August 30, 2004 - Mainstreet Radio's Tom Robertson reports that Minnesota court records show Native Americans living in some northern counties are arrested at a rate far higher than any other race. That's got the attention of the American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota.
August 31, 2004 - Minneapolis community leaders and police are urging residents to let an investigation into allegations of police brutality run its course. Police officials and community representatives met face-to-face today. It's the second meeting since a television report showing video of an officer striking a handcuffed suspect.
September 1, 2004 - Michael Khoo reports on a State Fair debate between state legislative leaders. DFL Matt Entenza and Republican Steve Sviggum shared their diverging views in an effort to influence the make-up of the state House next year.
September 1, 2004 - Governor Tim Pawlenty is asking officials in the state's two largest cities to allow police officers to check people's immigration status. Pawlenty sent a letter to the Minneapolis and St. Paul city councils requesting that they change city ordinances that prohibit police officers from checking the papers of people who are not suspected of illegal activity. The governor cited a case in North Carolina where police officers detained an immigrant after they saw him videotaping financial institutions. Minneapolis City Council president Paul Ostrow says giving police officers the powers of federal agents could have a chilling effect on police-community relations.
September 3, 2004 - MPR’s Bob Kelleher traces the individuals and movement that led to the U.S. 1964 Wilderness Act, creating the nation's system of federally protected wilderness. Minnesota's Boundary Waters Canoe Area was one of the first. Several Minnesotans played prominent roles, including then U.S. Senator Hubert Humphrey and a junior college administrator from Ely, named Sigurd Olson.
September 7, 2004 - After months of planning, three St. Paul elementary schools today are set to welcome hundreds of new immigrant students.
September 7, 2004 - The start of the new school year today in St. Paul marks the opening of three Transitional Learning Centers. District officials created the centers in response to the latest wave of Hmong immigrants moving to the city. Como Park, Hayden Heights and Phalen Lake will serve up to 125 students each in the short-term program. But the district still doesn't doesn't know how many kids will show up. Superintendent Pat Harvey says some of the students who lived in a Thailand refugee camp have little formal education. She says they need a program that provides basic information.
September 8, 2004 - In this episode of Future Tense, reporter Jon Gordon takes a look at Vocaloid, a music software that synthesizes human voice to produce musical results.
September 10, 2004 - Minneapolis Police Chief Bill McManus says Governor Pawlenty is wrong to want police officers to arbitrarily check people's immigration status. Earlier this month the governor sent a letter to officials in Minneapolis and St. Paul urging the cities to change the laws which prohibit police officers from asking about a person's immigration status. Pawlenty says such prohibitions compromise security. On Minnesota Public Radio's Midmorning program today, McManus said it's a form of racial profiling and he's steadfastly against it.
September 15, 2004 - MPR’s Erin Galbally reports on flooding in Austin, Minnesota after a massive rainstorm in area.