November 19, 2009 - On this Midday, an episode of “Ask the President.” Bill Kling joins Midday host Gary Eichten in the studio to answer listener questions about MPR and about the future of news.
November 24, 2009 - MPR’s Tom Scheck reports that two members of Minnesota's congressional delegation urged the Legislature to repeal a law that prohibits the construction of nuclear power plants in the state. DFL Congressman Tim Walz and Republican Congressman Erik Paulsen say allowing new nuclear power plants would give Minnesota more energy options. Critics say the benefits of nuclear power are still in doubt.
December 2, 2009 - Morning Edition gets a Democratic perspective on President Obama's new Afghanistan strategy from DFL Congressman Tim Walz. Walz went to Afghanistan on a fact finding mission in September. Walz is also a military veteran, serving 24 years in the Army National Guard and retiring with the rank of command sergeant major.
December 10, 2009 - Democrats in the U-S Senate appear to be moving toward a health reform bill that would not include a government-run "public option" insurance program. Under the tentative compromise, the federal government would instead negotiate with private insurers to provide non-profit health insurance plans. The compromise would also allow people aged 55 to 64 to "buy into" Medicare. But even if the Senate approves the deal, it would still need to be reconciled with the House-passed version of the bill, which includes a public option. Minnesota DFL Congressman Keith Ellison is an outspoken supporter of the public option, and he joins MPR’s Cathy Wurzer to discuss the subject.
January 11, 2010 - MPR’s Steven John interviews U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar about China’s use of cadmium in children's items. The chair of the Consumer Product Safety Commission is warning Asian manufacturers against the use of cadmium in children's items. That's after lab tests found that Chinese manufacturers were substituting the heavy metal in place of lead in cheap charm bracelets and pendants being sold in this country. Cadmium is known to cause cancer, and, like lead, it can hinder brain development in the children. Senator Amy Klobuchar led the fight to ban lead from toys manufactured in China. She's traveling in southern Minnesota today and we caught up with her.
January 14, 2010 - MPR’s Tom Crann interviews sports columnist Jim Klobucahar about the history on rivalry of Minnesota Vikings and Dallas Cowboys.
January 15, 2010 - MPR’s Tom Robertson reports on DFL candidates for Minnesota governor participating in Bemidji forum on Native American issues. Report includes comments from Peggy Flanagan, director of Wellstone Action’s Native American Leadership program.
February 1, 2010 - Minneapolis Congressman Keith Ellison says he's concerned that the multi-million-dollar advertising campaign the U.S. Census Bureau launched last month left out several local radio stations that serve the Spanish-, Somali- and Hmong-speaking populations. He says those stations can help get the census message out. But Steve Jost of the Census Bureau says those communities will get the census message through national advertising that will air on those stations. Jost also says Census officials are not done buying ads.
February 17, 2010 - MPR’s Euan Kerr reports on the play "Black Pearl Sings." Kerr talks with director Lou Bellamy and actors from play.
February 24, 2010 - Award-winning Minnesota history author Dave Kenney discusses the history of the Boy Scouts in central Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Kenney is out with a book on the subject, entitled Honor Bright: A Century of Scouting in Northern Star Council. Kenney also answers listener questions.