April 2, 2010 - Doug Grow, longtime sportswriter and author of We're Gonna Win, Twins!, joins Midday’s Gary Eichten to talk about the history of the Minnesota Twins. Grow is a longtime Star Tribune sportswriter and columnist, who now writes for MinnPost.
May 24, 2010 - MPR’s Annie Baxter reports on the lingering issues of high unemployment rate in Minnesota as the U.S. economy comes out of recession.
May 25, 2010 - MPR’s Annie Baxter reports on the negative impact that the economic downturn has had on various industries…and the hard choices it has left for those workers.
June 23, 2010 - There are six mining companies doing exploration work that could lead to mines near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness…and that's got a lot of people concerned. The companies are drilling deep holes, probing huge deposits of valuable copper, nickel, gold, platinum, and palladium. MPR’s Stephanie Hemphill visits the operation and has this report.
June 25, 2010 - MPR’s Brandt Williams takes a look at the history of Twin Cities night spots that cater to Black customers and the continuing closures of said establishments. Examples include Norma Jean's, Sylvia's, Cato Club, Escape Ultra Lounge, Riverview Supper Club, and the latest…Gabby's Saloon.
August 9, 2010 - As part of MPR News series “Austin at a Crossroads: 25 years after the Hormel strike,” MPR’s Elizabeth Baier profiles Austin, 25 years after the Hormel labor strike that tore apart the town. Baier reports on the changes that took place in the aftermath of 1985 strike, including the reliance on immigrant workers, which some long-time Austin residents struggle with.
August 10, 2010 - As part of MPR News series “Austin at a Crossroads: 25 years after the Hormel strike,” MPR’s Elizabeth Baier profiles Austin, 25 years after the Hormel labor strike that tore apart the town. Baier reports on the experience of Latino immigrants in Austin.
October 4, 2010 - MPR’s Rupa Shenoy reports the Minnesota Twins set a new attendance record this season, selling 3,223,640 tickets for games at the new Target Field. If you ask the fans at the final regular season game, the reason why is clear…the ballpark.
October 8, 2010 - Gov. Tim Pawlenty is standing by his decision to ignore a federal request for input on a key piece of health care reform. The Department of Health and Human Services had asked states for their recommendations on "insurance exchanges." These are online marketplaces where consumers can compare and buy health plans. Pawlenty opposes health reform. He said today (Friday) exchanges are big government interfering with the free market. But three years ago, Pawlenty advocated a similar idea. Elizabeth Stawicki reports: During his radio show today, Gov. Tim Pawlenty expanded on why he decided against sending in a Minnesota health department report about health insurance exchanges. He said the best insurance exchange is the free market:
November 24, 2010 - It's been an interesting year for health stories. A huge healthcare reform bill passed Congress... but the debate after the fact seemed to raise more rancor than the discussion leading in. An earthquake kills hundreds of thousands in Haiti... followed by a deadly outbreak of cholera. In the meantime, America's epidemic of obesity has spread to other nations across the globe. But, even with all those challenges and uncertainties, medical analyst Dr. Hallberg says there is still reason to be hopeful when it comes to health and wellness at this customary time of thanksgiving.