November 18, 2004 - MPR’s Cathy Wurzer has a conversation with Duluth writer Barton Sutter about his book "Farewell to the Starlight in Whisky." Sutter explores a wide range of topics: among them, politics, sobriety, the Minnesota wilderness, and love.
November 19, 2004 - MPR’s Chris Julin reports on Grand Marais rap group Crew Jones. Julin interviews members Burly Burlesque (Ben Larson), Mic Trout (Sean Elmquist), and Ray Wolf (Rain Elfvin). Julin details the style and local subjects the trio develop and reflect.
November 19, 2004 - Rolling Stone Magazine has come up with a list of the 500 Greatest Songs of all time and Hibbing's own Bob Dylan is at the top of the list with his song "Like A Rolling Stone." That song was Dylan's first top ten hit in 1965. He followed it with another big seller called "Positively 4th Street."
December 6, 2004 - Interview with Terry Bain, Spokane writer and author most recently of "You Are a Dog."
December 7, 2004 - In the early 1930s, Soviet recruiters persuaded thousands of Finnish-Americans from northern Minnesota to move to Stalin's Russia. They thought they were going to build a utopia, but many ended up as Stalin's victims. A new book for youngsters, "The Darkest Evening," describes the painful episode. The author is William Durbin. He talked with Mainstreet Radio's Stephanie Hemphill. William Durbin will be reading from "The Darkest Evening" at Back To Books in Hudson at noon on Sunday (Dec 12).
December 10, 2004 - A commentary from American poet Mark Nowak, who is creating a country-wide buzz by applying hip-hop sensibilities to politics and breaking news. His book of poems "Shut Up Shut Down," published by Coffeehouse Press, is drawing national attention and praise.
December 10, 2004 - In this State of the Arts segment, MPR’s Marianne Comb profiles Outward Spiral Theatre Company, the only Twin Cities theater dedicated to producing shows by and about Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered people. After a couple of poorly attended seasons, the theater is wondering whether the GLBT community needs it anymore.
December 13, 2004 - MPR’s Brandt Williams reports on a Minnesota Community Project study regarding Minnesotan’s attitudes on immigrants. The majority of the people involved in the study expressed favorable attitudes toward immigration. However, the authors say they're particularly dismayed over data showing a streak of hostility toward immigrants - especially by people living in the outer ring suburbs. The study's authors say those attitudes go against Minnesota's tradition of tolerance and acceptance of newcomers.
December 16, 2004 - MPR’s presents a report from a Wellstone Elementary School classrom, where there is kind of a music hatchery where singers of the future are being trained.
December 16, 2004 - MPR announces "diverse" musical format for old WCAL. Steve Nelson, program director for 89.3 KCMP, discusses the new program and plans for KCMP 89.3, formally known as WCAL 89.3.