The clock is running out on the recent Continuing Resolution passed by Congress, and a Government Shutdown is scheduled to start on Friday.  Can the new Speaker of the House figure out a way to pass some kind of legislation?  Will any bills keep social programs mostly intact?  Hamline University political science professor David Schultz digs into the ongoing D.C. dysfunction.

Hamline professor David Schultz goes through the "Whys" behind the threat of another Government Shutdown.

Writer and photographer Lisa Meyers McClintick provides some examples of smaller shops you can go to for your holiday shopping.

Jearlyn takes this first hour to go through some talker topics that may bend your ear.  They include the red hot Vikings, Taylor Swift's latest showing of PDA, and how cities can celebrate the holidays.

On this week's edition of Center Stage, the following guests discuss their projects with Jearlyn:

• "The Thin Place" actresses Cheryl Willis and Jane Froiland
• Local singer/musician Mark Joseph
• Star Tribune lead theatre critic Rohan Preston
• Local alternative rock legend Peter Jesperson

Wednesday is National STEM or STEAM Day.  The Twin Cities is full of organizations that lead the effort to teach our children about Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math.  One that usually comes top of mind is the Science Museum of Minnesota.  Marketing & Public Relations Specialist Karilyn Robinson gives us a look at some of the programs the museum is offering through the Winter semester.

A St. Anthony city employee turned the bleak prospects of a battle with COVID into his dream of becoming a firefighter.  St. Anthony Fire Department member Michael Culhane details his journey.

Michael Culhane shares his inspirational story of overcoming COVID to turn his dream of being a firefighter into reality.

Karilyn Robinson from the Science Museum of MN tells us what they have in store for students this Winter.

A state-based college has just announced a big initiative to help students get their foot in the doors of higher education.  Starting next Fall, Concordia College in Moorhead will begin offering full tuition to some of the new students that will make their way to the northwest Minnesota campus.  School Vice President of Enrollment Ben Iverson dive more into the details of the program.

Jearlyn takes time to comment on the current war happening in Israel and on the Gaza Strip.  She also reaches out to the listeners for some commentary.

Ben Iverson explains the new scholarship initiative that Concordia College-Moorhead is establishing for some prospective students.

On this episode of Center Stage, Jearlyn gets the skinny from the following guests:

• Local vocalist Kathleen Johnson
• Minnesota Symphonic Winds associate conductor Paul Kile
• Star Tribune lead theatre critic Rohan Preston
• Local vocalist Leslie Vincent