Weekend America

Conversations with America: Concluding the Conversation

Since last September, Weekend America has been asking writers and thinkers for their take on what matters to them and what should matter to all of us during this time of political change. Now that we have a new president, we thought we'd get some of the contributors back together to continue the conversation - with each other.

Coming to America

According to the Chinese calendar, we just entered the new Year of the Ox a few days ago. It's traditionally a time to spend with family - which makes it bittersweet for Wendy Mok. While she lives in the Los Angeles, her parents live in Hong Kong. But recently, she and her husband got them to come visit. It was their first trip ever to America.

Weekend Soundtrack

Weekend Soundtrack: "Shattered" by the Rolling Stones

We've been asking listeners about the songs that bridge the gap from Friday to Monday. Our latest story comes from Susan Akers. Her song this weekend is "Shattered" by the Rolling Stones.

Women Power Lifting

This weekend a woman in Seattle is trying to lift 290 pounds. She's a former Washington State Supreme Court justice. And she's also a member of the best women's masters powerlifting team in the country. Masters means over 40 years old. In two weeks, Faith and the rest of her team will defend their title at the USA Powerlifting Women's Nationals in Miami.

The Cardinals

As the Super Bowl is played this weekend, we're not going to talk about the Steelers, the team that's favored to win the game. No, we're talking Arizona Cardinals. A team that no sane person would have predicted would be playing in the big game. Will Leitch is the founding editor of the sports web site Deadspin.com, and a true lifelong Arizona Cardinals fan.

Saving the Story

MIT is teaming up with a new movie studio in Massachusetts to create the storytelling technology of the future. We asked Reporter Sean Cole to look into the story, but instead of doing a radio report about it, he wrote a sci-fi movie-type drama, and cast himself as the reporter. So grab some Jujubes. Sit back. And enjoy the show.

Spending the Stimulus Money

This week, the Obama administration's stimulus package passed the House. The Senate votes next. For some state agencies, you'd think it might be a challenge divvying up the funds. But Malcolm Wolf doesn't think it will be too difficult. He's the director of the Maryland Energy Administration, and we spoke to him about how the money will be spent in his state.

Foreclosure Double Punch

Foreclosures are ravaging the historic Detroit neighborhood of Palmer Woods, where reporter Desiree Cooper has lived for the past two decades. Many of the historic homes are now in advanced stages of foreclosure as home prices fall hundreds of thousands of dollars. Instead of weathering the storm, two of Cooper's neighbors are walking away.

Good News, Bad News, No News

Good News, Bad News, No News

Our panel of non-experts weigh in on this week's news events in a parlor game to gauge what kind of week America had. Joining us on this week's panel are Nancy French, author of "A Red State of Mind," comedian Dana Gould and Reihan Salam, associate editor at The Atlantic.

Poetry Radio Project

New Langston Hughes Poems Discovered

It's Langston Hughes's birthday this weekend, and people across the country are celebrating one of America's most beloved poets with poetry performances and other events. Poetry magazine has given Langston Hughes fans even more reason to celebrate. This month's issue features three previously unpublished Langston Hughes poems, written in 1930.

Eat Cake

With winter temperatures low and the sky gray for weeks at a time, it can be tempting to hole up inside and not go anywhere on weekends. For lots of people who live by themselves, that means hanging out at home alone. We wondered what would happen when two people who were used to being alone in winter accidentally cross paths.

The End of Weekend America

It's the final Weekend America show, so we're reflecting on all the weekends we've spent with you in the past. Weekend America host John Moe has some thoughts on the end of Weekend America and how his long involvement in the program has changed his thinking about patriotism and America.