October 19, 2004 - Maureen Shaver, Republican activist and former capitol lobbyist, and Amy Klobuchar, Democrat and Hennepin County Attorney, discuss upcoming Minnesota and national 2004 elections. Shaver and Klobuchar also answer listener questions.
October 21, 2004 - MPR’s Cathy Wurzer profiles differing views of the candidates Justice Alan Page and Magistrate Tim Tingelstad for seat on the state Supreme Court.
November 19, 2004 - Rolling Stone Magazine has come up with a list of the 500 Greatest Songs of all time and Hibbing's own Bob Dylan is at the top of the list with his song "Like A Rolling Stone." That song was Dylan's first top ten hit in 1965. He followed it with another big seller called "Positively 4th Street."
December 27, 2004 - MPR’s Mark Zdechlik prepared this documentary, looking back at Minnesota's battleground role in the 2004 race for the White House. Includes numerous interviews and speeches.
January 14, 2005 - It is the stuff of legend among Bob Dylan devotees - an early recording of Dylan singing folk songs with friends in a Dinkytown apartment. But apparently only a few diehards have ever heard the so-called "Minnesota Party Tape." Until now. The tape has surfaced and is available for public listening. The Minnesota Historical Society has acquired the tape from Minnesotan Cleve Pettersen, who in 1960, thought it would be a good idea to record some local music acts in the Dinkytown area of Minneapolis on his new tape recorder.
January 31, 2005 - MPR’s Art Hughes reports on Mayor Rybak’s desire to run again. R.T. Rybak, mayor of Minneapolis, formally announced his re-election bid Sunday near the place he started his first campaign for elected office four years ago, almost to the day. At that time, he waged a grassroots battle against an established incumbent he felt was out of touch residents. Now, Rybak has a political track record that makes him the target for challengers. Report includes comments from Linda Longino, mother of slain child Tyesha Edwards; Don Samuels, City Council member; among others.
February 11, 2005 - MPR’s Dan Olson reports on a VocalEssence tribute to artist Gordon Parks. Report includes numerous commentaries.
March 8, 2005 - White Earth has become the first reservation in the country to ban the introduction or growth of genetically modified wild rice seeds. Now, some White Earth Band members want to take it one step further. They want the Legislature to ban genetically modified wild rice statewide. Wild rice experts with the University of Minnesota, however, say the tribe's worries are unwarranted. The lakes and rivers on the White Earth Indian Reservation in northwest Minnesota are an ideal habitat for wild rice, and an important cultural food to the Ojibwe people.
March 14, 2005 - MPR’s Steven John interviews U.S. congressman Keith Ellison, who discusses a bill introduced that would double the level of protection provided to Minnesota children to prevent lead poisoning. DFLer Keith Ellison represents North Minneapolis in the Minnesota House of Representatives.
May 15, 2005 - MPR’s Art Hughes reports on Minneapolis DFL convention results. A 12-hour convention for the Minneapolis DFL party over the weekend failed to produce an endorsement for either Mayor R.T. Rybak or challenger Peter McLaughlin. After five ballots, McLaughlin was leading 53 percent to Rybak's 45 percent before the delegates voted to award no endorsement. The two candidates now head for the primary.