Weekend America

Gated Into Foreclosure

In the massive wave of foreclosures that have hit many parts of the country this year, nowhere has been hit harder than Las Vegas. Things are especially dire in the recently built subdivisions, like the gated community of San Niccolo. Weekend America's Krissy Clark first went behind the gates of this neighborhood last spring, and she's been bringing us stories from behind the gates.

Donation Day

We're taking a look at stories that have stayed with us through the year. One of our producers, Marc Sanchez, received a FedEx package in early spring, and soon as he read the return address, he knew that they had found him. "They" are the National Marrow Donation Program. And Marc was going to have to face something he didn't even know he'd been avoiding.

Walking from Seattle to Alaska

Walking to Alaska: Is it Really Over?

We've spent over a year on the trail of Erin McKittrick and Bretwood "Hig" Higman. The couple started walking from Seattle to Alaska in June of 2007, and we've been checking in on their progress. Last time we caught up with them, the couple had ended up in Seldovia, Alaska. We invited them onto the show for one last hurrah and to look back at what their trek has taught them.

The A-11 Offense

Two frustrated coaches at Piedmont High School in Northern California were brainstorming ideas to keep their small team competitive. What they devised was a crazy new offensive strategy called the A-11 that took advantage of the "scrimmage kick" formation. If you have no idea what that is, you're not alone, but the A-11 strategy worked and the Piedmont Highlanders began winning. Is it the future of football?

Christmas in Hamtramck

Sisters Charnita Monday and Helen Hatcher have been inseparable their whole lives. But in the 1970s, they were kicked out of their homes in Hamtramck, Michigan. This spring, after a discrimination suit, Charnita and Helen moved back to Hamtramck into side-by-side houses. Weekend America's Desiree Cooper checked in on them this holiday season to see how they were doing.

John Moe's 2008 Highlights

Weekend America host John Moe revisits some of his favorite stories of the year. First he checks in again with super-villain Dr. Cruelty, now in search of an economic bailout. He talks with the last pick of the 2008 NFL draft. And he gives an update on his son's hamster Fuzzy, whom John transported halfway across the country earlier this year.

Honoring Cold War Veterans

This weekend marks the 17th anniversary of the collapse of the Soviet Union and the official end of the Cold War. Some Americans will be observing this weekend as if it were a holiday. These folks flew the Berlin Air Lift, or played cat and mouse games with Soviet subs, like in a Tom Clancy novel. Independent Producer Eric Molinsky says these retired servicemen are facing a new battle.

The Economy at the End of the Year

As 2008 comes to an end, Americans find themselves in the thick of a recession. This was the year that Americans had to come to grips with their spending and debt and boy, it was not a pretty sight. Chris Farrell, American Public Media's chief economic correspondent, is here to sift through the economic news of 2008.

Good News, Bad News, No News

Good News, Bad News, No News

Time for our weekly parlor game to keep track of the news of the week. We are joined by Yale University professor of literature Amy Hungerford' John Ridley, author and founding editor of thatminoritything.com; and Reihan Salam, associate editor at the Atlantic.

Weekend Soundtrack

Weekend Soundtrack: "12 Diablos" by We

It's time to listen to your weekend soundtrack - the songs that bridge the gap from Friday to Monday. This week our story comes from Charles Wommack. His weekend soundtrack is the song "12 Diablos" by the group We.

Staying Sober, Reinventing Fun

A few months ago, Weekend America profiled a student named Sam attending a drug and alcohol recovery program at Minneapolis' Augsburg College. After years of substance addiction, Sam was clean and finding new interests. He was teaching himself the piano and immersing himself in theater. We check back in with him as he approaches his two year anniversary of being sober.

2008: A Stunningly Predictable Year

2008 was the year that Weekend America Host John Moe turned 40. It might sound crazy to be surprised by your own birthday, but somehow he was shocked. Then he realized something: If he was stupid to not be thrown by a highly foreseen event, then all of America was stupid. Because in retrospect, the big events of 2008 were completely predictable and yet they blew our minds anyway.