December 7, 2007 - Pakou Hang was just days old when her family immigrated to the United States in 1976. They were part of the first wave of Hmong refugees to come to the United States. Now, the family has lived here far longer than they lived in Laos, and Pakou Hang fits in quite well in her community. She recently ran for a seat on the St. Paul City Council, but challenges still remain as an immigrant living in America, as demonstrated through this interview with her mother, Phoua Hang.
December 9, 2007 - In the second part of our series on a new generation of Evangelical leadership, I speak with Rick and Kay Warren. Rick wrote one of the best-selling books in the world and is pastor of one of the largest churches in the United States. Kay is his partner in global ventures to address poverty and AIDS.
December 12, 2007 - Minneapolis police chief Tim Dolan says the police department is at its highest diversity levels in the department's history. Dolan presented the figures to the city council this afternoon. He says the numbers are the result of successful recruiting efforts into the department's Community Service Officer program. Dolan says 30 percent of new hires and 18 percent of the city's 857 sworn officers are people of color.
December 14, 2007 - In a crowd, it's easy to overlook Mayda. But on stage, it is hard not to notice her. MPR’s Chris Roberts profiles the Korean songwriter and musician from St. Paul.
December 14, 2007 - A non-game wildlife expert from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources takes questions about how birds and other wildlife behave in winter. Guest: Carrol Henderson: Non-game wildlife specialist at the Minnesota Dempartment of Natural Resources. Henderson is the author of "Oology: Ralph's Talking Eggs."
December 14, 2007 - MPR’s Brandt Williams reports on community concern among some black leaders who fear black police officers’ discrimination lawsuit may discourage people of color from joining the force. Sepic interviews members of MAD DADS of Minneapolis and former police officer Michael Quinn.
December 16, 2007 - On this episode of Speaking of Faith, host Krista Tippet profiles the 13th-century Muslim mystic and poet Rumi, who has long shaped Muslims around the world and has now become popular in the West. Rumi created a new language of love within the Islamic mystical tradition of Sufism.
December 20, 2007 - Two of Minnesota's freshman congressmen, Tim Walz and Keith Ellison, discuss what surprised them, what made them proud, and what they found disappointing about their first year in Washington D.C.
December 24, 2007 - A memorial service is being planned for early next year for Carol Bly. She died of ovarian cancer on Friday at the age of 77. Bly is being remembered as an exemplary writer and an excellent mother. She was a fiction writer, essayist and creative writingA memorial service is being planned for early next year for Carol Bly. She died of ovarian cancer on Friday at the age of 77. Bly is being remembered as an exemplary writer and an excellent mother . She was a fiction writer, essayist and creative writing teacher. Carol Bly was born in Duluth, but spent part of her childhood living with her aunts in rural North Carolina because her mother was often hospitalized. Bly talked about her mother during an interview with Dan Olson in March of 1999.
December 25, 2007 - Stage Session's "The Traditions of Christmas: Those You Want and Those That Are Foisted Upon You," with Heather McElhatton and guest poet Bill Holm, who present an eclectic Christmas show featuring an unexpected mix of literature, music and more.