March 4, 2005 - For years New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman wrote prolifically on globalization. Then 9/11 happened, and the tragedy consumed his attention. Friedman has said he "lost the thread" of globalization for a while. His forthcoming book, "The World Is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century," picks up the thread. Thomas Friedman is a three-time Pulitzer Prize winner, a bestselling author and a native of St. Louis Park, Minn.
March 5, 2005 - The main character in Minnesota author Bart Schneiders' new novel, "Beautiful Inez," seems to have it all. She's a beautiful violinist with the San Francisco Symphony in the 1960s. Inez has a flourishing career, two children and a powerful husband. Yet she's unhappy. Schneider says his father spent 50-years playing the violin with the San Francisco Symphony. He says this "behind the scene access" to the world of classical music helped to shape the novel. Schneider says Inez uses music and relationships to try to grasp happiness.
March 8, 2005 - White Earth has become the first reservation in the country to ban the introduction or growth of genetically modified wild rice seeds. Now, some White Earth Band members want to take it one step further. They want the Legislature to ban genetically modified wild rice statewide. Wild rice experts with the University of Minnesota, however, say the tribe's worries are unwarranted. The lakes and rivers on the White Earth Indian Reservation in northwest Minnesota are an ideal habitat for wild rice, and an important cultural food to the Ojibwe people.
March 14, 2005 - MPR’s Steven John interviews U.S. congressman Keith Ellison, who discusses a bill introduced that would double the level of protection provided to Minnesota children to prevent lead poisoning. DFLer Keith Ellison represents North Minneapolis in the Minnesota House of Representatives.
March 15, 2005 - MPR’s Chris Roberts profiles Minnesota music veteran Barry Thomas Goldberg. Roberts interviews Goldberg about his album “American Grotesque” and his anti-war stance on the Iraq conflict.
March 15, 2005 - Governor Tim Pawlenty wants the state to partner with three northern Minnesota Indian tribes on a $550 million dollar Twin Cities casino. Profits would be split between the state and the White Earth, Leech Lake and Red Lake Ojibwe bands. The plan has launched a high-profile debate in the Legislature. It's also sparked a growing debate among northern tribal members. Some don't trust the state; they worry the plan is a bad deal for the tribes. As Mainstreet Radio's Tom Robertson reports, members of the Red Lake band may get a chance to vote the deal up or down.
March 17, 2005 - The boy's state high school basketball tournament is underway, and another tournament storm seems likely in 2005. "Tournament storms" are legendary in Minnesota -- but, it turns out, they aren't much more than that…legends.
March 18, 2005 - MPR’s Steven John checks in with Mainstreet Radio’s Erin Galbally about heavy snow in southern Minnesota. Galbally describes closed roads and blowing snow.
March 18, 2005 - MPR’s Bob Reha stops at women’s basketball team practice at the University of Minnesota to talk to guard Kelly Roysland…and her grandmother, Bernice Carlin, who started this generational basketball family.
March 25, 2005 - MPR’s Julie Siple interviews members of Minneapolis band Savage Aural Hotbed. The group discusses their “home’made” instruments, performance, and “The Rate of Mass Displacement is Momentum” show.