From the War Zone to Back Home
It's the only part of a deployment that some soldiers look forward to: coming home. This weekend, Galva, Illinois is welcoming back their soldiers, complete with a fire truck escort and hundreds of anxious family members. Then, what happens after the tearful reunions and celebrations are over? Karma and Brad Diers were married on Valentine's Day 2004. Two days later, Brad shipped out. Separated their entire first year of marriage, Brad and Karma were reunited earlier this month. Weekend America asked them how they readjusted to life together.

Weekend Weather
Weekend America's John Moe takes a look at weather patterns and Saturday happenings all across the country.

Digitally Divided
People can overcome most everything for love -- money, family, religion.but distance? Weekend America met one couple that's trying to bridge the thousands of miles between them with the help of technology. They've synchronized almost every detail of their lives and broadcast sound recordings of their days on the Internet, all in the name of love, and art.

Jazz Picks with Nate Chinen
Tuba players the world over can attest to the fact that their instrument might not rank high in sex appeal. But Nate Chinen of Jazz Times Magazine has a new pick from Ted Nash that takes the tuba out for a night on the town.

Bypassed Town
Fifty years ago, if you were to drive south down the old 15-501 highway in North Carolina, about 14 miles outside of Chapel Hill you'd find yourself in the bustling mill town called Bynum. But that was before they built the bypass, sucking the life out of the town. Now only about 250 people live in Bynum. Our contributor Jordana Gustafson wandered into the Bynum General Store and met general manager Jerry Partin.

Meditating Monk, Hidden Brainwave
The University of Wisconsin is doing a study on the effects of meditation on the brain, and it turns out that people who spend time meditating might change the way that their brains function. Reporter Rebecca Roberts discusses with host Barbara Bogaev what she found out. We'll also hear from Buddist monk and test subject Matthieu Richard.

Open. Dump. Stir.
John Moe can't cook, and he knows it. That's why the his favorite recipe is a mixture of marshmallows, pistachio pudding, and pineapple chunks -- the hardest part is "dump" and "stir." But what's a guy to do when his mother will only make a low-fat version and his kids decide that his favorite food is "icky?"

Jazz Picks with Nate Chinen
Like a good bottle of wine, jazz is always evolving. Dave Holland started as a teenager in Miles Davis' band and now jazz critic Nate Chinen says Holland's transforming the tradition of the Big Band.

A Matter of Life and Death
It's a decision that no family would ever want to make. In 1987 Nancy Cruzan was severely injured in a car accident, and her family decided that they didn't want her living in a vegetative state. Host Barbara Bogaev asked Cruzan family attorney William Colby about what life was like for the family during the ordeal and what reflections he has on the case.

From Selma to Montgomery
This weekend is the 40th anniversary of the march from Montgomery to Selma, Alabama march-one of the events that convinced many Americans to fight for civil rights. Weekend America spoke with John Lewis, one of the march organizers and former CBS news reporter Murray Fromson about their recollections of the event that changed the course of the Civil Rights Movement.

Capture the Flag
A hundred years ago, President Theodore Roosevelt signed a bill to send all the Confederate flags captured in the Civil War back to the South. But even today, it's still a touchy subject. Weekend America looks into the controversial history of the Confederate flag. Weekend America hosts speak with historian Steven Osman and John Coski of the Museum of the Confederacy.

It's No Joke
When was the last time you really had a belly laugh? There's a laughing club in Arlington, Massachusetts that helps people who aren't smiling much to laugh. Producer Chelsea Merz visited to find out if laughter is the best medicine.

Copyrighting Clothing Is Not in Fashion
If an author really admires another's writing and puts it in his next book, that's plagiarism. Right? But if a designer likes another's hemline and uses it in his Spring collection, it's a compliment. Reporter Rick Karr has been taking a look at copyright protection in the world of fashion.

Lupine Conspiracy
This week President Bush nominated Paul Wolfowitz to head the World Bank. His predecessor is named Wolfinson -- does anyone else see a pattern? Guest host Matt Algeo spoke with economist Bernie Wolf about the special qualifications his name may give him in the world of international finance.

South by Los Super 7
The South by Southwest Music Festival is happening this week in Austin, Texas. Last week, music critic Alan Light featured a pick from the band Los Super 7, and this week he joins us live from the café where they'll be performing tonight.