December 28, 2001 - In just a few days R.T. Rybak becomes Mayor of the city of Minneapolis, replacing Sharon Sayles Belton after eight years in that office. In this audio excerpt, Sayles Belton formally said goodbye in remarks made to the city council and city staff in newly renovated Minneapolis City Council chambers.
January 4, 2002 - Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports on Governor Ventura’s final State of the State address of his term. He used the speech to provide Minnesotans with his perspective on the state's budget problems. The state faces a nearly two-billion dollar projected budget shortfall. The governor says if the Legislature doesn't act quickly to solve the problem, he'll use his authority to cut government spending.
January 10, 2002 - MPR’s Laura McCallum provides an overview of Governor Ventura’s budget plan. In a press conference, Ventura outlined his plan for addressing a nearly two-billion dollar projected budget deficit, saying he would not hide behind quick decisions and that everybody is sharing the hurt…and there's plenty of pain to go around.
January 18, 2002 - The first of a new series from the University of Minnesota called, "Great Conversations." Featuring Mark Yudof, University of Minnesota President, and Paul Begala, political consultant.
January 21, 2002 - A Twin Cities speech by Taylor Branch, the Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer of Martin Luther King. He spoke Thursday at the Dorsey & Whitney Law firm in Minneapolis. Mr. Branch is completing the 3rd volume in his America in the King Years trilogy. The first book is Parting the Waters, which won the Pulitzer Prize, and the 2nd book is Pillar of Fire.
March 14, 2002 - Minnesota Public Radio presents "Voices of Minnesota." In this month's edition, we'll hear two accounts of American Indian children growing up under extraordinarily difficult circumstances. Also, a heartwarming account about Chisholm's eight Valentini brothers - the most members of a Minnesota family to serve in World War II.
April 2, 2002 - Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak delivered his first State of the City speech, exactly ninety days after taking the political helm at City Hall. Rybak emphasized four issues that he says need special attention in the months ahead. He says Minneapolis needs to manage its money better, build more affordable housing and protect the environment. He also wants the city to be more welcoming to its various cultural groups. William Wilcoxen’s report also includes commentary about mayor’s speech from community activists and Minneapolis police chief.
April 12, 2002 - Former US Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky speaks at Minnetonka's Adath Jeshurun Congregation as a part of the Pen Pals Lecture series. Pinsky is perhaps best known for his 1994 translation of Dante's Inferno.
April 16, 2002 - Psychologist and best-selling author Mary Pipher speaks in St. Paul at a Ruminator Books event. Her new book is "The Middle of Nowhere: The World's Refugees Come to Our Town", a collection of personal stories from Lincoln, Nebraska.
May 6, 2002 - MPR’s Dan Olson provides a report on how the vice presidency changed under the Carter administration. Report includes various speaking excerpts of Jimmy Carter, Stuart Eizenstadt, Walter Mondale, and Maxine Issacs.