Almanac: TPT's weekly public affairs program

Almanac Hosts: Eric Eskola and Cathy Wurzer

REALVIDEO ARCHIVE HOME

Get the Free RealPlayer (link is in upper right corner)

< Prev | Next >

RealVideo Archive - 2004 (October to December)

Entire Almanac for October 1, 2004	Watch the show
The Monolog During this presidential election, no one can stop talking about Viet Nam. And that includes this week's monologist Jim Ragsdale.	View the clip
New Person to Pilot NWA Richard Anderson has resigned as the chief executive at Northwest Airlines. We learn about the remarkable volatility in the airline industry from Piper Jaffray analyst Joel Denny.	View the clip
Ballot Bickering It's been a rocky year for figuring out the Minnesota ballot. Judicial challenges... concerns about a new voter registration system... charges of partisanship. We debate these things with State Senators John Marty (DFL-Roseville) and Dave Kleis (R-St. Cloud).	View the clip
More Facts Unfiltered The third part in our five-part election series done in partnership with the St. Paul Pioneer Press and The Citizens League. Our Mary Lahammer introduces you to this week's topic: jobs and the economy.	View the clip
Lucia Newell Live! Lucia Newell and Departure Point has a new CD "Steeped in Strayhorn" which celebrates the music of jazz composer Billy "Sweet Pea" Strayhorn. There's a CD party at The Dakota in Minneapolis on Oct 7th at 8pm. Lucia is on vocals, Laura Caviani is on keyboards, Pete Whitman on sax.	View the clip
Transportation Mania Just call this week Public Transportation Nerd Nirvana. Light Rail transit AND rapid busways made headlines. State Transportation Commissioner Carol Molnau is our live guest.	View the clip
Party Chairs Panel Thursday's first presidential debate --which was more debate than advertised-- is one of the topics of this week's panel. Who's on the panel? The leaders of Minnesota's four major political parties.	View the clip
The Wrapup Our patented Index File Minnesota history questions... your comments about the program... and another live tune by Lucia Newell.	View the clip

Entire Almanac for October 8, 2004	Watch the show
The Monolog J.G. Preston has a split personality.	View the clip
Flu Woes The Flu Vaccine is suddenly in short supply. What are Minnesotans to do? Among our guests is State Epidemiologist Harry Hull.	View the clip
The Facts About the Environment Mary Lahammer brings you part four in our five part "Facts Unfiltered" election year project. It's a partnership with the St. Paul Pioneer Press and the Citizens League. This week we bring you straight-up facts about the environment.	View the clip
Mike Lynch's Minnesota Starwatch Ever wanted to know your way around the night sky? WCCO Radio meteorologist and astronomy enthusiast Mike Lynch has written a book to help you out. Mike is along with his telescope to talk to you about it.	View the clip
New Job Figures Released Today the feds released the September job figures and the results were lower than experts had hoped. Why did Wall Street think the job growth in our country would be 50% higher than it was? Economic Analyst Paul Anton tries to explain.	View the clip
Indian Gaming University of Minnesota professor Kevin Washburn joins us.	View the clip
More Mike Lynch Mike Lynch and J.G. Preston are back for another chat about stars and planets, maybe even comets.	View the clip
A Moderates Panel We keep hearing about how divided America is this election season. What are Americans in the middle to do? We've assembled a group of self-identified Minnesota moderates to talk about the issues they care about. Tonight's panel includes Peter Hutchinson, John Wodele and Karen Anderson.	View the clip
The Wrapup Did you get last week's question about the 1965 World Series? If you didn't we have the answer for you along with a brand spanking new Index File question. Then we end the show with a fun tune about the Minnesota Twins.	View the clip

Entire Almanac for October 15, 2004	Watch the show
Political Puppet Theatre The puppets are back with their take on the final Presidential debate.	View the clip
Buckle In for a Wild Ride The Presidential and Veep visits don't stop. We assess the Presidential race in our state with two ardent supporters. Bush supporter Annette Meeks and Kerry backer Vance Opperman square off.	View the clip
Just The Facts We bring the fifth and final edition of Facts Unfiltered our election-year project done in partnership with the Saint Paul Pioneer Press and the Citizens League. Tonight's topic: war and security.	View the clip
Sean Kershaw Sean Kershaw from the Citizens League talks about the Facts Unfiltered project's findings.	View the clip
Clarence Darrow Letters The U of M just purchased our nation's largest collection of letters written by famed 20th century lawyer Clarence Darrow. Meet the Minnesotan who did the sleuthing and tracked down the letters.	View the clip
Second District Congressional Debate Live! Congressman John Kline and DFL challenger Teresa Daly sit down with Cathy and Eric and informally debate homeland security, jobs and health care.	View the clip

