April 16, 2002 - MPR’s Steven John interviews Paul Ostrow, president of the Minneapolis City Council, about status of Minneapolis police chief. There are reports this morning that Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak is planning to replace Police Chief Robert Olson. Rybak and Olson have not confirmed those reports, but Rybak has said he is concerned about the relationship between the police department and the community. The police have been criticized in recent weeks for shooting a mentally ill Somali man, and using aggressive tactics against people celebrating the University of Minnesota's men's hockey championship. If Olson does not leave voluntarily, the City Council would have to buy out the remaining two years of his contract.
April 17, 2002 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer talks with Macalester College professor and former St. Paul mayor George Latimer, who shares what he likes about “Profiles in Courage.” In the book, John F. Kennedy describes the sacrifices that senators made when they supported unpopular policies.
April 17, 2002 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer speaks with Karen Oman, founder and CEO of Certes Financial Pros, a financial consulting company based in the Twin Cities. Oman is being named Woman Business Owner of the Year by the Minnesota chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners.
April 17, 2002 - Future Tenses’ Jon Gordon interviews Alex Ignatiev about why computers are such a pain to turn on and off. Firing up a computer, or rebooting it after a crash, takes longer than we'd like. But it could be a lot quicker if new technology from the University of Houston is a hit in the marketplace. Already, the school has licensed the technology to Sharp Electronics.
April 17, 2002 - MPR’s Tom Scheck reports that budget negotiations proceeded at a snail's pace at the State Capitol. A co-chairman in a joint House-Senate budget balancing conference committee says he sees little need to meet until legislative leadership agrees to spending targets for conference committees. About the only sign of movement came on transportation funding as House Republicans made their first indication they would be open to a gas tax increase.
April 17, 2002 - As part of Severe Weather Awareness Week in Minnesota, Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer interviews Bill Hughes, a SKYWARN spotter and a spotter instructor. Hughes says spotters cannot be replaced by technology.
April 18, 2002 - MPR’s Cathy Wurzer interviews Tony Bouza, former Minneapolis Police Chief, about possible leadership change in Minneapolis Police department. Last night, Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak confirmed that he has asked Police Chief Robert Olson to resign. Rybak says he asked the chief to step down two weeks ago in his words "for the good of the community." Olson has not commented on those reports. Fifth Precinct Inspector Lucy Gerold is reportedly being considered for the job of interim chief.
April 19, 2002 - In this edition of Word of Mouth - A profile on Brave New Workshop’s comedy “Bushwacked 2”/ Minnesota Opera’s “Little Women” / Center for the Performing Arts comedy “Among the Oats” / Northern Clay Center’s St. Paul American Pottery Festival / Klezmer Dances / Albee’s “The Play about the Baby” / The Rose Ensemble is performing music that is based on Gregorian chant / Minneapolis poet and spoken word artist Desdamona reads “To Know my Mother” / Minnesota jazz singer Alicia Renée
April 19, 2002 - After writing two books that brought him little financial success, reporter Mark Bowden says he didn't expect life to change much when he wrote his third book, "Black Hawk Down". The book earned considerable praise from critics, was a finalist in the 1999 National Book Awards, and was made into a blockbuster movie that was released earlier this year. Bowden's most recent book analyzes a U.S. military campaign in another part of the world, this time in Colombia.Guest: Author Mark Bowden
April 23, 2002 - Polygamy is illegal in Minnesota, yet activists in some immigrant groups in the Twin Cities say, while the practice is kept under wraps, it is relatively common. MPR’s Kaomi Goetz reports that younger members of the Hmong community are now trying to get the issue out into the open.