January 23, 2018 - MPR News presents an investigative report on the accusations of "inappropriate behavior" against Garrison Keillor, the creator and longtime host of A Prairie Home Companion. Report also looks into the subsequent actions of Minnesota Public Radio abruptly severing ties with Keillor, numerous interviews, and details a timeline on the multiple accusations.
January 31, 2018 - MPR’s Marianne Combs reports on the latest production of Twenty Percent Theater Company’s "The Naked I." The show brings together the stories and experiences of people who self-identify as trans, queer, or otherwise gender non-conforming.
February 26, 2018 - MPR's Marianne Combs interviews poet Bao Phi and illustrator Thi Bui about their children's book, "A Different Pond," a 2018 Caldecott Honor Book. The book depicts a father and son going on early morning fishing trips to a pond in Minneapolis, and a father's story about a different pond in their homeland of Vietnam. Combs also interviews Dr. Sarah Park Dahlen, Professor of Library and Information Science of St. Catherine University, regarding diversity in children's literature. In the latter half of the segment, Dr. Dahlen also answers listener questions.
April 4, 2018 - MPR’s Marianne Combs reports on “Dead King Mother,” a composition created by local composer Davu Seru, who calls piece a "blues for chamber ensemble." The subject matter is a 1968 incident in which Clarence Underwood, a Minneapolis Black man, who upon hearing the news of Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination, told his wife, "My King is dead." He vowed to kill the first white man he found. Underwood went on to murder John F. Murray, a white man in neighborhood.
April 18, 2018 - MPR’s Laura Yuen joins Tom Crann on All Things Considered to discuss what MPR knew about Garrison Keillor’s behavior before sexual allegations came to light against the former A Prairie Home Companion creator and host.
April 20, 2018 - As part of the Meet the Candidates series, MPR’s Mike Mulcahy interviews DFL Congressman Tim Walz, who has become a candidate for governor. Topics include state education, transportation, rural communities, gun control, environment, healthcare, and faith in government. Walz also answers questions from listeners.
May 7, 2018 - All Things Considered’s Tom Crann interviews Kelly Holstine, an English teacher at Tokata Learning Center in Shakopee, about being selected as the 2018 Minnesota Teacher of the Year.
May 29, 2018 - MPR’s Marianne Combs profiles Patrick’s Cabaret, a local Minneapolis creative venue that is closing its doors. Since 1986, Patrick’s Cabaret has provided a space for artists to develop new work. The queer-led organization has focused on supporting emerging artists of diverse backgrounds and artists whose work didn’t fit into more traditional molds. Now, with the institution closing, there is concern at what’s being lost and why.
May 29, 2018 - MPR’s Catharine Richert reports on the growing popularity of fencing among Muslim girls.
June 12, 2018 - MPR’s Brian Bakst reports on efforts by 1st District Congressman Tim Walz to refocus his gubernatorial campaign. Walz spent much of this year as the DFL favorite for governor, had the most money, topped a precinct caucus straw poll, and honed a message toward winning back moderate voters who have fallen away from the party. Then came a state convention that turned out poorly for Walz, and a new entrant in the race who threatens to cut into his primary election base.