December 18, 2001 - MPR’s Tasya Rosenfeld talks with David Fey about affordable housing in Minneapolis. Mayor-elect R.T. Rybak today introduced his 90-day plan to increase affordable housing in Minneapolis. Rybak says he wants to change development codes and regulations to encourage renovation. He also hopes to use four million dollars of Neighborhood Redevelopment funds to pay for more housing. Rybak has chosen David Fey, a long-time affordable housing advocate to be his deputy mayor. Fey was the vice chairman of a task force which recommended in 1999 that the city council spend fifty million dollars to create more affordable housing. Fey says one of Rybak's approaches to the housing crisis is to reduce the existing sea of red tape.
December 20, 2001 - MPR’s Laura McCallum reports on a legislative commission vote on the divisive issue of same-sex domestic partner benefits. The panel voted 7-to-5 to let the House and Senate decide for themselves whether to provide coverage for the same-sex partners of legislators and their staffs. The discussion foreshadows a larger debate in the upcoming session, with some lawmakers saying they'll vote to reject two union contracts that include the coverage.
December 20, 2001 - Mainstreet Radios Bob Reha reports on 40 of Sudan's “Lost Boys” that now call Fargo home. They are refugees from years of civil war plaguing their North African country. An estimated two million people have died in the conflict. The Fargo Lost Boys trekked from Sudan through Ethiopia to Kenya. They now are facing the challenges of adapting to a new culture, all while dreaming of returning home.
December 21, 2001 - Outgoing Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton talks with Midday’s Gary Eichten about her work in the city, tenure as mayor, and the state of Minneapolis at the end of 2001. Sayles Belton also answers listener questions.
December 24, 2001 - Traditional foods like turkey, oyster stew, ham and virtually all kinds of potatoes, be they scalloped, baked or mashed, tend to dominate most holiday tables. But City Pages Eater's Digest columnist Dara Moskowitz says that can get a little boring after awhile. She suggests jazzing up this year's holiday feast with an old farm classic that's suddenly become quite chic -- BEETS.
December 24, 2001 - MPR’s Marisa Helms reports on the popularity of Magnetic Poetry, a literary novelty has grown into a $7 million dollar a year company in Northeast Minneapolis. What started as a time-consuming obsession for Minnesota songwriter Dave Kapell is now a staple on the American refrigerator.
December 24, 2001 - MPR’s Mark Steil reports that wind turbines are becoming a more popular scene in the country because farmers are harvesting the wind for electricity. Steil interviews numerous individuals about this creative use of farmland.
December 26, 2001 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer talks with Lavelle Neal, who covers the Twins for the Star Tribune about the status of the Minnesota Twins as 2001 closes. The team being sold, potential Major League Baseball contraction, and a looming player contract dispute are all threats to organization.
December 26, 2001 - Mainstreet Radio’s Dan Gunderson reports on a pilot project on White Earth Reservation that is trying to reduce the effects of diabetes by bringing back a diet of traditional food.
December 27, 2001 - MPR's Tom Scheck reports on possible impact of Minnesota Twins leaving the state. Most experts say only a new stadium will prevent the loss of the team. Observers say if Major League Baseball moves ahead with its contraction plans and cuts the Twins before next season, the Twin Cities reputation as a major league city sports location would be in jeopardy. However, economists say the fallout from the loss of the team would be more psychological than economic.