August 20, 2003 - On this Mainstreet Radio special report, MPR’s Cathy Wurzer presents “Rekindling the Spirit - The Rebirth of American Indian Spirituality.” Program includes various reports by MPR’s Dan Gunderson and Tom Robertson, and numerous interviews with Native Americans on spiritual beliefs and roots.
August 7, 2003 - Today is Healthy Hemp Bread Day in Minneapolis. Mayor R.T. Rybak is making that declaration this afternoon at French Meadow Bakery... the only bakery in the country that makes bread out of hemp seeds. MPR’s Cathy Wurzer interviews Lynn Gordon, founder of the bakery.
July 2, 2003 - MPR’s Cathy Wurzer interviews R.T. Rybak, Mayor of Minneapolis, on hiring a new police chief. The city of Minneapolis is beginning the process of hiring a police chief to replace Robert Olson. Mayor Rybak says Olson is planning to retire when his term expires in January, and that City Coordinator John Moyer is now taking preliminary steps in the search for a new chief.
June 18, 2003 - Tracy Ringolsby, sports columnist for Rocky Mountain News, recently published an article looking at the Twins attendance figures and says The Twins should be contracted. That doesn't sit well with Minnesota Twins’ Dave St. Peter, who sees the numbers differently.
June 13, 2003 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer interviews Peter Rogness, the bishop of the St. Paul Area Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, about a Hmong pastor from St. Paul who is one of three men being detained in Laos.
May 30, 2003 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer reports on musicians in The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra agreeing to ratify a contract which includes a 17% pay cut. That change comes in the first year of a new four-year contract.
April 25, 2003 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer interviews violin virtuoso Gil Shaham, who will perform Korngold's Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D Major with The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. Shaham discusses Viennese composers, his instrument, and touring.
April 3, 2003 - NORTHWEST AIRLINES FLIGHT ATTENDANTS ARE KEEPING AN EYE OUT FOR PASSENGERS WHO MAY BE SHOWING SIGNS OF THE MYSTERIOUS, FAST MOVING DISEASE CALLED SARS.... ALSO KNOWN AS SEVERE ACUTE RESPIRATORY SYNDROME. NORTHWEST AND OTHER AIRLINES WITH EXTENSIVE ROUTES TO ASIA, ALSO FACE SOME POTENTIAL ECONOMIC PROBLEMS AS TRAVELERS GROW MORE CONCERNED ABOUT THE DISEASE. NORTHWEST'S ASIAN ROUTES MAKE UP ABOUT 25 PERCENT OF ITS REVENUE. JOEL DENNY IS AN AIRLINE INDUSTRY ANALYST WITH US BANKCORP PIPER JAFFREY. HE SAYS IT TOOK A WHILE FOR SARS TO AFFECT NORTHWEST'S BUSINESS.
February 18, 2003 - Minneapolis Star Tribune’s LaVelle Neal gives an assessment of the Minnesota Twins as the spring training begins. Unlike last year, when most players were talking about whether the Twins would be contracted, the team is optimistic about their chances this year. The team reacted to the threat of contraction by winning the American League Central Division Championship and coming within a few games of playing in the World Series.
February 18, 2003 - When it comes to views against a possible war with Iraq, those with views on both sides are turning to yard signs to get their voices heard. Duluth is an example. While there are a number of signs with "say no to war with Iraq" on them....there are several places selling other signs with "say go to war with Iraq" and one VFW in Duluth is selling "say no to terrorism" signs. While views on both sides are aired, the call up of National Guard and Army reservists continues in preparation for war. Lieutenant colonel Denny Sheilds is with the Minnesota National Guard. He says 600 guard members are on active federal duty at various places around the country.