Total Information AM Weekend

Debbie Monterrey is joined by Matt Roush from TV Guide to discuss the highly anticipated return of Yellowstone for its fifth and final season, following a long hiatus caused by strikes and the ongoing rift between creator Taylor Sheridan and star Kevin Costner. Despite Costner’s absence, Kelly Reilly’s character, Beth Dutton, remains a central figure in the story. Roush also speculates on the potential Yellowstone spin-off with Matthew McConaughey and reflects on the resurgence of laugh tracks in modern comedies, such as shows starring Reba McEntire and Damon Wayans, while examining varying audience reactions.

Megan Lynch sits down with Dr. Jeffrey P. Punske, associate professor and director of undergraduate studies at SIU Carbondale's School of Languages and Linguistics, to discuss the upcoming Exploring Xenolinguistics conference. Dr. Punske delves into this fascinating field, which explores the potential for communication with extraterrestrial life. The conversation touches on human and animal communication methods, non-verbal cues, and the challenges of cultural differences in understanding.

In this episode, Megan Lynch sits down with Diana B. Carlin, Professor Emerita of Communication at Saint Louis University and author of Remember the First Ladies: The Legacies of America's History-Making Women. Together, they explore the unique challenges women face on the path to political leadership, including the role of societal biases and gender expectations that often shape public perception. The discussion covers Kamala Harris’s campaign, the historical struggles of women in politics, and international perspectives on gender equity in leadership.

Scott Jagow sits down with guest Stuart McMillian to dive into the beloved traditions of Thanksgiving. They explore the charm of Thanksgiving decorations, often overshadowed by Christmas, and share favorite dishes like turkey, cranberry sauce, and stuffing that bring people together around the table. The conversation also touches on Thanksgiving-themed movies like Planes, Trains and Automobiles and the timeless Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, as well as the iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Join Scott and Stuart for a celebration of the food, family time, and traditions that make Thanksgiving special.

In this episode of This Day in History, Scott Jagow delves into the impactful events of November 9. We revisit Kristallnacht in 1938, known as the "Night of Broken Glass," when Nazis attacked Jewish businesses, homes, and synagogues, and reflect on the personal stories from that dark time, including the arrest of Ruth Westheimer’s father. We then move to a moment of hope in 1989, when crowds gathered to celebrate the fall of the Berlin Wall, marking the symbolic end of the Cold War. Lastly, we highlight the release of Billy Joel's iconic song

As the U.S. gears up for the upcoming election, host Fred Bodimer examines the critical role of the religious vote. He highlights the uncertainty among Catholics, who constitute 23% of the population, and discusses the possibility of Evangelicals staying home. The episode also explores the support for Vice President Kamala Harris among Black Protestants and the shifting sentiments of Jewish voters regarding the Democratic Party's stance on Israel. Additionally, Fred addresses the complexities within the Muslim vote, which may divide due to recent Middle East policies, and the growing influence of non-religious voters in the Democratic Party. Join Fred for a comprehensive look at how these dynamics could shape the election outcomes.

This week’s health news brings attention to significant topics impacting public health. Fred Bodimer covers the tragic story of an 88-year-old Colorado man who passed away from an E. coli infection, potentially due to cross-contaminated onions from McDonald's and Burger King. In other news, low vaccination rates among U.S. healthcare workers are raising concerns, with fewer than one in six receiving the latest COVID vaccine. As respiratory illnesses surge, California hospitals are re-implementing mask mandates to protect vulnerable patients. The episode also discusses a UK study showing how regular and weekend exercise can reduce the risk of mild dementia and the recent addition of Ozempic and Victoza to the FDA's drug shortage list, signaling potential treatment challenges.

Scott Jagow hosts John Hancock and Michael Kelley to dive into their predictions and insights on Election 2024. As the election nears, Hancock remains calm, confident life will continue as usual no matter the outcome. Kelley, though already having voted early, feels lingering anxiety over the results. Both agree that presidential power has expanded beyond what the Founders intended, with the office becoming almost "imperial." They share differing predictions, with Hancock leaning toward Harris due to polling trends, while Kelley, initially favoring Trump, now also foresees a Harris win, citing strong turnout strategies.