November 29, 2004 - Rice Lake area residents today buried the last two hunters killed in the northwestern Wisconsin hunter shootings. Funerals for 55-year old Dennis Drew and 27-year old Jessica Willers were held in Dobie and Rice Lake. Also today, the St. Paul man accused in the shootings was charged with six counts of first-degree intentional homicide and two counts of attempted homicide. Chai Vang remains in the Sawyer County Jail with an initial court appearance scheduled for tomorrow. Meanwhile, Minnesota State Senator Mee Moua, who like Vang is Hmong, says her office is getting numerous phone calls about incidents of white hunters harassing Hmong hunters.
November 30, 2004 - Two survivors of a shooting that killed six hunters say no one in the group pointed a gun at a Minnesota man before he started shooting. That's according to a criminal complaint filed Monday. The complaint charges Chai Vang, of St. Paul, with killing the six hunters and trying to kill two others. The two survivors have told investigators Vang fired the first shot after a dispute over a tree stand on private land. Wisconsin Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager didn't want to comment on most aspects of the case.
December 6, 2004 - MPR’s Perry Finelli interviews Dr. Pat Walker, medical director at the Center for International Health at Regions Hospital, about mass health screening clinics for new refugees.
December 10, 2004 - In this State of the Arts segment, MPR’s Marianne Comb profiles Outward Spiral Theatre Company, the only Twin Cities theater dedicated to producing shows by and about Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered people. After a couple of poorly attended seasons, the theater is wondering whether the GLBT community needs it anymore.
December 13, 2004 - MPR’s Brandt Williams reports on a Minnesota Community Project study regarding Minnesotan’s attitudes on immigrants. The majority of the people involved in the study expressed favorable attitudes toward immigration. However, the authors say they're particularly dismayed over data showing a streak of hostility toward immigrants - especially by people living in the outer ring suburbs. The study's authors say those attitudes go against Minnesota's tradition of tolerance and acceptance of newcomers.
December 14, 2004 - A panel of community leaders today tried to dispel some of the negative opinions about immigrants revealed in a new study. The report found that many Minnesotans believe immigrants are a drain on public services. Lee Pao Xiong directs the Center for Hmong Studies at Concordia University in St. Paul. He says most immigrants are employed.
December 15, 2004 - The Guthrie Theater Company has revealed new details for the look of its three stage complex on the riverfront.
December 15, 2004 - A panel of community leaders today tried to dispel some of the negative opinions about immigrants revealed in a new study. The report found that many Minnesotans believe immigrants are a drain on public services. Lee Pao Xiong directs the Center for Hmong Studies at Concordia University in St. Paul. He says most immigrants are employed.
December 16, 2004 - As part of the series A Mirror on Morality, MPR’s Lorna Benson talks with six parishioners from Macalester Plymouth United Church in St. Paul about the 2004 elections. Five are gay, the other a lesbian. Exit polls suggest that many Christians cast their ballots based on moral concerns, including strong opposition to gay marriage. The six discuss that "moral values" influenced their voting too - just in a different way.
December 16, 2004 - MPR’s presents a report from a Wellstone Elementary School classrom, where there is kind of a music hatchery where singers of the future are being trained.