September 8, 2004 - In this episode of Future Tense, reporter Jon Gordon takes a look at Vocaloid, a music software that synthesizes human voice to produce musical results.
September 8, 2004 - "Shanda" is a yiddish word for 'scandal.' It's a word used to describe someone who is an embarrassment to his family or even his community. Minneapolis writer Neal Karlen describes himself as a shanda. He grew up Jewish, in a devout Twin Cities family. At one point it looked as thought he was going to become a rabbi. But he turned to journalism instead, and began to drift away from his heritage. He says in time he became what he describes a Jewish "Uncle Tom"
September 15, 2004 - Seth Binau, a forecaster with the National Weather Service, breaks down the flood warnings and rainfall totals in south-central Minnesota. Biau also describes the makeup of front that brought about torrential rain.
September 15, 2004 - MPR’s Erin Galbally reports on flooding in Austin, Minnesota after a massive rainstorm in area.
September 20, 2004 - MPR’s William Wilcoxen profiles Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Johan Santana as he ties a team record by winning his twelfth game in a row. With a 19-6 record and three different dominant pitches, Santana is a favorite to win the Cy Young Award in 2004.
September 21, 2004 - For the first time in franchise history, the Minnesota Twins will play postseason baseball in three straight years. The Twins clinched their third straight American League Central Division crown with an 8-2 victory over the White Sox in Chicago. Twins General Manager Terry Ryan shares his thoughts and hopes for the team in the postseason.
September 21, 2004 - David Lebedoff is the author books such as "Cleaning Up," the story of the Exxon Valdez case, and "The Uncivil War: How a New Elite Is Destroying Our Democracy." Lebedoff is a graduate of the University of Minnesota.
September 23, 2004 - (NOTE: DATE REFERENCE IN LAST GRAPH - M.E. SHOULD CUT IT OUT IF REPLAYED FRI MORN!!) The Minnesota Lottery has a new permanent director. Governor Tim Pawlenty announced today (THURSDAY) that he's recruited Clint Harris to leave the top job at the South Dakota Lottery and take the reins of Minnesota's operation. The Minnesota Lottery has been without a permanent head since former director George Andersen committed suicide last winter. The incoming Harris says he hopes to more than double the lottery's contributions to the state within the next two decades. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
September 24, 2004 - Lise Lunge-Larsen grew up in Norway. Her parents and grandparents filled her life with stories of elves, dwarves, and fairies. Now she shares those stories with children, and the adults who read to them. Her latest picture book is called "The Hidden Folk." She talked with Mainstreet Radio's Stephanie Hemphill about the stories, and about their real meanings in modern life.
September 25, 2004 - The groundbreaking for a living memorial to Senator Paul Wellstone and his wife Sheila takes place tomorrow on the West Side of St. Paul. A new community building named for the couple will be constructed for the El Rio Vista Recreation Center and Neighborhood House. A St Paul synagogue founded Neighborhood House over 100 years ago to help Jewish settlers. It now serves mainly immigrants from Somalia, Mexico and Laos. Paul and Shelia Wellstone's son Mark joins me now.