October 20, 2004 - More than 14-hundred Hmong refugees arrived in Minnesota last month. That's the largest monthly total since the resettlement program began in 1975. Local resettlement agencies say the Hmong are arriving so quickly that, in some cases, they're over-burdening the relatives who are sponsoring them. John Borden of the International Institute, says one relative in Minnesota may agree to sponsor three families. He says the problem arises when all of those families arrive within a short time period.
October 21, 2004 - Mainstreet Radio's Tim Post profiles the race for House seat 12A District. It encompasses the rapidly growing Brainerd lakes area. It's a part of Minnesota that's seen plenty of changes over the last couple of decades. The 2004 election pits a DFL candidate with 30 years experience against two political newcomers.
October 21, 2004 - MPR’s Cathy Wurzer profiles differing views of the candidates Justice Alan Page and Magistrate Tim Tingelstad for seat on the state Supreme Court.
October 22, 2004 - Mainstreet Radio's Cara Hetland reports that six people have been charged with crimes stemming from a Republican get-out-the-vote campaign. All but one were employed by the Republican party. The case raises questions about whether the ballots will count, and it's looking more and more like South Dakota's election could be decided in court.
October 25, 2004 - English language classes are packed in the Twin Cities and other parts of the state. Some programs are so full they now have long waiting lists. Much of the increase is attributed to the growing number of immigrants moving to Minnesota, including Hmong and other refugees. Jean Hanslin is with Lao Family English, says classes are three times the normal size at a time when she's already had to lay off one teacher because of a funding crunch.
October 25, 2004 - Many new immigrants to Minnesota are having a tough time finding a place to learn English. English language classes for adults are filled in the Twin Cities and across most of the state. Barry Shaffer, state director of Adult Basic Education, says there's been an dramatic upturn in enrollment.
October 25, 2004 - MPR’s Toni Randolph reports that English language classes are bursting at the seams in the Twin Cities. New arrivals to the United States have been packing the classes, eager to learn the primary language of their new homeland.
October 25, 2004 - Police-community relations in Minneapolis are once again being strained after the shooting death of a black teenager by a police officer this weekend. According to police accounts, 15-year-old Courtney Williams pointed a gun at a police officer before the officer shot and killed him. The weapon police found near Williams was a pellet gun. Family members of the dead teenager and some of his friends who were with him that night are critical of the police officer's decision to use lethal force. Police officials are investigating the shooting and are asking for community members to remain calm.
October 25, 2004 - Members of a group formed to improve relations between the Minneapolis police department and communities of color have questions about the police shooting of a black teenager this weekend. The shooting happened early Sunday morning in north Minneapolis . Police accounts say a 15-year-old boy, identified by family members as Courtney Williams, refused an officer's orders to drop a gun, turned and then was hit by two bullets from the officer's gun. Police recovered a pellet gun at the scene which they say resembles a .45 calliber handgun. The Rev. Ian Bethel is the co-chair of the Police Community Relations Council. He says there are discrepancies between police accounts and what the boy's friends are saying.
October 27, 2004 - Family and friends of a teenager shot and killed by a police officer last weekend will attend a memorial service tonight at a North Minneapolis church. Police officials say 15-year-old Courtney Williams was carrying a gun after Midnight early Sunday morning. He was shot twice by an officer. A pellet gun was found at the scene. Williams' mother says she doesn't believe her son was carrying a gun. V.J. Smith is with MAD DADS, an anti-violence activist group that helped organize the service.