February 5, 2001 - MPR’s Chris Julin reports from Cloquet High School, “checking” the growing popularity of high school girls hockey. In 2001, 120 Minnesota high schools have girls hockey teams and two-thirds of the girls playing high school hockey in the entire country live in Minnesota.
February 8, 2001 - MPR Classical Music Host Tom Crann interviews John Adams, one of the best known living American composers. Adams returns to St. Paul to conduct his own work, and some of the work that he says has inspired him over the years. John Adams will lead The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra as it plays works by Debussy, Satie Ravel, and his own Violin Concerto.
February 9, 2001 - MPR’s Art Hughes provides a summary report on Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton’s 2001 State of the City address. the mayor highlighted successful city initiatives, lower unemployment and crime, downtown construction, and a strong arts in downtown.
February 13, 2001 - (OPEN WITH TRACK 1 "Je cherche un homme"... fade under after "or Tom...." 20 secs in.... run under until the tape starts) To those who have heard the voice before, she is instantly recognizable. To many others -- just say "Catwoman" and they'll reply -- "Eartha Kitt." Thirty years after she appeared on the Batman TV show it's still her most famous role... and she doesn't seem to mind. Her sex kitten image endures even into her 70s. But there is much more to Eartha Kitt both as a person and a performer. Born the daughter of South Carolina sharecroppers, her family was abandoned by her father when she was 2...her mother died when she was 6. After being passed from neighbor to neighbor for a couple of years she was taken in by an aunt living in Harlem. It was there she began showing her talent for language and dance, which, despite having to repeatedly overcome the barriers of discrimination, was eventually to lead Eartha Kitt to international acclaim as a singer, and a star of stage and screen. In the Rogers and Hammerstein's production of "Cinderella" opening tonight at the Historic State Theatre in Minneapolis, Kitt plays the fairy godmother. But she believes she has more in common with Cinderella.
February 13, 2001 - A new poll shows half of Minnesotans support Democratic Senator Paul Wellstone's decision to seek a third term next year. In the first poll since Wellstone announced his re-election plans, Wellstone's job approval is the highest it's been since he took office, but Republicans say he's still vulnerable.
February 15, 2001 - MPR’s Art Hughes reports that Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton kicked off her re-election campaign with a bus tour designed to highlight the successes of her administration and her plans for a third term.
February 15, 2001 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer talks with DFL State Representative Betty Folliard, a supporter of Displaced Homemaker Program, which a Senate committee has unanimously approved a bill that would continue funding. The 23-year-old program is designed to help stay-at-home moms who are widowed, divorced, or abandoned and Folliard says the program is still necessary.
February 16, 2001 - MPR's Michael Khoo reports from downtown St. Peter, where Governor Ventura was visiting business owners and residents to pitch his budget proposals and tax reform agenda. Ventura’s plan includes cutting income and property taxes, but raising the sales tax.
February 16, 2001 - A legislative effort to make the fourth "Driving While Intoxicated" charge in ten years a felony cleared a major hurdle today. The Senate Crime Prevention Committee approved the bill sending it on to the finance committee. The same committee also heard testimony for AND AGAINST a proposed tax on alcohol sales in Minnesota to help pay for alcoholism treatment and for enforcement of alcohol related laws. Even the author of the new tax admits the measure has little chance for approval. DFL Senator John Marty says he's hopeful discussion NOW will lead to a so-called alcohol "user" fee in the future. Minnesota Pubic Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports..
February 16, 2001 - Texas author and radio commentator Jim Hightower discusses his new book, If the Gods Had Meant Us To Vote They Would Have Given Us Candidates.