February 1, 2002 - MPR's William Wilcoxen reports on The Minnesota Twins, who are preparing for their 42nd season…knowing that it could be their last. Major League Baseball executives say they're proceeding with plans to dissolve two teams, including the Twins, but it's not clear if and when it might actually happen.
February 1, 2002 - MPR’s Art Hughes reports on Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak’s effort to organize his office staff, and the opposition move is encountering on the City Council. The council votes on the plan that would see a sixty-thousand-dollar reduction in salaries in the mayor's office. But some council members complain the cuts are at the expense of those who are paid the least.
February 4, 2002 - We're live in Duluth this morning, at the WSCN studios. It's a special broadcast looking at the people and places of this area. Well, of course, politics is always an area of interest in the Twin Ports. People keep a close ear on what's happening in St. Paul. It's the second week of Session 2002, and the state's budget remains on center stage at the Capitol, where legislators got off to a flying start a week ago. Lawmakers have to close a projected nearly 2-billion dollar budget shortfall, and Governor Jesse Ventura has urged them to act quickly. Joining us on the line is Minnesota Public Radio's capitol bureau chief Laura McCallum.
February 4, 2002 - On this special Morning Edition held in Duluth, MPR’s Cathy Wurzer talks with poet Barton Sutter about his fascination with Lake Superior. Sutter also reads a poem about lake.
February 4, 2002 - Mee Moua, a Hmong woman in St. Paul, makes history when she's sworn in as the nation's first Hmong legislator. The Southeast Asian hill tribe people started arriving in the U.S. more than 20 years ago. Yet, for many Hmong, their true date of arrival in this country starts with this political moment.
February 5, 2002 - By letting stand a lower court ruling that binds the Minnesota Twins to the Metrodome for another season, a Minnesota Supreme Court order all but guarantees that plans to eliminate the team will be put on hold for at least the coming year. While the team is disappointed with the court's decision, the team's landlord and fans are embracing the news.
February 5, 2002 - There are more Somalis in Minnesota, than any other African immigrant group. Like nearly all newcomers to America, Somalis have faced racial and ethnic discrimination in their new surroundings. That reality comes as no surprise to African Americans who have experienced racism all their lives. But clashes between Somalis and African Americans caught both communities off guard and was particularly troubling to those who feel the two groups have much in common. Now, groups of Somalis and African Americans are coming together to bridge cultural differences. Minnesota Public Radio's Brandt Williams has the second report in our series on the relationship between Africans and African Americans.
February 5, 2002 - Nearly a year after the Minnesota House voted to prohibit local governments from limiting the operation of gun ranges, the Senate author may be close to a compromise. An amendment was offered in a Senate committee today (Tuesday) that would give local governments some control over shooting ranges. Some opponents, however, say the amendment is still overreaching. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
February 5, 2002 - Friends and family today remembered DFL state Representative Darlene Luther as a good friend and mother. The 54-year-old lawmaker died last week after a three-month battle with stomach cancer. Issues she championed include the Family Child Tax Credit which provides tax relief if one parent stays home. She also pushed to make organ donation easier. Luther is married to Sixth District Congressman Bill Luther. House Chaplain Lonnie Titus provided the funeral eulogy:
February 6, 2002 - MPR’s Michael Khoo reports on potential downtown ballpark site discussions. Alabama businessman Donald Watkins was in Minneapolis to assess potential ballpark sites. Watkins is exploring a possible purchase of the Minnesota Twins and has pledged to build a new stadium entirely with private dollars if he's able to acquire the team. Meanwhile, Governor Jesse Ventura says he hasn't changed his stance on a ballpark, despite a willingness to call a special session if lawmakers can't address the issue in the regular course of business.