January 2, 2002 - MPR’s Art Hughes reports on R.T. Rybak taking oath as new Minneapolis Mayor. A Minneapolis City Hall ceremony installed the new mayor and a city council with more newcomers than veterans. Mayor Rybak promises an era of new openness and cooperation in city government. The day also included surprises as the council's elected its new leadership.
January 2, 2002 - MPR’s Art Hughes reports on R.T. Rybak’s first day as mayor. A mix of optimism and harsh economic reality greet the new Minneapolis mayor and city councilmembers who are to be sworn in. R.T. Rybak's first day in office promises to be filled with ceremony, reflection and celebration. But his administration is also confronted with the urgent task of eliminating five million dollars’ worth of city services while the possibility of even greater cuts looms.
January 2, 2002 - Randy Kelly is interviewed and a view of his 100-day agenda is given.
January 2, 2002 - The Minnesota native, along with Norwegian explorer Liv Arneson will begin a kayak trip in mid-May that will take them from the North Shore of Lake Superior to the St. Lawrence Seaway.
January 3, 2002 - Norm Coleman was an avid promoter of Saint Paul during his eight years as mayor ... and no part of the city was touted more heavily than the Mississippi riverfront, which enjoyed a development surge. As Randy Kelly takes over the mayor's office from Coleman, river boosters may wonder how the Father of Waters rates among Kelly's priorities. Last night (Wed), the new mayor used one of his inauguration week events to emphasize the importance of the riverfront in his plans for Saint Paul. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen has more...
January 3, 2002 - MPR’s Laura McCallum provides a collection of political commentary regarding Governor Ventura’s upcoming final State of the State address of his term. In a break with tradition, Ventura will speak from the Governor's Residence with no live audience present. The governor says he'll focus on the state budget and the projected nearly two-billion dollar deficit.
January 3, 2002 - MPR’s Lorna Benson interviews political analyst Chris Gilbert about Ventura’s upcoming State of the State speech. In a break from the tradition of giving the speech to a live audience, Ventura has decided instead to speak from his official residence. He is not expected to take questions afterward. Gilbert says tonight's fireside chat format suits Ventura.
January 3, 2002 - A ruptured water main sent about 55 thousand gallons of water through the offices of the Guthrie Theater last night. Theater officials don't know what caused the pipe to burst or how much monetary damage was caused. However, they say the flood will not delay the start of its next production.
January 3, 2002 - Former Minnesota Republican Governor Al Quie joins Gary Eichten in the MPR studios to talk about the State of the State. Governor Ventura gives his state of the state at 6:30 Thursday night--we'll have LIVE coverage with immediate comments from Republican House Speaker Steve Sviggum and Senate DFL Majority Leader Roger Moe.
January 4, 2002 - MPR's Tom Scheck reports that the Minnesota Twins may not be a team next year but at least they have a new manager. The team announced third base coach Ron Gardenhire will receive a two year guaranteed contract to replace Tom Kelly, contraction or not.