October 28, 2004 - A former Minneapolis police officer says a code of silence encourages unethical even criminal behavior among some cops. And, Michael Quinn says, the code of silence encourages good cops to say nothing to prevent the bad behavior of other police officers. Quinn has written a book titled, "Walking With the Devil, The Police Code of Silence." He says it has angered some former colleagues. But he and others say the problem is pervasive and tempts some police to take the law into their own hands. Quinn remembers he was two months into his job as a Minneapolis police rookie when he had his first encounter with the code of silence. It was 23 years ago. He and his training officer were walking the beat on Hennepin Avenue in downtown Minneapolis when the older officer said he had a job on the side while he was on duty. He told Quinn to come along and offered some of the cash. Quinn says he declined the money, and when he asked fellow officers what to do they told him to ignore it.
October 29, 2004 -
October 30, 2004 - Tomorrow is Halloween--the perfect time to curl up with a new spooky story. A man being swallowed alive by an Irish bog is the first scene in Minnesota author Erin Hart's new novel "Lake of Sorrows."
November 1, 2004 - With Election Day approaching, MPR’s Tim Pugmire looks at the basic rules for voting. While experienced voters know where to go and what to do, others will enter the voting booth for the first time and may be unsure about what it takes to exercise their democratic right.
November 2, 2004 - On the eve of election, MPR’s Dan Olson reports on how challenges to voters will work in the state. While most Minnesotan's will vote without a hitch, it's almost certain that hundreds will be challenged on their right to cast a ballot.
November 2, 2004 - Mainstreet Radio's Tom Robertson reports that a Minnesota poll shows most Minnesotans favor a gaming proposal from Governor Tim Pawlenty. The governor wants Indian tribes to share some of their gambling revenue with the state. The poll conducted last week also shows a majority of Minnesotans are opposed to an expansion of gambling in the state.
November 9, 2004 - Mainstreet Radio's Mark Steil reports on a southern Minnesota landmark that has returned to its lofty pedestal in New Ulm. A crane lifted Hermann the German, all 32-feet of him, into place. The copper statue was taken down about a year and a half ago to repair more than one hundred years of wear.
November 11, 2004 - MPR's Brandt Williams reports that Minnesota Twins pitcher Johan Santana has been named the 2004 American League Cy Young award winner. The honor is given each year by the Baseball Writers association of America to the most statistically dominant pitchers in both Major League Baseball divisions. Santana, a 25-year-old left hander, recorded the most strikeouts of any pitcher in the American league, the lowest earned run average and the second highest number of victories.
November 11, 2004 - In honor of Veterans Day, we remember the Minnesotans who took part in World War II and the lesser-known stories of those who stayed behind and worked on the home front.Guests: Dave Kenney is author of "Minnesota Goes to War: The Home Front during World War II."
November 11, 2004 - Much has been said of the people who fought in the battles of World War II, but what about all the ones who participated in the stateside war effort? A new book examines the history of the Minnesota home front during what former Sen. Eugene McCarthy called "the last of the 'happy' wars."Guests: Dave Kenney is the author of several books on Minnesota history. His latest is "Minnesota Goes to War: The Home Front during World War II."