April 6, 2001 - As the sun sets on Saturday night, Jews will gather to celebrate the first night of Passover. The eight-day festival begins with family and friends participating in a ritual meal called a Seder. The leader of the Seder tells the story of the exodus of the Jews from Egypt. The Jewish slaves didn't have time to allow their bread dough to rise. What resulted was a flat, cracker-like bread called matzah. Chaim Goldberger (Hy-am) is a modern orthodox Rabbi at the Kenesseth (Ken-ess-et) Israel Synagogue in St. Louis Park. He says that in observing Passover, Jews are commanded to eat matzah. Opening excerpt: The Torah tells us that there is a link between dough and a human being; mixing a dusty flour with water to create bread and humans. Yeast makes bread rise and is the human equivalent for ego. Unleavened bread takes the ego out of the bread and human…
April 12, 2001 - MPR’s Michael Khoo reports that a Minnesota House committee has dealt a seemingly fatal blow to the Minnesota Twins' request this session for a state-subsidized ballpark. The House Local Government and Metropolitan Affairs committee has voted to table the proposal, and both supporters and opponents of the plan say the move effectively ends debate for this session.
April 12, 2001 - MPR’s Lorna Benson interviews Winona resident Calvin Fremling, who shares memories of 1965 flood that threatened the town.
April 17, 2001 - MPR’s Michael Khoo reports on Governor Jesse Ventura criticism of Senate Democrats for not passing a tax rebate bill this year, despite an April 15th deadline for taking action. Appearing on MPR's Midday program, Ventura said the failure to act means the Senate will have to accept his proposal, shared by the House, which returns the entire current year surplus. But Senate leaders say they plan to remain at the bargaining table.
April 18, 2001 - All Things Considered’s Lorna Benson interviews State Patrol Chief Anne Beers about overtime being offered in fulfilling security of the governor. Some of Jesse Ventura's State Patrol security officers are earning nearly as much per year as the governor.
April 23, 2001 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer talks with Dave Meltzer, the editor of the Wrestling Observer, provides a review of the first XFL season that has ended with the Los Angles Extreme defeating the San Francisco Demons 38 to 6 to win $1,000,000. After disappointing ratings it looks like NBC will drop the league from its schedule next year, but it may continue on UPN.
April 23, 2001 - As part of Mainstreet Radio series Broken Trust: Civil Rights in Indian Country, MPR’s Dan Gunderson reports on the struggles of American Indians, with the voices of people who say their rights, and complaints, are ignored.
April 23, 2001 - First Hour: Longtime Twin Cities television and newspaper reporter Dave Nimmer talks about the state of journalism today. Nimmer received this year's Graven Award for lifetime contributions to journalism at the Minnesota Journalism Center at the University of Minnesota.
April 24, 2001 - As part of Mainstreet Radio series Broken Trust: Civil Rights in Indian Country, MPR’s Cara Hetland reports on decades of Native American civil rights complaints in South Dakota.
April 24, 2001 - MPR’s Patty Marsicano reports that a key House committee approved a higher education spending bill; one that proposes more spending than Governor Ventura, but less than the Senate plan. The House Higher Education Finance Committee passed its spending bill after some debate over whether it provided enough money.