Politics

Nixon/Kennedy Debate 50th Anniversary

50 years ago this week, candidates Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy met in Chicago for the first televised presidential debate. Many believe that it changed the outcome of the election. We talk with Newton Minow, who was a key player in setting up the debate, and broadcasting historian Bruce DuMont.

• The Museum of Broadcast Communications in-depth website about televised presidential debates
• Find out more about the museum's 50th Anniversary of the Kennedy/Nixon Debate event on Sunday, September 26
• Inside the Presidential Debates by Newton Minow and Craig LaMay

Education

News Analysis: Education in Illinois

A bipartisan reform group says education in Illinois just isn't making the grade. We talk with the group's co-chair Bill Daley and the group's executive director to discuss this and more.

• Advance Illinois

Politics

Race for Governor

Senator Bill Brady continues to pound Governor Quinn on the deal forged with AFSCME to cut health care costs and defer pay raises in exchange for freezing layoffs until 2012. Elizabeth Brackett has more on the debate.

Education

From the Vault: Edwin Newman

Proper use of the English language matters--that was the contention of longtime NBC news correspondent and anchor Edwin Newman, who died last month. We revisit John Callaway's 1976 conversation with Newman about the importance of grammar.

Arts & Entertainment

Punch Brothers

When mandolin superstar Chris Thile needed a banjo player for his latest band, Punch Brothers, he chose Skokie native Noam Pikelny. We go behind the scenes at a Punch Brothers rehearsal.

Arts & Entertainment

Howard Reich

Jazz is a quintessential and sometimes hidden part of Chicago history. We talk to Chicago Tribune critic Howard Reich, who chronicles the genre in his new book, Let Freedom Swing: Collected Writings on Jazz, Blues and Gospel.

• Hyde Park Jazz Festival

Politics

Gloria Steinem

Carol Marin sits down with famed feminist and political activist Gloria Steinem.

• Women's Media Center

Business

State Budget Crisis

Should the state's budget problems be solved with tax hikes, or budget cuts and pension reforms? It depends on which civic organizations you ask. Elizabeth Brackett sorts out the debate.

Arts & Entertainment

I'm Spiritual, Dammit!

TV and radio personality Jenniffer Weigel discusses her latest book, I'm Spiritual Dammit!, which is part memoir and part spiritual guide.

Ask Alpana

Ask Alpana

This year marks the 200th anniversary of Oktoberfest! What makes a good Oktoberfest beer, and which ones should we choose for this celebration? Check, Please! host and master sommelier Alpana Singh shares some of her favorites.

Alternatives to Kozel Dark Beer:

• Plank Dunkler Weizenbock – "This is a higher alcohol dark weizenbock from a small Bavarian producer, and drinks more like a wine, with a malt-forward mouthfeel and higher gravity."
• Kulmbacher Monchshoff Schwarzbier – "This is THE classic 'Black Lager' or 'Black Pils' from Kulmbacher. It’s beautifully hopped, with a roasted malt character and dry finish. It’s a 'beer lover’s beer,' with bold flavor but low alcohol, and pairs well with a wide variety of foods."

Diet Wine:

• Invivo Bella –"This so called "diet" wine is a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc at 9% alcohol without being sweet which is where the 30% savings come from in calories from a typical glass of wine."
• Twin Vines Vinho Verde –"Feather light in weight with a light spritz and flavors of green apples, lime and lemon peel."

Alpana’s Oktoberfest Beer Recommendations

• Left Hand Oktoberfest, Colorado
• Ayinger Oktoberfest Marzen, Germany
• Paulaner Oktoberfest, Germany