August 18, 2017 - The Minneapolis City Council chambers erupted in applause and a standing ovation Friday morning, as Medaria Arradondo was appointed the city's first African American police chief. One of the dozens of supporters in the chamber today was civil rights legend Dr. Josie Johnson. MPR’s Brandt Williams asked Johnson what Arradondo's appointment signals to members of the city's African American community.
December 23, 2016 - MPR’s Brandt Williams reports on Lyndale Community School’s Kwanzaa celebration. Twenty years ago, Titilayo Bediako, a Minneapolis public school teacher started telling her students about Kwanzaa - the week-long African centered celebration of black heritage and values which begins the day after Christmas. She discovered that the underlying principles of the non-religious holiday resonated with students from diverse backgrounds. Now that early classroom lesson has grown into an institution which hosts an annual musical Kwanzaa recognition.
April 3, 2009 - Excerpt of Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak commenting on 2006 police shooting death. Rybak says city officials believe allegations of misconduct in the 2006 police shooting death of a 19-year-old man are false. Earlier this week, a lawyer representing the family of Fong Lee, filed affidavits which contradict police claims that Lee had a gun when Officer Jason Andersen shot and killed him. The documents also raise the possibility that the gun found next to Lee's body was planted by another police officer. Rybak urges people to be patient and let the legal process take its course.
November 5, 2008 - MPR Brandt Williams reports on local reaction to Obama’s election to become President of the United States.
December 17, 2007 - Minneapolis police officials say a raid carried out at the wrong house on the city's northside this weekend was the result of faulty information from an informant. Shots were exchanged between the homeowner and police. No one was seriously hurt.
December 14, 2007 - MPR’s Brandt Williams reports on community concern among some black leaders who fear black police officers’ discrimination lawsuit may discourage people of color from joining the force. Sepic interviews members of MAD DADS of Minneapolis and former police officer Michael Quinn.
October 10, 2007 - Now that the design of the new I-35W bridge has been unveiled, members of the public are getting a chance to weigh in on how it looks. Some people we talked with say the light-colored, concrete span looks a little drab. But everyone we spoke with said, the most important thing is, the new bridge should be safe and strong. Minnesota Public Radio's Brandt Williams has our report:
September 4, 2007 - Tonight representatives from MnDOT and the city of Minneapolis will present a plan to add a temporary off-ramp from I-35W southbound onto East Hennepin Avenue. The proposal is part of a larger plan to better manage traffic around the collapsed bridge, until a new bridge is built. But the plan could cause some major headaches for people who work and live in the area. Minnesota Public Radio's Brandt Williams reports:
August 17, 2007 - Governor Pawlenty says the new I-35W bridge can be designed to hold light rail without causing significant delays to its construction. The news is encouraging to Minneapolis city officials who've advocated for the inclusion of rail transit in the new bridge plan. The governor added that such plans will be costly, although he gave no dollar estimates. MPR's Brandt Williams reports.
August 16, 2007 - The Minneapolis city council is in the process of approving a set of principles they'd like to see incorporated into the planning and building of the new I-35W bridge. Minnesota Public Radio's Brandt Williams reports: