January 7, 2009 - Minneapolis writer Dobby Gibson discusses his collection of poetry called "Skirmish." Gibson says it's a reference to the many small battles contained between the covers, including an ongoing battle between himself and his writing.
January 8, 2009 - MPR’s Tom Crann interviews R.T. Rybak, Mayor of Minneapolis about President-elect Obama economic speech. In his speech today, President-elect Obama also recognized the budget problems local governments are facing these days. Here in Minnesota, the Governor and the legislature are working to close a 4.8-billion-dollar budget shortfall. And, that has meant less aid money for cities and counties. The president-elect tried to offer local leaders some words of hope.
January 9, 2009 - The new Clint Eastwood movie,"Gran Torino," which opens today in Minnesota, was shot in Detroit. But the heart of the film was born in Minneapolis . The story of an out-of-touch war veteran and his Hmong teen-age neighbors has generated plenty of Oscar buzz. It has also marked a breakthrough for screenwriter and Twin Cities native Nick Schenk. Schenk won a best screenplay award from the National Board of Review, the same honor bestowed last year on former Minnesotan Diablo Cody for the film "Juno." Schenk spoke to Minnesota Public Radio's Laura Yuen about his unusual path to Hollywood.
January 15, 2009 - MPR’s Bob Kelleher reports that efforts to help Lake Superior sturgeon become self-sustaining is entering a critical phase. Lake Superior sturgeon were nearly wiped out in the big lake about a century ago. In the 1980's, wildlife officials began restocking sturgeon. Those fish are just now reaching the age to reproduce - but they don't have a good place to do that. Crews have been busy this winter, trying to build the perfect sturgeon love nest.
January 15, 2009 - As part of a weekly NewsCut focus, MPR’s Bob Collins embarks on a set of college tours to see how the tough economy is impacting young people. In this segment, Collins visits Century College in White Bear Lake, Minnesota.
January 19, 2009 - MPR listeners and special guests discuss what it means on this MLK Day as Barack Obama, the the nation's first Black U.S. president, is to be inaugurated in the coming day.
January 23, 2009 - As part of a weekly NewsCut focus, MPR’s Bob Collins embarks on a set of college tours to see how the tough economy is impacting young people. In this segment, Collins visits Vermillion Community College in Ely, Minnesota.
January 26, 2009 - It's been a good day for local writers. Both of the top awards from the American Library Association, the Newbery and Randolph Caldecott medals went to books with Minnesota and Wisconsin connections. The Newbery Medal for Children's literature went to Neil Gaiman for "The Graveyard Book." It's the story of a young boy adopted by the ghosts and other supernatural spirits who live in an old cemetary. Gaiman who lives in Western Wisconsin is known for his work writing comic books, novels, and film scripts. He is in Los Angeles for the release of the film adaptation of another of his children's books "Coraline." He told Minnesota Public Radio's Euan Kerr he was still a little stunned.
January 26, 2009 - Another local author in a good mood today is Susan Marie Swanson. She's the author of this year's Caldecott Award-winning best *picture book*. It's called the "The House in the Night" and the winning illustrations in it were done by Beth Krommes.
January 29, 2009 - As part of a weekly NewsCut focus, MPR’s Bob Collins embarks on a set of college tours to see how the tough economy is impacting young people. In this segment, Collins visits Minneapolis Community and Technical College in Minneapolis, Minnesota.