December 12, 2002 - In Rochester Governor-elect Tim Pawlenty today agreed to a genomics research partnership with the Mayo Clinic. The announcement comes a year after Mayo leaders said they'd be lobbying for more state funding. Mayo officials claim other nationally known medical centers already receive public funding and the clinic doesn't want to lose its position as a pre-eminent research institution. Mainstreet Radio's Laurel Druley reports. {Pawlenty would not talk specifically about how much money the state is willing to give to the research partnership. But last year Mayo Clinic said it needed $80 million over the next four years to become a leader in the rapidly developing field of genomics.
December 13, 2002 - Award-winning children's book author Mary Casanova takes young readers into the world of 18th century Versailles in her new book "Cecile: Gates of Gold". Casanova's previous books have mostly been set in Minnesota's north woods--a setting inspired by her own backyard near the Canadian border. Her latest book follows 12-year-old Cecile in the court of Versailles in the year 1711. Mary Casanova spoke to Minnesota Public Radio's Greta Cunningham and said it was a challenge to convey the grandeur of Versailles.
December 13, 2002 - MPR’s Cathy Wurzer interviews Keith Ellison, a State Representative from Minneapolis, about State budget shortfall. Solving the budget shortfall will be the top priority of the Republican caucus, that issue was also the top of a meeting last night in Minneapolis. The Minneapolis Urban League, the NAACP, and the Council on Black Minnesotans met to discuss their ideas for the upcoming session.
December 13, 2002 - Award-winning children's book author Mary Casanova takes young readers into the world of 18th century Versailles in her new book "Cecile: Gates of Gold". Casanova's previous books have mostly been set in Minnesota's north woods--a setting inspired by her own backyard near the Canadian border. Her latest book follows 12-year-old Cecile in the court of Versailles in the year 1711. Mary Casanova spoke to Minnesota Public Radio's Greta Cunningham and said it was a challenge to convey the grandeur of Versailles.
December 16, 2002 - MPR’s Michael Khoo presents highlights of four years with Governor Jesse Ventura, and Minnesota's brief experiment with three-party government.
December 17, 2002 - MPR’s Laura McCallum examines Governor Jesse Ventura’s legacy, taking a look at taxes, state budget, education, light rail, deficit, and judiciary.
December 19, 2002 - Over the past 20 years, the memoir has become one of the most popular and influential forms of literature. Patricia Hampl is credited with pioneering the memoir with her groundbreaking work, "A Romantic Education," published in 1981. She is currently a University of Minnesota Regents professor. Eva Hoffman is the author of three critically acclaimed works of nonfiction, including her widely read memoir about the immigration experience, "Lost in Translation." She is also winning rave reviews for her new novel, "The Secret."Patricia Hampl and Eva Hoffman discuss the memoir as a literary form. This broadcast is part of the University of Minnesota's "Great Conversations" series, and is called "The Art of Remembering."
December 20, 2002 - Governor Ventura has denied Governor-elect Tim Pawlenty's request to stop the state's aid payment to local governments. Cities and counties are scheduled to receive half of their annual aid payment on December twenty-sixth. Pawlenty asked Governor Ventura yesterday (THURS) to delay that payment so he would have more options when it comes to balancing the state's budget. Local government officials say they're relieved but also know they won't be held harmless in the upcoming session. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
December 20, 2002 - MPR’s Annie Feidt reports on a group of Hmong teenage girls from St. Paul leaving for Thailand and Laos to retrace the journey their parents took to this country. They're calling their trip "the Homeland Project."
December 24, 2002 - MPR’s Cathy Wurzer talks with church bell ringers in the Twin Cities.