Weekend America

Mike Gravel, Still in the Running

There's more to the 2008 campaign than Obama, Clinton and McCain. We catch up with former Alaska Sen. Mike Gravel, who may yet earn the title of the "real maverick." He started out as a Democrat, but now he's is running as a Libertarian.

Border Wall, Spanish Land Grant Collide

The Department of Homeland Security is building a border wall/fence along the U.S. border with Mexico. Authorities want to put a wall across Eloisa Tamez' property in south Texas -- a wall that will cut in half the land that has been in her family for centuries.

The Black Jews of South-Side Chicago

They call themselves Hebrew Israelites, and claim a connection with the earliest African adherents of Judaism. Incorporating traditions from black Christian churches, the unique synagogue is attracting more and more followers -- even white Jews are coming through the doors.

Letters

Letters: James Brown the Hero, Marriage Tourism to Thailand

Listeners share memories from the moment the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s was assassinated, and sound off about last week's story of a man trying to find a wife in Thailand, and his son's trepidation about that quest.

An Unlikely Ascent from Ex-Con to Artist

Before his debut into the art world, Eppiphonio "Epi" Lopez was a drug smuggler. After his release from prison in 2006, he gained local fame for a role in a rock opera. Now his prison sketches are on display at a New Orleans gallery.

Battling for the Grilled Cheese Crown

It's just bread, butter and cheese, right? Yes, and so much more. Competitors at this year's Grilled Cheese Invitational are serving up some unexpected gourmet versions of the lunchtime classic. Think mascarpone and roasted squash, sandwich sculpture and bad haiku.

Paying to Burn the Prairie Grass

Rising grain prices has some Midwestern cattle ranchers looking for other ways to make money from their land. One rancher has a novel idea -- he charges tourists to help him burn his prairie grass during his annual spring burn-off.

New Life for Hamtramck's Black Enclave

The small city of Hamtramck, right in the middle of Detroit, fought a court order to help rebuild an African-American enclave destroyed by neglect. Now that enclave has new life, thanks to 200 new homes. And for two sisters, it's a new beginning.

Good News, Bad News, No News

Potter Battle, Messy YouTube Divorces

Our panel of non-experts reviews the week's news -- renowned documentary filmmaker Albert Maysles, advice columnist Dan Savage and conceptual and performance artist damali ayo.

Change of Seasons

The Tiny Green Shoots of Welcome

Weekend America listener Corrie Befort Patnaude was 9 when her family moved to Minnesota, in the middle of a cold winter. She wasn't used to the cold and couldn't wait for spring to arrive. Befort shares memories of her yard leaping to life as the winter chill dies away.

'Enough Enough Dayenu Enough'

Tonight, Jewish families the world over are gathering to remember the Passover -- the epic story of the Jewish exodus from Egypt. Judith Sloan shares a poem about the meaning of the Hebrew word "dayenu," which translated means "enough." All the world's hardships... will we ever have enough?

Mapping the Score to Planet Earth

James Plakovic's unique map of the planet Earth looks familiar, until you look real close: It's made of musical notes, a score for 37 instruments. It may be difficult to listen to and a little chaotic. But then again, so is the real Earth.

Music, Memories for Record Store Day

Independent record stores all over the world are celebrating Record Store Day. And in a world where the number-one music retailer doesn't even have a storefront (it's iTunes), record stores might be considered a precious resource.