Weekend America

South Dakota Choice

On November 7, the people of South Dakota will decide whether to approve a sweeping ban on virtually all abortions. The measure would allow abortions only to save a pregnant woman's life without exception for rape, incest or other health concerns. But even now while abortion is legal, no doctors in the state will perform them. Only a handful of doctors fly into the state to perform the procedure at the Planned Parenthood clinic in Sioux Falls. Once a week, Dr. Miriam McCreary, 70 and semi-retired, makes the trip from her home in Minneapolis. Barbara talks with her about what's at stake.

Clinging to Clutter

Melodie's apartment is beyond cluttered and everyone has a suggestion on how to fix it, like just take everything you own and throw it out. And after they suggest things like that for the billionth time, she will break down and sob uncontrollably. Independent producer Elizabeth Chur checks in with Melodie at her apartment in San Francisco, California.

Jazz Pick: Russell Malone

Bill Radke talks to Jazz Times Critic, Nate Chinen, about the newest release from Russell Malone. The guitarist is best known as a rock-solid sideman, but on his new CD, "Live at Jazz Standard Volume One," he takes the spotlight.

A Fan's Tale

Three years ago the Detroit Tigers set the American League record for most losses in a season. Now they're in the World Series. Detroit hasn't been to the Fall Classic since 1984. And the last time before that was 1968. And our friend Hank Rosenfeld has been a fan longer than that. Hank tells us about the life of a Tiger's fan.

The Original Man on the Street

In the 60's, Jim Coyle and Mal Sharpe took to the streets of San Francisco in the name of radio comedy. They would ask strangers random questions and give them wild scenarios. They were like the Penn and Teller of radio. Along the way, they captured the San Francisco culture and attitude of the time. Their work has been compiled on a four-disc set called "Coyle and Sharpe: These Two Men Are Imposters." Producer Jesse Boggs joins Mal Sharpe on the streets of San Francisco.

The Daniel Variations

Tomorrow evening, Carnegie Hall will debut a new work by composer Steve Reich (pictured) that commemorates the death of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl. The piece links him to the Biblical figure, Daniel. Richard Goodman, a real estate attorney from Oakland, Calif., commissioned the piece. Independent producer Peter Crimmins brings us the genesis of setting Daniel Pearl's story to music.

Hawaiian Earthquake

One week after the 6.7 earthquake that rocked Hawaii's big island, Bill checks in with two locals whose lives have been turned upside down. He talks to Reverend George Baybrook, minister of a 151-year-old church that was badly damaged in last Sunday's quake. He will also speak with Bill Shontell who is the engineer on an irrigation system that provides both fun for tourists and sustenance to farms in the Kohala region. The system has been so badly damaged that it will take millions of dollars and an indeterminate amount of time before it can run again.

Iron Nun

Each year on the big island of Hawaii, tri-athletes descend on the paradise to compete in a grueling challenge where they run, swim and bike to the finish line. Today, 76-year-old Sister Madonna Buder from Spokane, Wash., is competing in her twentieth Iron Man challenge in Kona. Last year she set the record for being the oldest person to complete the event. Sister Madonna Buder and Bob Babbitt, the publisher of Competitor Magazine, share their thoughts on the competition and Sister Buder's accomplishment as a tri-athlete.

At Sea

Sunday, sailors from around the world will set off from Bilbao, Spain for the 30,000-mile Velux 5 oceans race. Tim Troy is the only American entered in this grueling race that is held once every four years. Tim has been dreaming of sailing in this race for years and his chance came when he got a sponsor to help him with the steep admission fee. Back home in Crownsville, Md., Tim owns an auto transmission business, but sailing has always been a part of his life. Bill speaks with Tim from Bilbao.

Tin folk

Each October, the town of Northport, Ala., hosts the Kentuck Festival of the Arts. The festival attracts some 30,000 visitors to listen to music, eat ribs, but mostly to see some of the country's most popular folk artists and craftsmen. We pay a visit and meet Charlie Lucas, one of the best known folk artists in Alabama. Independent producers Judith Fein and Paul Ross bring us the story.

The Race in Utah

We take a look at the First Congressional District race in Utah. Steve Olsen is a candidate and, although it's commonly believed in Utah that a "good Mormon" is a Republican, Olsen is Mormon and a Democrat. He's approaching the race with religious zeal. We'll hear how he is taking lessons learned from his faith and applying them to the race. Reporter Julie Rose from KCPW in Utah has the story from Plain City, Utah.

Song & Memory

Song and Memory

Is there a song that brings back a strong memory from your childhood? In this installment of our ongoing series, "Song and Memory," we meet Hannah Marcus, a singer-songwriter from Brooklyn. When Hannah was little, she often found herself listening to music with her babysitter. Hannah didn't just get a musical education from the babysitter, she was schooled in politics and race.