May 3, 2002 - This afternoon delegates to the state DFL convention will enthusiastically endorse Minnesota Senator Paul Wellstone's bid for a third term. Wellstone is expected to deliver a trademark passionate speech outlining his sharp ideological contrast to the Republican agenda. Wellstone will not formally kick off his campaign until later this month even though the contest with Republican challenger Norm Coleman is well underway. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik prepared this report on Wellstone's Senate career and why the Senator is pursuing a third term he repeatedly pledged NOT to seek.
May 3, 2002 - Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports that Governor Ventura has promised to veto a bill targeting his outside income. The bill would require all members on the state board of investment to disclose any money earned outside of office. The governor also threatened to file a lawsuit if lawmakers override his veto and the bill become law.
May 6, 2002 - MPR’s Dan Olson provides a report on how the vice presidency changed under the Carter administration. Report includes various speaking excerpts of Jimmy Carter, Stuart Eizenstadt, Walter Mondale, and Maxine Issacs.
May 8, 2002 - MPR’s Laura McCallum reports that Governor Ventura and his staff are preparing for the worst. If the government doesn't figure out a budget, then he will do it himself and call the legislature into a special session. He can also call a special session in September, during election months, which some see as a way to make the candidates look bad.
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.