May 9, 2016 - MPR’s Euan Kerr speaks with Freya Manfred, daughter of author Frederick Manfred, about her father’s book “Lord Grizzly.”
April 21, 2016 - As part of MPR News series “Minnesota's Opioid Epidemic,” MPR’s Jon Collins profiles Liz Casper, a recovering heroin addict, about her struggles and hopes for the future.
April 20, 2016 - As part of MPR News series “Minnesota's Opioid Epidemic,” MPR’s Jon Collins talks with Nick Leclair, a young man from Elk River who discuss the struggle of drug addiction and the loss of his best friend, Dylan Pearson, to a heroin overdose.
April 19, 2016 - As part of MPR News series “Minnesota's Opioid Epidemic,” MPR’s Jon Collins profiles Lexi Reed Holtum and her legislative efforts against opioid epidemic after the death of her fiance, Steve Rummler. The two were engaged when Rummler died from a heroin overdose of in 2011.
February 29, 2016 - MPR’s Marianne Combs reports on Penumbra Theatre’s opening run of "The Dutchman" and "The Owl Answers" - two surreal one-act plays that explore race relations, sexual politics and biracial identity.
February 4, 2016 - MPR’s Euan Kerr interviews the creators of new play “George Bonga: Black Voyageur.” The History Theater pulls together a dream team of playwright Carlyle Brown, director Marion McClinton, and actor James A. Williams to tell the story of African American voyageur George Bonga.
December 15, 2015 - MPR’s Marriane Combs speaks with playwright Jessica Huang about her play on mixed race, titled “Purple Cloud.” Well... here's a question. "What are you?" It's a question that people of mixed race get all the time. A new play produced by Mu Performing Arts explores what it means to be mixed race... and how it leads one family on a journey of self-discovery.
November 6, 2015 - MPR’s Cathy Wurzer interviews Minnesotan author and columnist Rick Shefchik about his book “Everybody's Heard About the Bird: The True Story of 1960s Rock N Roll in Minnesota.” The book tells the story of The Trashmen and the bands that came before and after them. It's also about the influential figures behind the scenes like Amos Heilicher, founder of Minneapolis-based Soma Records and disc jockey Bill Diehl, the Dick Clark of the Twin Cities.
October 7, 2015 - MPR’s Cathy Wurzer reports on the one-man show "Rodney King," playing at the Penumbra Theatre in St. Paul, that resonates with the discussion on race. Report includes clip of interview with actor Roger Guenveur Smith.
September 24, 2015 - MPR’s Laura Yuen profiles Oakdale teen Amaiya Zafar, a female boxer whose is fighting in and out of the boxing ring. Zafar is trying to compete in ring fully covered, according to her Islamic principles. That is something boxing authorities are against, siting safety concerns.