Monday, December 15

Since the early 1970s, major power plants have provided a steady stream of revenue for a handful of Minnesota cities through a special tax. Now faced with the probability of increased competition Northern States Power and other electric companies that have monopolies want to get rid of that tax and many of the cities that benefit from it are worried. Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes reports.

On Future Tense: Dwight Silverman of the Houston Chronicle has some advice on what specifications you should look for in your next computer.

The national Disney boycott launched last summer by the Southern Baptist Church has become an issue in a cable television dispute in southwest Minnesota. The Windom City Council voted last month against adding the Disney Channel to the city's basic cable package. Because of citizen pressure however, the council is expected to reconsider that decision at its meeting on Tuesday. Mainstreet Radio's Mark Steil reports.

MPR's Chris Farrell discusses the merger between Piper Jaffray and US Bancorp.

Tad Piper of Piper Jaffray discusses the merger between Piper Jaffray and US Bancorp.

Tuesday, December 16

On Future Tense: a report from the research firm Dataquest says More than 10% of U.S. households plan to buy personal computers in the next six months. The Houston Chronicle's computer columnist, dwight silverman offers some tips on what to buy.

Longtime Twins season ticket holder Jenifer Robins discusses her disgust for professional baseball and how it's becoming harder and harder to support the team each year.

Architect Garth Rockcastle discusses the building boom in downtown Minnepolis. He is disappointed that so many of the projects are so uninteresting looking.

Wednesday, December 17

On Future Tense: Bruce Bimber, a political science professor from the University of California at Santa Barbara has been studying how citizens are using the net for political participation, and whether the net will fundamentally change how we govern ourselves. Bimber says the net is making it cheaper and more convenient to engage in some political activities, but he's found no strong evidence yet that technology will make people more politically engaged.

The Minnesota Orchestra believes its new "Nutcracker" video will bring young people into the concert hall using the well-worn theory: if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. Mary Stucky explains.

Actor T-R Knight, who plays three roles in the current production, has a soft spot in his heart for the Dickens tale... his stage career started with the part of Tiny Tim at the Guthrie in the late seventies.

Office Ernest Arvai of the Arvai Group discusses the possible merger between Northwest and Continental.

Thursday, December 18

On Future Tense, some political optimists claim the Internet and other digital technologies make it easier for people to stay informed about, and participate in, civic life. They say we are heading toward a sort of tele-democracy wehre the average citizen uses her computer to participate directly in governance. California political science professor Bruce Bimber has been studying the effect of the Net on politics. He says it's too early to predict for certain how the 'Net will change things...but he's found no strong evidence yet for a fundamental political transformation.

A group of some of the best known female singers in the Twin Cities have been visiting children in local hospitals for the past ten Christmasses to spread a little holiday cheer by singing seasonal favorites. The group which was gathered by singer Jane Henderson has now produced a recording... but you won't find the tapes at the music store.... Minnesota Public Radio's Marianne Sullivan reports.

Neil Doty, President of Global Electric Motorcars, discusses his new plant that will open in Fargo in April.

Friday, December 19

After months of struggling to recover from last spring's flooding, many Grand Forks residents are turning their attention to the cities flood recovery plans. What they see has angered many of them. Some residents say the city is spending tens of millions of dollars with no public input, yet most refuse to criticize the city openly. Mayor Pat Owens says getting through the flood and fire was far less difficult than the challenge of keeping the city from coming apart as it rebuilds. Minnesota Public Radios Dan Gunderson reports.

When we want to shop most of us jump in the car and head out. But a majority of residents living in Minneapolis' Phillips neighborhood don't have a car. And the nearest place to shop is a long bus ride or expensive taxi trip away. Residents solved the problem by convincing officials to start a shuttle bus service - a neighborhood circulator. Several suburban Twin Cities communities have had circulators for years. The Phillips circulator is the first inner city service. Transit officials say it's an example of what many other neighborhoods need. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson has more.

Every family has their holiday traditions, but few are as complex as those of one Minneapolis family, whose season revolves around the Penumbra Theatre's annual production of Black Nativity. No fewer than five members of the Whitlock family are involved in the show, which tells the Christmas story through gospel and spiritual songs. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum has more.

Mechanical ventilation systems could be required in every new home built in Minnesota if the state revises its energy code. Proposed changes are being discussed at a public hearing today. Minnesota last upgraded its energy code in 1994, when builders were given the option of building homes with better insulation and ventilation. Now the higher standards may become mandatory. Marilou Cheple is a building scientist with the Energy Efficient Building Association.

If you're tired of "The Messiah" and Bing Crosby warbling "White Christmas," you might need some new Christmas songs in your collection. We invited Mike Elias, a buyer for the Electric Fetus, a music store in Minneapolis, to bring some CDs of interesting holiday tunes to the studio.

Temperatures are beginning to cool back down to normal in Minnesota...but little, if any snow is in the forecast. While some of us might like the respite from winter to continue, others are hankering for a good typical December blizzard, especially fans of winter sports. Dave Gravdahl is General Manager of the Breezy Point Resort near Brainerd.

Climatologist Mark Seeley has the holiday weather forecast...a bit of snow may be on the way.

On Future Tense: An industry analyst says the die is pretty much cast for the eventual breakup of Microsoft. Jim Balderston says the company is a good company to hate. He says they're the Dallas Cowboys of softare. The better they are...the more people hate them. He says Microst's programs work and computer companies forced to install the company's browers aren't compaining since they get it for free, and it works. But Balderson tells MPR's Bob Collins that politicians are smelling Microsoft's blood.

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