April 12, 2002 - Former US Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky speaks at Minnetonka's Adath Jeshurun Congregation as a part of the Pen Pals Lecture series. Pinsky is perhaps best known for his 1994 translation of Dante's Inferno.
April 15, 2002 - Money by the millions of dollars continues to pour into Minnesota's US Senate race. A report filed today shows DFL Senator Paul Wellstone raised more than one and a half million dollars for his re-election campaign during the first three months of the year. In total Wellstone has raised more than five and a half million dollars in his re-election effort. By law candidates' fund raising reports for the first quarter of the year must be postmarked by today. Wellstone's challenger Republican Norm Coleman decided not to pre-release HIS fund raising information.
April 16, 2002 - Craig Edwards, Meteorolgist-in-Charge at the National Weather Service; and Mark Seeley, Climatologist and Meteorologist at the University of Minnesota, discuss the favorite Minnesotan conversation topic, weather, in honor of "Severe Weather Awareness Week."
April 16, 2002 - MPR’s Art Hughes reports on mayor of Minneapolis view on police chief. R.T. Rybak, mayor of Minneapolis, says any public discussion right now about Robert Olson's future as police chief is inappropriate. Rybak's statement came amid reports he has told Olson to find another job. Rybak makes it clear Olson is not living up to the new administration's expectations in terms of what Rybak calls community relations. Report also includes comments from City Council members Scott Benson, Paul Ostrow, and Joe Biernat.
April 16, 2002 - Psychologist and best-selling author Mary Pipher speaks in St. Paul at a Ruminator Books event. Her new book is "The Middle of Nowhere: The World's Refugees Come to Our Town", a collection of personal stories from Lincoln, Nebraska.
April 16, 2002 - MPR’s Steven John interviews Paul Ostrow, president of the Minneapolis City Council, about status of Minneapolis police chief. There are reports this morning that Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak is planning to replace Police Chief Robert Olson. Rybak and Olson have not confirmed those reports, but Rybak has said he is concerned about the relationship between the police department and the community. The police have been criticized in recent weeks for shooting a mentally ill Somali man, and using aggressive tactics against people celebrating the University of Minnesota's men's hockey championship. If Olson does not leave voluntarily, the City Council would have to buy out the remaining two years of his contract.
April 17, 2002 - MPR’s Tom Scheck reports that budget negotiations proceeded at a snail's pace at the State Capitol. A co-chairman in a joint House-Senate budget balancing conference committee says he sees little need to meet until legislative leadership agrees to spending targets for conference committees. About the only sign of movement came on transportation funding as House Republicans made their first indication they would be open to a gas tax increase.
April 17, 2002 - A group charged with helping to redesign civilian oversight of the Minneapolis Police Department holds its first meeting tonight. The Civilian Review Authority -- or C-R-A -- was largely disbanded following recent budget cuts. The group looking at how to revive the concept includes 12 community representatives and 12 representatives from city departments. City Council Vice President Robert Lilligren was asked by Mayor R-T Ryback to take a lead role in developing a new Civilian Review Authority. He says the C-R-A had a good reputation nationally, but did not encourage confidence locally.
April 18, 2002 - MPR’s Brandt Williams reports on Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak’s statements that it is time for Police Chief Robert Olson to go. Mayor Rybak says the chief hasn't done enough to foster public trust in the Minneapolis Police Department. Rybak will need the City Council's approval to buy out the remainder of the chief's contract. However, the council appears split on the issue, with some council members saying constituents don't believe a new chief will necessarily bring better relations between police and the community. Reports includes comments from Keith Ellison, attorney and community activist; Mathea Little-Smith, DFL activist; and Robert Lilligren, Minneapolis city council member.
April 18, 2002 - MPR’s Cathy Wurzer interviews Tony Bouza, former Minneapolis Police Chief, about possible leadership change in Minneapolis Police department. Last night, Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak confirmed that he has asked Police Chief Robert Olson to resign. Rybak says he asked the chief to step down two weeks ago in his words "for the good of the community." Olson has not commented on those reports. Fifth Precinct Inspector Lucy Gerold is reportedly being considered for the job of interim chief.