February 12, 2002 - As part of the American RadioWorks project called "Radio Fights Jim Crow," MPR’s Brandt Williams talks with older African Americans in Minnesota about their memories of segregation in the feature “Up South.”
February 12, 2002 - MPR’s Art Hughes reports on proposed budget cuts by Minneapolis Mayor and City Council. Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak and City Council leaders delivered a list of proposed cuts to reach the five-million-dollar budget reduction imposed by the council two months ago. The police and fire departments will see reductions, but their functions are protected. Many smaller operations in city hall aren't as lucky, including Office of Cultural Affairs, Civilian Review Authority (CRA), and Truth and Sale of Housing program, amongst others.
February 14, 2002 - MPR’s Marianne Combs profiles acclaimed playwright Lee Blessing's new play Thief River, which portrays two gay men growing up in rural Minnesota who choose very different paths in life. Over the next fifty years they remain in contact; their experiences reflect the changing attitudes toward homosexuality in America.
February 15, 2002 - MPR's Michael Khoo reports that the ballpark debate has returned to the state Capitol on two fronts and lawmakers seem more receptive to stadium plans than in past years. A Senate committee gave the green light to a proposal for a St. Paul Twins ballpark and House lawmakers introduced legislation to construct a joint Vikings and University of Minnesota football facility. But opposition hasn't faded entirely.
February 19, 2002 - MPR’s Lorna Benson interviews co-author Paul Larson about "Cap Wigington: An Architectural Legacy in Ice and Stone," a Minnesota Historical Society publication. In interview, Larson highlights accomplishments of the noted African American architect.
February 19, 2002 - MPR’s Jeff Horwich reports how the use of technology is helping to make planting crops a precise science. Instead of kicking back during the winter, many farmers are now keeping busy…at the computer. They’re using global positioning systems to do what’s called "precision agriculture," which uses satellite coordinates to help map their fields.
February 19, 2002 - MPR's Tim Pugmire reports that hours after a Minnesota House committee rejected legislation to build a football stadium for Vikings and Gophers, another panel approved two bills Monday to build a new home for the Twins. Both bills would help build a major league ballpark in St. Paul, but they include different approaches to financing the projects. Lawmakers also want to give St. Paul voters the ultimate approval.
February 19, 2002 - Mainstreet Radio's Laurel Druley tagged along on a recent tour Grand Meadow's dome schools in southeastern Minnesota. The 96,000 square foot school is touted as the largest of its kind in the country and will serve about 365 students in preschool through 12th grade.
February 25, 2002 - One place that's never been popular for sailing or cruising is the North Shore of Lake Superior. The big lake is famous for its sudden storms. MPR's Stephanie Hemphill reports that local boaters have been pushing the state to build safe harbors along the rocky North Shore. Duluth City Council looks at a plan for a harbor that's created its own storm of controversy.
February 25, 2002 - In her new novel "Fingersmith" author Sarah Waters tells a tale of deception and love in Victorian England. This is the third novel she has set in this time period, each dealing with an issue of the time, prostitution, pornography and the treatment of women in asylums. The term fingersmith was a name given by the Victorians to petty thieves. Sarah Waters told Minnesota Public Radio's Euan Kerr "Fingersmith" grew out of her own fascination with what were called the "Sensation" novels of the 1860's. They were a genre of immensely popular books featuring melodramatic and highly complicated plots.