January 7, 2002 - Skiers and snowmobilers are grumbling at the lack of Minnesota winter snow, but that's good news for some winter sports fans…like ice boaters. Mainstreet Radio’s Chris Julin found some of those chilly boaters out on Duluth Harbor.
January 8, 2002 - Baseball author and analyst Gary Gillette comments on news that in 1995, Bud Selig and a company controlled by Minnesota Twins owner Carl Pohlad arranged for a $3 million loan to the Milwaukee Brewers. Gillette says the deal represents a major lapse of judgement.
January 10, 2002 - MPR’s Michael Khoo gives a debrief on a tri-partisan task force that has endorsed the general principle of helping the Vikings and Twins construct new stadiums. If the teams finance rather than fund their stadiums, it would protect them. Funding comes from the government and financing comes from grants and loans from private companies.
January 11, 2002 - MPR's Michael Khoo reports that a tri-partisan stadium task force has given its informal endorsement to a state role in building new stadiums for the Minnesota Twins, the Vikings, and the University of Minnesota Gophers. During a meeting in Mankato, the panel opted to support the concept of public financing for a stadium, while steering clear of direct subsidization. Sorting through the details is likely to remain a formidable task.
January 15, 2002 - A proposal for two new stadiums will be voted on this year, but there is concern that there is only a vague proposal about how the stadiums will be funded. MPR’s Michael Khoo reports on debate going on within Stadium Task Force.
January 16, 2002 - The Stadium Task Force presents it’s recommendations to Minnesota Legislature, with panel voting 13-4 on option of financing two new sports stadiums, and public financing for new facilities, as opposed to funding. The loan would be repaid to the state through a variety of revenue services.
January 31, 2002 - MPR’s Mark Zdechlik takes a look at the background of Donald Watkins, the Alabama businessman who says he wants to buy the Minnesota Twins.
January 31, 2002 - Mainstreet Radio's Tom Robertson interviews and reports on two Bemidji sisters, Kari Erickson and Stacey Liapis, as they prepare to compete in the Olympics as curlers. The two, coached by their dad, will compete in Salt Lake City for Olympic gold.
February 1, 2002 - MPR's William Wilcoxen reports on The Minnesota Twins, who are preparing for their 42nd season…knowing that it could be their last. Major League Baseball executives say they're proceeding with plans to dissolve two teams, including the Twins, but it's not clear if and when it might actually happen.
February 5, 2002 - By letting stand a lower court ruling that binds the Minnesota Twins to the Metrodome for another season, a Minnesota Supreme Court order all but guarantees that plans to eliminate the team will be put on hold for at least the coming year. While the team is disappointed with the court's decision, the team's landlord and fans are embracing the news.