December 16, 2004 - MPR announces "diverse" musical format for old WCAL. Steve Nelson, program director for 89.3 KCMP, discusses the new program and plans for KCMP 89.3, formally known as WCAL 89.3.
December 17, 2004 - Mainstreet Radio's Bob Reha reports on North Dakota lawmakers arguing over money. While Minnesota lawmakers face a $700 million shortfall when they convene in St. Paul, in North Dakota, lawmakers won't fight over fixing a deficit, but rather what to do with a budget surplus.
December 20, 2004 - Winona-based Saint Mary's University is starting an English Language Academy at its Twin Cities campus. Tens of thousands of immigrants have moved to Minnesota in recent years, and many of them aren't going to college after high school because they can't speak English well enough. Program director Michelle Yener says the school is trying to do something about that.
December 20, 2004 - With thousands of Hmong, Somali and Latino immigrants moving to Minnesota every year, Saint Mary's University in Winona is hoping more will consider going to college. The university is offering a course in the English language at its Twin Cities campus. Michelle Yener, the director of the English Language Academy, says there are a couple of reasons why immigrants aren't going to college after high school.
December 23, 2004 - MPR’s Jim Bickal reports that Joe Mauer faces a much greater risk of developing arthritis at some point in his career after a left knee injury in the second game of his rookie season last year. The Minnesota Twins catcher is back home in St. Paul for the holidays after spending several months in Florida for rehabilitation.
December 27, 2004 - Mainstreet Radio’s Tom Robertson reports on how Anderson Fabrics in Blackduck, Minnesota is looking for immigrants to solve a labor shortage problem. After a failed attempt with Hmong employees due to a culture clash, company hopes to find a solution in the Twin Cities Latino community. Nearly 40 Latino workers moved from the Twin Cities to Blackduck in the fall of 2004. Blackduck school and community leaders are now bracing for what's expected to be a wave of Latino families.
December 29, 2004 - Mainstreet Radio's Tom Robertson reports that Federal agents at the U.S.-Canadian border crossing in International Falls have a new tool to enhance homeland security. Customs officials have begun using digital fingerprint technology to verify the identity of some foreign visitors.
December 31, 2004 - Mainstreet Radio's Erin Galbally reports on a fundraiser to help bring living quarters up to date at a Rochester convent, known as Assisi Heights. The Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi have made Rochester their home for more than a hundred years.
January 3, 2005 - The resettlement process for Hmong refugees will take longer than expected. Officials say it will last until June.
January 6, 2005 - St.Paul's police chief rejects a call from civil rights leaders to fire an officer involved in a scuffle last week with an 85-year-old man. Chief John Harrington says Officer Mike Lee acted appropriately when the man, Leon Nins, refused to cooperate during a traffic stop and began kicking the officer. Lee ended up using pepper spray to subdue Nins. Harrington says officials plan to charge Nins with assaulting an officer.