April 1, 2002 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer presents audio clips of various commentary from listeners calling in about a new stadium for the Minnesota Twins. Some were supportive, but most were critical.
April 1, 2002 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer talks with Star Tribune’s LaVelle Neal to get his thoughts on the Minnesota Twins chances at success as the 2002 MLB season begins. The Twins take on the Kansas City Royals before a sold-out crowd in their season opener.
April 12, 2002 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer showcases a batch of vintage MPR audio from 1982, as the Metrodome opened to fans and ball games. The 1982 Twins were a terrible team, about to play their first season in the brand new domed sports facility.
April 12, 2002 - MPR’s Michael Khoo reports on atmosphere at ballpark and Minnesota State Capitol with the potential that 2002 home opener may be the team’s last.
April 26, 2002 - Mainstreet Radio’s Tom Robertson reports on a bill heading to Governor Ventura that restricts all-terrain vehicle use in some state forests. Legislators approved a ban on cross country ATV travel on some state land. That means ATV riders can't go off established trails and roadways, but there are other changes ahead for Minnesotans who ride all-terrain vehicles.
May 1, 2002 - MPR’s Marisa Helms reports on the 28th Berg Celebration, being held on the Minneapolis campus at University of Minnesota. This annual event to honor women athletes at the University of Minnesota has special significance in 2002, because recently university officials announced they will merge the men's and women's intercollegiate athletics departments.
May 8, 2002 - As part of MPR’s Changing Current series, reporter Stephanie Hemphill looks at the return of a native species to The French River, which flows into Lake Superior about 15 miles north of Duluth. The coaster brook trout has been struggling to survive in Lake Superior and its tributaries for more than a hundred years. Some people are turning their attention to bringing them back.
May 17, 2002 - Ann Bancroft talks with MPR’s Cathy Wurzer about her six-week trip paddling across the Great Lakes.
May 20, 2002 - MPR’s Cathy Wurzer interviews R.T. Rybak, Mayor of Minneapolis, on state capital stadium bill. Governor Jesse Ventura has 14 days to decided what to do with a Twins stadium financing plan that lawmakers sent him late Saturday night. The deal for a 330-million-dollar ballpark, requires a 120 million private contribution (facilitated by the Twins) prior to any bond sale. In addition, the team would pay ten million dollars a year in rent. Proponents of a new ballpark in Minneapolis were hoping the bill would allow a county to finance the local portion of the cost, but that did not happen. Rybak says because of that Minneapolis appears to be out of the running as a location for a new ballpark.
May 22, 2002 - All Things Considered’s Lorna Benson interviews Gary Gilson, News Council executive director, about Minnesota News Council holding a public forum to talk about concerns brought up by the Women's Athletics Advisory Council at the University of Minnesota. Athletes, journalists, and the public will discuss whether a bias exists in the coverage of women's athletics.