January 11, 2002 - MPR’s Michael Khoo reports on Governor Ventura’s response to critics over his budget plan. According to governor, sacrifice needs to be made by all parts of the budget and he invites suggestions to improve it. Republicans debate higher tax on gasoline and tobacco, while Democrats want more money for education.
January 15, 2002 - MPR’s Michael Khoo reports that Governor Ventura is inclined to run for governor again to continue his fight for “unicameralism.” The push to combining the two bodies of legislature into one has been a personal drive for the governor. He believes that if the two bodies are one, or unicameral, the government would run more efficiently.
January 15, 2002 - R.T. Rybak, Mayor of Minneapolis, used the term "difficult" to describe the next three months. Rybak is trying to get the Minneapolis budget back on track as he begins his term as mayor.
January 16, 2002 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer talks with Jim Miller, the executive director of the League of Minnesota Cities, about how Ventura's budget proposal would affect city budgets. Governor Ventura released his plans for closing a nearly two billion dollar projected shortfall last week, and they included cuts in local government aid.
January 16, 2002 - Minnesota Public Radio music host, Mindy Ratner talks with conductor Yakov Kreizberg about the renowned conductor/composer Leonard Bernstein. Kreizberg leads the Minnesota Orchestra in the second part of the Bernstein Festival, a two-week event exploring Leonard Bernstein's legacy as a conductor, composer, pianist and educator.
January 18, 2002 - Mainstreet Radio’s Laurel Druley reports that city and county leaders throughout the state have been complaining about Governor Ventura's budget deficit plan for about a week. Many worry the proposal cuts too much state aid to local governments. Some state nursing home workers may be without jobs and the governor's plan cuts money that would go to rural road expansion and repairs.
January 18, 2002 - Ralph Nader, activist and former Green Party presidential candidate, is Gary Eichten's studio guest for this Midday program. Nader discusses his book Crashing the Party: How to Tell the Truth and Still Run for President. He also answer questions from MPR listeners.
January 21, 2002 - On Martin Luther King Day, former Vice President Walter Mondale joins MPR’s Gary Eichten to talk about the civil rights movement, yesterday and today. Mondale also discusses a wide range of current events.
February 1, 2002 - MPR’s Art Hughes reports on Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak’s effort to organize his office staff, and the opposition move is encountering on the City Council. The council votes on the plan that would see a sixty-thousand-dollar reduction in salaries in the mayor's office. But some council members complain the cuts are at the expense of those who are paid the least.
February 6, 2002 - MPR’s Michael Khoo reports on potential downtown ballpark site discussions. Alabama businessman Donald Watkins was in Minneapolis to assess potential ballpark sites. Watkins is exploring a possible purchase of the Minnesota Twins and has pledged to build a new stadium entirely with private dollars if he's able to acquire the team. Meanwhile, Governor Jesse Ventura says he hasn't changed his stance on a ballpark, despite a willingness to call a special session if lawmakers can't address the issue in the regular course of business.