Monday June 23

This week, residents of Grand Rapids honor the town's most famous former resident. The annual Judy Garland Festival begins Thursday. Judy Garland got her start singing and dancing at her father's theaters on the Iron Range. But those theaters are long gone, and aspiring young actors in Grand Rapids don't have many chances to see plays or to act in them. There's no professional theater company in the area. The schools don't have drama teachers. But this weekend, children in Grand Rapids got a chance to act in a professionally produced play when a team from the Missoula Children's Theater came to town. They put together a production of -- what else? -- the Wizard of Oz. Mainstreet Radio's Catherine Winter reports.

On Future Tense Jon Gordon discusses a new techology major at the University of Minnesota.

Chris Farrell discusses the surging stock market and previews the week ahead on Wall Street.

Rep. Becky Kelso previews today's negotiations between the governor and legislative leaders who are trying to work out a compromise on the K-12 education funding package.

Tuesday, June 24

A legal challenge may change the system used to raise more than a half a billion dollars a year to promote U.S. farm products. "Check-off" programs are managed by state and federal government and require farmers to pay a small fee each time they sell milk, hogs and other commodities. The money is used to promote sales of the products. The U.S. Supreme Court will rule this summer on whether mandatory checkoff programs violate free speech guarantees. Mark Steil of Mainstreet Radio reports.

Governor Carlson and DFL-Legislative leaders met yesterday to discuss a K-12 Education Funding Bill. The Governor vetoed a funding bill at the end of the session because it did not contain 150-million dollars in tax credits and deductions that parents could apply toward private and religious school tuition. Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe reports the new DFL proposal contains four key components, INCLUDING raising the state's minimum wage.

On Future Tense a legal challenge to the practice of telemedicine.

Wednesday, June 25

On Future Tense a report that Microsoft is planning to offer new software that will give information systems personnel more control over desktop computers in the workplace.

Professional Angler Pam Martin discusses the Forrest Wood Bass Fishing Tournament which starts today on Lake Minnetonka.

Thursday, June 26

On Future Tense, a former newspaper man says its time to freshen up online newspapers.

The U-S Supreme court has reinstated the insider trading convictions of former Minneapolis attorney James O'Hagan. O'Hagan pocketed more than four-million-dollars in illegal stock trades after he learned through his lawfirm that Grand Metropolitan PLC planned a takeover of Pillsbury. Typically when a takeover announcement goes public, the stock of a target company soars. Pillsbury's stock climbed 21-dollars a share when its takeover announcement went public. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports.

Last night, Governor Carlson and Legislative Leaders announced a breakthrough in their talks over K-12 Education Funding...the subject of TODAY'S Special Session. The announcement ended a stalemate that's lasted for over a month, since the legislature passed a bill under the shadow of a veto. Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe reports.

Lobbyist Bob Renner previews the Special Session.

Friday, June 27

The Minnesota Legislature passed a K-12 Education Funding as worked out in ADVANCE by the Governor and Legislative leaders. Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe reports that the one-day special session was SWIFT and amiable.

On Future Tense more discussion of online newspapers.

U of M Extension Horticulturalist Deb Brown discusses herbicides and poison ivy.

For more Morning Edition listings: