May 20, 2005 - Former Vice President and Minnesota Senator Walter Mondale shares his thoughts about Nixon’s trip to China in 1972, and of Minnesota Opera's performance of "Nixon in China" by John Adams.
July 15, 2005 - Minneapolis police officials say they may be able to hire and deploy 20 new officers by next month. Mayor RT Rybak says the new officers are part of a plan to hire a total of 60 new cops by the middle of next year. State lawmakers restored 6.2 million dollars in Local Government Aid funds. The city had been expecting a nearly 30 million dollar reduction in state aid. That restored money is helping to free up funds to pay for the new officers. Police officials say they are committed to hiring a racially and ethnically diverse group of new officers. Ron Edwards, a member of the Police Community Relations Council, says he'd like the department to present formal diversity goals.
July 19, 2005 - MPR’s Tom Scheck reports on brewing battle in Minneapolis mayoral race. The Minneapolis mayor's race has sparked what has already become an intense intra-party feud. R.T. Rybak, current Mayor of Minneapolis; and Peter McLaughlin, Hennepin County Commissioner, have both filed the official paperwork for mayor. The two democrats say public safety and city finances are the top issues in the race for mayor of the state's largest city. The potential influence of unions is highlighted in report.
July 29, 2005 - Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak's 2006 budget proposal is 1.3 billion dollars - a nearly three percent increase over 2005. Most of that increase will go to adding police officers and funding public safety programs. Public safety is a key issue because this is an election year and violent crime has gone up in the state's largest city. Several city council members say Rybak's budget will reduce crime while others say he should have addressed the city's public safety concerns earlier.
August 25, 2005 - Candidates for Minneapolis mayor offered their visions for dealing with public safety issues during a sometimes-contentious debate last night. Organizers invited R.T. Rybak, incumbent Minneapolis Mayor; Peter McLaughlin, Hennepin County Commissioner; and Farheen Hakeem, Green Party candidate to the forum, but before it was over a fourth candidate, Marcus Harcus, forced his way onto the stage to participate.
August 29, 2005 - MPR’s Tom Scheck reports on political repercussions of Hennepin County smoking ban. The Hennepin County smoking ban is becoming a big issue in the race for Minneapolis mayor. Bar and restaurant owners who feel the ban is hurting their business have helped convince Peter McLaughlin, Hennepin County Commissioner, to reconsider his support for the ban. McLaughlin is running against Mayor R.T. Rybak. Rybak says campaign contributions from the bar owners appear to have helped change McLaughlin's mind.
September 2, 2005 - It's Minnesota Public Radio Day at the Minnesota State Fair and Governor Tim Pawlenty takes the stage at Carousel Park to answer questions from his constituents. Topics include stadiums, Hurricane Katrina disaster, death penalty, Minnesota National Guard, and taxes amongst others.
September 7, 2005 - MPR’s Tom Scheck reports on fund-raising in Minneapolis mayoral race. Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak is the top fundraiser among the city's mayoral candidates. Rybak's campaign reports the mayor raised two hundred & forty-five thousand dollars between January 1st and August 30th. Rybak's top challenger, Peter McLaughlin, Hennepin County Commissioner, raised two hundred & eleven thousand dollars over the same period. Farheen Hakeem, Green Party Candidate, raised less than ten thousand dollars. The fundraising totals were released on the same day the city's police union started a campaign to unseat Rybak.
September 8, 2005 - As part of the Meet the Candidates series, Midday presents interviews with six mayoral candidates…St. Paul mayoral candidates include Green Party candidate Elizabeth Dickinson, incumbent Mayor Randy Kelly, and former City Councilman Chris Coleman. Minneapolis mayoral candidates include Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin, incumbent Mayor R.T. Rybak, and Green Party candidate Farheen Hakeem.
September 14, 2005 - MPR’s Tom Scheck reports on Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak primary win. Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak will face Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin in the race for mayor of Minneapolis. Rybak advanced to the November ballot after receiving 44 percent of the vote. McLaughlin received 35 percent. Rybak says the primary victory gives him the needed momentum to win in November but McLaughlin says Rybak doesn't have the support he thinks he has.