Weekend America

First the Nobel Prize Party, then What?

Former Vice President Al Gore is getting lots of attention as this year's Nobel Peace Prize winner. But along with him are hundreds of scientists who've been participating in the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, or IPCC. Since 1988, the scientists have been assessing we know as climate change and its impact. Linda Mearns is one of the lead authors in recent IPCC reports. She speaks with Weekend America host Bill Radke about sharing the Nobel Peace Prize with Al Gore and hundreds of others.

Immigration: One Thing

From Burma to Indianapolis

This year, the United States has received nearly 14,000 Burmese refugees. Agencies in Indianapolis, Ind., have resettled more than 600 Chin refugees this year, mainly from camps in Malaysia. The Chin are one of the largest ethnic groups in Burma and mainly Christian. Here, many Chin have set up churches on the south side of Indianapolis, and are practicing Christianity openly for the first time in years. Producers Ann Heppermann and Kara Oehler talk with Sui Tluangneh, who was forced to flee his country because of the item he brought with him: a poem.

Walking from Seattle to Alaska

Washington to Alaska: Stopping off in Juneau

Weekend America has been following Erin McKittrick and her husband Bretwood "Hig" Higman's walk from Seattle, Wash., to Unimak Island, Alaska. They are walking to bring attention to environmental issues. It's a 4,000 mile trek and will take about nine months. We'll check in to see how the couple is holding up.

The Real Life of Johnny Fabulous

Those who watch amateur wrestling know "Johnny Fabulous" as a villain that takes on harassment from the audience. But outside the wrestling ring know him as John Cena, a mild-mannered city assessor and wedding officiate. Weekend America reporter Sean Cole enters Cena's double life and finds out if his personalities ever merge.

A Joke about Spanking

In Stacey Patton's memoir, "That Mean Old Yesterday," she writes critically about spanking in the African-American community. According to Patton, spanking kids is an accepted practice, and black comedians have helped make it okay. Weekend America host Desiree Cooper talks with Patton about the relationship between spanking and comedy.

How Does that $10,000 Dinner Taste?

As the presidential candidates embark on the campaign trail, you'll be seeing billboards and hearing ads about what they can offer the American public. The cash it takes to buy far-reaching publicity like this is often collected using the old-fashioned fundraising dinner. Weekend America reporter John Moe finds out exactly what you get for a $10,000-a-plate dinner.

Who Would You Nominate for a Nobel Prize?

In the wake of the Nobel Peace Prize announcement, we wondered if it were up to regular folks to nominate other people in their community for the peace prize, who might they choose? We talked to a woman in California who nominated a non-violence activist in her community. Then we hear from a historical preservationist in Florida who was nominated by one of her neighbors.

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 John Ridley, his latest book is "The American Way" and he has a NPR blog called "Visible Man;" Diana Abu-Jaber, author of "Origin," and Damon Linker, author of "The Theocons."

Weekend America Letters: The Sputnik Uproar

Last week on Good News, Bad News, No News, the panel unanimously declared the anniversary of Sputnik as "no news." Man, did that raise some hackles. We received many e-mails taking them to task: "Are they kidding? That was THE news event of the last century!?""Don't they realize that everything from the computers they use, the chairs they are sitting on and the satellite used to broadcast the show comes from space research?" We'll talk to one listener who's goat was got.

Memories of Fall

Weekend America has been asking listeners to share their stories about the fall season with us. This week listener Marilee Murphy-Odendahl from Freeport, Ill., tells us why the seasons remind her of dad.

Tour Guides Gone Awry

Ron Avery is out to stop misinformation. Avery is a part-time tour guide in Philadelphia and is a retired reporter for the Philadelphia Daily News, and to call him a history buff is an understatement. Avery compiled a list of 80 inaccuracies he heard or heard of while traveling incognito with tours around the city. Example: the Declaration of independence was first written in German! He sent the list to the Philadelphia City Council, encouraging them to require licenses for tour guides and possibly fine guides for giving out the wrong facts. We ride on a horse-drawn tour of historic Philadelphia with Avery as he fact-checks and nitpicks.

Thank You, John Denver

Nineteen-year-old Jake Love discovered John Denver's music when he was at a difficult time, and it really changed the direction of his life. Weekend America host Bill Radke talks with Love about the change he made in his life because of John Denver.