August 21, 2002 - MPR’s Marissa Helms reports that Northeast Minneapolis neighborhood is home to a growing international community. Though the area grew by just one percent over the past 10 years, U.S. census figures show a significant quadrupling of immigrant populations.
August 22, 2002 - MPR’s Tim Pugmire reports on finishing touches as the Minnesota State Fair prepares to open. It includes a building remodel…and tighter security a year after the September 11th terrorist attacks.
August 26, 2002 - MPR’s Andrew Haeg reports on what’s behind being a vendor at the Minnesota State Fair. For vendors, the Fair is a huge business opportunity. Competition for a slot at the fair is intense, and the barriers to entry are high. But, given the chance, those who've set up shop at the fair say it's worth the trouble and the wait.
August 27, 2002 - The Gag Family: German-Bohemian Artists in America explores how Minnesota-born artist Wanda Gag transformed children's literature and illustrating in the 1920's. Julie L'Enfant, professor at the College of Visual Arts in St. Paul, discusses her book with MPR’s Greta Cunningham.
August 27, 2002 - MPR’s Andrew Haeg looks into homeownership among immigrant groups. Real estate experts say immigrants are an increasingly important part of the real estate market and lenders are taking steps to accommodate them.
August 28, 2002 - MPR’s Chris Julin reports on boat watchers in Duluth Harbor. At first glance it's hard to tell if a ship is carrying wheat to Taiwan, or corn to Algeria. A free newsletter on what all the ships in Duluth Harbor are carrying and where they're going helps “boat nerds” decipher what they are viewing.
August 28, 2002 - A new literary magazine that's based in Minnesota will hit newsstands across the country this week. It's called "Speakeasy," and it's published by the Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis. The editors of the magazine want it to serve both people who love to write, and those who love to read. Bart Schneider is the editor of "Speakeasy." He says the premier issue covers a variety of topics.
August 29, 2002 - In a live Midday broadcast from the Minnesota State Fair, Susan Gaertner, district attorney for Ramsey County; and Amy Klobuchar, district attorney for Hennepin County, talk about legal affairs in the Twin Cities, including police brutality, racism, and the police shooting/subsequent riot in North Minneapolis.
August 29, 2002 - A live Mainstreet Radio special from the Minnesota State Fair. Dr. Val Farmer, a psychologist specializing in rural mental health, takes questions from fair-goers and MPR listeners about mental health and farming.
August 30, 2002 - MPR's William Wilcoxen reports on a pivotal day for the future of Major League Baseball, as players and fans await word on whether the weekend's games will proceed as usual or will be cancelled by a player's strike. A strike could prematurely end a stellar season for the Minnesota Twins. The threat of a strike has already soured some fans on the national pastime.