Almanac

Almanac is a weekly public-affairs television series produced by Twin Cities Public Television in St. Paul, Minnesota and distributed to other channels around the state via Minnesota Public Television. It has aired weekly since December 7, 1984 and is currently in its 28th season. Longtime hosts Eric Eskola and Cathy Wurzer are married. They have also spent time at other area stations. Eskola contributed political reports to WCCO radio until being laid off in May, 2010, and Wurzer hosts the regional portion of Morning Edition at Minnesota Public Radio. Eskola is noted for his fondness for scarves, wearing a different one each week on Almanac during the cold months. Mary Lahammer provides a political report from the Minnesota State Capitol, providing context to the week's big events. David Gillette creates illustrated essays and hosts Almanac's online bonus show, "The Wrap." Both Lahammer and Gillette appear on "Almanac: At the Capitol" during the legislative session. A 90-second monologue, typically by a local humorist, was originally presented near the beginning of each edition of the show and now occurs in the middle of the program. Some "monologists" who have made many Almanac appearances include Dr. Mark DePaolis, James Lileks, Jim Ragsdale, Dominic Papatola, Kevyn Berger, Carol Falkowski, and J.G. Preston.