April 24, 2002 - Patrick Schiltz, Interim Dean of the University of St. Thomas Law School, talks about the American Catholic Cardinals meeting with the Pope in Rome to discuss sex abuse by priests.
April 24, 2002 - MPR’s Laura McCallum reports that Governor Ventura says he does not want to close the governor's mansion on Summit Avenue. He had considered closing the mansion since he has chosen not to move in there and the costs to keep it open were problematic due to legislative budget cuts.
April 25, 2002 - MPR’s Tasha Rosenfeld interviews Paul Ostrow, president of Minneapolis City Council, on lack of support on council to buy out of police chief’s contract. Minneapolis Police Chief Robert Olson will keep his job for now. City Council President Paul Ostrow says there isn't enough support on the council to buy out the two years remaining on the chief's contract. Last week, Mayor R.T. Rybak said he had lost confidence in Olson. Now, he says he will work with the chief if he needs to. Ostrow says dozens of Minneapolis residents have called the city to voice support for the chief. Ostrow also states that cost of buying out the contract was a big issue.
April 25, 2002 - MPR’s Tom Scheck reports that the Minnesota Senate passed a bill that would require students to recite the pledge of allegiance in school at least once a week. Supporters say the bill would help teach patriotism to children, but opponents say the state shouldn't force students to recite the pledge.
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.
April 26, 2002 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer interviews Pastor Anita Hill about the year since being ordained by St. Paul-Reformation Lutheran Church. Hill is a lesbian woman in a committed relationship, and that puts the church out of line with the ELCA. Reverend Hill has continued ministering to her congregation despite the debate around her ordination.
April 26, 2002 - The Minneapolis based Loft Literary Center announced today its launching a new bi-monthly national magazine. Speakeasy, will publish literary commentary, book reviews and original fiction, non-fiction and poetry. Loft Literary director Bart Schneider says it doesn't bother him that there are plenty of literary magazines already being published in the Twin Cities.
April 29, 2002 - MPR’s Laura McCallum reports on potential closing of governor's mansion. Many are upset, including Olivia Irvine Dodge and her sister. They donated their father's mansion on Summit Avenue to the state in 1965.
April 29, 2002 - In this first report of series titled "An Education in Diversity," Mainstreet Radio's Jeff Horwich takes a look at the climate on and off-campus for blacks.
April 30, 2002 - MPR’s Laura McCallum reports on Mike Hatch and others view that Governor Ventura cannot close the mansion even if the legislature will not give him enough money. If Ventura does not live in it, then staff needs to be hired to live there in order to prevent vandalism and to keep it clean.