WHAT: Join 89.3 The Current's Steve Seel and author Bill Bishop to talk about his new book, "The Big Sort: Why the Clustering of Like-Minded America Is Tearing Us Apart."

Called "essential reading for activists, poli-sci types, journalists and trend-watchers" by Kirkus Reviews, Bishop's book examines how and why Americans are sorting themselves into neighborhoods filled with people just like them—and what it means for politics in this contentious election season.

After the event, the discussion will continue at a gathering at St. Paul's Fuji Ya restaurant.

Note to journalists: copies of the book are available upon request.

About Policy and a Pint
"Policy and a Pint" is an ongoing series co-sponsored by Minnesota Public Radio's 89.3 The Current and Citizens League. The series' goal is to provide an informal setting for the public to come and discuss important policy issues with community leaders and thinkers.

Bill Bishop: A Pulitzer Prize finalist, Bill Bishop was a special projects reporter at the Austin American-Statesman when he began the research on city growth and political polarization that lead to his book, "The Big Sort." Bishop has worked as a columnist for the Lexington Herald-Leader and as a reporter for the Mountain Eagle on Whitesburg, Kentucky. He and his wife also operated the Bastrop County Times, a weekly in Smithville, Texas.

WHEN: Thursday, July 31. Doors are at 6 p.m., the program starts at 6:30 p.m.

WHERE: Minnesota Public Radio's UBS Forum, 480 Cedar, St. Paul.

TICKETS: $10; $5 for students with valid ID. To reserve tickets, go to the Citizens League Web site: http://www.citizensleague.org/events/.