September 19, 2003 - A sold out crowd of one thousand people last night celebrated former Governor Al Quie's 80th birthday. Friends and colleagues say Quie's strong commitment to public service, bipartisanship politics and spirituality makes him a unique man and role model. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.
September 24, 2003 - Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty leads a trade delegation to Montreal this weekend. The trade mission is focused on biotechnology, as the governor tries to promote Minnesota as a place for biotech companies. Pawlenty and other biotech boosters say Minnesota is well poised to compete in the rush for biotech business. Skeptics say the state doesn't have the resources to become a major biotech player. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
September 24, 2003 - The Minnesota Twins clinched the Central Division title and made the MLB playoffs for second straight year. The Twins 4-1 victory over Cleveland at the Metrodome, coupled with losses by Kansas City and Chicago, clinched the division title. After the Twins game ended, fans watched the end of the other games on the Metrodome scoreboard and then celebrated the title. LaVelle Neal, who covers the Twins for the Star Tribune, was there and joins Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer to describe the scene.
September 24, 2003 - Author Tracy Kidder has made his name by writing about ordinary people's lives and finding drama where few others would think to look. He established himself with "The Soul of a New Machine," a book detailing the human interactions behind the rush to create a new computer. It won Kidder both the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award, and has since become the definitive book about the technology industry. He's also written about building a home, school children, a nursing home and the town of Northhampton, Massachusetts. Kidder's latest work, however, details the extraordinary. "Mountains Beyond Mountains" tells the story of Dr. Paul Farmer, an infectious-disease specialist and anthropologist who's made caring for the world's poorest and sickest his life's work. Kidder followed him to Peru, Cuba, Siberia and Haiti, chronicling his tireless efforts to bring medicine to those most in need.
September 25, 2003 - MPR’s Cathy Wurzer interviews Susan Crumb, a community prosecutor in Brooklyn Park. The Hennepin County Attorney's Office hosting a two-day national meeting on Thursday-Friday, September 25-26, with focus on "community prosecution." In 1999, Hennepin County Attorney Amy Klobuchar initiated this new approach to crime-fighting. This approach is based on a closer working relationship between prosecutors and the local neighborhoods and communities where crime is occurring. Prosecutors are assigned to work with police, local residents, businesses and others in a specific geographic area to develop strategies for preventing and prosecuting crime, as well as to identify appropriate consequences for those who break the law.
September 25, 2003 - The Pawlenty administration and others watching the Minnesota economy see biotechnology as one bright light on the horizon. And no single place better captures Minnesota's biotech dreams than a sprawling, abandoned building on the west edge of St. Paul. The city bought the building this month to serve as a non-profit "incubator." Officials hope the empty space will nurture fledgling biotech entrepreneurs into tomorrow's powerhouse corporations. Minnesota Public Radio's Jeff Horwich reports.
September 26, 2003 - On this Word of Mouth program, MPR’s Marianne Combs presents a conversation with musician Tim Eriksen & vocalist Mirjana Lausevic; poetry reading by Minnesota poet Kate Green; a profile of St. Paul hip hop group Los Nativos; followed by a Word of Mouth segment on local arts and culture events.
September 26, 2003 - Governor Pawlenty leaves Sunday on his first trade mission, a two-day trip to Montreal. The governor says he wants to promote Minnesota's biosciences and medical industries. Pawlenty says he doesn't plan to announce any trade deals while in Montreal, but says the trip's cost to the state of about 20-thousand dollars will pay off in increased trade with the state's largest trading partner. Others aren't so sure. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
September 26, 2003 - Word of Mouth
September 29, 2003 - All Things Considered’s David Molpus talks with MPR’s Laura McCallum, who is traveling with Governor Tim Pawlenty delegation on a trade mission in Canada. Pawlenty is trying to push Minnesota to pursue research partnerships and business opportunities with Quebec. The governor met with Montreal Premier Jean Charest.