November 23, 2004 - MPR’s Brandt Williams reports that court documents filed show the suspect in the six killings in Wisconsin, a 36-year-old Hmong immigrant, told authorities he was called racial slurs and fired upon before he says shot back. Hmong leaders in the Twin Cities gathered today to condemn the shootings and express sympathy for the victims. But some say racial tension between white and Hmong hunters is common.
November 11, 2004 - MPR's Brandt Williams reports that Minnesota Twins pitcher Johan Santana has been named the 2004 American League Cy Young award winner. The honor is given each year by the Baseball Writers association of America to the most statistically dominant pitchers in both Major League Baseball divisions. Santana, a 25-year-old left hander, recorded the most strikeouts of any pitcher in the American league, the lowest earned run average and the second highest number of victories.
August 9, 2004 - MPR’s Brandt Williams takes a look at probably the ugliest racial slur ever created. It is a word known primarily as a means to denigrate African Americans. The word packs such power to represent overt racial hatred, most people - regardless of race - will not even utter it. How can one word have such power?
May 13, 2004 - MPR’s Brandt Williams reports that the involvement of a Hmong police officer in a series of violent incidents is puzzling St. Paul law enforcement officials. Part of the mystery surrounds officer Tou Cha's explanation of why the shell casings found at the scene of a drive-by shooting matched his gun.
May 11, 2004 - MPR’s Brandt Williams reports that the arrest of a Hmong St. Paul police officer is the latest development in an investigation into several incidents of violence involving Hmong and Lao residents. Federal law enforcement officials are trying to determine how several recent shootings and arson fires are linked.
April 30, 2004 - Federal law enforcement officials are investigating several recent violent incidents involving members of the Twin Cities Hmong community. The most recent event was a suspicious fire that burned down the home of the son of a prominent Hmong leader. While the authorities search for suspects, some in the Hmong community say the recent violence highlights old divisions and wounds that have yet to heal.
April 9, 2004 -
April 2, 2004 - Somali leaders appeared at the State Capitol Thursday to announce the formation of a statewide Somali leadership council. The council is being touted by Somalis and government officials alike as a way to bridge communication gaps between Somalis and the broader community.
January 6, 2004 - A profile report of former Major League Baseball player Paul Molitor, upon the announcement of his induction to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Molitor was born in St. Paul, Minnesota and graduated from Cretin High School.
December 29, 2003 - Several NFL coaches who finished disappointing seasons this weekend lost their jobs today (Mon). Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Tice is not among them, at least not yet. The Vikings coaches, players, and fans are still feeling the sting of a disappointing loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. A desperation touchdown pass by the Cardinals as time expired kept the Vikings from getting the division title and knocked them out of the playoff picture. Today, the Vikings and their fans are looking back on a season that started with a lot of promise but ended badly. Minnesota Public Radio's Brandt Williams reports.