Martin Schneider writes:

Just yesterday I asked for new Senator Al Franken to appear at the New Yorker Festival. Instead, we get the next best thing, a long article about his path to the Senate. Plus Hertzberg on Palin! Joy, joy!

A new issue of The New Yorker comes out tomorrow. A preview of its contents, adapted from the magazine's press release:

In "Enter Laughing," John Colapinto visits Al Franken on his second day as the junior senator from Minnesota, and examines the long, disputed electoral process that finally ended in victory for him on June 30.

In "Sheriff Joe," William Finnegan profiles Joe Arpaio, the controversial, publicity-loving sheriff of Maricopa County (which includes Phoenix, Arizona), who is known as "America's Toughest Sheriff." Arpaio, who worked as a federal narcotics agent before running for sheriff, in the early 1990s, won national notoriety and the support of conservative voters for his harsh treatment of prisoners.

In "The Forbidden Zone," Evan Osnos writes about Hu Shuli, the founding editor of the Chinese magazine Caijing, who is often described as "the most dangerous woman in China."

In Comment, Hendrik Hertzberg analyzes Sarah Palin's resignation speech.

In Shouts & Murmurs, Ian Frazier describes a climate-change summit in Hell.

Paul Rudnick recalls working on the screenplay for the film Sister Act.

Anthony Lane reviews Brüno.

Elizabeth Kolbert examines the obesity epidemic.

John Lahr attends the National Theatre production of Racine's Phèdre, starring Helen Mirren.

Nancy Franklin watches Michael Jackson's memorial service on TV.

There is an excerpt from an unpublished work by William Styron.