December 29, 2004 - Mainstreet Radio's Tom Robertson reports that Federal agents at the U.S.-Canadian border crossing in International Falls have a new tool to enhance homeland security. Customs officials have begun using digital fingerprint technology to verify the identity of some foreign visitors.
February 8, 2005 - MPR’s Brandt Williams report that St. Paul Mayor Randy Kelly confirms that as far as he knows his aide Sia Lo is the target of a federal corruption investigation. The mayor made the announcement in response to a Star Tribune article that named Lo.
February 17, 2005 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer talks with Bob Ingrassia, a reporter with the St. Paul Pioneer Press, about allegations against Sia Lo, a senior aide to St. Paul Mayor Randy Kelly. Lo is under investigation by the FBI for allegedly demanding a bribe from a local businessman. The allegations involve city approval for a new Hmong funeral home.
March 22, 2005 - Mainstreet Radio's Dan Gunderson reports from Bemidji, where ten people are dead after a shooting rampage on the Red Lake Indian Reservation in northern Minnesota. At least 14 people were reportedly wounded in the shooting which happened yesterday afternoon. Tribal police closed the reservation to reporters late yesterday. Red Lake police and the FBI are working together to investigate the shootings.
April 20, 2005 - All Things Considered’s Tom Crann interviews Rick Linsk, reporter at the St. Paul Pioneer Press, about Vang Pao Foundation. The non-profit foundation named for General Vang Pao, a leader in the Hmong community, faces a law suit from the office of State Attorney General Mike Hatch. The suit alleges that the Vang Pao Foundation engaged in questionable spending, and bypassed state charity laws.
June 9, 2005 - MPR’s Bob Kelleher reports that a Sawyer County judge heard pre-trial motions, setting the stage for the September date on Chai Vang's murder trial which will be held in Hayward, Wisconsin. Vang is the Twin Cities Hmong man charged in the shooting deaths of six Wisconsin deer hunters last November, and the wounding of two others.
September 8, 2005 - MPR’s Bob Kelleher reports that the jury has been selected to try a St. Paul man in the shooting deaths of six Wisconsin deer hunters. Jury selection occurred in Madison, Wisconsin. Now the trial moves to Hayward.
September 11, 2005 - MPR’s Bob Kelleher reports on opening statements in the murder trial of Chai Vang, a St Paul man accused of killing six hunters and wounding two others during last November's Wisconsin deer hunt. Prosecutors say he shot the others without good reason. The defense says he feared for his life.
September 12, 2005 - All Things Considered’s Greta Cunningham talks with reporter Bob Kelleher about Terry Willers testimony during Chai Vang murder trial. Willers was with a group of six hunters who were shot and killed by Vang last fall in the woods of Sawyer County.
September 13, 2005 - MPR’s Bob kelleher reports that one of the hunters who survived a shooting in Wisconsin's woods last fall has testified in the murder trial of Chai Vang. Vang is the 36-year old St. Paul man charged with shooting six deer hunters to death, and wounding two others. The shooting happened after Vang was found in a deer stand on private property.