May 23, 2002 - MPR’s Euan Kerr interviews writer Garrison Keillor, about the writing libretto for the opera "Mr. and Mrs. Olson." The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and a star studded ensemble will present the world premiere of opera.
May 29, 2002 - MPR’s Greta Cunningham interviews Dick Moesing, who recounts his brother-in-law's story of losing a hammer during a round of dome repairs on the Cathedral of St. Paul during a round of repairs in the 1950's. During 2002 restoration, that hammer has reappeared, and being given back to the family.
June 7, 2002 - MPR’s Michael Khoo reports that Governor Jesse Ventura departs for a week-long trade mission to China. Roughly 100 government and business leaders will join Ventura to help promote Minnesota products and services in the world's most populous country.
June 7, 2002 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer visited the Ventura ranch in Maple Grove and spoke with Terry Ventura in the barn where she runs a horse training and breeding business. She says she has learned a great deal since her husband was elected governor in 1998. Mrs. Ventura says it has taken her quite some time to get comfortable with her role as Minnesota's First Lady.
June 12, 2002 - MPR's Laura McCallum reports that Minnesota Republicans will be endorsing a candidate for governor and the race is a close one between entrepreneur Brian Sullivan and legislative leader Tim Pawlenty. Sullivan holds a slight lead in the party's non-binding straw polls of delegates.
June 12, 2002 - MPR’s Tom Scheck reports on the final Republican debate before the state's party convention later this week. House Majority Leader Tim Pawlenty of Eagan, and Orono businessman Brian Sullivan are engaged in a close race to win the party's endorsement. Both candidates say they'll drop out of the race if delegates choose their opponent.
June 12, 2002 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer talks with reporter Michael Khoo, who is in Shanghai, where Governor Jesse Ventura arrived for the second and final stop on his week-long mission to China. Ventura is visiting China to develop contacts and to promote Minnesota goods and services.
June 17, 2002 - MPR’s Eugen Cha reports on efforts by Minnetonka-based company Cargill and the University of Minnesota to turn corn into plastic. It may give the state a lead in an emerging area of biotech, where the finished products are not medicines, or even crops, but industrial materials like plastic.
June 17, 2002 - People in Roseau, near the Canadian border, are beginning the process of cleaning up after the worst flood in that town's history. Water from the rain-swollen Roseau River receded over the weekend, after nearly a full week of devastation. City officials place early damage estimates at more than $120 million dollars as residents are discovering just how much they've lost.
June 17, 2002 - MPR’s Laura McCallum reports on the newly-endorsed slate of Republican candidates as they embark on a three-day statewide bus tour. This follows the candidates flying around the state earlier, after getting party backing during the state convention. Gubernatorial candidate Tim Pawlenty says his campaign will focus on the three issues he terms "kids, roads and jobs."