All Things Considered is a comprehensive source for afternoon news and information provided by various MPR hosts in St. Paul and NPR hosts in Washington over the decades. The program contains interviews, reports, speeches and breaking coverage.
November 23, 2004 - MPR’s Stephanie Hemphill reports on the concerns of some in Wisconsin after the killing of six hunters by Chai Vang. There is a fear that in the aftermath of the shooting, Hmong hunters may face racism in the state.
November 29, 2004 - On November 21, 2004 in the Wisconsin woods, eight hunter were shot; six died. Chai Vang has told police he shot the hunters after one of them first shot at him. Vang, a Hmong immigrant, also reportedly claims the hunters surrounded him and hurled slurs at him.
December 10, 2004 - MPR’s David Molpus interviews Cheryl Thomas, who runs Women's Human Rights Program at the Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights. Thomas discusses the domestic violence facing women in immigrant communities here in Minnesota.
December 16, 2004 - As part of the series A Mirror on Morality, MPR’s Lorna Benson talks with six parishioners from Macalester Plymouth United Church in St. Paul about the 2004 elections. Five are gay, the other a lesbian. Exit polls suggest that many Christians cast their ballots based on moral concerns, including strong opposition to gay marriage. The six discuss that "moral values" influenced their voting too - just in a different way.
December 16, 2004 - MPR announces "diverse" musical format for old WCAL. Steve Nelson, program director for 89.3 KCMP, discusses the new program and plans for KCMP 89.3, formally known as WCAL 89.3.
December 31, 2004 - Mainstreet Radio’s Erin Galbally presents a report on Mankato’s historic Kato Ballroom, which opened its doors back in the early 1950s around the advent of rock and roll. Before long the Kato established itself as a Mankato hotspot, hosting legends like Buddy Holly, Jerry Lee Lewis and even Louis Armstrong. This New Year's Eve, the Kato revisits that history with a party celebrating its 50th anniversary. Galbally interviews Larry Bowers, manager of the Kato Ballroom, and Dianne Cory, a long-time regular, who share memories and insights of the venue. Segment includes music clip of Bobby Vee's 'Run to Him.'
January 5, 2005 - All Things Considered’s Tom Crann interviews one of Minnesota's most celebrated composers, Dominick Argento. In a new memoir, Argento says he has as little insight as anyone into what happens when he sits down to compose. So instead, he offers a series of reflections on his lifetime of work, the individual pieces, and teaching and learning in Minnesota. Those memories include his first impression of the state, when he was called to teach at the University of Minnesota on the first weekend of the school year in 1958.
January 21, 2005 - Bill Catlin reports on Minnesota Public Radio’s announcement of its third service in the Twin Cities, with launch of 89.3 The Current on Monday, January 24th, 2005.
January 21, 2005 - All Things Considered’s Tom Crann interviews Eric Nesheim, executive director of the Minnesota Literacy Council, about social service agencies struggling to keep up with the demand for services in an era of budget shortfalls.
January 24, 2005 - Minnesota Public Radio's new radio service KCMP launched this morning January 24, 2005. Nicknamed "The Current," the station's format features an eclectic array of music, including local bands that may have received limited airplay on commercial and other Twin Cities public radio stations.