September 1, 2000 - MPR’s Tom Scheck reports on how the veneer of civility disappeared as four DFL candidates for the U.S. senate tore into each other at a Minnesota State Fair debate. The campaign had been relatively quiet, but in an effort to distance herself from the other candidates, Rebecca Yanisch attacked the two frontrunners on gun control and a campaign that has seen little fireworks erupted into finger pointing and accusations.
August 28, 2000 - The four major DFL Senate candidates squared off at the State Fair in one of the few remaining opportunities for them to try to distinguish themselves before the September 12th primary. Only a handful of differences emerged, and the four seem more willing to attack Republican Senator Rod Grams than each other, despite the fact that one of them has emerged as the leader in the race.
August 25, 2000 - MPR’s Michael Khoo reports on the “art” of politics at the State Fair. Khoo interviews stops by various campaign booths and interviews various candidates, staffers and fairgoers. Includes excerpts from Mark Dayton, Mike Ciresi, and Rod Grams among others.
August 17, 1998 - Michael Ciresi, lead attorney in the Minnesota tobacco trial, speaking at the annual meeting of the Minnesota Trial Lawyers Association in Alexandria. In a keynote address, Ciresi speaks about his experiences.
May 11, 1998 - Michael Ciresi, Minnesota’s lead state attorney for the tobacco trial, discusses the tobacco settlement, in which the tobacco industry will pay the State of Minnesota 6.1 billion dollars, and Blue Cross/Blue Shield 500 million dollars. Topics include banning of tobacco marketing to children, collaboration with Blue Cross/Blue Shield, and litigation choices made. Ciresi also answers listener questions.
May 8, 1998 - MPR special on the tobacco settlement. Includes report from MPR’s Elizabeth Stawiki, followed by speeches and interviews from Skip Humphrey, Minnesota attorney general; Michael Ciresi, state's lead attorney; jurors, and others. A key component to settlement was the banning of tobacco marketing to children.