May 1, 2004 - American RadioWorks presents “Thurgood Marshall Before the Court,” a documentary on the story of Thurgood Marshall's remarkable career before he joined the Supreme Court, when he was the nation's leading civil rights lawyer.
December 15, 2003 - Governor Tim Pawlenty is in Sarajevo, Bosnia this evening, having wrapped up a two-day visit with Minnesota National Guard troops serving as peace-keepers in that country. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has been with the governor for most of his trip and joins us now by phone from Tuzla, Bosnia. Michael, the governor's trip was meant in part to boost the morale of soldiers away from home during the holidays. I'm sure the news of Saddam Hussein's capture made his job even easier.
November 27, 2003 - MPR’s Chris Roberts reports on Twin Cities band Halloween, Alaska. The band consists of members of three prominent Twin Cities musical groups - Happy Apple, 12 Rods, and Love Cars. The musicians are taking a break from their noisier roles as rock and jazz musicians to create quiet, mood pop, with a heavy nod to one of its favorite musical eras - the 1980s.
November 4, 2003 - Three of America's most compelling presidents - John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, and Richrad M. Nixon bugged their White House offices and tapped their telephones. They left behind thousands of secretly recorded conversations, from momentous to mundane. In this documentary project, American RadioWorks eavesdrops on presidential telephone calls to hear how each man used one-on-one politics to shape history.
October 31, 2003 - The Minneapolis-based law firm Dorsey and Whitney has established an Iraq practice. Lawyers will counsel corporate clients on navigating the postwar landscape and advise them on how to win rebuilding contracts. International trade lawyer Bart Fisher says doing business in Iraq is in the U-S national interest.
September 29, 2003 - The state's two largest public employees unions today (MONDAY) overwhelmingly rejected contract proposals that state negotiators have previously called their last, best offers. The votes authorize a strike, but union leaders say they'll delay setting a strike date in order to return to the bargaining table. State officials, however, say there isn't much time left to reach a negotiated deal. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo joins us now from the Capitol. Michael, how does the strike vote change the dynamics? KHOO: The vote certainly gives union leaders a mandate to return to the state and ask for more -- mainly in the way of health benefits. And the margins were impressive. For the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Council 6, just over 80 percent of those voting cast a "no" vote. AFSCME represents 17,000 mainly clerical, custodial, and maintenance workers who would be eligible to strike. The Minnesota Association of Professional Employees represents 11,000 technicians and skilled specialists. Of those who voted, two-thirds voted "no." AFSCME executive director Peter Benner says the rejections send a clear message. BENNER: We are prepared to strike if we need to. But our first goal is to try to see if we can get the state back to the table and discuss this. KHOO: They hope to resume those discussions sometime this week.
September 25, 2003 - This afternoon, law enforcement officials released details of yesterday's school shooting in Cold Spring. A day after a Rocori High School student was killed and another critically injured, some of the new information recounts a chilling story. This morning, students, parents and teachers gathered at the school. Mainstreet Radio's Tim Post has been in town all day, talking with them and officials investigating the case. He joins us now. DAVID: Tim, What's the latest in Cold Spring?
August 27, 2003 - The state campaign finance board has dismissed complaints against Governor Pawlenty for consulting income he earned while running for governor. Pawlenty received 60-thousand dollars from political ally Elam Baer's pay phone company, Access Anywhere. The DFL and Green parties had filed complaints over the matter. They questioned whether Pawlenty's consulting company - BAMCO - was an attempt to circumvent political contribution limits, and whether the payments were corporation contributions, which are prohibited by law. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum joins me now from the Capitol. Laura, explain the campaign finance board's ruling. The board dismissed all of the complaints except one, which the board referred to the Dakota County attorney. The board said Pawlenty wasn't required to disclose his BAMCO earnings - candidates are required to report income from "associated business" which is defined as two or more people - and Pawlenty was the sole employee of BAMCO. Pawlenty also made no contributions to his own campaign - neither did Elam Baer. The board said it doesn't have the authority to investigate whether Pawlenty or Access Anywhere violated the ban on corporate contributions, which falls to the Dakota County attorney to investigate.
August 1, 2003 - A week of serious negotiations has yet to produce a contract agreement between the state and its two largest employee unions. The last two-year contract expired at the end of June. That deal proved particularly contentious, prompting a strike two years ago. It was followed by a long delay in official ratification because of a dispute over same-sex partner benefits. The two sides have been meeting this week at a Bloomington hotel where Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum is standing by. Laura, what's the latest on the negotiations?
May 27, 2003 - Leaders in the state Legislature have tentatively agreed to a bonding bill that would provide the Guthrie Theater with 25-million dollars for a new multi-stage complex on the riverfront and 5-million dollars to the Children's Theatre Company to renovate its current space. But even in the final hours of the special session, the battle is far from over for both theater companies. Minnesota Public Radio's Marianne Combs reports.