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 - Peter Razor's debut novel was a lifetime in the making. The 72-year-old Native American author spent the better part of his adulthood trying to forget his childhood as a ward of the state orphanage in Owatonna. But after his own children kept prodding him for details on their family history, he finally decided it might be worth dredging it all up. In his new memoir, "While the Locust Slept", Razor talks frankly about his life in the orphanage.
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 19, 2001 - Peter Razor's debut novel was a lifetime in the making. The 72-year-old Native American author spent the better part of his adulthood trying to forget his childhood as a ward of the state orphanage in Owatonna. But after his own children kept prodding him for details on their family history, he finally decided it might be worth dredging it all up. In his new memoir, "While the Locust Slept", Razor talks frankly about his life in the orphanage.
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.
October 23, 2001 - Governor Ventura took some verbal shots at the state's two largest employee unions, the media and the legislature today. The Governor spoke on MPR's Midmorning with Katherine Lanpher. Ventura says he thinks state employees should be prohibited from going on strike.
October 24, 2001 - MPR’s Art Hughes presents a profile on Minneapolis Mayor Sayles Belton, who is in a tough campaign as she runs for a third term. Report includes interviews from numerous individuals on their views of her accomplishments and governance.
October 25, 2001 - Republican gubernatorial candidate Tim Pawlenty is proposing a new funding source to jump-start road and bridge construction. Pawlenty -- who serves as House Majority Leader -- wants to sell the state's claim to 25 years' worth of tobacco settlement claims for an upfront price of 1-point-5 billion dollars. He says the proceeds would accelerate transportation projects statewide. But critics say the move would divert funds from other state needs. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports.
October 29, 2001 - On November 6th, there's only one election for state office. Voters in Morrison and southern Crow Wing counties will replace veteran DFL legislator Steve Wenzel. Wenzel resigned this spring for a job with the U.S. Agriculture Department. Republican Greg Blaine and DFLer Helen McLennan, both of Little Falls, want to represent people in House District 12B. Mainstreet Radio's Jeff Horwich reports from a region rediscovering its political identity.