May 7, 2001 - MPR’s Tasya Rosenfeld talks with Blois Olson about Minneapolis DFL convention. Supporters of Sharon Sayles Belton are questioning what went wrong for the mayor at the Minneapolis DFL endorsing convention. Newcomer R.T. Rybak pulled off a political upset, finishing with a dozen more votes than the mayor. It wasn't enough to reach the 60 percent necessary for party endorsement, but it did prevent the endorsement from going to Sayles Belton or city councilmember Lisa McDonald.
May 8, 2001 - The Minnesota Senate approved a Health and Human Services funding bill with an abortion provision that Governor Jesse Ventura has promised to veto. Supporters of legalized abortion say funding for essential state services is being held hostage to abortion politics and possibly creating a deadlock or forcing a special session. But abortion foes say their plan to create a 24-hour waiting period for abortions is moderate and deserves the governor's signature.
May 8, 2001 - MPR’s Andrew Haeg reports on trade dominating Governor Jesse Ventura's agenda. Ventura met with a Chinese trade delegate and local businesspeople to push for closer economic ties between Minnesota and China. He also visited the Canadian Consulate where he announced an upcoming trade mission to Canada.
May 14, 2001 - Marv Koep, the fishing guide for Governor Ventura's fishing opener, discusses what he is expecting and how he is preparing for the big day. He says he's excited to have such a colorful governor in his charge, but he's also a little nervous.
May 14, 2001 - MPR’s Gary Eichten talks with former U.S. Senator and presidential candidate Eugene McCarthy about politics and a new documentary about his life, titled “I'm Sorry I Was Right.” McCarthy also answers listener questions.
May 15, 2001 - MPR’s Laura McCallum reports that Governor Ventura has vetoed a sweeping health and human services bill because it contained an abortion waiting period. Meanwhile, the DFL-controlled Senate narrowly rejected the waiting period while working up a backup health and human services package.
May 17, 2001 - With the dedication of Mondale Hall at the University of Minnesota Law School, MPR’s Elizabeth Stawicki profiles Walter Mondale’s law career. Mondale has been most noted for his career in politics, virtually nothing has been written about his time at the University of Minnesota law school and how his education and contacts there shaped his future and ultimately the future of Minnesota and the nation. Segment includes numerous interviews.
May 17, 2001 - MPR’s Elizabeth Stawicki reports on dedication of Mondale Hall at University of Minnesota Law School, which naked its building complex after its most acclaimed alumnus, Walter Mondale. Former President Jimmy Carter spoke at the dedication and praised Mondale as a man of integrity.
May 17, 2001 - MPR’s Michael Khoo reports that it's unrealistic to expect the House and Senate to be settled on big bill items by June 30th. Governor Ventura said that he is not going to bail them out by allowing for a special session.
May 18, 2001 - MPR’s Laura McCallum reports that another day of budget negotiations passed at the Capitol with no deal. Legislative leaders have been meeting on and off with aides to Governor Ventura to try to break a logjam over major tax and spending issues. With less than four days left until Monday's adjournment deadline, a special session seems inevitable, and there's plenty of finger-pointing going on.