July 6, 2001 - MPR’s Laurel Druley reports on how state farmers are now trying to predict their crop yields. Typically farmers like to see corn hip-high by the fourth of July. But 2001 was not a typical year, with massive flood waters in the spring. At the start of July, Minnesota corn height averaged 21 inches. That's a foot shorter than the year before.
July 6, 2001 - MPR’s Kamoi Goetz profiles the 21st annual Hmong International Freedom Festival sports competition in St. Paul. 25,000 people are expected at the two-day festival which features a parade, food and souvenir booths, and sports competitions. Hmong youth from across the country will compete with Minnesota athletes in soccer, volleyball…and Takraw, a sport that blends aspects of both volleyball and soccer.
July 9, 2001 - The Minnesota Twins will send three players to the All-Star Game. It's the first time since 1996 that the team has sent more than one player to the game. Pitchers Joe Mays and Eric Milton, and shortstop Christian Guzman have led the surprising Twins this year. LaVelle Neal provides commentary about the team’s success in first half of 2001.
July 9, 2001 - MPR’s Elizabeth Stawicki presents report on attempts to save the Ojibwe language. Report includes various interviews, including Jim Northrup. At one time more than 300 American Indian languages were spoken in the U.S. But with each passing generation, many of the indigenous languages have died; others are on the verge of disappearing. With that in mind, tribes from northern Wisconsin and Minnesota are trying to keep their Ojibwe language from going silent and along the way gain new insight into how their ancestors viewed the world.
July 10, 2001 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer interviews Lucky Rosenbloom, chair of the Minnesota Black Republican Coalition, about Jerry Blakely and Devin L. Miller, two candidates vying for a Republican endorsement in St. Paul mayoral race.
July 10, 2001 - MPR's Laura McCallum reports that Governor Ventura has emerged from a bruising legislative session with his approval ratings intact. In the first poll since a special session narrowly averted a government shutdown, Ventura's approval ratings have remained steady, and nearly half of those polled think he should run for a second term next year.
July 10, 2001 - Governor Ventura says the state had to spend more than three million dollars to prepare for a possible government shutdown. Ventura released a preliminary estimate as he again criticized legislators for not finishing a budget until the final days before the new fiscal year. But legislative leaders say the governor can share in the blame.
July 10, 2001 - MPR's Stephanie Hemphill presents a profile of Sam Solon, state senator from Duluth. He has represented the Duluth area in the state Legislature for 30 years, and has been successful in bringing state resources to his district for a variety of economic development projects. He now faces a personal fight…battling cancer.
July 10, 2001 - Ron Bosrock, founder and executive director of the Global Institute at St. John's University in Collegeville, comments on Governor Ventura's fourth international trade mission since taking office.
July 11, 2001 - What a difference a year can make. The Twins come out of this year's All-Star Break in first place, with a five game lead over Cleveland in the Central Division. Last year at this time, Minnesota was 18 1/2 games behind first place. Baseball analyst Kevin Hennessy credits a combination of great pitching and some well-timed offense.