December 3, 2007 - Arvonne Fraser recounts her life in politics.Arvonne Fraser has been a force in Minnesota's DFL Party for more than half a century. Fraser, who is married to former U.S. Rep. Don Fraser, disussed her new memoir "She's No Lady" recently with public radio icon Garrison Keillor.
November 26, 2007 - MPR’s Gary Eichten interviews Minnesota writer Jim Klobuchar about his book "Pieces of My Heart: Everyone has an Everest." Klobuchar, an award-winning former columnist for the Star Tribune, discusses collection of essays about the people on his travels who have inspired him.
November 21, 2007 - "Prince of Tides" author Pat Conroy says "Patricia Hampl writes the best memoirs of any writer in the English language." She has written five of them, most recently "The Florist's Daughter," which she adapted into a performance and reading recently at the Fitzgerald Theater. Minnesota memoirist Patricia Hampl has won numerous honors including a Guggenheim fellowship and a MacArthur Fellowship. Hampl is also a regents professor of English at the University of Minnesota.
November 13, 2007 - Norman Mailer on life, art and politics.Literary legend Norman Mailer died Saturday at 84. The two-time Pulitzer Prize winner talked about his long career in American letters in January at an event sponsored by the New York Times. The event was part of the New York Times' "TimesTalks" series.
October 29, 2007 - Kevin Kling, one of Minnesota's best-known storytellers, explains the title of his new book "The Dog Says How," the difficulties of catching a wild beaver and why he's so obsessed with squirrel monkeys, in a recent performance at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul. Minnesota writer and humorist Kevin Kling has collected some of his best NPR pieces and new essays into his first book, "The Dog Says How."
October 29, 2007 - Kevin Kling explains the title of his new book "The Dog Says How," the difficulties of catching a wild beaver and why he's so obsessed with squirrel monkeys, in a recent performance at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul.
October 29, 2007 - Kevin Kling, one of Minnesota's best-known storytellers, explains the title of his new book "The Dog Says How," the difficulties of catching a wild beaver and why he's so obsessed with squirrel monkeys, in a recent performance at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul. Minnesota writer and humorist Kevin Kling has collected some of his best NPR pieces and new essays into his first book, "The Dog Says How."
October 26, 2007 - Minnesota turns 150 next year, and to celebrate, the Minnesota Historical Society has compiled a list of the 150 "people, places, and things that shape our state." What made the list? The Minnesota Historical Society is gathering input now on an exhibit celebrating the state's 150th birthday in 2007.
October 15, 2007 - Preliminary work to rebuild the I-35W bridge in downtown Minneapolis is underway this week, but it will be a long time before Minnesotans get over the tragic collapse that occurred Aug. 1. Most of us only saw the photographs and the videos, and heard the voices on the radio. But there are also the approximately 180 people who were actually on the bridge when it crumbled into the Mississippi River. Thirteen of them died and dozens were injured. Midday features MPR's Cathy Wurzer's interviews with two of the survivors. Lindsey Petterson and Erica Gwillim survived the collapse of the 35W bridge on Aug. 1 but were both injured in the accident.
October 12, 2007 - Twenty-years ago this month, Kirby Puckett led the Minnesota Twins to their first World Series victory. The combination of his dynamic prowess on the ballfield and charismatic personality made Puckett the most beloved and admired sports hero in Minnesota history. In the few years before his death, however, Puckett fell from grace after shocking incidents of his personal life became public. A new play called "Kirby" opening Saturday at the History Theatre in St. Paul explores the Hall-of-Famer's life as an adored sports icon struggling with off-the-field troubles.