June 10, 2005 - Mainstreet Radio's Mark Steil reports on the death of 1st Lieutenant Michael Fasnacht, who was killed by a roadside bomb Wednesday near Tikrit, Iraq. The Minnesota soldier is being praised today for his love of family and country.
July 1, 2005 - Mainstreet Radio's Tom Robertson reports that the Minnesota Legislature passed a $686 million dollar funding bill that averts a state park shutdown over the busy holiday weekend. Environmentalists are angry over one of the bill's provisions, which loosens restrictions on riding all-terrain vehicles in state forests north of Highway 2.
July 15, 2005 - Mainstreet Radio’s Dan Gunderson reports that many farmers in northwest Minnesota aren't sure how much longer they can hang on after several years of crop failure. Minnesota Farm Service Agency officials are adding up the damage from wet fields in northern and western Minnesota. A report will go to Governor Pawlenty in preparation for seeking a federal disaster declaration.
July 20, 2005 - MPR’s Stephanie Hemphill reports on a recent discovery 400ft below the surface of Lake Superior…the Benjamin Noble, a ship lost with all 20 crewmen, back in 1914. It disappeared into the depths of the lake during an April storm, and it's been the target of numerous unsuccessful searches over the years.
August 19, 2005 - All Things Considered’s Tom Crann talks with Tom Holden, of the Army Corps of Engineers at the Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center, about the first 100 years of the iconic Duluth Lift Bridge.
November 17, 2005 - All Things Considered’s Tom Crann profiles “To Be Certain of the Dawn.” The new oratorio is written by Stephen Paulus to a text of Michael Dennis Browne for the Minnesota Orchestra, the choirs at the Basilica, and soloists.
November 22, 2005 - MPR’s Art Hughes reports that two Minnesota legislators are proposing a bill to guard against invasive species hitchhiking in ocean-going ships on Lake Superior. The legislation would require big international ships that travel in Lake Superior to treat ballast water before dumping it into the lake.
December 5, 2005 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer interviews Brian Horrigan, editor of the book “Christmas In Minnesota.” Some of the Minnesota's best-known writers share memoires and stories from the holidays in Minnesota.
February 7, 2006 - MPR’s Stephanie Hemphill reports that a team of researchers has been trying to track down possible sources of the bacteria on the beaches of lake Superior in Duluth. What they've found so far is surprising, and it raises a big question about the standard way of testing for beach contamination.
April 10, 2006 - MPR’s Stephanie Hemphill reports on the growing pains in Grand Marais. Many Minnesotans make a pilgrimage to Grand Marais, where they enjoy the idyllic setting, the slow pace of life, and the friendly small-town feeling. But for some of the locals, life has been anything but calm lately.