music Bridge:
    Roots and Wire
    Artist: Deadbeat
    CD: Roots and Wire (Wagon Repair)
  • Weekend Soundtrack

    "City Boy"

    On the road: Sedona, Ariz.

    It's time to listen to your weekend soundtrack - the songs that bridge the gap from Friday to Monday. This week our story comes from Mark Delmonte. Mark has been traveling the country, trying to find a place to settle down. His weekend soundtrack for his journey is "City Boy" by Keb' Mo'. He spoke with our host John Moe.

  • Music Bridge:
    Very Small Rock
    Artist: Happy Apple
    CD: Happy Apple Back on Top (Sunny Side)
  • Campaign '68

    Robert Kennedy reaches to the crowd in 1968

    The presidential campaign is in its last few suspenseful days. Forty years ago, Richard Nixon enjoyed the benefit of an "October surprise" in his campaign against his opponent, Democrat Hubert Humphrey. The 1968 election was a turning point in contemporary American politics. Stephen Smith of American RadioWorks speaks with host John Moe about his new documentary "Campaign '68."

  • Memories of the Great Depression

    Joan and Teddy Anbuhl in 1935

    This week marked the anniversary of the great stock market crash, Oct. 29, 1929. It got a little more attention than usual in light of our current economic crisis. The $700 billion bailout was designed to avert another "Great Depression." We were curious to hear from people who lived through the Depression--how they pulled through such a time. Here's what we heard back.

  • Music Bridge:
    There's No Depression In Love
    Artist: Vincent Rose and His Orchestra
    CD: Brother, Can you Spare A Dime (Fanfare)
  • Bride of Scaring the Kids

    Bride of Scaring the Kids

    Last week's story about scary childhood movie memories brought an unprecedented flood of response to our website. Apparently, Weekend America listeners have a lot of unresolved issues from their youths. You told us how you were still traumatized by "E.T.," "Raiders of the Lost Ark," "Pinocchio," "Pee-Wee's Big Adventure" and even "9 to 5." John Moe called up a few listeners to provide a sort of group therapy session of the airwaves.

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