June 7, 2001 - MPR presents a report entitled Postcard From A Lynching, which looks at the history of a 1920 murder of three Black men in Duluth by a local mob. It’s a history that many in Duluth tried to forget… but others fought to bring the horrific lynching to light in the community and bring dignity to the slain men. [Content Warning: some content, language, and statements used in this story may be triggering to listeners]
August 1, 2001 - MPR’s Art Hughes reports that new numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau show same-sex households account for nearly one percent of all Minnesota couples. The 2000’ Census figures provide the agency's most accurate count yet of same-sex couples. Advocates and officials alike say the numbers still don't accurately track the true number of gays and lesbians, but are an important marker nonetheless.
August 1, 2001 - MPR’s Kaomi Goetz reports that some members of Minneapolis immigrant communities are asking whether they're getting undue scrutiny from city inspectors.
August 6, 2001 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer talks with Kow Lee, a 29-year-old Hmong woman, about time limits attached to welfare and struggles for finding employment. Lee came to the U.S. 10 years ago, is divorced, and has 7 children ranging from ages 4 months to 9 years old. Speaking through an interpreter, Kow Lee says raising children in America is very hard.
August 14, 2001 - Mainstreet Radio's Laurel Druley reports on housing struggles some migrant workers find themselves in while working in the southern Minnesota town of Plainview. Four months out of the year, the population of 3,190 grows by more than 200 residents. Migrant workers come to town to can peas and corn at Lakeside Foods. But while the work is there, housing is not, leaving many temporary workers searching for a place to call home.
August 17, 2001 - With an upcoming KKK rally scheduled to happen in Minneapolis/ St.Paul, Mark Potok, of Klanwatch at the Southern Poverty Law Center in Montgomery Alabama, discusses current status of the KKK in the United States. Potok states that he does not see much activity in Minnesota. He also presents recommendations on how to counter event and hate group activity.
August 27, 2001 - MPR’s Kaomi Goetz reports on how some Hmong face cultural hurdles to mental health care. A murder case of a Hmong immigrant that stabbed to death two of her children illustrates a larger problem confronting the Hmong community…how to recognize and effectively treat mental illness.
August 31, 2001 - In a broadcast from the MPR booth at Minnesota State Fair, Mainstreet Radio’s Rachel Reabe revisits the farmers of Chanarambie Township in Southwestern Minnesota.
September 3, 2001 - Midday’s Gary Eichten broadcasts live from the Minnesota State Fair. His guests are two of Minnesota's top crime-fighters…Hennepin County Attorney Amy Klobuchar and Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner.
September 3, 2001 - MPR’s Mary Losure reports on a union survey being highlighted at Minnesota State Fair that show issues in affordable housing for members.