January 11, 2002 - MPR’s Michael Khoo reports on Governor Ventura’s response to critics over his budget plan. According to governor, sacrifice needs to be made by all parts of the budget and he invites suggestions to improve it. Republicans debate higher tax on gasoline and tobacco, while Democrats want more money for education.
January 14, 2002 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer talks with Gene Merriam, a former DFL state senator, and long-time chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, about the concept of bonding bills.
January 16, 2002 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer talks with Jim Miller, the executive director of the League of Minnesota Cities, about how Ventura's budget proposal would affect city budgets. Governor Ventura released his plans for closing a nearly two billion dollar projected shortfall last week, and they included cuts in local government aid.
March 6, 2002 - The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees free speech and freedom of expression. Those protections extend to adult businesses. While pornography and strip clubs remain hot button issues, the legal debate has shifted. So, has its location. The argument is no longer whether sex oriented businesses can exist. Now the question is how to regulate them legally as strip clubs and adult bookstores move to small cities and towns. Erin Galbally continues our series "Adult Entertainment Targets Main Street" with a report on the newest phase in the legal battle to regulate the sex industry.
March 18, 2002 - Recent economic indicators suggest the nation may be pulling out its recession, but Minnesota's state and local governments are likely to feel its pain for some time. Saint Paul is among the cities bracing for a tighter budget next year. But among many business people in Saint Paul there's a feeling that the capital city is in a better financial position than it was during the last recession eleven years ago.
March 25, 2002 - Minnesota lawmakers are coming up against their self-determined deadline for finishing the session. Leglislators have said they want to complete their work and adjourn by Easter. But they still have plenty to do, including agreeing on a plan to close a $440 million gap in the state budget. Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer gets developments from MPR's Capitol Bureau Chief Laura McCallum.
July 24, 2002 - Mark Stutrud, president of Summit Brewing Company; Jeff Lonto, author of "Legend of the Brewery: A Brief History of the Minneapolis Brewing Heritage;" Ted Marty, president of August Schell Brewing Company discuss Minnesota Brewing closures while Grain Belt Premium finds a new home....it's just the latest chapter in a long history of beer brewing in Minnesota. Strutrud, Lonto, and Marty also talk about what brewing has meant to the state and what the future may look like for local breweries.
August 27, 2002 - MPR’s Andrew Haeg looks into homeownership among immigrant groups. Real estate experts say immigrants are an increasingly important part of the real estate market and lenders are taking steps to accommodate them.
August 29, 2002 - Major League Baseball owners and players may be close to settling their differences and avoiding a walkout. But, without an 11th hour reprieve, players will strike on August 28th, 2002. Those in and around the Metrodome who depend on the Twins for income say a strike would have substantial short and long term effects on their pocketbooks…and on baseball in Minnesota.
September 2, 2002 - MPR’s Kate Beeman reports on Duluth tourism. Report includes various commentary.