November 19, 2009 - On this Midday, an episode of “Ask the President.” Bill Kling joins Midday host Gary Eichten in the studio to answer listener questions about MPR and about the future of news.
November 24, 2009 - MPR’s Tom Scheck reports that two members of Minnesota's congressional delegation urged the Legislature to repeal a law that prohibits the construction of nuclear power plants in the state. DFL Congressman Tim Walz and Republican Congressman Erik Paulsen say allowing new nuclear power plants would give Minnesota more energy options. Critics say the benefits of nuclear power are still in doubt.
November 24, 2009 - Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer has been named the 2009 American League's Most Valuable Player, by a near unanimous vote. The award caps a season for Mauer in which he led the league in most major hitting categories, and posted career-high totals for home runs and runs batted in. However, Mauer's long-list of achievements has sparked more talk about his future with the team.
December 2, 2009 - Morning Edition gets a Democratic perspective on President Obama's new Afghanistan strategy from DFL Congressman Tim Walz. Walz went to Afghanistan on a fact finding mission in September. Walz is also a military veteran, serving 24 years in the Army National Guard and retiring with the rank of command sergeant major.
December 3, 2009 - NPR film critic Kenneth Turan fills us in on the offerings of this holiday movie season, from adaptations of classic children's books to vampire fiction, apocalyptic sci-fi, and a George Clooney box office triple threat. New Moon", which is based on the second book of the vampire fiction series "Twilight". Kenneth Turan is a film critic for the LA Times. His latest book is called "Free for All: Joe Papp, The Public, and the Greatest Theater Story Ever Told." As more and more books are published every year, Harvard University's head librarian says the future for books and the publishing industry will be a digital one. The transition from print to computer will provide a test of how well we preserve our great works of literature. Devices such as Amazon's Kindle have accelerated publishers' new emphasis on digital books. Guest: Robert Darnton: Librarian at Harvard University and author of "The Case for Books."
December 4, 2009 - Director Jason Reitman seems to have a thing about writers with Minnesota connections. He had a huge hit with "Juno" written by Diablo Cody. Now he's getting a lot of buzz for "Up in the Air," which is based on Minnesota native Walter Kirn novel. The movie opens this weekend. Reitman came into the Minnesota Public Radio studios recently to talk with Euan Kerr about his career, and how he decided against being a director.
December 11, 2009 - MPR’s Sasha Aslanian reports on how the State has provided names and personal information , including social security numbers, of new state agency employees to Lookout Services of Bellaire Texas to do its E-verify checks. Now the state is informing approximately 500 employees their personal data may have been accessible on the company's web site.
December 16, 2009 - MPR’s Cathy Wurzer talks with Twin Cities singer/songwriter Jeremy Messersmith and Zach Coulter of Solid Gold about their cover of The Beatles’ “Norwegian Wood” for "Minnesota Beatle Project" CD.
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December 21, 2009 - MPR’s Dan Olson reports on concertina clubs, concertina jam sessions and even concertina makers found across the state. Olson speaks with numerous players who carry on the musical tradition.