May 9, 2002 - Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports that Governor Ventura re-entered budget negotiations as the legislative session heads into its final stages. Ventura called legislative leaders to his office to tell them what he expected in the proposed budget balancing plan, transportation financing package and bonding bill.
May 17, 2002 - Ann Bancroft talks with MPR’s Cathy Wurzer about her six-week trip paddling across the Great Lakes.
May 20, 2002 - MPR’s Cathy Wurzer interviews R.T. Rybak, Mayor of Minneapolis, on state capital stadium bill. Governor Jesse Ventura has 14 days to decided what to do with a Twins stadium financing plan that lawmakers sent him late Saturday night. The deal for a 330-million-dollar ballpark, requires a 120 million private contribution (facilitated by the Twins) prior to any bond sale. In addition, the team would pay ten million dollars a year in rent. Proponents of a new ballpark in Minneapolis were hoping the bill would allow a county to finance the local portion of the cost, but that did not happen. Rybak says because of that Minneapolis appears to be out of the running as a location for a new ballpark.
May 23, 2002 - More than 30 state legislators won't be returning to their seats in 2003…retiring DFL State Senator Doug Johnson of Tower is one of them. Senator Johnson talks about his 30-year career in the Minnesota Legislature.
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.
June 4, 2002 - MPR’s Elizabeth Stawicki reports on the Minnesota Supreme Court hearing arguments on whether DNR conservation officers have the right to enter active fish houses without permission or warrants. The State is appealing a lower court ruling that said a game warden violated an angler's constitutional right to unreasonable searches when the officer identified himself and simultaneously entered Marvin Larsen's fish house.
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 - 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 28, 2002 - Ann Bancroft joins MPR to talk about her and Liv Arnesen’s latest expedition, kayaking across four Great Lakes.