December 22, 2008 - This time of year is chock full of traditions, like building snowmen, frying latkes, or singing Christmas carols. Then there's the annual ritual that puts so many on edge: the family gathering. MPR's Nikki Tundel talks with a few wary family members about what’s behind the angst.
December 24, 2008 - MPR's Elizabeth Baier reports on Nochebuena (Spanish for “the Good Night”), a holiday celebrated every December 24th in Spain, Latin countries, and the Philippines.
December 26, 2008 - Tom Horner, MPR's Republican political analyst; and Todd Rapp, MPR's DFL political analyst, review the big political events of the year and preview 2009. Topics include Barack Obama’s election win of the U.S. presidency, economic challenges, and Minnesota’s U.S. Senate race recount.
January 5, 2009 - MPR’s Chris Roberts interviews local folk artist Lucy Michelle. Roberts talks with Michelle about her particular vocal and whistling style. Roberts also interviews producer Mike Wisti and music critic Andrea Swennson about the artist.
January 6, 2009 - MPR’s William Wilcoxen presents a profile of Carl Pohlad, local businessman and owner of the Minnesota Twins, who passed away on January 5th, 2009. Minnesotans in business, sports, and philanthropic circles are looking back on the life of Pohlad.
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.