Monday, July 20

Starting today, and continuing through the November election, Minnesota Public Radio will examine some of the campaign ads for the state's gubernatorial candidates. With about two months to go until the September primary, only a handful of television and radio ads have hit the airwaves. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum asked a public affairs consultant and a communications professor to analyze the ads that have aired so far.

Minnesota-based Polaris has begun delivering to dealers its first motorcycle, a heavy weight cruiser called "Victory." Polaris is hoping the motorcycle will appeal to people in the market for a high-performance, American-made bike. Another Minnesota-based start up motor cycle manfacturer, Excelsior Henderson is expected to begin producing cycles by the end of the year. Industry observers say both Minnesota companies will likely succeed at selling whatever motorcycles they can build. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports.

Later this month representatives of the city of Richfield, and two regional agencies will meet in an effort to resolve a lengthy and heated dispute about airport noise. Richfield has been complaining about plans for a new North South runway at Twin cities international airport. City officials want to redevelop affected areas in ways that will reduce noise related problems. Officials with the Metropolitan Airports Commission say the proposal's 330 million dollar price tag is out of line. As Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Catlin reports, at the heart of the debate is low frequency noise that can literally rattle windows, doors and dishes.

The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, various health insurers and medical care providers today will release a counter-proposal to the "patients' bill of rights" introduced by Democrats in Congress. They say their plan will protect health care consumers and provide more affordable medical coverage. Bill Blazar, from the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, says the plan would increase market-type competition among health plans.

Better than expected earnings reports have set off another rally on Wall Street. However, Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Farrell thinks investors shouldn't get too excited.

On Future Tense: How much government data should you be able to access on the Internet? Even federal agencies can't agree.

Established cemeteries in Minnesota are a relatively recent phenomenon. When the state's early white settlers died, they were often buried where ever it was convenient, usually on the family homestead. Two retired foresters in northern Minnesota have been working to locate those long forgotten burial sites to establish a record of the plots, and to preserve and protect the sites. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Robertson reports.

Blood supplies in Minnesota are running low. Donations in the St. Paul region are down 10 to 15 percent. A blood shortage could cause hospitals to postpone elective surgeries. John Seiss of the North Central Blood Services for the American Red Cross says, so far, the drop is cause for concern - but not alarm.

The Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis has seen a jump in attendance and income since Joe Dowling took over as artistic director in 1996. The Guthrie's annual report shows subscriptions for the 1997-98 season were up 24 percent and attendance increased 15 percent over the previous year. As a result, the Guthrie has been able to pay off a decade of accumulated debt. David Hawkanson is managing director at the Guthrie.

The music of Buddy Holly, the bespectacled rocker from Texas, influenced greats like the Beatles and Beach Boys. A new show paying tribute to Buddy Holly opens tonight at the Ordway Music Theater. "Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story" is the latest Ordway Original, a show that begins life in St. Paul and relies upon local talent. Kevin McCollum, president of the Ordway Music Theatre, is here with me today.

On Future Tense: Let's suppose you just moved into a city where there's a chemical plant or refinery. Would you want to know what would happen to YOU if there were an explosion or mishap there? The EPA thinks you should and it thinks all you should have to do to get it as log onto their web site. Opponents of that plan say it's a recipe for disaster - that a terrorist could look up the so-called "worst case scenario" data on the Net and pick exactly what targets to use for an attack. Over the next two editions of Future Tense, we'll look at the issue. Today, an opponent to the plan: Jim Solyst of the Chemical Manufacturers.

For thousands of years humans have tried to control the weather, with little success. Weather modification became a science in the 1940s with the advent of cloud seeding. Despite scientific skepticism, cloud seeding is becoming more common. The largest cloud seeding company in the world is based in Fargo. Mainstreet Radio's Dan Gunderson reports.

The field of Minnesota candidates running for office this year is now set, following yesterday's filing deadline. Nine gubernatorial candidates filed on the final day, including two political newcomers challenging Saint Paul Mayor Norm Coleman in the Republican primary. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.

With Bill Dahn entering the governor's race as a republican, Reform Party candidate Jesse Ventura remains unopposed in the primary. That means he may be able to stay on as host of a daily radio talk show program. Dean Barkley is Ventura's campaign manager. He actually paid the 600 dollar filing fee to help Dahn run against Norm Coleman instead of entering on the Reform Party ticket.

The Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission is recommending the city protect a 90-year-old building that stands on a block being considered for redevelopment. The Handicraft Guild building was home to one of the first arts and crafts societies in the country. The Minneapolis city council could prevent it from being demolished by giving it a historic designation, but the building's owner opposes the move. Bob Rosco sits on the Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission.

On Future Tense: For years people have been trying to figure out a way to block kids from getting pornography on the Internet. So far, nothing has worked. Now comes an idea so simple, it at least has to be considered. It comes from Robin Raskin. You may know her as the "Internet Mom" on the Familypc web site. Here's here idea. All Internet porn sites get a url that ends not with dot com or dot net, but with dot-xxx.