New seasons of In Wisconsin and Here and Now...

New time for Here and Now, both shows now in HD

This week marks the start of a new season for both In Wisconsin and Here and Now on WPT. Both shows will begin broadcasting in stunning High Definition on WPT-HD.

At 7 p.m. Thursday, Patty Loew hosts the season premiere of In Wisconsin with reports on the work of a University of Wisconsin-Madison stem cell research scientist, a Marquette County island pasture, the singing sands of Lake Superior's Julian Bay and a Darlington shop class that builds bridges.

At a new time -- 7:30 p.m. Friday, Frederica Freyberg anchors the season premiere of Here and Now, the half-hour show, which features exclusive interviews with news makers, insightful commentary on issues of statewide importance and news reports from throughout the state and around the nation on issues that affect Wisconsin life.

Gwen Ifill talks about WPT's new Friday night lineup

WPT's New Friday Night Lineup:

6 p.m. The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer
7 p.m. Washington Week
7:30 p.m. Here and Now
8 p.m. Bill Moyers' Journal

An Invitation From Guest Blogger Nancy Zieman...

Greetings!

I invite everyone to take a little time this fall to escape, create, celebrate. Join WPT and Nancy Zieman Productions for the fourth-annual Quilt Expo 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily Thursday, Sept. 11 through Saturday, Sept. 13. Quilt Expo is held in the Exhibition Hall at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wis.

We know you appreciate time to escape, be it one, two, or three days. Each day at Quilt Expo there are unique opportunities. Start by viewing our quilt contest exhibit. It's an amazing art show. Celebrate the artistic, creative, and imaginative expressions of quilters from around the country. Plus, vote for your favorite quilt; you get to be a judge!

This year, we have more opportunities for shopping. What quilter wouldn't like to escape to a quilting Mecca with more than 150 regional and national vendors who bring us the latest fabrics, tools, notions, books and patterns.

Create new quilting projects with more than 144 lectures and 60 hands-on or machine Sit & Sew Workshops. Learn from your favorite quilt instructors and introduce yourself to the newest quilting tips and techniques.

Thursday and Friday evenings offer an escape to two entertaining events. At 6 on Thursday, get ready to laugh at the true adventures of Kaye Wood. The PBS quilting celebrity shares some of the unusual things that have happened to her during her years of teaching quilting at "Why Do These Things Happen to Me? With Kaye Wood." At 6 on Friday, "Joe the Quilter: A Musical Quilt Show With Joe Cunningham" is a unique presentation. Inspired by the legacy of Joseph Hedley, a.k.a. Joe the Quilter, who lived in England from 1750 to 1830, Joe Cunningham became a professional quilter. His show illustrates Hedley's life through words, song and quilts made in his original style.

Each program admission fee is $20. To register, visit wiquiltexpo.com.

Get your tickets for the evening events soon; they're bound to sell out fast! Please join us at Quilt Expo and stop by the WPT booth to chat with me. I'll be there from 2:30 to 3:30 each day.

-Nancy Zieman