June 9, 2017 - MPR’s Nancy Yang profiles Sunisa Lee, the 14-year-old St. Paul gymnast, who is believed to be the first Hmong American to make the national gymnastics team. Suni, as many people call her, is focused on making the 2020 Olympic Gymnastics Team. It’s a goal supported by her parents, coach…and community.
June 14, 2017 - MPR’s Matt Sepic reports on struggle some mobile home park tenants face in getting a state law required storm shelter on park grounds. Segment includes interviews with tenants, landlord, advocacy group member, and government official.
June 16, 2017 - All Things Considered’s Tom Crann provides a recap of the murder trial verdict of Jeronimo Yanez, the St. Anthony police officer who shot and killed Philando Castile during a traffic stop in Falcon Heights, a St. Paul suburb.
July 13, 2017 - MPR’s Doualy Xaykaothao profiles Mai Neng Moua, an immigration attorney working in the Twin Cities. Moua was born in a Thai refugee camp called Ban Vinai and arrived in the U.S. in 1982. She recalls the hardships she overcame while caring for family, facing racism, and achieving her professional goals.
July 19, 2017 - MPR’s Marianne Combs profiles artist Joe Sinness and his exhibition at the Minneapolis Institute of Art that explores - and celebrates - facets of gay male sexuality with lovingly detailed drawings. The exhibit is called "The Flowers."
July 20, 2017 - MPR’s Catharine Richert reports on sexual harrassment accusations against Gregory Stavrou, former Rochester Civic Theatre executive director, and the subsequent fall out to the theatre and it’s board.
July 21, 2017 - MPR’s Danielle Wong profiles a St. Paul Karen dance group that is giving younger refugees a chance to celebrate their culture….and they're attracting new audiences in the Twin Cities and nationally.
August 8, 2017 - MPR’s Brandt Williams looks back at Janeé Harteau's groundbreaking tenure as the first woman to serve as Minneapolis police chief…and the first openly gay chief.
August 11, 2017 - MPR’s Dan Gunderson reports on The Minnesota Waterfowl Association's Woodie Camp, a northwestern Minneosta summer camp focused on waterfowl hunting calls, prairie ecology, and outdoor ethics and shooting.
August 14, 2017 - In the lead up to the 2017 Minnesota State Fair, MPR’s Brian Bakst visits the fairgrounds before the gates even open, where judging for the fair's various contests is already in progress, with blue ribbons to be awarded for best crop art, cross-stitching, pie baking, pickling, and much more. Bakst gets a flavor of the competition in maple syrup and assorted jams.