Almanac is a weekly public-affairs television series produced by Twin Cities Public Television (TPT) in St. Paul, Minnesota and distributed to other channels around the state via Minnesota Public Television (MPTV). 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, Carol Falkowski, and J.G. Preston (an employee of the show until his departure in 2005).
Members of the leadership in the Minnesota House of Representatives and Minnesota Senate frequently appear during their tenures. Guest political analysts include educators, lobbyists, and former legislators. Frequent panelists of recent years include David Strom from the Minnesota Free Market Institute, former Minnesota State Senator Fritz Knaak, Republican lobbyist Sarah Janecek, former press secretary for Senator Norm Coleman Andy Brehm, Democratic lobbyist-turned-educator Wy Spano, former Democratic legislator Ember Reichgott Junge, and University of Minnesota professors Hy Berman (history) and Larry S. Jacobs (political science).
The end of the show features an "Index File" trivia question, though it often gets cut when the show runs long. Credits run over show-ending music, sometimes live but often pulled from TPT's library of musical recordings dating back to the 1970s.
A live broadcast to celebrate the series's 20th anniversary in April 2005 was transmitted in HDTV. TPT claimed it was the first live high-definition broadcast in the area.
Since the show's inception, its theme song has been "Anthem Internationale" from Dave Grusin's 1982 album Out of the Shadows.