Over the decades, MPR has presented the many different perspectives of Minnesota politics and politicians. This collection is home to a multitude speeches, interviews and debates on the issues of the day. Important topics of civil rights, environment, crime, budget, legislation, and campaigns are addressed.
Click on link to these well-known figures to see audio segments directly related to them: Michele Bachmann Arne Carlson Keith Ellison Hubert Humphrey Amy Klobuchar Eugene McCarthy Walter Mondale Tim Pawlenty R.T. Rybak Jesse Ventura Paul Wellstone
October 5, 2001 - At the end of the first week of Minnesota's largest state employee strike, no new talks are scheduled and neither side shows any sign of movement. State officials say state government is weathering the loss of about 23,000 workers, and Governor Ventura says the striking workers should accept the state's offer and come back to work. Ventura says will talk to the strikers, but he will not do it when the media is around.
October 8, 2001 - Today in Bloomington Minnesota Senator Paul Wellstone chaired a US Senate hearing on how the economic slowdown is affecting the state. Wellstone, along with other members of the state's congressional delegation, heard from business and labor leaders, laid-off workers AND economists about what Washington could do to help. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports...
October 9, 2001 - MPR's Michael Khoo reports that state officials and leaders of the two largest public employee unions are set to resume contract talks, but Governor Jesse Ventura says he doesn't see any way to satisfy the demands of striking workers short of cutting government payrolls. Union leaders, however, say if more money isn't available, there's little chance for movement when talks resume.
October 10, 2001 - As far as BIO-terrorism is concerned, Kennedy says the most progress is being made at the federal level.
October 10, 2001 - Minnesota Sixth District Democrat Bill Luther says a top priority for him is improving airport security.
October 10, 2001 - The U-S Congress is working on a number of pieces of legislation designed to help prevent further terrorism in this country. Minnesota Second District Republican Mark Kennedy says the so-called Patriot bill that Congress will debate this week would expand the authority of law enforcement officers.
October 17, 2001 - Minneapolis mayoral candidates R.T. Rybak and Sharon Sayles Belton join host Gary Eichten in the studio on this Midday program. The candidates discuss various subjects, including community development, city budget, affordable housing, terrorism, and policing. They also answer listener questions.
October 17, 2001 - Audio excerpts from Midday program with Minneapolis mayoral candidates.
October 19, 2001 - Health officials say fewer people than originally thought were exposed to anthrax at the U.S. Capitol. Thirty-one people originally tested positive, but futher tests show three of them were not exposed to the bacteria. Results also came back negative today for another 13-hundred congressional staff members tested for anthrax exposure. The staffers were tested after a letter containing anthrax was mailed to Majority Leader Tom Daschle. Allison Dobson, an aide to Minnesota Democrat Paul Wellstone, is among those tested. She says staffers are very relieved.
October 23, 2001 - MPR’s Art Hughes presents a profile of mayoral candidate R.T. Rybak. R.T. Rybak hopes to become the first challenger to unseat an incumbent Minneapolis mayor since 1977. Backers say the political newcomer has a gift for energizing people toward his causes. Critics, however, say Rybak's vision lacks specifics and his big-tent approach is so big that it includes conflicting ideals that can't be sustained over time. Report includes Rybak’s efforts on fighting jet noise in South Minneapolis, and bringing a Target store to downtown.