August 31, 2001 - MPR’s Mark Zdechlik reports on Governor Jesse Ventura joining the throngs at the Minnesota State Fair to talk taxes and politics. Ventura promoted the idea of a national sales tax and banning elected officials from campaigning when he says they should be working.
September 25, 2001 - Great religious minds reflect on tragedies surrounding September 11, 2001. As America moves beyond raw emotion and religious sentiment, this program explores theological and spiritual reflection for the long haul. Host Journalist-theologian Krista Tippett has gathered provocative reflections across a broad spectrum of faith, woven together with evocative sound and music. Guests: Richard Mouw, Christian philosopher and president of Fuller Theological Seminary. Joan Dehzad, Episcopal deacon and executive director of the Institute of New Americans. Rabbi Barry Cytron, director of the Jay Phillips Center for Jewish-Christian Learning.Patricia Hampl, poet and author of A Romantic Education and Virgin Time. Linda Loving, pastor at the House of Hope Presbyterian Church, St. Paul, Minnesota. Dan Grigassy, Franciscan friar and professor of liturgy, Washington Theological Union. Cynthia Eriksson, clinical psychologist at the Headington Program in International Trauma.
September 27, 2001 - MPR's Laurel Druley reports that Governor Ventura told the citizens of Rochester he supports President Bush's plan to call up National Guard troops to tighten security at airports across the nation. His comments came as the Governor spent the day in Rochester talking with state employees.
October 24, 2001 - MPR’s Art Hughes presents a profile on Minneapolis Mayor Sayles Belton, who is in a tough campaign as she runs for a third term. Report includes interviews from numerous individuals on their views of her accomplishments and governance.
November 21, 2001 - A Westminster Town Hall Forum speech by Tom Diaz, senior policy analyst at the Violence Policy Center in Washington DC. He's the author of "Making a killing: the business of guns in America".
November 30, 2001 - Could a new stadium keep the Minnesota Twins up and running? The team is being threatened with shut down because of low salaries and low rankings…but local political and business efforts in creating a task force to look at options for new stadium in state are providing hope that there is still a chance to avoid losing professional baseball in Minnesota.
December 4, 2001 - A Macalester College speech by Peter Bergen, one of the few Western journalists who has interviewed Osama bin Laden. He is the author of a new book, Holy War, Inc.: Inside the Secret World of Osama bin Laden.
December 17, 2001 - Stephen Sondheim, award-winning composer and lyricist, gives a speech at the Guthrie Theater's "Global Voices" series.
December 28, 2001 - In just a few days R.T. Rybak becomes Mayor of the city of Minneapolis, replacing Sharon Sayles Belton after eight years in that office. In this audio excerpt, Sayles Belton formally said goodbye in remarks made to the city council and city staff in newly renovated Minneapolis City Council chambers.
January 4, 2002 - Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports on Governor Ventura’s final State of the State address of his term. He used the speech to provide Minnesotans with his perspective on the state's budget problems. The state faces a nearly two-billion dollar projected budget shortfall. The governor says if the Legislature doesn't act quickly to solve the problem, he'll use his authority to cut government spending.