Monday, November 9

For the last two weeks, feedlots have been the topic of conversation in many Minnesota communities. A series of public comment meetings are generating material for a comprehensive study on animal agriculture. Mainstreet Radio's Gretchen Lehmann reports.

Jesse Ventura begins his first full week of directing the transition to his administration. Minnesota's Governor-elect got more national airtime yesterday, appearing on NBC's Meet the Press and FOX TV's coverage of the Vikings game. Ventura will also grace the cover of Time Magazine, on newsstands today - but only in Minnesota. The rest of the country will see retiring House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who has stolen a bit of Ventura's thunder. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.

Governor-elect Jesse Ventura says he will name his transition team today and shift his attention from being interviewed to interviewing prospective members of his administration and formulating a budget proposal. One of the people who is sure to come knocking on Ventura's door in the coming weeks is University of Minnesota President Mark Yudof who joins us now.

The Minnesota Vikings improved their record to 8-and-1 with a 31-to-24 win over New Orleans yesterday. Brad Johnson took over at quarterback when Randall Cunningham suffered a leg injury early in the game. Johnson threw for over 300 yards but broke the thumb on his throwing hand during the game. Don Banks covers the Vikings for the Star Tribune and he joins us now.

The stock market opens this morning with the Dow Industrials just 25 points from the 9000 level, after a five percent gain last week. And the stock market has soared as bonds have tumbled. MN Public Radio's Chris Farrell has the explanation.

Minnesota native and Sports Illustrated staff writer Steve Rushin has written a new book. It's called Road Swing: One Fan's Journey into the Soul of American Sports. Rushin talked with Minnesota Public Radio's Jim Bickal about the book.

Governor-Elect Jesse Ventura has named a transition chief for his administration. Steven Bosacker is the executive director of the Board of Regents at the University of Minnesota and will lead Ventura's strategic planning. Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe reports.

At a time when most cities can boast of a decade or more of prosperity and job growth, Rochester, Minnesota is particularly fortunate. The city's economic growth consistently outpaces the rest of the state. The cornerstone of success is the Mayo Clinic which employs nearly a quarter of Rochester's population. But much of the recent growth has been fueled by a network of technology development and manufacturing firms. Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes reports.

During the last transition between governors in 1990, Peter Hutchinson was the Finance Commissioner for outgoing Governor Rudy Perpich. He joins us now by phone.

Governor-elect Jesse Ventura spent Sunday afternoon at the Metrodome with Vikings owner Red McCombs. During the game, he reiterated his position that he sees no reason to replace the Metrodome at taxpayers expense. What does that mean for stadiums and professional sports during the Ventura administration? MPR sports commentator Jay Weiner watches developments in the stadium debate closely and he's come by the studio.

Last night, outgoing Speaker Newt Gingrich said he is leaving Congress because he says his "presence would have become an excuse for divisiveness and factionalism" within the Republican party. Representative Bob Livingston of Louisiana is almost certain to succeed Gingrich as Speaker of the House. Joining us is former Minnesota Congressman Vin Weber, a close colleague of Gingrich's.

Bill Harrison, a forecaster for the National Weather Service, discusses the impending storm.

A report released today says Minnesota faces a serious labor shortage that could threaten its economic future. The report from the Citizens League says the state needs fundamental change in its approach to economic development. Minnesota Public Radios Dan Gunderson reports.

Minnesotans have gotten their first taste of snow this year. For children, that's snowball fights. For drivers, it's headaches. For the Minnesota Department of Transportation, it's war. Minnesota Pubic Radio's Michael Khoo reports from the front lines.

Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of resumes are pouring into Jesse Ventura's transition office at the state Capitol. Republicans, Democrats, and independents are all hoping to be part of the Governor-elect's new administration. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.

When Northwest Airlines tried to win back customers after a walkout by its pilots union, the airline offered double and triple frequent flyer miles for travel. That strategy was testimony to the popularity of frequent flyer miles, which have been called the most powerful marketing programs in history. But with their popularity is coming criticism that frequent flyer plans promise more than they deliver. Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Catlin reports.

Cargill, the country's largest exporter of grain, is buying a major rival; the worldwide grain operations of New York-based Continental Grain Company. The purchase includes Continental's grain storage, transportation, export and trading operations. Cargill says the deal will make its grain operations more efficient and flexible. The Justice Department is expected to review the acquisition for antitrust problems. Some farmers are worried they'll be hurt by a recent wave of consolidation in the grain industry. But President of Cargill's North American Grain Division, Frank Sims told Minnesota Public Radio's Lorna Benson the industry has been in flux for years. Ford Runge, Professor of Applied Economics at the University of Minnesota, says farmers naturally view the Cargill-Continental deal with caution... but they could eventually benefit from the deal.

Engineers and biologists have known for a long time that changes made to the Mississippi River's natural flow to facilitate barge traffic, are harming its overall health. Since 1986, federal and state agencies have experimented with ways to stem the loss of land formations, plants and other things that wild animals need to thrive. One of the most successful of these efforts is a series of man-made islands. Mainstreet Radio's Art Hughes visited the newly-built islands near Stoddard, Wisconsin.

Governor Carlson says the recent governor's campaign shows it's time for Minnesota to re-think its election system. Carlson says the September primary should be moved up to May, and he says the state should add a second primary in the fall to narrow down the field of candidates. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports.

The Minnesota Aids Project says millions of dollars will be needed to fight an epidemic of sexually transmitted diseases. But The State Health Department says, first, more research is needed to find out the extent of the problem. Minnesota Public Radios Dan Gunderson reports.

Minneapolis city employees packed council chambers last night to protest the city's residency rule, which requires those hired since 1993 to live within city limits. Minnesota Public Radio's Eric Jansen reports.

Nancy Marhsall reports on an annual seminar for newly elected governors that is being held in Wilmington, Delaware. Twelve governors elect are attending the seminar, but Minnesota's Jesse Ventura, the former professional wrestler turned politician, is commanding most of the media attention.

Meteorologist Mark Seeley talks about the unusual conditions that caused our first winter storm earlier this week.