Weekend America

An Iowa House Party

This week in Iowa, presidential candidates finished the last round of debates before the caucuses happen on January 3rd. Once the candidates stop talking, it's time for Iowans to debate over who should get their endorsements. Sometimes that debate takes place in people's homes.

Election 2008

The Momentum of Mike Huckabee

In our ongoing series "I'm Also Running For President," we focus on candidates who are doggedly determined to win the highest office in the land, but who realistically don't stand a snowball's chance - well maybe. John Moe met up with Mike Huckabee in Des Moines and got his thoughts on torture, tax policy, health care, muffins and the great bass players of the British Invasion.

Weekend Pass

A Hug on the Way Home

Soldiers returning home from war through Dallas Fort Worth airport are landing in the arms of two strangers. Linda Tinnerman and Constance Carman give out hugs upon re-entry.

Listener Letters: Horse Rustlin' and "Puff" Endings

This week we open the Weekend America mailbox, and we hear your thoughts on chopping down Christmas trees, how "Puff the Magic Dragon" could end happily and how horse theft is a real problem in the U.S.

The Puppetless Puppet Show

Listener Lisa Romano lives in Earlysville, Va. She remembers putting on a Christmas Eve puppet show for her parents in their home with her older sister. The puppets weren't string puppets or sock puppets - they were a mix of Barbies, My Little Ponies and bits of other toys.

Great Moments in Small Talk

A few weeks ago, Weekend America asked listeners to send us their small talk stories. Small talk is a big part of the holidays, when innocuous chatter can smooth over many an awkward moment. But sometimes, small talk can get us into trouble. We hear how.

The Eagles Carolers

Cindy Simmons of Seattle, Wash., is a lecturer of First Amendment law. She feels it's her duty to reinforce the secular voice in public spaces and to balance out the chorus of baby Jesus songs and snowman medleys. So for the past six years, Cindy and a small following--seven secular carolers and a puppy--have taken to caroling songs by the Eagles.

The Immigrants are OK!

As of last month in Oklahoma, it's a felony for anyone to transport, conceal or house undocumented immigrants. As a result, this weekend and over the past few weekends, things have been a little quieter than they used to be in Oklahoma's Hispanic neighborhoods. Scott Gurian reports.

A Showdown in Phoenix

Protestors and counter-demonstrators gather every Saturday in Phoenix, Ariz., to rally, either for or against, a tough new state immigration law that will take affect in jan. Rene Gutel reports on the tumult that has become a weekly standard.

Good News, Bad News, No News

'Roids and Science

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 hear from Yale literature professor Amy Hungerford; author David Rakoff; and writer and comedian Dana Gould, whose credits include "The Simpsons."

Another Great Moment in Small Talk

Around this time last year, Charlie Schroeder couldn't stop imitating the faux Kazakhstani journalist, Borat. His addiction peaked over Thanksgiving while at a friend's wedding in Mexico. He only knew a few people there, but he figured he'd charm the others with his humor and spot-on impersonation. Schroeder tells the story with help from the groom, Jay Reiss.

Joe Sacco's "Palestine"

Joe Sacco travels around the world collecting stories and conducting interviews like other reporters, but instead of writing articles, he draws comics. Sacco's most successful book is called "Palestine." This week, a special edition of the book goes into wide release.

A Vocal Holiday Tradition

Rebecca Summerlot lives in Orlando and listens to us on WMFE. She tells us how singing in front of hundreds of people signals the holidays for her.

Resurrecting the Rosary

Bill Gildenstern works in the commercial jingle writing business. But lately, he's been thinking about how to make the rosary easy to remember.