Entire Almanac for October 22, 2004	Watch the show
Election Law Will this be the year of 2,004 election-related lawsuits? We talk about this week's election judge challenge here in Minnesota and the prospects of other voting lawsuits. Joining us are attorneys Alan Weinblatt and Roger Magnuson.	View the clip
Battleground Minnesota It's a get out the vote documentary unlike any other you've seen. We'll show you a clip and then talk about it with documentary host Chris Johnson and Sean Kershaw with the Citizens League. Twin Cities viewers can watch Battleground Minnesota October 23 at 8 pm on tpt17 and October 24 at 11 pm on tpt2.	View the clip
The Story of John Donaldson He was a Negro League pitcher who ended up living in Minnesota in the 1920s and pitching for the Bertha team. How did that happen? Pete Gorton will tell us all about it.	View the clip
First Bush, Then Kerry It was quite the week for Presidential candidate visits to the North Star state. We'll show you some side-by-side highlights.	View the clip
A Political Scientist Panel What sort of election season has this been thus far in Minnesota and what can we expect from the final ten days? Steve Schier of Carleton, Larry Jacobs from the U of M and Kay Wolsborn of St. Benedict join us on the Almanac couch.	View the clip
The Wrapup Two mighty fine Minnesota history questions and a show-ending live musical performance of "Battleground Minnesota."	View the clip

Entire Almanac for October 29, 2004	Watch the show
The Monolog Dominic Papatola thinks it's scary how close Halloween is to Election Day.	View the clip
KSTP's Explosive Video Does KSTP's Iraq footage show missing explosives? KS Photographer Joe Caffrey and News Director Chris Berg are our guests.	View the clip
Gettin' Out the Vote We hear about partisan --and non-partisan-- efforts to get out the vote for November 2. DFLer Jeff Blodgett, Republican Peter Hong and Mark Ritchie with the National Voice voting project join us.	View the clip
Kennedy and Wetterling on the Campaign Trail Our Mary Lahammer caught up Mark Kennedy and Patty Wetterling on Friday as they stumped for votes.	View the clip
A Glorious Burden The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden is the name of a Smithsonian exhibit running at the Minnesota History Center between now and May. Curator Brian Sullivan gives us a tour.	View the clip
A Watson Family Tradition Frank Watson worked with his late father Bruce to develop long-range weather predictions. Frank stops by to give us his Minnesota winter snow and cold forecast.	View the clip
Minnesota Goes to War It's the name of a book written for the Minnesota Historical Society Press by Dave Kenney. He shares some pictures and the stories that go along with them.	View the clip
The Political Panel It's the Friday before election day. Who would you rather hear from than the Almanac Political Panel? DFLers Blois Olson and Ted Mondale square off with Republicans Sarah Janecek and Brian Sullivan.	View the clip

Entire Almanac for November 5, 2004	Watch the show
The Monolog Jim Ragsdale wants all of us to say we're sorry.	View the clip
Legislative Shakeup Who saw THIS one coming? DFL Minnesota House members picked up thirteen seats on Tuesday, to even their surprise. Our Mary Lahammer has the report.	View the clip
House Leaders Live Republican Speaker of the House Steve Sviggum squares off with Democratic House Minority Leader Matt Entenza.	View the clip
Gene Lahammer Ponders Mary chats with her long-time political reporter father about Tuesday's remarkable election.	View the clip
Congressman Mark Kennedy He won his race Tuesday night against Patty Wetterling. Now some say he has his eyes on higher office.	View the clip
Live Music with Matthew Fox Matthew Fox is a Minnesota singer/songwriter who has a new CD out called "Tall Tales". Matthew will be singing a cut off his new CD live for us in Studio B. By the way, Fox will have a CD Release Party at the Cedar Cultural Centre on December 2. Get more details at www.matthewfox.net.	View the clip
Senator Mark Dayton He's returning --along with his staff-- to his Washington D.C. office next week after leaving town last month out of fear of terrorism. He stops by to talk about his decision and Tuesday's vote.	View the clip
Election Night 2004 Mary Lahammer gives us a flavor of state Democratic and Republican election night headquarters. She lets us see the evening through the eyes of two first-time activists.	View the clip
Party Chair Heads Lots goin' on in the wake of Tuesday. We hear from Minnesota Democratic Party Chair Mike Erlandson and state Republican Party Chair Ron Eibensteiner.	View the clip

