Monday, March 3

The University of Minnesota is asking the legislature for one of the biggest one-time increases in state money in recent memory. The U's request is getting a sympathetic hearing from lawmakers so far, but as Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports, increased state assistance won't necessarily make a University degree more affordable to students.

In today's Future Tense John Gordon reports on a new product: THE THOUSAND DOLLAR COMPUTER.

17 rural Minnesota counties have formed a lobbying group modeled after their urban counterparts. The seven metro counties have been tracking legislation affecting them for about five years, but rural counties didn't have a similar method for influencing legislation - until now. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.

After 25 years as a polygraph test examiner and private investigator, Darrell Shaw is somewhat of an expert on lying. What he can't detect in person is usually picked up by his partner, the lie detector. Sara Goo visited Shaw at his workplace, Applied Confidential Services Incorporated in Lino Lakes as part of our odd jobs series.

MPR's Chris Farrell provides his insights on Wall Street.

Lobbyist John Knapp discusses the Session: budget surplus, propoerty tax reform, stadium bill, lobbying regulation...

Tuesday, March 4

Karen Louis Boothe reports that welfare reform is aimed at getting former recipients into the workforce...and in need of child care. In some inner-city neighborhoods increased demand could cause severe shortages of daycare.

MPR's Dan Gunderson discusses the latest winter storm which has closed roads and schools in northwestern Minnesota again.

Paul Jacobs, the regional coordinator for emergency management programs in northwestern Minnesota discusses flood planning on the eve of the Governor's disaster preparedness conference.

Former MN Rep. Tim Penny discusses the politics of the Balanced Budget Amendment and how when push comes to shove some Congressman are wary of voting for a bill which will change the Constitution.

National Weather Service forecaster John Juskie discusses the latest storm and how more snow we can expect.

Former Ramsey County Prosecuter Paul Lindholm talks about his book which is a collection of dumb things that criminals do.

Wednesday, March 5

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is changing its walleye fishing regulations on Mille Lacs Lake this season. The D-N-R will require anglers to release all walleye between 16 and 20 inches in length. However, Minnesota Public Radio's Perry Finelli reports many people with business interests on Lake Mille Lacs are unhappy with the decision.

Teen-agers told a Minnesota House panel last night that linking driving privileges to academic performance would be ineffective and counterproductive. Minnesota Public Radio's Jon Gordon reports.

The St. Paul City council today is expected to reappoint Fire Chief Tim Fuller on a conditional basis. Mayor Norm Coleman has asked the council to approve his reappointment of Fuller to a new six year term. But leaders of the firefighter's unions say morale in the department has suffered under Fuller, and they've urged the council to reject the Chief's reappointment. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen reports.

Langston Hughes was a pillar of the Harlem Renaissence who wrote poetry about the struggles of the ordinary african american. His first novel, "Not Without Laughter" has been described as one of the best coming of age stories ever written about the black american experience. Now the Children's Theater in Minneapolis is attempting the first ever stage production of the novel. Mary Stucky reports.

On today's Future Tense Jon Gordon reports on the shortage of computer specialists.

Jean Kinsey of the University of Minnesota discusses the acquisition of Byerlys grocery stores by the Lunds chain.

Thursday, March 6

The next general election is about 20 months from now, but candidates in both the Democratic and Republican parties are already lining up for the Gubernatorial race. Today, another one hits the trail when State Republican Senator Roy Terwilliger of Edina makes his intentions official in a scheduled morning news conference at the state capitol. Although it's called a campaign SEASON...Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe reports on WHY it never ENDS!

The North Dakota House of Representatives has passed a bill to make it easier for farmers to sue someone who makes disparaging remarks about farm products. Supporters, who expect it to pas the Senate also, say farmers should be able to recover damages from those who make false statements that cost farmers money. Others say the bill is simply an attempt to stifle free speech. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Gunderson reports.

When Minnesota's bodybuilding elite need relief from their aching necks and backs, they seek out the Drassal brothers. From their small office in Roseville these chiropractic siblings adjust misaligned spines and work over knotted muscles. And as Minnesota Public Radio's Lorna Benson reports, they even give out a bit of weightlifting advice based on their own successful bodybuilding careers.

On today's Future Tense a CONVERSATION WITH HARRIS MILLER ABOUT THE SHORTAGE OF HIGH-TECH WORKERS.

MN native and Pulitzer Prize winning writer Tom Friedman is coming home for a benefit dinner. He chats with Bob Potter about the impact of the global economy on Europe and the USA.

Ed Dunn of Dunn Brothers Coffee discusses why coffee prices are rising rapidly.

Thursday, March 7

The NIKE swoosh has been a visible and recognizable symbol on shoes - shirts and hats for years. The giant apparel company sponsors college basketball teams - professional football teams - star players and now high school teams including one in South Dakota. Minnesota Public Radios Cara Hetland reports.

Residents of Eagan and Burnsville packed into a church last night to learn more about the 19-year-old sex offender who will be moving into their neighborhood at the end of the month. Minnesota Public Radio's Jon Gordon reports.

DFL-er Myron Orfield of Minneapolis has become a familiar and controversial figure in state politics... since he was elected to the Minnesota house in 1990 at age 29. Orfield has proposed a series of measures aimed at controlling urban sprawl in the Twin Cities... and at forcing new, affluent suburbs to help solve growing poverty in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Orfield's legislative results are mixed... but he's drawn growing attention from urban reformers across the country. Now, Orfield has published a book, "Metropolitics," about his ideas... and his political crusade. Minnesota Public Radio's John Biewen reports.

On today's Future Tense John Gordon reports on ALCOHOL AND CIGARETTE ADVERTISEMENTS ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB.

William Mitchell Law School prof Eileen Roberts discusses the legal princple known as emminent domain which is being challenged by owners of property that is being acquired to build a Target Store in downtown Mpls.

Kris Jacobs of the Jobs Now Coalition discusses the Living Wage Law that Mpls is about to adopt and how it compares to the version the group had originally sought.

Eagan Police Chief Pat Geagan discusses the meeting last night in which residents were officially notified about a convicted sex offender who is moving into their neighborhood this month.

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