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 16, 2002 - Craig Edwards, Meteorolgist-in-Charge at the National Weather Service; and Mark Seeley, Climatologist and Meteorologist at the University of Minnesota, discuss the favorite Minnesotan conversation topic, weather, in honor of "Severe Weather Awareness Week."
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.