July 12, 2016 - MPR’s Matt Sepic reports that in central Minnesota, residents of Litchfield and Watkins are cleaning up after a late afternoon tornado on July 11th damaged homes and other buildings in those communities. The damage shows both the immense power of tornadoes and the precision of their destruction.
July 12, 2016 - MPR’s Laura Yuen profiles MPR journalist Toni Randolph, who passed away on July 3rd, 2016. As a longtime journalist and MPR news editor, Randolph left an indeiable positive impact, especially in her commitment to public media diversity and mentorship.
July 14, 2016 - With Hennepin History Museum hosting an exhibition on the Quatrefoil Library, MPR’s Marianne Combs profiles the library and its history. Quatrefoil is one of just a few LGBT lending libraries in the nation.
July 19, 2016 - MPR’s Euen Kerr talks with Ojibwe author, poet, playwright Jim Northrup. Northrup is dying, but he's OK with it. The author of the popular Fond du Lac Follies, several books, plays and TV shows, says he's helped by his traditional life style on the Fond du Lac Reservation - and his sense of humor.
July 21, 2016 - MPR’s Dan Kraker reports on the impact of powerful overnight storms in Duluth area. Wind gusts toppled trees on top of homes and cars, downed power lines, and blocked streets.
July 21, 2016 - MPR’s Marianne Combs reports on the opening of play Disgraced at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis. The play deals with racial politics and reflects the Guthrie's effort to stage more diverse stories, with more diverse casts. Combs reports that there's another diversity push getting underway - backstage.
August 2, 2016 - MPR’s Doualy Xaykaothao reports on renewed efforts of the Minnesota Hmong Chamber of Commerce to help support Hmong-owned businesses and grow new ones. The Minnesota Hmong Chamber of Commerce was founded nearly two decades ago, but since that time, it hasn't been very active in the Twin Cities. Some of its co-founders are looking to re-invigorate the group.
August 4, 2016 - Ojibwe author, poet, playwright Jim Northrup died at 73, due to complications from cancer. As part of a wake, a traditional fire is being started at his residence in Sawyer. Matthew Northrup, joins MPR’s Tom Crann to talk about his father, and what it was like being raised by Jim, who was known and quoted as being a tough man.
August 5, 2016 - MPR’s Dan Kraker profiles Duluth's five lift bridge operators and their very unique work window view. The Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge span goes up and down about 4,500 times every year, 24 hours a day, seven days a week during the Great Lakes shipping season that runs from March to January.
August 9, 2016 - MPR’s Euen Kerr reports on poet, novelist and academic Gerald Vizenor’s new novel “Treaty Shirts.” Book is a satirical novel examining the impact of the document in the future, blending Ojibwe history, tradition, and dream narratives with popular culture and science technology to create a surreal but pointed view of modern native life. Report includes interview and reading from Vizenor.