April 3, 2013 - MPR’s Julie Siple reports that a group of Hmong leaders in the Twin Cities say more needs to be done to prevent violence within their community. A meeting at the Hmong Village in St. Paul came after several recent deadly cases, including a domestic dispute that left three people dead.
May 9, 2013 - MPR’s Tim Pugmire reports that six months after Minnesotans rejected a constitutional amendment that would have banned gay marriage, the Minnesota House made an historic turn, voting to legalize same-sex marriage in Minnesota.
May 13, 2013 - MPR’s Tim Pugmire reports on the Minnesota Senate passage of bill legalizing same-sex marriage in the state by a vote of 37-30, after more than four hours of debate. Only one Republican joined Democrats on the prevailing side, and three DFLers opposed the bill.
May 14, 2013 - All Thing’s Considered live coverage of Governor Mark Dayton signing a bill making gay marriage legal in Minnesota. It makes Minnesota the 12th state to take the step. MPR’s Tom Scheck describes the scene, as thousands of onlookers cheer.
May 15, 2013 - MPR’s Conrad Wilson compiles reactions of Minnesotans at the State Capitol after Governor Mark Dayton signed a bill making gay marriage legal in Minnesota.
May 20, 2013 - MPR presents a speech and commentary from U.S. Representative Tim Walz, a Democrat who represents Minnesota's 1st Congressional District. Walz tells the audience during a recent speech at the University of Minnesota that if America cares about national security, it needs to maintain moral authority in the world and address the complex issues involved in the use of drones.
June 7, 2013 - Best-selling writer Dennis Lehane, speaking in Hopkins, Minnesota as part of Hennepin County Library's Pen Pals Author Lecture Series. Three of his books have been made into Hollywood movies. Lehane says he writes fiction because he always loved to read and he comes from a long line of Boston Irish storytellers.
July 3, 2013 - On the 150th anniversary of the Civil War battle at Gettysburg, Richard Moe speaks to a sold-out Minnesota Historical Society event about his book, "The Last Full Measure: The Life and Death of the First Minnesota Volunteers." Guest: Richard Moe: President emeritus, National Trust for Historic Preservation. Former chief of staff to Vice President Walter Mondale. Author of "The Last Full Measure: The Life and Death of the First Minnesota Volunteers." Forthcoming book about FDR's 1940 presidential election.
July 10, 2014 - An MPR News Presents program held at Westminster Townhall Forum with former Vice President Walter Mondale.
July 29, 2015 - Award-winning author Alexs Pate discusses how his experiences as a Black-American man influence his writing and move him to explore themes of guilt and innocence — along with hope and bitterness. Pate is the author of five novels, including the best-selling Amistad.