and a lot of partisan sources. To try to be a nonpartisan, trusted place is really important.”
Almanac ’s live format means it can pivot and provide a space that speaks to the issues and events on the forefront of viewers' minds when they tune in each Friday. The program is one of the few sources where all Minnesotans can watch political debates for statewide races. It captured the excitement of Jesse Ventura’s grassroots race to the Governor’s mansion. It helped honor the legacy of Paul Wellstone following his tragic death. The team maintained live coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic, and provided viewers a place to turn for information and context in the wake of George Floyd’s murder. As Almanac looks to the future, it remains committed to being that space where people can come for context and depth, with an animated story or history trivia mixed in for good measure. The team is considering how to bring their trusted approach to digital projects and reach new audiences who are interested in having conversations about the issues of today grounded in good facts and information. As Lahammer says, “ Almanac is uniquely Minnesotan.” It is not always predictable, but it is very engaged. Creating that trusted place is possible because the Almanac team is committed to their work. Many of the team members have been with the program for decades, allowing them to build relationships with people in the community, proving to candidates and experts that they will be treated fairly on the program and have time to explain the nuances of their positions. It is our job to be educational and informative in a world where there are alternative facts and confusing information and a lot of partisan sources.
Almanac ’s reach and breadth of coverage allows it to elevate stories to a statewide audience and create statewide conversations. Kari Kennedy, Almanac 's Associate Producer and Series Producer of Almanac at the Capitol has worked on political coverage for decades. She explains that what makes Almanac unique is that “it is a place where people who want to be civically engaged can come hear conversations about hot, contested topics like abortion, but especially in Almanac at the Capitol , we will talk with the people who are actually making the sausage at the Capitol" and help viewers understand what it takes to get policy made. The ability to provide analysis and detail sets Almanac and Almanac at the Capitol apart from other public affairs programs. As Henehan says,“Our superpowers are depth and context.” Mary Lahammer, Almanac ’s long-time political reporter and anchor of Almanac at the Capitol , explains that not all viewers would care about the context or the depth that Almanac pro- vides, but she notes that Minnesotans are “off the charts” when it comes to education levels, civic engagement, and voting, which makes them care about the information that Almanac and Almanac at the Capitol have to offer. She continues, “It is our job to be educational and informative in a world where there are alternative facts and confusing information
Read more from the Almanac Team members at tpt.org/AlmanacTeam .
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