Entire Almanac for November 12, 2004	Watch the show
The Monolog Doctor Mark DePaolis is back with his thoughts in tow.	View the clip
Higher Education Thoughts A blue ribbon commission released a study this week. We'll chat with group co-chairs Rondi Erickson and Vance Opperman.	View the clip
Godless It's a book for teens by Minnesotan Pete Hautman and it's up for a National Book Award this month. Pete stops by to talk craft.	View the clip
A Paul Douglas Weather Quiz Paul talks up his new book out about things meteorological. He then quizzes Eric, Cathy and J.G. to find out what they know.	View the clip
The Minneapolis Institute of Arts Interim head Robert Jacobsen stops by to fill us in on the happenings over there.	View the clip
Bryant Lake Bowl Stand Up Yup. R. T. Rybak, David Strom and John Wodele take the mike.	View the clip
Indian Gaming Debate Helen Blue-Redner, chair of the Upper Sioux Community, sits down on the Almanac couch with Dan McElroy, the Governor's chief of staff.	View the clip
Da Wrapup Yeah, it's been gone for a few weeks. But we finally answer that question about the racy 1940s novel. Plus a new history question and a classic show-ending musical clip courtesy of Casey Jones.	View the clip

Entire Almanac for November 19, 2004	Watch the show
A Holiday Monolog Singing Monologist Toni Halleen has Thanksgiving --and the elections-- on her mind.	View the clip
A Theater Battle in Minneapolis On Friday the Minneapolis City Council voted on who to hire to manage the city's three historic downtown theaters: the Orpheum, the State, and the Pantages.	View the clip
First Avenue Reopens This Evening And City Pages music critic Jim Walsh talks about.	View the clip
Cooking with Sue Zelickson Sue drops by again to share some yummy Thanksgiving recipes.	View the clip
Strange Days, Dangerous Nights It's the title of a new book by retired St. Paul Pioneer Press writer Larry Millett. Larry will join us and we'll show you some of the classic Speed Graphic photos from the book.	View the clip
Holiday Music with the Steeles It's become an annual Almanac tradition... the Steeles drop by in prep for their holiday concert. The Steeles will give us a preview of what you can hear when they perform at the Ordway on Sunday December 5th at 4 and 8 pm.	View the clip
Sports with Fitzy Larry Fitzgerald drops by with his take on the local sporting scene.	View the clip
Elmer L. Our Mary Lahammer conducted Elmer L. Anderson's final television interview. We play highlights for you.	View the clip
Remembering Elmer L. Andersen Minnesota's oldest living governor passed away this week. We revisit his long, distinguished career. Then we hear the thoughts of Governors Al Quie and Arne Carlson. It's the first time in Almanac history that two governors have appeared on the program at one time.	View the clip

Entire Almanac for December 3, 2004	Watch the show
The Monolog You call it walleye, I call it zander....	View the clip
The Deficit Grows Our Mary Lahammer tells us how big the new state numbers are.	View the clip
Health Care Containment Can the State really do anything to hold down healthcare costs? Cal Ludeman thinks so. He's the head of Governor Pawlenty's Healthcare Cabinet.	View the clip
School Closings It was a tough week for Minneapolis Schools as plans were announced to shut down 17 elementary and middle schools. District Superintendent Thandiwe Peebles is our guest.	View the clip
Donovan Live! Not McNabb. Donovan Leitch. The 60s British folk legend is recording again and he drops by Studio B for a live tune. By the way, his latest CD is called "Beat Cafe."	View the clip
Bell Museum To Move The U's venerable natural history museum wants to move across campus. We'll hear the thinking.	View the clip
New Mexican Consulate Hits Town Hear about the plans for a new consulate on St. Paul's East Side. Jesse Bethke Gomez is with the CLUES organization and the consulate will be located in the CLUES building.	View the clip
The All Star Attorney Panel Joe Friedberg, Ron Meshbesher and Anthony Torres give us their take on the Chai Vang case.	View the clip
The Wrapup The Index File section is back and we have a great new question for you. Plus watch a clip and hear reaction to Arne Carlson and Al Quie talking about the late Elmer L. Andersen. Plus a show-ending holiday tune by the Steeles.	View the clip

