November 14, 2005 - Voices of Minnesota visits two prominent Native American Minnesotans: Helen Blue-Redner is the former chairwoman of the Upper Sioux Community, and Carl Gawboy is an artist.
October 13, 2005 - As part of the series “Polluted Waters - Costly Cleanup,” MPR’s Dan Olson reports on water pollution arising from Twin Cities stormwater runoff.
October 13, 2005 - As part of the series “Polluted Waters - Costly Cleanup,” MPR’s Dan Olson reports on the Whitewater River and concerns of pollution contamination, resulting in damage to its ecosystem.
September 5, 2005 - A St. Paul public housing official has a new national post that puts him in the hot seat on proposed public housing reforms. Jon Gutzmann, the director of St. Paul's Public Housing Agency is the new president of an association of his colleagues, public housing agency directors from around the country. Gutzmann grew up in Benson in western Minnesota and graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in political science. His national post means, among other things, he speaks for advocates critical of Bush Administration proposals they say will weaken public housing in this country. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports.
August 30, 2005 - Orkestar Bez Ime (ore keh star bezz EE may), or OBI as they like to be called, are a Minnesota dance band working to preserve the folk music fast disappearing from Europe. Four women and a man make up Orkestar Bez Ime, which in Bulgarian means “orchestra without a name.” The group play dance tunes from Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, amongst other nations.
August 12, 2005 - MPR’s Dan Olson profiles Minneapolis big band saxophonist Charles Beasley. In interview with Olson, 80-year-old Beasley reflects on the change in race relations in this country and his experiences in big band.
July 14, 2005 - One of the highest and most beautiful voices of Minnesota. World famous genre-jumping soprano Maria Jette speaks with Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson as part of his Voices of Minnesota interview series.
July 4, 2005 - Eighty eight years ago this country entered World War 1, a conflict far more unpopular than the current war in Iraq. Then as now officials worried how the country could protect itself at home and how many civil liberties should be restricted in the interest of national security. The reaction by Minnesota officials was extreme. In l917, they created a commission on public safety. The commission suspended civil rights, set up an armed militia and created a network of spies. Minnesota business leaders encouraged and supported the move because of their own agenda. They worried about union organizers and striking workers affecting their businesses, and they were counting on the state to keep workers in line. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports.
July 1, 2005 - Minnesota nonprofits that help battered women, immigrants and others are being forced to lay off workers and plan for closing their doors as a rsult of the state shutdown. Hundreds of Minnesota private nonprofit organizations rely on state grants. Many of them still don't know if the state will rule they are essential services and release state dollars that will allow them to continue their work. Some who thought their state grants were secure began receiving notice today they are not. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports.
February 18, 2005 -