Weekend America

Caucus in the House

Jim and Gracia Willis Iowa home is one of the few that still plays host to political caucuses. The Willises had a few dozen folks for the Democratic caucus at their house this year and we check in to see how it all went.

Election 2008

First Time Politicos

The 2008 presidential elections are drawing more Americans into politics for the first time. We hear from listeners who are registering to vote or joining campaigns for the first time, and ask them why they had to get involved.

Immigration: One Thing

From Sudan to Omaha

In Sudan, Malakal Goak worked with an international relief organization, but as the civil war spread, officials in the north accused him of supporting rebels and put him in jail. After escaping and living as a refugee in Kenya, he ended up in Omaha. The one thing Goak brought with him was a love song that his father composed.

Too Much Army, Too Much Home

Last week listeners thought we had too much army, and too much home sweet home on the show.

A Guide to Staying Warm

Weekend America's John Moe wanted to find out how to get warm and stay warm outside no matter what the thermometer said. He explores precisely how to dress (and how much it will cost you) and what techniques to employ to insure that you'll be able to spend some time this weekend in the great outdoors.

Change of Seasons

Can't Touch a Skiing Family

We recently asked listeners how they spend winter weekends. Jackie Mizer and her family spend weekends hitting the slopes, in Hailey, Idaho. While listening to MC Hammer.

Word of the Year

At the yearly joint meeting of the American Dialect Society and the Linguistic Society of America this weekend, members will select the words of the year for 2008. The linguists like to think the words they choose shed light on the way our language and our culture have changed over the last year.

Starting the New Year with a Dose of Fear

In Arizona, the start of 2008 was the start of a law that prohibits business owners from hiring illegal immigrants. A business that does so can have their license suspended. This has been making many immigrants nervous. Some have been calling in to Alfredo Gutierrez's Spanish language talk show and telling him about how the law has affected them.

Election 2008

Inside the Minds of Single-Issue Voters

Weekend America host Desiree Cooper speaks with Martin White, a single-issue voter in Iowa; and Ed Sarpolus of Michigan State about how single-issues can backfire on candidates.

Good News, Bad News, No News

Caucuses, CIA's Loss and Cocaine

This week Diana Abu-Jaber, John Ridley, Bob Mankoff talk about the caucuses, lost CIA tapes and making cocaine powerless.

All Before Turning 30

Each day of her 29th year, Jen MacNeil vowed to do something she's never done before. She's been documenting the results on her blog. Weekend America host Desiree Cooper checks in with Jen as she rounds the corner to turning 30 in March.

Cell Phone Death

Sean Cole's best friend in the world, Aaron, has stopped using a cell phone. He says it was too expensive, kills gorillas and that he didn't want to be reachable all the time. Aaron lives in New York City, where plans change at a moments' notice, not out of necessity, but because they put ambivalence in the water supply.

The Greatest Upset in All the Universe

As the college bowl nears, Charlie Schroeder and two drum majors help us relive The Greatest Upset in All the Universe, or at least in college football.