October 29, 2001 - The US Supreme Court decide on whether those who create digital child porn be punished the same way those who make in-person child pornography.
October 30, 2001 - The University of Minnesota withdrew from the state workers insurance plan and now offers four different insurance plans.
October 30, 2001 - Rochester's four-year fight with the Dakota Minnesota and Eastern Railroad is about to come to a head. Sometime this fall the federal Surface Transportation Board releases its final ruling on the DME's 1-point-4 billion-dollar expansion plan. All indications suggest the rail project will get the go ahead. New track will be laid to haul coal from Wyoming through South Dakota and Minnesota. DME rail lines currently run through Rochester. But city officials insist if the expansion's approved trains should be rerouted around downtown, through farmland and countryside. It's a controversial and expensive proposition. Minnesota Public Radio's Erin Galbally has this Mainstreet report.
October 30, 2001 - MPR's Tom Scheck reports that the chairman of the state Senate Finance Committee is calling on state agencies to get tougher with the state's health care providers. The committee held a hearing on Attorney General Mike Hatch's audit of Allina Health Systems.
October 31, 2001 - MPR’s Marisa Helms reports that 10 openly gay candidates are running for office in Minneapolis in 2001. All of them are DFLers. Half are running for City Council seats; the remaining five are spread among the Library Board, Park Board, School Board and the Board of Estimate and Taxation. Political observers say that being gay is apparently not an issue for most Minneapolis voters.
November 2, 2001 - MPR’s Gary Eichten talks with U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone, who shares his views on numerous political and social topics. Wellstone also answers listener questions.
November 2, 2001 - Michael Osterholm, director of the University of Minnesota's Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, gives an update on the anthrax threat in the United States.
November 5, 2001 - MPR’s Art Hughes provides a summary report of Minneapolis mayoral debate at a Minnesota Public Radio forum. Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton forcefully fights for her political career in the final days before the election, squaring off against challenger R.T. Rybak. In debate, Sayles Belton questioned Rybak's promise to shun campaign donations by those with business interests in city hall. She also strongly defended her administration against Rybak's accusation that the city is mismanaged.
November 6, 2001 - Governor Jesse Ventura joins Midday’s Gary Eichten in the studio to answer MPR listener questions. Jesse Ventura talks about the Twins, stadiums, the end of tax rebates, and the election. During program, Ventura gets into a lively discussion with a caller regarding stadium and tax dollars.
November 6, 2001 - MPR’s Michael Khoo reports on Governor Jesse Ventura’s stance against public funding on a new stadium for Minnesota Twins. His view and actions have drawn criticism from some voters and fellow politicians.