December 4, 2001 - A Macalester College speech by Peter Bergen, one of the few Western journalists who has interviewed Osama bin Laden. He is the author of a new book, Holy War, Inc.: Inside the Secret World of Osama bin Laden.
December 4, 2001 - It's been quite a year for writer Emily Carter. In October she won the Whiting Writing Award, a 35-thousand dollar prize aimed at emerging talent. Her collection of short stories "Glory Goes and Gets Some" originally published in hardback by Coffeehouse press is now a Picador paperback. The stories in the book follow a heroin addicted HIV positive woman from the east coast through treatment and recovery in Minnesota. The book takes a gentle and humorous approach to some ugly realities.
December 6, 2001 - MPR’s Lorna Benson interviews Minneapolis artist Aldo Moroni, who was selected to craft Minnesota's ornament for the Christmas tree in the White House. The resulting creation? An ice fishing house, of course.
December 6, 2001 - An analysis by the Associated Press shows that St. Paul has the highest level of segregation among cities with large Asian populations. While the AP's segregation index doesn't distinguish among the various Asian populations, experts agree the highly-concentrated living patterns of St. Paul's Hmong citizens boosts the city's segregation rating.
December 10, 2001 - As part of Mainstreet Radio’s “Our Town” project, Rob Schmitz reports on Viroqua, Wisconsin…a dying small town that revived itself by transforming its identity.
December 11, 2001 - With chances that Major League Baseball could delay plans for a year to eliminate the Minnesota Twins and Montreal Expos, Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer talks with Minnesota State Representative Harry Mares about what Minnesota legislators will need to accomplish this session regarding a ballpark discussion in order to save the Twins team.
December 11, 2001 - As part of Mainstreet Radio’s “Our Town” project, Bob Reha reports from Fargo-Moorhead, where small town life has become a draw. Since September 11th, some people are realizing they can find the good life by coming home to the Midwest.
December 11, 2001 - As part of Mainstreet Radio’s “Our Town” project, Stephanie Hemphill reports on debate in Duluth between preservationists and those wanting new buildings. The city's old Armory is the lastest battlefield in that ongoing conflict.
December 12, 2001 - As part of Mainstreet Radio’s “Our Town” project, Tom Robertson explores what's gained and what's lost when a small town like Bemidji grows big.
December 12, 2001 - As part of Mainstreet Radio’s “Our Town” project, MPR’s Jeff Horwich profiles the Stearns county town of St. Anthony, in the which mainstreet is a church, a bar, and not much else. Horwich visits both…and finds a community.