MPR News Presents

Speeches, documentaries and debates.

The First Family of Radio: Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt's Historic Broadcasts
Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt were the "first couple" of American radio. This American RadioWorks documentary features rarely heard archival audio and explores how the Roosevelts revolutionized political communication in America.
Global Girls' Education: Breaking Down Barriers
An America Abroad documentary about the global controversy over educating GIRLS. Religion, social customs and economic pressures influence the education of girls in Africa, India and the Mideast.
Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D) and former Minnesota Congressman Vin Weber (R) discuss the future of Obamacare and the ways Congress can reform itself.
The American Enterprise Institute digs into the ties between family structures and economic success in America. Report co-author W. Bradford Wilcox of the University of Virginia explains his findings.
Michael Hurley on current terrorism threats
One of the country's leading counter-terrorism experts is Minnesota native Michael Hurley, who gave a talk at the University of St. Thomas School of Law last week outlining the threats we face: the Islamic State, Al Qaida, and cyberterrorism threats to disrupt our critical infrastructure. Michael Hurley is a former CIA officer and co-author of the 9/11 Commission Report. He had a 25 year career with the CIA and spent 7 years on the hunt for Osama bin Laden. Hurley was on the National Security Council staff at the White House, and is now president of the consulting firm Team 3i.In a speech Oct. 28th at the University of St. Thomas, Michael Hurley outlined the biggest terrorism threats we face... and the competing national security and privacy concerns.
David Brooks and Katie Couric at Aspen Ideas Festival
New York Times columnist and NPR commentator David Brooks and longtime network television journalist Katie Couric in a 2014 Aspen Ideas Festival session titled, "Love and Life in General."
Hear the final US Senate debate: Franken and  McFadden
Democratic U.S. Sen. Al Franken and his Republican challenger Mike McFadden meet for a final debate in the U.S. Senate race. The debate was held on Nov. 2, 2014, at 7 p.m. at the Fitzgerald Theater in downtown St. Paul.