February 25, 2003 - MPR’s Brandt Williams reports on Minneapolis budget cuts. Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak says proposed cuts in Local Government Aid will cost the city nearly forty-five million dollars over the next two years. Rybak offered a preliminary estimate of how much each department will have to cut from in order to balance the city's budget. The cuts will be deepest in the city departments with the largest budgets: police, fire and public works. Some city officials say they fear these cuts will make it harder for police and fire departments to protect the people of Minneapolis.
February 4, 2003 - MPR’s Steven John interviews R.T. Rybak, mayor of Minneapolis, on changing snow plowing plans within the city. The cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul declared snow emergencies in wake of the winter's biggest snowstorm. In St. Paul when crews finish plowing east-west residential today the parking restrictions will end. But in Minneapolis the snow emergency will not end until 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday. When R.T. Rybak campaigned for mayor of Minneapolis he pledged to change the city to a 24-hour plowing schedule.
November 27, 2002 - MPR’s Cathy Wurzer interviews Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak about Tyesha Edwards shooting. Two men, ages 21 and 23, are in custody in connection with the shooting.
July 8, 2002 - Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak proposes capping city spending increases at no more than eight percent a year. The plan enjoys majority support on the City Council, but it means the city will have to cut six million dollars as elected leaders prepare for next year's budget.
May 20, 2002 - MPR’s Cathy Wurzer interviews R.T. Rybak, Mayor of Minneapolis, on state capital stadium bill. Governor Jesse Ventura has 14 days to decided what to do with a Twins stadium financing plan that lawmakers sent him late Saturday night. The deal for a 330-million-dollar ballpark, requires a 120 million private contribution (facilitated by the Twins) prior to any bond sale. In addition, the team would pay ten million dollars a year in rent. Proponents of a new ballpark in Minneapolis were hoping the bill would allow a county to finance the local portion of the cost, but that did not happen. Rybak says because of that Minneapolis appears to be out of the running as a location for a new ballpark.
April 26, 2002 - MPR’s Art Hughes reports on reaction from Minneapolis Police Chief Robert Olson on Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak’s attempt to oust him from position. Olson says that he has no intention of moving on. Rybak had requested Olson leave, followed by a failed attempt from Rybak on getting votes from Minneapolis City Council.
April 19, 2002 - MPR’s Brandt Williams reports on Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak upcoming plans. Report includes subject of campaign promise of mixed income housing to the city, and on getting a new Minneapolis police chief.
April 16, 2002 - MPR’s Art Hughes reports on mayor of Minneapolis view on police chief. R.T. Rybak, mayor of Minneapolis, says any public discussion right now about Robert Olson's future as police chief is inappropriate. Rybak's statement came amid reports he has told Olson to find another job. Rybak makes it clear Olson is not living up to the new administration's expectations in terms of what Rybak calls community relations. Report also includes comments from City Council members Scott Benson, Paul Ostrow, and Joe Biernat.
April 2, 2002 - Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak delivered his first State of the City speech, exactly ninety days after taking the political helm at City Hall. Rybak emphasized four issues that he says need special attention in the months ahead. He says Minneapolis needs to manage its money better, build more affordable housing and protect the environment. He also wants the city to be more welcoming to its various cultural groups. William Wilcoxen’s report also includes commentary about mayor’s speech from community activists and Minneapolis police chief.
March 25, 2002 - The mayor of Minneapolis joined state lawmakers and mental health advocates at the Capitol today to support a bill to make it easier for police officers to commit someone having a mental health crisis. They say the bill will help prevent tragedies. Two weeks ago, an apparently delusional Minneapolis man was shot and killed after confronting police with a machete. But some in the mental health field say with funds dwindling, there's no place to bring people in crisis. MPR’s Art Hughes presents this report on gathering.