Weekend America Voices
Suzie Lechtenberg
-
Suzie Lechtenberg joined the "Weekend America" staff in the spring of 2004. Before that she was at KPCC, Southern California Public Radio, for almost two years. She started in radio as a DJ at KJKH, a college station in Lawrence, Kan., where she earned a B.A. in American Studies.
Prior to working in radio, Suzie worked for the fashion and pop culture magazines "Dazed and Confused," "Nova," and "Nylon," in London and New York City.
She is the youngest of five daughters, loves classic rock and wants to retire in Big Sur. On the weekend, you can find her soaking up the rays on a beach in Malibu, thrift store hunting, or catching up on "Days of Our Lives" and "Freaks and Geeks."
Recent Stories
-
The Brutal Poetry of the Iraq War
There's a whole group of Americans who won't be home for the holidays this year. Over 140,000 US troops are in Iraq right now. And holidays at war can be strange times. Poet Brian Turner served as an infantry team leader in Iraq in 2003. To get through the holidays, he put home out of his mind. But on his last night in Iraq, with home in sight, Brian wrote a poem called "Cole's Guitar."
-
Veeps, Fastballs, and Slow Death.
Republican John McCain has chosen as his running mate Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. Is that Good News, Bad News or No News?
-
One Delegate
John McCain, Sarah Palin, loads of other Republicans and approximately five billion members of the media are heading to St. Paul. It's the Republican National Convention. Delegates will be casting their votes and nominating the McCain-Palin ticket. Delegates are expected to unite behind the candidate since dissension could be seen as politically toxic. This was the case in 1972 as well, when the Republicans were united behind Richard Nixon. Well, almost united.
-
This Weekend in 1968: Democratic National Convention
Forty years ago this weekend, the world watched as the Democratic National Convention in Chicago descended into chaos. Inside, the party splintered on the convention floor. Outside, the "Yippies" led a protest that not only had a lasting effect on politics, but also led to a revolution in protesting. Since then, public safety and control have radically transformed the institution of protest.
-
Political Houses, Smart Guns, and Ethical Dogs
Researchers report that dogs are learning ethics from people. They've acquired an awareness of fair play and a distaste for foul play. Is this Good News, Bad News or No News?
-
Forty Years Later
The Olympics are often seen as a place where tension and strife are set aside in favor of the purity and joy of athletic competition. But it doesn't always work out that way. Forty years ago, John Carlos was a track and field athlete. He won the bronze in the 200-meter at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City. When Carlos stood on the podium at the medal award ceremony, he and fellow American Tommie Smith raised their black-gloved fists, showing the Black Power salute.
-
Playing Music with my Dad
Folk musician Alela Diane Menig is from Nevada City, Calif., a small Gold Rush town in Northern California with a buzzing music scene. She grew up there with her bluegrass-trained parents, so music runs in the family. Menig's father, Tom, often appears on stage to play with her.
-
Support for Georgia, the White Minority and GPS
As Russian tanks rumble down the streets of Georgia, the Bush administration has pledged its unwavering support to the former Soviet republic. The United States has airlifted Georgian troops from Iraq back to their home, while providing the Georgian military with training and equipment. Does this loyalty seem like Good News, Bad News or No News?
-
Scarred for Life
Karen Williams had the chicken pox when she was seven years old. The case wasn't severe, but her body was left covered with unusual scars, called keloids, that often form on African-American skin. These days, Karen doesn't pay much heed to her scars, but other people do.
-
Satirical Overkill?
Do you agree with our panel of experts on what was good, bad and no news this week?
-
DINKs vs. Breeders
Our panel of non-experts tackle the top issues of the past week: John Ridley, author of the "Visible Man" blog at NPR.org; Yale University professor Amy Hungerford; and Jesse Thorn, host of public radio's "The Sound of Young America."
-
A Lightning Strike Miracle in Maine
Lightning strikes have sparked hundreds of fires in bone-dry California. But not all lightning is destructive -- take the case of Edwin Robinson, who was struck by a bolt in Maine and suddenly regained his sight and hearing, and even started growing hair on his bald head.
