Take a look at of the making of our Season 13 open.

On this episode we’ll go up to Chicago to follow Tinley Wish as they take gifts to families in need. Then we’ll head down to Kentucky to talk to the horse rehabilitation non-profit Second Stride, and after that we’ll explore a Day in the Life of a whiskey barrel at a factory in Cuba, Missouri. Finally we’ll check out the band Here Come the Mummies and rock with the undead.

Watch folk band Trampled by Turtles play live at Turner Hall Ballroom in Milwaukee, WI.

Produced By: Amy Tomlinson

alt.news is gearing up for 2012 right now and seeing as it may be the last pre-apocalyptic year we have we’re hitting the ground running. Our next episode is going to be filled with irresistibly cute horses, irresistibly tearful stories, and irresistibly delicious grub; you simply won’t be able to keep your hands off us.  And while we can’t promise that you’ll fare as well as John Cusack when the end-times come, we can at least help you check off another year of Resolutions.

1). Take care of people in need

Every year at Christmas the residents of Tinley Park, a suburb of Chicago, go around to give gifts to a select group of families in need. This season we followed the whirling twirling blaring lights and sirens of the Tinley Park service members as they visited the homes of five families to bring them a little holiday cheer and goodwill.

2). Lose weight…some other time.

Springfield Illinois may be the Capital of Abraham Lincoln but more recently they’ve given us something better–the horseshoe sandwich. The open faced Texas toast sandwich topped with meat cheese and fries has a taste to die for, and a calorie count to help.

3). Help save an animal’s life

You may know racehorses for their unique names, but do you know what happens when a horse runs its last lap? In this next episode we’ll introduce you to a nonprofit in Kentucky helping retrain racehorses to give them a second wind. You’ll see how thoroughbred racing horses become adjusted to domestic riding, and hear at least a dozen more racing metaphors to boot.

4). Help bring families together.

Did you know that phone calls to prisons cost an average of $18 for 15 minutes? No trifling sum when you’re trying to keep in touch with a loved one you can’t see for years. Phone company monopolies on prison systems are putting a heavy cost on the families of prisoners so Thousand Kites is helping level the playing field for those at home. Family members call into this weekly radio program from across to leave just a brief message for the ones that are out of their reach.

5). Learn how to make your own clothes in a tough economy.

Okay so maybe barrels don’t make the best going-out wear (Barney Stinson would certainly want better from us) but we promise to take you inside something you’ve never seen before as we explore the McGinnis barrel factory.

Take a trip back in time with the medieval combat sport of Dagorhir.

Produced by: Dylan Damian

The Tour de Donut is a 13 mile bike race with an unusual twist: the more donuts you eat the more time is taken off your race! Watch to see how field reporter Zac Kolves fairs in Ohio’s sweetest race.

Produced by: Dylan Damian

On the second episode of season 13 its time again for Distortion 415. First, we hang out with Those Darlins to talk about their band and the rock camp where they met. Then we’ll sit down with Trampled by Turtles and spend some time at their concert. After that we talk to The Gordons, a folk-rock couple from Illinois. Finally, we rock out hard with metal band Dillinger Escape Plan.

Kyle Loughrin and Zac Kolves with the RED

SOIL isn’t the only thing in the works around here though. With the long Thanksgiving Break we have coming up Alt.News is going to travel around Missouri, Illinois, and Kentucky to do several segments for our upcoming episodes. While we normally do segments spread out over the weeks in between episode deadlines we like to use this break to do as many as we can in the time available. Leading up to this marathon we’ll be getting our promos, hostlinks, and commercials in order. So stay tuned for clips of those and previews of the people and programs we’ll be meeting in late November!

While you wait for those updates and the next episode, check out our blooper reel for Distortion 415: