Monday, January 19

State Attorney General Skip Humphrey's lawsuit against big tobacco interests is going to trial. But critics of his contract with an outside lawfirm, arguing the case, say private lawyers could get rich at the expense of state taxpayers. Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe reports on the attorney general's agreement with the Minneapolis firm, Robins, Kaplan, Miller and Ciresi.

The possibility of a feedlot moratorium goes before a meeting of legislators and farm representatives at the Capitol today. Several bills on the issue are expected when the legislature convenes tomorrow. Mark Steil of Mainstreet Radio reports with big political names lining up on either side of the issue, the moratorium is likely to be hotly debated.

On Future Tense: Microsoft's online city entertainment guide called Sidewalk will be revamped this year. Microsoft won't say what it has planned, but industry observers say Sidewalk web sites in ten metro areas, including the Twin Cities, are losing more money than Microsoft thought they would, and are plain not being read by enough people. Bill Bass follows Sidewalk for Forrester Research. He says no matter what Microsoft does, Sidewalk and similar services will start to fold, this year or next.

Groveland Elementary School kids talk about MLK, Jr.

Maccalester College Prof. Anthony Pinn talks about Martin Luther King, Jr. beyond the dream.

Kathy Heidel tromps through the woods and finds some tracks.

Judge Fishel discusses the amazing number of bankrupcy cases in Minnesota last year.

Tuesday, January 20

The US Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking federal protection for a minnow found in the upper midwest. Farmers who may have to change operation practices resent the governmental intervention. While environmentalists say the decline in population of the Topeka shiner should be a sign and we should all sit up and notice. Minnesota Public Radio's Cara Hetland reports.

State lawmakers meet at noon today to start the 1998 legislative session. Bonding-bill sessions are usually quiet affairs, but this year's 1-point-3 Billion dollar surplus may stir things up. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste looks at the session ahead.

This year's mild winter weather has increased the danger for snowmobilers, skaters and people ice fishing. According to the Department of Natural Resources, five people have died after falling through ice so far this winter, four of them on snowmobiles. The DNR is warning people to use extra caution on the ice. In remote areas where accidents often occur and rescues can be a problem, volunteer fire departments are keeping an eye out for those in trouble. Minnesota Public Radio's Amy Radil reports from Duluth.

Jury selection gets underway today in Minnesota's lawsuit against the tobacco companies. The state and Blue Cross Blue Shield Minnesota are suing the tobacco industry to recoup smoking-related health costs. The verbal fireworks started early even though opening statements aren't expected until next week. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports.

On Future Tense: Cyberspace as gendered space.

Marya Hornbacher discusses her book Wasted about her battle with bulemia.

Lobbyist John Knapp preview the legislative Session.

St. Paul Companies CEO Doug Leatherdale talks about the merger with USF & G.

Wednesday, January 21

Jury selection resumes this morning in Minnesota's case against the tobacco industry. No jurors were seated during the first day of the trial but several were excused. The State and Blue Cross Blue Shield are suing tobacco companies to recover two decades worth of smoking-related health costs. Minnesota public radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports.

As jury selection continues in Minnesota's lawsuit against the tobacco industry, the stand taken by the state Attorney General's office has garnered national attention. But one key aspect of the case has received little coverage - the involvement of the state's co-plaintiff, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota. It remains the only private health plan in the country to sue tobacco, and the company hopes its gamble will pay off in health care savings. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.

The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce last night announced its priorities for Minnesotas 1998 Legislative session and the group's top priority is a property tax cut for businesses. That sets up a showdown between labor and business. Just last week, the AFL-CIO called for an end to business tax cuts. Minnesota Public Radio's Eric Jansen reports.

On Future Tense: Some of the biggest players in the computer and telephone industries are teaming up to offer speedy internet access over plain telephone lines. Microsoft, Compaq and Intel along with the nation's five regional telephone companies, are developing a single national standard for the service, which is known as a digital subscriber line, or DSL. Joe Bartlett is an analyst with the Yankee Group, a technology research firm.

Mark Zdechlik reports live from the courthouse in Minneapolis on a pro-logging protest which coincides with a hearing on Little Alfie.

Bill Hanson of Sawbill Outfitters discusses the myth of northern Minnesota motor-lovers vs. southern Minnesota tree huggers.

Herb Polesky of Memorial Heart Institute discusses the January blood shortage and other blood donation controversies.

Thursday, January 22

The pool of potential jurors who've made the first cut in minnesota's landmark tobacco trial is increasingly being filled with residents who have strong feelings against the tobacco industry. That number may grow larger since the judge has told attorneys he won't excuse a potential juror solely for believing smoking is addictive. Jury selection resumes this morning in the state and Blue Cross/Blue Shield's case against the tobacco industry. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports.

