October 31, 2017 - MPR’s Dan Kraker looks into the ongoing battle to control sea lamprey in the Great Lakes. It was one of the earliest aquatic nonnative species to invade the U.S., long before zebra mussels and Asian carp garnered headlines. Its also been one of the most destructive, wiping out lake trout populations.
November 8, 2017 - On Tuesday, NOV 7th, 2017, voters elected two out transgender candidates to the Minneapolis City Council, marking the first such victories for transgender people in a major American city council race. Report includes an interview with then-candidate Andrea Jenkins.
November 8, 2017 - MPR’s Peter Cox profiles Melvin Carter, who won in his election for the mayoral seat of St. Paul. Carter received more than 50% of the vote in a field of ten candidates.
November 9, 2017 - MPR’s Matt Sepic takes a look back at the tenure of Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges, whose four year term left contradictions. It included key reforms in the police department and championing of a two-decade park maintenance plan that's centered around racial equity, yet also was marked by two high-profile officer-involved shootings, communication problems, and strife with the police chief.
November 9, 2017 - MPR’s Brian Bakst interviews Rep. Erin Maye Quade, DFL-Apple Valley, about her complaints to House leaders about harassing text messages within the legislature.
November 17, 2017 - MPR’s Marianne Combs profiles 10-year-old Sophie Jones of Chaska. The young actor makes her debut in the high-profile role of Tiny Tim at The Guthrie’s production of A Christmas Carol.
November 20, 2017 - MPR’s John Enger reports on boxing on Red Lake Indian Reservation. Enger profiles boxers Antonio Varney and Louis Jourdain.
November 29, 2017 - MPR’s Euan Kerr takes a deep dive into why Minnesota Public Radio cut ties with Garrison Keillor amidst sexual misconduct allegations.
December 4, 2017 - On All Things Considered, Steven John interviews Sophia Vuelo, a lawyer of Hmong descent, on becoming a Minnesota judge. Vuelo discusses the need for diversity in the court system.
December 27, 2017 - MPR News with Tom Weber presents a full program dedicated to James "Cornbread" Harris, Sr. Earlier in 2017, the 90-year-old rock 'n' roll pioneer (also known as Jimmy "Jam" Harris, Jr.'s dad) visited The Current's studios to record an in-studio session with Local Show host Andrea Swensson and MPR News host Tom Weber to kick off their Summer Music Series. Program includes song performances and sharing stories of his life and career.