April 1, 2013 - MPR’s Jess Mador reports that Minnesota lawmakers Tim Walz and Amy Klobuchar are pushing legislation they say will help thousands of military veterans who were wrongly denied Veterans Administration benefits. They say thousands of veterans who may have had post-traumatic stress disorder were wrongly diagnosed.
April 3, 2013 - MPR’s Julie Siple reports that a group of Hmong leaders in the Twin Cities say more needs to be done to prevent violence within their community. A meeting at the Hmong Village in St. Paul came after several recent deadly cases, including a domestic dispute that left three people dead.
May 1, 2013 - The Minnesota Congressional delegation is in state due to congressional recess. The Daily Circuit checks in with Congressman Walz about current budget activity, The Stock Act, background checks on guns, and other federal legislation affecting the state or region. Walz also answers listener questions.
May 10, 2013 - MPR’s Tom Scheck looks at the quick turnaround in political efforts on same-sex marriage. Just two years prior, Republicans, who then controlled the Legislature, thought it would help them politically to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot that would ban same-sex marriage. That failed on the ballot, and now with a push from Democrat legislators, an amendment allowing same-sex marriage is poised to become law.
May 13, 2013 - MPR’s Tim Pugmire reports on the Minnesota Senate passage of bill legalizing same-sex marriage in the state by a vote of 37-30, after more than four hours of debate. Only one Republican joined Democrats on the prevailing side, and three DFLers opposed the bill.
May 14, 2013 - All Thing’s Considered live coverage of Governor Mark Dayton signing a bill making gay marriage legal in Minnesota. It makes Minnesota the 12th state to take the step. MPR’s Tom Scheck describes the scene, as thousands of onlookers cheer.
May 15, 2013 - MPR’s Conrad Wilson compiles reactions of Minnesotans at the State Capitol after Governor Mark Dayton signed a bill making gay marriage legal in Minnesota.
May 20, 2013 - MPR presents a speech and commentary from U.S. Representative Tim Walz, a Democrat who represents Minnesota's 1st Congressional District. Walz tells the audience during a recent speech at the University of Minnesota that if America cares about national security, it needs to maintain moral authority in the world and address the complex issues involved in the use of drones.
May 22, 2013 - MPR’s Sasha Aslanian profiles Richard Carlbom, campaign manager for Minnesotans United for All Families. Carlbom led organization to two historic victories: the defeat of a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage last November, and the recent passage of the same-sex marriage bill.
July 1, 2013 - With first same-sex wedding ceremonies taking place in Minnesota starting August 1st, 2013, MPR’s Rupa Shenoy reports the anticipation of that day was evident at Twin Cities Pride over the weekend. Instead of an area for commitment ceremonies as there has been in previous years, there was a showcase for wedding businesses that want to help couples with their plans.