November 30, 2006 - Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak says he's disappointed and angry about having to remove fire chief Bonnie Bleskachek from the office he appointed her to in 2004. Earlier this week, Rybak and several other councilmembers voted to fire her from the department's top post, and to reject a settlement offer that would allow her to come back to the force in a lesser rank. MPR’s Brandt Williams report also includes interviews with Bonnie Bleskachek and Greg Corwin, a civil service attorney.
December 1, 2006 - MPR’s Chris Roberts profiles Doomtree, a new hip hop collective hitting the Twin Cities music scene. Roberts interviews members of the group on the collective’s creation. Roberts also talks with local music critic about the group.
December 1, 2006 - On this World AIDS Day, Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer talks with Andy Ansell, a health education coordinator with the Minnesota AIDS Project. Andy's been living with HIV for 19 years and shares his experience.
December 4, 2006 - For the first time since 2001, Minnesota's governor and state lawmakers are talking about a tax rebate. The projected surplus for the current two-year budget cycle adds up to $1 billion, and grows to more than $2 billion by 2009. State law requires Governor Pawlenty to propose a tax rebate plan to the Legislature. MPR's Tom Scheck takes a look at Pawlenty's alternatives and whether finance experts believe a rebate is necessary...
December 4, 2006 - A new foundation has awarded three Minnesota artists with substantial grants. United States Artists is a new organization dedicated to supporting America's finest living artists. Starting this year it plans to award 50 grants of 50-thousand dollars each. Minnesota recipients include theater director Dominique Serrand, and writers Susan Power and Sandra Benitez . Benitez says she's thrilled that there's a new foundation directly supporting artists.
December 4, 2006 - St. Paul's Citywide Book Club will focus exclusively on Minnesota authors this year. It's a way to mark the 150th anniversary of the St. Paul Public Schools. The schools, together with the the City of St. Paul and the St Paul Public Library, announced seven selections today, including "The Things They Carried," Tim O'Brien's collection of short stories about the Vietnam war. St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman says he's proud of this selection because it can give Minnesotans perspective on what's happening in Iraq.
December 7, 2006 - Governor Pawlenty has reshuffled his cabinet. Two key commissioners are leaving and another has asked for a demotion. Pawlenty's commissioners of finance and natural resources are stepping down. The revenue Commissioner asked for a different position in the department and has been replaced. The moves come just one month before Pawlenty is set to begin his second term. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
December 7, 2006 - To mark the anniversary of Peral Harbor attack, Midday talks with local author Dave Kenny on the Minnesotans' memories of Pearl Harbor. He has written a book Minnesota Goes to War. Program includes call-in commentary and questions.
December 8, 2006 - “The McCarthy Tapes” takes the listener back to the 1968 campaign through audio recordings of the Eugene McCarthy archive, which documents a turbulent time in America's history. McCarthy’s political legacy will forever be defined by 1968, when McCarthy turned his opposition to the Vietnam War into a crusade for the presidency.
December 19, 2006 - One of the best pitchers in Minnesota Twins history says goodbye to the baseball team, as Brad Radke confirms that he is retiring after 12 years as one of the Twins' steadiest pitchers. Radke was Minnesota's Opening Day starter for nine straight years and never pitched for another big league team.