August 19, 2005 - The co-chair of the Police Community Relations Council in Minneapolis says there are tensions on panel. But the Reverend Ian Bethel says that's why the council is needed. The PCRC was established more than a year ago with the help of a federal mediator to deal with a number of police policies, including hiring, training and use of force. But a rift has developed between the police department members and community members. Reverend Bethel says since some members of the council have had their own run-ins with the Minneapolis Police Department, that's not surprising.
August 23, 2005 - Robert Moog, who's self named synthesizers that turned electronic currents into sound, died at 71. Future Tense’s Jon Gordon talks with Charles Carlini, the organizer of the MoogFest, about Moog’s legacy.
August 25, 2005 - MPR’s Brandt Williams reports that The Minnesota Twins took a step backward in their quest for a wild card playoff spot by losing 2-1 to the Chicago White Sox in 10 innings at the Metrodome. The loss puts them three and a half games behind the New York Yankees and Oakland. Twins players and fans were disappointed by the loss but are not ready to give up the chase.
August 25, 2005 - Candidates for Minneapolis mayor offered their visions for dealing with public safety issues during a sometimes-contentious debate last night. Organizers invited R.T. Rybak, incumbent Minneapolis Mayor; Peter McLaughlin, Hennepin County Commissioner; and Farheen Hakeem, Green Party candidate to the forum, but before it was over a fourth candidate, Marcus Harcus, forced his way onto the stage to participate.
August 26, 2005 - With the announcement of a terminal disease by playwright August Wilson, an excerpt of Wilson speaking to the University of Minnesota Alumni Association back in 1992 is aired.
August 29, 2005 - MPR’s Tom Scheck reports on political repercussions of Hennepin County smoking ban. The Hennepin County smoking ban is becoming a big issue in the race for Minneapolis mayor. Bar and restaurant owners who feel the ban is hurting their business have helped convince Peter McLaughlin, Hennepin County Commissioner, to reconsider his support for the ban. McLaughlin is running against Mayor R.T. Rybak. Rybak says campaign contributions from the bar owners appear to have helped change McLaughlin's mind.
August 31, 2005 - MPR’s Laura McCallum reports on despite the fact that it is not a statewide election year in Minnesota, that hasn't stopped state officials from making their usual visits to Great Minnesota Get-Together. Politicians say the State Fair is the place to take the pulse of Minnesotans. For 2005, they're finding that the burning issues for fairgoers are gas prices and stadiums.
September 5, 2005 - MPR’s Tom Crann and Nikki Tundel conclude their ‘battle’ over which state has the best fair - Minnesota or Iowa. The two present competing fair stories…pet surgery and Iowa animals.
September 7, 2005 - MPR’s Tom Scheck reports on fund-raising in Minneapolis mayoral race. Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak is the top fundraiser among the city's mayoral candidates. Rybak's campaign reports the mayor raised two hundred & forty-five thousand dollars between January 1st and August 30th. Rybak's top challenger, Peter McLaughlin, Hennepin County Commissioner, raised two hundred & eleven thousand dollars over the same period. Farheen Hakeem, Green Party Candidate, raised less than ten thousand dollars. The fundraising totals were released on the same day the city's police union started a campaign to unseat Rybak.
September 8, 2005 - MPR’s Bob Kelleher reports that the jury has been selected to try a St. Paul man in the shooting deaths of six Wisconsin deer hunters. Jury selection occurred in Madison, Wisconsin. Now the trial moves to Hayward.