Jim Bickal
MPR News
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Past articles by Jim:
NFL catch? Twin Cities native preps for a shot at the pros
Jesper Horsted gets his pro football tryout on March 25. The Roseville High and Princeton University wide receiver talked to MPR News about what it takes to get to the cusp of the NFL. → Read More
Drunken chaos, pointless destruction, great music: The Replacements roadie talks
Bill Sullivan had a front row seat to all the action and occasional self-destruction. His new book "Lemon Jail: On the Road with The Replacements" offers a fresh view on one of rock's most notorious bands. → Read More
The ups, and downs, of being a Minnesota Twins mascot
MPR News senior producer Jim Bickal was given the opportunity to participate in the mascot race that happens between the fourth and fifth inning of every game. He raced as Louie the Loon. → Read More
What it takes to be a Santa Claus stand-in
In 1995, then-"Morning Edition" host Bob Potter learned how to look and, with a little training, how to sound like Santa Claus. → Read More
Al Franken and Tom Davis got their first big break at Minneapolis theater
The comedy team of Al Franken and Tom Davis met when they were both attending Blake High School in Minneapolis. They went on to perform skits at the Brave New Workshop and work on Saturday Night Live. → Read More
Best place for winter camping? Try Antarctica
In 2000, MPR News got a call from Antarctica. It was explorer Ann Bancroft describing the mostly pleasant weather her and her partner Liv Arnesen experienced on their way to the South Pole. → Read More
Paul Wellstone on what kind of person should be state auditor
In a 1982 debate between Paul Wellstone and Arne Carlson, both vying for the position of State Auditor, Wellstone talked about how the right candidate should be a "community builder." → Read More
Gordon Parks' advice to aspiring black artists in the 1980s
In a 1980 speech, artist Gordon Parks told the story of how he survived Minnesota winters as a homeless teen, and shared some important advice for fellow black writers. → Read More
'What is normal?': Friends discuss poetry and growing up with autism
Lauren Hughes and Alex Junge are friends who both work at Midwest Special Services in the Twin Cities. They recently sat down in the StoryCorps Airstream trailer for a conversation about life with autism. → Read More
Recipe for success at Al's Breakfast included pancakes and good humor
Al's Breakfast in Dinkytown has been in operation since 1950. After over three decades of consistent success, MPR reporter Dan Olson adventured into the crowded diner in 1986 to see what all the fuss was about. → Read More
Father and daughter discuss racism, books and unstoppable love
Lou Bellamy, creator of St. Paul's Penumbra Theater, and his daughter Sarah recently sat down for a conversation about memories, both fond and difficult. → Read More
Whalen's return to the Lynx isn't the first comeback of her career
Guard Lindsay Whalen is back on the court after a hand injury had her sitting out several games. And it's not the first time that's happened to her. → Read More
When Garrison Keillor taught his son how to stretch $3 at the 1974 fair
These days, $3 in quarters won't get you far at the Minnesota State Fair. But in 1974, a young Jason Keillor was able to spend six hours of fun and still have a few coins left. → Read More
Humans vs. beavers: The battle of 1993
Culverts were created to help move water underneath roads, and turned out to be a dam-building beaver's paradise. In 1993, reporter Leif Enger reported on a victory for mankind in the beaver wars. → Read More
Reporting, memories from the I-35W bridge collapse
A look back at MPR News' coverage of the day the I-35W bridge collapsed, as well as memories from those who lived and worked in the area the day it fell. → Read More
Kirby Puckett on what made the '87 team so special
Former Twins players are gathering in Minnesota this weekend to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their World Series victory in 1987. But they will be missing their on-field leader. → Read More
The fight for Native fishing rights in Minn., Wis.
A 1983 U.S. Supreme Court decision ensuring that Native Americans in Wisconsin had the right to spearfish was met with raucous protests. The same would soon follow in Minnesota. → Read More
How are St. Stephen's Trump voters feeling 100 days in?
The Stearns County town overwhelmingly backed Donald Trump for president. MPR News spoke with citizens there in January about their hopes for a Trump presidency, then returned last week to ask how people feel about Trump now. → Read More
Here's what Tom Kelly's Target Field statue will look like
The picture used as the basis for the statue shows Kelly in uniform leaning against a bat used during fielding practice. He called it a fitting image because he loved being out on the field, hitting balls to his players or pitching batting practice. → Read More
First Prairie Home show recalled as Keillor passes torch
Here's how A Prairie Home Companion started, back in 1974. → Read More