May 1, 2003 - Mainstreet Radio’s Chris Julin reports that the Two Harbors rooster is back, but it's in rough shape. In the week prior, somebody stole the larger-than-life statue of a rooster from its perch next to the highway. The bird is a landmark on the drive up the north shore of Lake Superior.
May 2, 2003 - MPR's Marisa Helms reports that the University of Minnesota's School of Music is marking 100 years of developing many of the region's foremost music teachers, performers and composers. Helms looks into the school and its history.
May 6, 2003 - Mainstreet Radio’s Chris Julin went listening for frogs with a couple of volunteers. The two are amongst dozens of volunteers across Minnesota driving backroads, looking for puddles and ponds, and listening for frog music.
May 7, 2003 - 40 years ago today the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis opened its doors for the first time. The new theater was Sir Tyrone Guthrie's brainchild. The internationally known director wanted to build high quality theater outside the influence of the New York scene. Four decades on Guthrie's vision endures, but the theater now appears to be at a crossroads.
May 7, 2003 - MPR’s Art Hughes reports on U.S. Ambassador to Laos visiting Minnesota to promote the start of normal trade relations with the communist country. The visit sparked protests, organized primarily by Hmong veterans who sided with the United States during the Vietnam War, but who were driven out when the U.S. withdrew its support. They say opening relations with Laos only rewards a brutal regime.
May 9, 2003 - MPR’s Bob Kelleher reports on a Minnesota House Committee has voted to sell state land lying within the Federal Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. But it's raised fierce opposition from the environmental community and from within the Legislature. Report includes various speaking and interview clips.
May 26, 2003 - One of Minnesota's oldest cemetaries marked two occasions today. As it has since 1870, St. Paul's Oakland Cemetary hosted a Memorial Day service honoring the veterans buried there. But this year the cemetary also celebrates its 150th anniversary. Oakland has long been one of Minnesota's lesser-known historical treasures. But in the past few years volunteers have uncovered a wealth of new details about the veterans buried there.
May 26, 2003 - Recent shootings in a north Minneapolis neighborhood are testing the resolve of its residents. Some neighbors are formulating new ideas of how they can keep crime and hopelessness from taking over the Jordan neighborhood. But at the same time, some have admitted that the shootings illustrate how little has changed and say they are considering moving out.
May 30, 2003 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer reports on musicians in The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra agreeing to ratify a contract which includes a 17% pay cut. That change comes in the first year of a new four-year contract.
May 30, 2003 - MPR’s Marianne Combs reports on August Wilson’s play King Hedley II. Report includes interview with Penumbra’s Lou Bellamy and excerpts from play.