Entire Almanac for December 10, 2004	Watch the show
The Monolog Dominic Papatola has an idea about how to make holiday entertainment better. Or at least more convenient.	View the clip
Education in Canada Governor Pawlenty was in Edmonton Friday learning more about on-site management in their schools. We hear more about this idea from Joe Nathan at the Humphrey Institute.	View the clip
Meet Dan Dorman He's a Republican lawmaker with a big new legislative post. Mary Lahammer went down to Albert Lea on Friday and has put a story together about him.	View the clip
Almanac's First Guest Returns It was twenty years ago this week that Almanac went on the air with its first pilot. Dr. Michael Paparella was a guest in the show's very first discussion. At the end of the chat host Jan Smaby said we'd have to have him back some day. And so we're keeping up our end of the bargain.	View the clip
Wrasslin' Ross Bernstein has written a book "Grappling Glory" about our state's proud wrestling history. Grappling fanatics Eric and Cathy can't wait to talk about it.	View the clip
Pledge!! It's your chance to become a tpt member!!	View the clip
A Walk Down Almanac's Technology Lane J.G. Preston and Mike O'Connor revisit the "Databurst" technology that we unveiled to the public 20 years ago this week.	View the clip
A Political Panel We dispose of the week's bigger regional political news on the couch. Republicans Sarah Janecek and Annette Meeks take on Democrats Wy Spano and Ted Mondale.	View the clip
The Wrapup Who did Ernie prepare that turkey for back in 1964? And who was the Supreme Court Justice who once co-hosted Almanac. Call 651-229-1430 with your answer. Plus we have a holiday musical treat to end the show with.	View the clip

Entire Almanac for December 17, 2004	Watch the show
The Monolog It's the Most Dangerous Time of the Year. Dr. Mark tells us why.	View the clip
Political Tension in Ukraine It was the topic of a symposium Friday at the U of M. We talk about the upcoming Ukrainian elections with Nick Hayes with St. John's University and Zbigniew Bochnairz with the Humphrey Institute.	View the clip
Saint Paul School Woes St. Paul schools face the state's largest shortfall. Schools Superintendent Pat Harvey explains.	View the clip
It's Time Again for Almanac: At the Capitol Learn more about our sister program from At the Capitol host Mary Lahammer. The legislative program starts up the first week of January. We give you a preview.	View the clip
The Weather Outside Is... Wimpy Why has our winter been so warm and dry here in the Cities? And will this change soon? Paul Douglas drops by for his monthly visit.	View the clip
Former Governors Speak Mary Lahammer again checks in with Minnesota former governors and they look back over the past year. Check out the program of December 31st for more gubernatorial comments.	View the clip
Political Panel Ponderings We look back at the past year --and ahead to the next-- with tonight's version of a political panel. Republicans Sarah Janecek and Ron Eibensteiner square off with DFLers Blois Olson and Mark Andrew.	View the clip
The Wrap The highlight is J.G. Preston's annual rendition of "Blue Christmas." Check out the story behind the J.G.'s rendition at www.tpt.org/almanac/bluexmas.html	View the clip

Entire Almanac for December 31, 2004	Watch the show
The Monolog Jim Ragsdale is ever so helpful when it comes to explaining snow emergency rules.	View the clip
The Former Governors Mary Lahammer once again checks in on our state's former governors at year's end. She gets Governors Anderson, Quie and Carlson talk about last year's legislative stalemate.	View the clip
Prudence Johnson in Song Prudence drops by to sing us some New Year's Eve tunes courtesy of George Gershwin.	View the clip
The Year of the Blogger We talk to some of the year's most influential political bloggers including the head guys at Powerline who were named Time Magazine's bloggers of the year.	View the clip
Sports with Fitzy Larry Fitzgerald stops by to give us his perspective on the sporting year just past and the one yet to come.	View the clip
More from Prudence Johnson Another Gershwin tune. Check out Prudence Johnson's upcoming appearance schedule at www.prudencejohnson.com	View the clip
More from the Former Governors Round Two of Mary Lahammer's interview with Governors Al Quie, Arne Carlson and Wendy Anderson. The topic? Religion and Politics.	View the clip
A Political Scientist Panel An examination of 2004 courtesy of the minds of three top Minnesota Political Scientists.	View the clip
A Show-Ending Tune by Prudence Prudence Johnson sings Gershwin Round Three.	View the clip