News & Politics
Weekend America on News & Politics
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Hamburg Inn
Everything's a little different in Iowa these days, now that the Iowa caucuses have moved to Jan. 3. As most Americans gather for long, lazy breakfasts in diners this weekend, Iowans gathering for long, lazy breakfasts might be interrupted by sudden appearances from Hillary Clinton or Rudy Giuliani. That's the case at the Hamburg Inn #2 in Iowa City. It's a regular, unassuming diner that just happens to get a lot of famous guests: Barack Obama stopping in for an omelet, John McCain grabbing a vanilla malt. We talk to Dave Panther, the owner of "The Burg," and manager Liz Sanders about how their restaurant became a stop on the road to the White House.
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Beyond the Yellow Ribbon: Coming Home from War
For soldiers, coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan is a relief but also has its own problems. Fitting back into family and civilian life is not always as simple as it seems. In Minnesota, the National Guard started a mandatory program called "Beyond the Yellow Ribbon," to help soldiers and their families adjust to life back home. An orientation is set for family members before guards come back. After guards return, there are meetings after 30, 60 and 90 days. It's a chance for guards to catch up with one another and cope with simple parts of life that may not be so simple anymore.
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Good News, Bad News, No News
Our panel of non-experts reviews the week's events in a parlor game to gauge what kind of a week America had. This week, we hear from New Yorker cartoon editor Bob Mankoff; Yale literature professor Amy Hungerford; and Linda Chavez, the chairman of the Center for Equal Opportunity, based in Sterling, Va.
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Also Running for President: Chris Dodd
Apart from Hillary, Obama and Rudy, there are many, many presidential candidates who aren't among those who will ever be covered by the media. No one is giving these candidates any chance of winning, so we want to know: why do they keep running? Weekend America's John Moe goes on the Iowa campaign trail with Senator Chris Dodd, Democrat from Connecticut.
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'Coon Hunting Back Home
When U.S. Army Sergeant Matt Blakemore isn't in Iraq or Afghanistan, he likes to relax by hunting raccoons, aka 'coons. While on leave, Sergeant Blakemore goes hunting five times a week, often with fellow soldiers. Independent producer Michael May joined them in Killeen, Texas, before they headed back to Iraq.
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Elephants in Cleveland
Ohio is the original "bellwether" state. For the past two elections, the state has been an election battleground and is noted for voting with every winning Presidential candidate since 1960, whether Democrat or Republican. During election season, Weekend America will visit communities in Ohio, starting with Cleveland this Saturday. Cleveland is usually a slam-dunk for Democrats, especially on the east side. But reporter Mhari Saito found a few lonely Republicans in Cleveland and asked then what they're looking for in a president.
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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 hear from writer and comedian Dana Gould, contributor to "The Simpsons"; Dan Savage, author of the column "Savage Love"; and conceptual and performance artist, damali ayo.
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From Iraq to Detroit
The Augustin family fled Iraq and now they live in Detroit. Producers Ann Heppermann and Kara Oehler talk with them about the one thing they managed to hold on to: their home movies.
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Saturday to Saturday
Southern Californians forced to evacuate because of wildfires are returning to their homes this weekend, or what's left of their homes. We asked evacuees John Vogel and Rick LeMonde what it was like to go through this: picking out the most precious belongings, leaving home with the thought that it might be the last time, and what it's like to return.
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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 hear from writer Sherman Alexie, author of the novel "Flight"; David Rakoff, author of "Don't Get too Comfortable"; and actress and actress and comedian Julia Sweeney, whose newest one-woman show is "Letting Go of God."
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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."
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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.
