As a decades long staple to the listening audience, Morning Edition combines a host program in St. Paul and NPR hosts in Washington and Los Angeles, bringing news from overnight and information throughout the state and world. Programming includes reports and interviews.
November 22, 2000 - MPR’s Patty Marsicano reports on the University of Minnesota's Women's Athletic Department turning 25. She interviews a variety of student athletes including volleyball and basketball, as well as the athletic director at the University of Minnesota. Marsicano shares how the department has grown since its start in 1975.
November 23, 2000 - MPR’s Tom Crann interviews Irish virtuoso flute player James Galway. The two discuss conductor Herbert von Karajan, religious aspects of Mozart compositions, challenges as a conductor, and Galway’s personal success.
November 30, 2000 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer talks with Minnesota House Majority Leader Tim Pawlenty, a Republican from Eagan, about his thoughts about state surplus and what should happen going forward. Pawlenty is concerned about Governor Ventura’s idea of lowering state sales tax, but raising in other areas.
December 6, 2000 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer interviews Dave Meltzer about new football league, the XFL, which is coming to Minnesota and Governor Jesse Ventura is going to be a sports announcer. The league is considered a raunchy version of the NFL.
December 7, 2000 - MPR’s Brandt Williams reports on local Kwanzaa event, where hundreds of proud parents, children and friends gathered at Sabathani Community Center in Minneapolis, to watch a student-led Kwanzaa program.
December 12, 2000 - MPR’s Laura McCallum reports that the commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Employee Relations says Governor Ventura's new job as an XFL analyst is NOT a conflict of interest. The Governor's office says the decision confirms what Ventura has argued all along, while critics of the Governor's outside earnings say the decision lacks credibility, because it was made by a Ventura appointee.
December 15, 2000 - Mainstreet Radio's Mark Steil reports that the 2000 census will likely show continued population loss in the state's most rural counties. In western Minnesota, some counties have lost 10% of their population over the last decade. Lac Qui Parle county shows one of the biggest losses as its population continues to age.
December 28, 2000 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer interviews Neva Walker, who was elected to represent District 61B in South Minneapolis. In a weeks time, she will be sworn-in as the first African American state legislator. Walker is a DFLer who, like all new legislators, will have to transition into her new job.
January 3, 2001 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer talks with Democrat John Hottinger, the assistant majority leader of the senate, and Republican Tim Pawlenty, the majority leader of the house, about the start of Minnesota state legislature. Legislators are expected to tackle some sticky issues, like what to do with a projected three billion dollar surplus, along with campaign finance proposals, and the high price of prescription drugs.
January 9, 2001 - MPR’s Laura McCallum reports that supporters of campaign finance reform say the 2001 session may be the best chance in years to pass significant changes. Governor Jesse Ventura and leaders in both parties say they want to reduce the amount of money flowing into politics.