October 11, 2002 - On October 15, 1852, the first train of the Chicago and Rock Island Railroad traveled from Chicago to Joliet, Illinois. Two years later it would bring a delegation of East Coast journalists and dignitaries to the Mississippi River as part of the Grand Excursion to Minnesota. Over the next 50 years, as the Rock Island Line grew, it carried passengers and freight through 14 states and became part of the story of the American west. Then it inspired a song that has been passed from generation to generation. Learn the story of the railroad.
October 21, 2002 - As part of a series on special education, MPR’s Tim Pugmire reports on impact of Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) on many disabled children and the increasing costs.
October 22, 2002 - As part of a series on special education, MPR’s Tim Pugmire profiles fourth grader Sam Graves, who has cerebral palsy and participant of the IDEA mandate.
October 23, 2002 - As part of a series on special education, MPR’s Tim Pugmire reports on the importance of Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and debate on what changes are needed.
October 24, 2002 - Midmorning’s Katherine Lanpher talks with Eric Hickey, a professor of criminal psychology at Cal State Fresno and author of Serial Murderers and Their Victims. Hickey discusses the D.C. area sniper shootings and how profiles are developed. Hickey also answers listener questions.
October 26, 2002 - A special Saturday edition of Midday the day after Senator Paul Wellstone's fatal plane crash. Included are audio clips from the MPR Archives and callers' remarks.
October 29, 2002 - On this Midday program, commentator Sarah Stoesz, attorney Sam Kaplan, and callers share stories about the late Senator Paul Wellstone, the family members, and campaign workers who died with him in plane crash in Eveleth, Minnesota on October 25th, 2002.
December 2, 2002 - MPR’s Lorna Benson talks with Met Council’s Frank Hornstein about which languages will appear on ticket vending machines for the Hiawatha light rail line. Under the current proposal, the machines will operate in English, Spanish and Hmong…the three most widely used languages in the Twin Cities. But Somali advocates are protesting the plan because so many Somali citizens live along the Hiawatha route. It would cost more than $100,000 to add a fourth language to the vending machines.
December 2, 2002 - MPR’s Greta Cunningham interviews Met Council Frank Hornstein about meeting to reconsider which languages will appear on ticket vending machines for the Hiawatha light rail line. Under the current proposal, the machines will operate in English, Spanish and Hmong- the three most widely used languages in the Twin Cities. But Somali advocates are protesting the plan because so many Somali citizens live along the Hiawatha route. It would cost more than $100,000 to add a fourth language to the vending machines.
December 10, 2002 - MPR’s Lorna Benson interviews Jen Randolph Reise, co-director of Women Against Military Madness, on group’s efforts to find peace solutions as an Iraqi War possibility looms. Reise says WAMM's most visible activities has been its weekly protests on the Lake Street Bridge in Minneapolis.