December 1, 2012 - MPR’s Rupa Shenoy looks at what’s next in efforts to bring about same-sex marriage legislation in Minnesota. Shenoy collects various commentary from numerous activists and politicians.
December 7, 2012 - This week on the Friday Roundtable, our panelists will discuss the changing demographics of the country and what it will mean when the U.S. becomes a "majority-minority" nation in the coming decades. Guests: Brother Ali: Hip-hop artist. His most recent album is "Mourning in America and Dreaming in Color". Pakou Hang: Executive director of the Hmong American Farmers Association and consultant with the New American Leaders Project.
December 10, 2012 - MPR’s Tom Scheck reports on healthcare controversy surrounding Steve Gottwalt, a Republican state representative; and David Hann, a Republican state senator. Gottwalt, who steered legislation through the House to drop people from the state-run MinnesotaCare program, is an independent contractor for an insurance brokerage firm that lobbied for the change.
December 12, 2012 - MPR’s Brandt Williams talks with U.S. Marshal Sharon Lubinski, the first openly gay Minneapolis police officer; and Lt. Rob Allen, the first openly gay male Minneapolis police officer, about the change in culture over gay and lesbians within the police department since they came out in the 1990s.
December 17, 2012 - As part of the series "Art Heroes," MPR’s Marianne Combs profiles Jeanne Calvit, Interact Center for the Visual & Performing Arts founder and director, as well as numerous artists from Interact.
December 20, 2012 - On this Daily Circuit segment, MPR’s Mark Zdechlik interviews U.S. Representative Tim Walz, who says he thinks Congress could act relatively soon on legislation aimed at preventing gun violence following the horrific school shooting in Connecticut. Walz, a gun owner, hopes there will be an attempt to solve gun issue and find balance between personal liberties and safety.
December 21, 2012 - MPR’s Nikki Tundel reports on the CrossRoads Panorama's production "Scrooge in tha Hood," a modern take on the classic tale "A Christmas Carol." Actors portray the struggling Scratchit family, a twist on Charles Dickens's Cratchit family.
December 27, 2012 - On this Daily Circuit segment, MPR’s Marianne Combs presents a collections of interviews from local Latino artists who share their views and creative experiences in Minnesota. Interviewees are Susana DeLeon, lawyer and director of an Aztec cultural troupe that performs traditional dances connected to the environment; recording artist Maria Isa; author Sandra Benitez; and photographer Xavier Tavera.
December 30, 2012 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer interviews Annette Atkins, history professor at the College of St. Benedict and St. John's University, who provides a history primer of the Split Rock Lighthouse.
January 7, 2013 - St. Paul's Penumbra Theatre says it's ready to raise the curtain once again.