Weekend America

Drafting a President

Former Senator and actor Fred Thompson is expected to join the presidential race next week. The reason he's running? He was drafted by his supporters. It's not the first time a candidate has announced they're running for President because of supporters' efforts. Weekend America reporter John Moe looks into the history of presidential drafts.

Caravan with a Cause

This weekend there's a family reunion in Silver Hill, Ala. But they aren't related by blood--they are connected through a cause. In July, two-year-old Caleb Glover was denied access to an RV park's showers and pool because he's HIV positive. HIV/AIDS advocacy groups heard the news and wanted to send a message. Weekend America host Desiree Cooper speaks with Sylvia Glover, Caleb's foster mother, and activist Larry Bryant about this weekend's "reunion."

New York to NOLA

Weekend America's Kelly McEvers is waiting for her husband to come home from a very long walk. Last June, her husband quit his job at a magazine in New York City and decided to take a walk going south. His final destination is New Orleans. He hopes to clear his head and think about the important things in life. Meanwhile, his wife is at home paying bills and wondering why comfortable people choose to make their lives difficult. McEvers went walking with her husband in Georgia and brings us their story.

Weekend Soundtrack

Weekend Soundtrack: "Australia"

Listeners from across the country have been telling us about the soundtrack to their weekends. Today we hear from Melanie Treco, who lives in San Diego and listens to us on KPBS. She tells us why the song "Australia" by the Shins is the first thing she listens to when she gets out of ballet class on the weekend.

Summer Chills and Season Changes

It's going to be hot almost everywhere in the United States this weekend. The "USA Today" weather map is all oranges and reds. But there are a few places where people have already unpacked their winter clothes. One of those chilly places is Stanley, Idaho. It's often the coldest place in the Lower 48 states. Brett Woolley, whose family has been living in Stanley for 100 years, tells us what it's like to spend August in a town that's often below freezing.

Coincidence, Rip Off or Homage?

Some say imitation is the highest form of flattery. If you listen to today's music, you can hear that flattery all around. Timothy English wrote "Sounds Like Teen Spirit" about similarities in pop music, old and new. Weekend America host Bill Radke speaks with English about songs that are surprisingly linked to one another.

What's in a Name?

Massachusetts's Fifth District is in the midst of a special congressional election. The primary is on Tuesday. There are almost a dozen people in the race, but two names stick out: Tsongas and Ogonowski. Weekend America reporter Sean Cole asks the question, "What's in a name?"

A Weekend History Lesson

This weekend, we're celebrating Labor Day, one simple Monday dedicated to giving the working stiff a break, without something religious to celebrate or a big meal to cook. Weekend America's Krissy Clark honors Labor Day by taking us through a brief history of how the weekend came to be.

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. This week, we have former "Simpsons" writer and producer Dana Gould; Yale Literature Professor Amy Hungerford; and writer David Rakoff.

The Miracle of Birth

In Minnesota, the biggest summer festival is the State Fair. Fried cheese curds, pork-chop-on-a-stick, giant turkey legs... the food options are endless. And for urban folks, it's one of the few times to see farm animals up close and personal. It gets really personal if you wander into the State Fair's Miracle of Birth Center. The exhibit is the fair's most popular attraction. It's filled with expectant cows, sows, chickens and sheep who give birth before your very eyes if you hang around long enough. Minnesota Public Radio's Annie Baxter did, and boy does she have tales to tell.

The Zombie Squad

If you see zombies walking through your neighborhood, who do you call? Zombie Squad. They're the ones who are dedicated to keeping people safe if zombies attack. No, this isn't a group of kids. These are adults. Producer Adam Allington of KWMU in St. Louis found out that there's more to the Zombie Squad than just hunting the undead.

Growing Pains

Parents try to shield their kids from the horrors of life. Weekend America host Desiree Cooper has two children, and as both of them go back to school, she's realizing she can't protect them from everything--especially not after what happened this summer.