September 28, 2001 - MPR's Elizabeth Stawicki reports that The National Center for State Courts (CHIPS), a non-profit organization which conducts research and educates courts on how to improve the administration of justice, has found opening child protection hearings and records to the public has had virtually no major effects in Minnesota…negative or positive. CHIPS studied the effects in the 12 Minnesota counties that took part in the three-year pilot project.
September 28, 2001 - MPR's Bill Catlin reports that a federal district court in Minneapolis has appointed a trustee to represent the clients of financially struggling Stockwalk Group. The action comes as the third largest Twin Cities brokerage has had to freeze 190,000 customer accounts and is looking for a partner or buyer.
October 4, 2001 - MPR’s Elizabeth Stawicki reports on Minnesota Supreme considering fairness of jurors asking questions during trial. Typically, attorneys question witnesses during trials in Minnesota. But in Blue Earth County two years ago, a Mankato judge invited jurors to question the witnesses and even the man on trial. The State Supreme Court heard arguments about whether allowing jurors to ask questions violates a defendant's right to a fair trial.
October 17, 2001 - Mainstreet Radio's Jeff Horwich reports three professors and a student are filing a lawsuit in federal court against St. Cloud State University and the entire MnSCU system, alleging that the school has done too little to deal with antisemitism on campus. St. Cloud State has been studying the problem for more than a year, but those suing the school say the time for studying is over.
November 14, 2001 - On this special edition of Midday, Gary Eichten hosts MPR's "Color of Justice Forum," held at the Sabathani Community Center in Minneapolis. Panelists include St. Paul Police Chief Bill Finney, DFL State Senator Jane Ranum, Republican State Representative and Minneapolis Police Inspector Rich Stanek, Hennepin County Judge Tanya Bransford, Hennepin County Public Defender Leonardo Castro, and Minnesota Corrections Commissioner Sheryl Ramstad-Hvass.
November 15, 2001 - A collection of reports from the MPR special series "The Color of Justice," which investigates the racial disparity in Minnesota’s criminal justice system. This Midday program includes reports by MPR’s Dan Olson, Brandt Williams, and Elizabeth Stawicki, as well as various interviews and commentary of officials, academics, and community members.
November 15, 2001 - MPR’s Tom Scheck reports that Hennepin County District Judge Harry Crump says he'll announce soon whether he'll require the Twins to play baseball in the Metrodome next year (2002). Crump heard arguments from the the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission, the Attorney General's office, and the Minnesota Twins.
November 16, 2001 - MPR’s Tom Scheck shares details on Hennepin County District Judge Harry Crump ruling that the Minnesota Twins must play baseball in the Metrodome next season. In an order filed, Crump ruled in favor of the injunction request filed in prior week by the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission.
November 16, 2001 - “The Color of Justice: The News Disparities” is part five of an MPR special series which investigates the racial disparity in Minnesota’s criminal justice system. Discussions of race and the criminal justice system tend to focus on the disproportionate rates at which African Americans are arrested and jailed. However, the growth of Latinos, Hmong, and Somali in Minnesota has broadened the scope of the disparities issue.
November 21, 2001 - Former Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Sandy Keith comments on the Minnesota Twins appeal and is asked if the case deserves to have an accelerated review by the Minnesota Supreme Court?