June 8, 1997 - The annual Twin Cities Juneteenth film festival is underway this weekend. The festival is a showcase for exploring blackness in American culture. Organizers of this year's festival hope the films will spark insights and discussions about race in America.
June 9, 1997 - MPR’s Euan Kerr talks with guitarist Steve Tibbetts about his recent work. Tibbetts, whose work is primarily instrumental, is trying something new…but also very old, with his latest album "Cho." He adds music to a 900-year-old acapella song cycle performed by Buddhist nuns in Nepal.
June 11, 1997 - Midday talks with MPR Classical Music Host Eric Friesen as he prepares to leave Minnesota Public Radio. Friesen has accepted a position as a national music host with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in Toronto.
June 14, 1997 - Tomorrow is Father's Day, but TODAY hundreds of dads are gathering near the Minneapolis Stone Arch Bridge to take part in the "Dad's of Destiny Father's Walk for Peace." The 1-point-8 mile walk along the Mississippi starts at 10:00 this morning. Lamarr Scott is the Project Director for the Dad's of Destiny Walk...he's also involved with "Urban Ventures Center for Fathering." Scott says today's walk is a time for father's to get support.
June 14, 1997 - MPR’s Greta Cunningham interviews Phil Gotsch and Scott Wolter, two ‘rockhounds’ who discuss their fascination with Lake Superior agates, which are among the oldest and most colorful agates in the world.
June 15, 1997 - The Minnesota Twins defeated the Astros 8-to-1 in Houston last night. Twins owner Carl Pohlad has the go-ahead to start shopping his team to other cities. This week Baseball owners gave Pohlad their approval to possibly move the team to another city. This move gives the Twins more leverage in their negotiations with state lawmakers over funding for a new stadium. Weekend Edition Sports Commentator Jay Weiner attended the baseball talks in Philidelphia this week.
June 18, 1997 - Brandi Parisi reports on strife in the classical music scene, as a debate brews over the direction and public interest in the genre. Parisi gets varied commentary from those in the community. Some see a crisis point; others see a natural evolution.
June 26, 1997 - MPR’s John Rabe interviews Jeanne Manford, co-founder of support group organization Parents, Family, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG). Manford shares thoughts on her son and about the organization.
June 28, 1997 - MPR’s John Biscoff visits the teahouse in Como's Japanese Garden found at St. Paul's Como Park. The age-old ceremony is drawing people who are curious about Japan or who have simply heard that it's a good way to step out of the daily grind and enjoy a peaceful afternoon.
June 28, 1997 - Albert Belle had a career-high five hits -- including his 18th home run -- as the Chicago White Sox crushed Minnesota 10-to-4 last night. The White Sox are now in second place in the American League Central. The Twins host the White Sox for Game Three of the four-game series tonight at the dome. This week Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles-Belton proposed that the city commit 54 million dollars - including contributions from Hennepin County and local companies - to buy and prepare a riverfront site for a new Twins stadium. She said the ballpark itself could be paid for with a half-cent metro-area sales tax which could also help pay for mass transit and expanding the Convention Center.