August 19, 2005 - All Things Considered’s Tom Crann talks with Tom Holden, of the Army Corps of Engineers at the Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center, about the first 100 years of the iconic Duluth Lift Bridge.
August 24, 2005 - American musician John Munson has been a key figure in some of the most popular and influential rock bands in Twin Cities music history. Munson shares his immersion into ancient Chinese music, including a folk song titled “Meng Jiang Nü.”
August 24, 2005 - Midday examines the events that shaped the Twin Cities over the last 150 years. Dave Kenney, author of the "Twin Cities Album: A Visual History."
August 25, 2005 - All Things Considered’s Tom Crann talks with MPR’s Nikki Tundel and debate over what is the better State Fair…Minnesota or Iowa. Their conversation ends with a challenge.
August 25, 2005 - MPR’s Brandt Williams reports that The Minnesota Twins took a step backward in their quest for a wild card playoff spot by losing 2-1 to the Chicago White Sox in 10 innings at the Metrodome. The loss puts them three and a half games behind the New York Yankees and Oakland. Twins players and fans were disappointed by the loss but are not ready to give up the chase.
August 30, 2005 - Orkestar Bez Ime (ore keh star bezz EE may), or OBI as they like to be called, are a Minnesota dance band working to preserve the folk music fast disappearing from Europe. Four women and a man make up Orkestar Bez Ime, which in Bulgarian means “orchestra without a name.” The group play dance tunes from Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, amongst other nations.
August 31, 2005 - Nationally known experimental musician and composer George Cartwright shares his appreciation for Memphis Blues legend Furry Lewis and his rendition of “Casey Jones.” Cartwright lived as a young man Cartwright in the Mississippi Delta.
August 31, 2005 - MPR’s Laura McCallum reports on despite the fact that it is not a statewide election year in Minnesota, that hasn't stopped state officials from making their usual visits to Great Minnesota Get-Together. Politicians say the State Fair is the place to take the pulse of Minnesotans. For 2005, they're finding that the burning issues for fairgoers are gas prices and stadiums.
September 2, 2005 - It's Minnesota Public Radio Day at the Minnesota State Fair and Governor Tim Pawlenty takes the stage at Carousel Park to answer questions from his constituents. Topics include stadiums, Hurricane Katrina disaster, death penalty, Minnesota National Guard, and taxes amongst others.
September 5, 2005 - MPR’s Tom Crann and Nikki Tundel conclude their ‘battle’ over which state has the best fair - Minnesota or Iowa. The two present competing fair stories…pet surgery and Iowa animals.