December 20, 2006 - MPR’s William Wilcoxen profiles Minnesota Twins star pitcher Brad Radke upon his announcement of retirement from Major League Baseball. For the first time in more than a decade, the Minnesota Twins are planning for a baseball season without Radke, after 12 years as a fixture in the Twins' pitching rotation.
April 2, 2007 - It’s Opening Day for the Minnesota Twins, but the occasion will be tinged with sadness due to the death of Herb Carneal, longtime Twins radio announcer. Carneal, who called Twins games for 45 seasons, died of congestive heart failure at 83. His passing is a great loss for fans of Twins baseball. MPR’s Jess Mador has this remembrance.
April 5, 2007 - All Things Considered’s Tom Crann presents excerpts from the funeral of Herb Carneal, the man known as the voice of the Minnesota Twins. The pews at Colonial Church, in Edina, were full of friends, family, and colleagues for a remembrance of the man behind that voice. Carneal was eulogized by four men who knew him well…Bert Blyleven, Frank Quilici, John Gordon, and Ernie Harwell.
May 3, 2007 - MPR’s Chris Roberts interviews members of the Minnesota indie music group Best Friends Forever. Songwriters Jessica Seamans and Briana Smith, who go by "Jes" and "Bri," often sing about a love with some staying power…their friendship.
May 30, 2007 - Nick Mancini, founder of St. Paul institution Mancini's Char House and Vegas Lounge, passed away at the age of 80. Over the years, his steaks and hospitality would make the restaurant a popular destination for politicians, athletes, and many loyal customers…one of whom is MPR's own Gary Eichten, who remembers how Mancini had a knack for keeping his customers happy.
June 4, 2007 - MPR's Laura McCallum profiles Bill Chorske, a retired Medtronic executive who has awarded scholarships to low-income students from Edison High School in northeast Minneapolis. Chorske graduated from Edison in 1954.
March 25, 2008 - Midday remembers Jon Hassler in his own words, rebroadcasting an interview he did with MPR in 1999. Midday host Mike Edgerly then talks with two of Hassler's longtime friends - Bill Holm, a fellow Minnesota literary figure and author of Windows of Brimnes: An American In Iceland;” and Nick Hayes, friend and colleague of Hassler, and a professor at St. John's University. The two remark on the impact of his work, both as a writer and a teacher.
April 1, 2008 - Midday remembers Ralph Rapson, the prolific architect and dean of the Architecture School at the University of Minnesota, who died on March 29th, 2008. Rapson may be best known for designing the first Guthrie Theater in downtown Minneapolis.
June 3, 2008 - MPR’s Karl Gehrke profiles Minneapolis jazz musician Gordon Johnson. Gehrke interviews Johnson about his musical background, and other local musicians about Johnson’s playing.
June 11, 2008 - In this special music edition from MPR’s Voices of Minnesota series, the spotlight shines on Minnesota gospel singer Tom Tipton and Celtic music performer Laura MacKenzie, both musicians who have become famous beyond Minnesota's borders.