August 14, 2002 - It's tough to break into farming nowadays, and even tougher if you're an immigrant. MPR’s Rob Schmitz reports on Minnesota Food Association, which assists immigrant farmers in areas like production techniques, marketing, and management skills. Unfortunately, federal budget cuts have had a negative impact on program.
August 15, 2002 - In Fairbault, Gregg Bongard, a U.S. Department of Agriculture employee, is making a special effort to reach out to Minnesota's growing immigrant population. In the second part of his series on immigrant farmers, MPR’s Rob Schmitz reports that Bongard thinks he's discovered a new approach to farming that could change the face of agriculture in the United States.
August 19, 2002 - Major League Baseball players have set a tentative strike date for the end of month as the 2002 MLB season enters its final weeks. The key issue is a desire by owners to impose a luxury tax on high-payroll teams. The union thinks taking away too much money from the high-spending teams would slow salary increases. Many Minnesota Twins fans say they're worried a strike could spell the end of the team.
August 21, 2002 - Mainstreet Radio’s Tom Robertson reports on Organizers of the Anishinaabe Coalition, a new spiritual-based group, formed to fight racism in Bemidji. Includes various interviews with residents and coalition members.
August 21, 2002 - MPR’s Marissa Helms reports that Northeast Minneapolis neighborhood is home to a growing international community. Though the area grew by just one percent over the past 10 years, U.S. census figures show a significant quadrupling of immigrant populations.
August 22, 2002 - MPR’s Tim Pugmire reports on finishing touches as the Minnesota State Fair prepares to open. It includes a building remodel…and tighter security a year after the September 11th terrorist attacks.
August 23, 2002 - Dozens of people shouted at police and broke windows last night in north Minneapolis after an eleven-year-old boy was shot in the arm by a bullet that ricocheted from a police officer's gun. The officer was shooting at a pit bull dog that attacked police who were trying to serve a search warrant on a house suspected of drug activity. Tensions arose after Twin Cities news media arrived to cover the boy's shooting. The windows of a bus and several news vehicles were smashed. One news van also was set on fire. Several reporters suffered minor injuries. Authorities say three people were arrested in connection to the search warrant. Minnesota Public Radio reporter Brandt Williams lives in the neighborhood where the shooting occured. He picks up the story when he first heard shots.
August 23, 2002 - Minneapolis officials and leaders of a north Minneapolis neighborhood today urged peace and calm following an incident last night that resulted in one wounded boy and assaults on several reporters. What began as a drug raid escalated into a riot when a bullet fired by an officer at a pit bull either ricocheted or dislodged concrete that hit the boy in the forearm. People upset by the injury to the boy yelled at police and hurled rocks and bottles. They also took out their anger on several news reporters and their vehicles by setting one on fire and breaking out windows in others.
August 23, 2002 - Minneapolis officials and leaders of a north Minneapolis neighborhood today urged peace and calm following an incident last night that resulted in one wounded boy and assaults on several reporters. What began as a drug raid escalated into a riot when a bullet fired by an officer at a pit bull either ricocheted or dislodged concrete that hit the boy in the forearm. People upset by the injury to the boy yelled at police and hurled rocks and bottles. They also took out their anger on several news reporters and their vehicles by setting one on fire and breaking out windows in others.
August 26, 2002 - Just as much a part of the State Fair as midway rides, 4-H displays and food of all kinds, are politicians working potential voters. MPR’s Mark Zdechlik checks in on what the four major party endorsed candidates for U.S. Senate are talking about at the Fair.