November 29, 1999 - To close out the millennium, Minnesota Public Radio's All Things Considered presents a look back at Minnesota life in 1900 via a 12-part series, entitled “A Minnesota Century.” This segment is the story of Fredrick McGhee, a civil-rights advocate and Minnesota's first black lawyer, who left an important local and national legacy.
August 25, 2000 - Before the homemade bread-and-butter pickles, patchwork quilts and gooseberry jams are exhibited at the Minnesota State Fair, some stiff competition has already taken place at the county level. For northern Minnesota resident Dorothy Coyle, Fair time is the time to harvest blue ribbons.
October 11, 2000 - Vento died yesterday morning at the age of 60 after battling a rare form of lung cancer for eight months. Vento was first elected to represent Minnesota's Fourth District in 1976. During his 24 years in Washington, Vento became known as an advocate for the environment, homeless people and refugees. Eighth District DFL Congressman Jim Oberstar served with Vento during his entire tenure. Oberstar presided over a special session of Congress last night where members spoke about Vento. He says Vento represented the people who needed government.
October 30, 2000 - MPR’s Bob Reha profiles William "Jack" Jackson, a North Dakota author who travels around gathering strange stories…like a dogfight with a UFO over Fargo, finding the back door to hell, and meeting a ghost named Sophie.
January 8, 2001 - Acclaimed local photographer Wing Young Huie is being recognized at the Ordway Center with a U.S. Bank Sally Ordway Irvine Award for his installation of "Lake Street USA." Huie spent four years taking photographs on and around Lake Street which were then blown up and displayed outdoors on storefronts, bus shelters and buildings. MPR’s Mary Stucky met with Huie as he began installing these enormous portraits, and filed this report.
January 16, 2001 - It may be a big day for Minnesota baseball as results of this 2001's Hall of Fame balloting will be announced and two of Minnesota's own…Dave Winfield, a Saint Paul native; and Kirby Puckett, a 12-year star Twin…are strong candidates for enshrinement.
January 25, 2001 - MPR’s William Wilcoxen presents a profile of jazz organist Jack McDuff (aka Captain Jack), who died on January 24th, 2001. Segment includes recorded interview with McDuff.
April 6, 2001 - MPR’s Dan Olson profiles Cantus, a male vocal group from Minnesota that appears to have turned the corner and is headed for the big time. The twelve young men who form the group, have signed with a New York management company. The dozen vocalists, all in their 20's, have crisscrossed the country singing their blend of sacred and secular music. They give their season-ending concert tonight in Minneapolis before their next road trip.
June 1, 2001 - Northeastern Minnesota outdoorswoman and resort owner Justine Kerfoot died yesterday in Grand Marais. She was ninty-five. In the northwoods of Minnesota, everybody knows the name Justine Kerfoot. Her family bought the Gunflint Lodge nearly 70 years ago. Her 70 years worth of stories: the time she fell through the ice with her dog team; the time she lassoed a moose calf; the time her little son dropped a kitten down the outhouse - those stories are collected in her books, "Woman of the Boundary Waters and Gunflint".
July 10, 2001 - MPR's Stephanie Hemphill presents a profile of Sam Solon, state senator from Duluth. He has represented the Duluth area in the state Legislature for 30 years, and has been successful in bringing state resources to his district for a variety of economic development projects. He now faces a personal fight…battling cancer.