September 17, 2002 - MPR’s Art Hughes reports on data from the U.S. Census that show the state's Asian population is economically well-off compared to other minority populations in the state. While the 90's were a prosperous time for Minnesota as a whole, the numbers show many minority groups did not prosper as much as their white neighbors.
September 17, 2002 - Was Germany a U.S. ally during World War II? Why was the Civil War fought? These may sound like easy questions, but studies show many kids don't know the answers. Today is the 215th anniversary of the signing of the constitution and President Bush took the occasion to unveil a plan to improve history lessons. We find out how students are doing and discuss plans to improve history instruction. Guest: Charlie Skemp, K-12 social studies specialist for the Minnesota Department of Children, Families and Learning. Former Minnesota Governor Al Quie, former chair of the National History Standards Review.
September 19, 2002 - MPR’s Cathy Wurzer interviews Jock Olson, director of golf at Interlachen Country Club, on Solheim Cup being hosted in Edina, Minnesota. Olson breaks down the various golfers attending the event and the course itself.
September 23, 2002 - MPR's "Meet the Candidates" series with Paul Wellstone, U.S. Senator discussing re-election campaign issues.
September 25, 2002 - Mainstreet Radio's Tim Post profiles Jane Gray Swisshelm, a St. Cloud newspaper editor of the 1850s-1860s with strong opinions. She used her position to fight against slavery and for advancement of women's rights…but while she wrote articles advocating more freedom for some, she also pushed horribly racist views toward Native Americans, such as the complete extermination of the state's Dakota Indian population.
September 25, 2002 - MPR’s Art Hughes reports that rankings by the U.S. Census Bureau show members of some immigrant groups in Minnesota remain mired in poverty. While all minorities improved economically during the 1990s, Minnesota has one of the highest percentages of Asians in poverty when compared to other states. The ranking also confirms the widely held belief that there are more Somalis in Minnesota than anywhere else in the US.
September 25, 2002 - MPR’s Art Hughes and Brandt Williams report on the tenth anniversary Jerry Haaf murder. The thirty-year police veteran died on the floor of the Pizza Shack restaurant in south Minneapolis after being shot in the back during his morning coffee break. The execution-style shooting remains one of the most shocking acts of violence against an officer in Minneapolis history.
September 26, 2002 - The Mainstreet Radio documentary “An Uncivil War” examines The US-Dakota War of 1862, a war fought in the Minnesota River valley back in 1862 that still leaves scars today. On one side were the Dakota Indians. On the other, settlers and the U.S. government. Hundreds of people died on both sides of the five-week long war. It lead to the largest mass execution in U.S. history, when 38 Dakota were hanged in Mankato.
September 27, 2002 - On this Word of Mouth episode, a look at the current environment of poetry. Contains a State of the Arts report with interviews and readings, including Louis Alemayehu reading his poem, Crazy Eyes, No Boundaries.
September 30, 2002 - For the first time in eleven years, the Minnesota Twins head into Major League Baseball's playoffs. The Twins will be underdogs when they open their best-of-five game series with the Western Division champion Oakland A's on the West Coast. Whether they win or lose in the playoffs, 2002 will go down as a landmark season for the Twins.