Even in a time of low mortgage rates and a strong economy, home ownershop remains a dream for many Minnesotans. People with low wages or a poor credit history find it hard to raise money for a down payment, or locate a lender ready to do business with them. but in St. Paul a coalition of advocates for the poor has quietly helped more than six-hundred low-income people purchase houses. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen reports on the housing program run by "Minnesota Acorn."

The Minnesota Department of Health is preparing to investigate why taconite miners on the Iron Range have higher rates of mesothelioma, a rare cancer caused by asbestos. For more than two decades, miners have raised concerns that the cancer is work-related. If the state legislature approves funding, the health department will research that claim. That research will also be the beginning of a database tracking the relationship between jobs and respiratory illnesses around the state. Minnesota Public Radio's Amy Radil reports from Duluth.

Minnesotans may not realize that the state's tobacco lawsuit has the potential to affect their personal finances. In all likelihood, a large number of Minnesotans have financial stake in the cigarette industry, through the stock holdings of their pension funds, or mutual funds, and even simply as state taxpayers. And Minnesota's lawsuit against the industry is expected to have a potentially powerful impact on tobacco company stocks. Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Catlin reports.>

A program designed to make the arts more accessible to rural Minnesotans is getting rave reviews from one small town. Last year the legislature earmarked half a million dollars for The Arts Across Minnesota program, to bring the states top performing arts organizations to small communities. The first city to benefit from the new program is the northwestern Minnesota community of Crookston which got a taste of the Indian subcontinent. Mainstreet Radio's Dan Gunderson reports.

Look for larger boats and plenty of fishing and sailing gadgets at this year's Boat Show. The annual event, which showcases the latest in the boating industry, got underway last night in St. Paul. Most boatmakers and retailers say 1998 is shaping up into a great year for boat sales. But not everyone is optimistic. Minnesota Public Radio's Gretchen Lehmann reports.

On Future Tense: Audio programming on the Internet is growing by leaps and bounds. One of the biggest players is Audionet, a web site where you can hear music, sports, distant radio stations, and lots more. CEO Todd Wagner says even with the global reach of the Internet, people like their net radio to be about where they're from.

Friday, January 23

The state and Blue Cross Blue Shield are seeking to recover the costs spent treating the ailments of 90-thousand smokers. But that number doesn't tell the true story of Minnesotans who've suffered from smoking-related illnesses. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum talked with a longtime smoker with emphasema, and has his story.

The Minnesota Supreme Court struck down part of the state's anti-harassment law yesterday. The court ruled part of the law was too vague and interfered with the right to free speech. Minnesota Public Radios Brent Wolfe reports.

A disagreement between state and federal officials is threatening a wide ranging program to clean up the Minnesota River. As much as 200 million dollars in federal money is at stake, but one person close to the disagreement says there's only a fifty-fifty chance the two sides can reach agreement. Mainstreet Radio's Mark Steil reports>.

On Future Tense: Much of what you're hearing about president Clinton's alleged affair with an intern was reported first by a rouge, and some would say discredited, reporter named Matt Drudge, who posts his work online as The Drudge Report. Seth Stevenson writes abou the rule the Drudge and the 'Net played in this story in the latest edition of the online magazine Slate. He says Drudge has been days ahead of the pack.

Most of the excitement that surrounded University of Minnesota sports last winter has evaporated this year, as the men's basketball and hockey teams struggle with losing records. But some U of M sports fans are soothing their disappointment by discovering the Gopher wrestling team, which is enjoying a breakthrough season. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen reports the University has moved tonight's wrestling meet to a larger arena to accommodate the anticipated crowd.

Boat enthusiasts will be flocking to the Minneapolis Convention Center this weekend to check out the newest boats, personal watercraft and marine accesories on the market. The 26th Annual Boat Show is one of the largest boat marketplaces in the Midwest with more than 200 exhibits and some 500 boats on display. The show is expected to attract some 100-thousand visitors during its 5-day run. The boat show's Dave Greer says mid-winter is actually prime time for boat sales.

There was quite a bit of excitement last night as Minnesota's new NHL hockey team unveiled its name and logo. They will be known as the Minnesota Wild. That name won out over the Voyageurs, Northern Lights, White Bears, Blue Ox and the Freeze. Bill Robertson, Vice President of Communications for the Minnesota Wild, discusses the name decision.

Meteorologist Mark Seeley discusses the week in weather, the frequency of late winters and growing crops in February.

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