Monday, July 12

MPR Sports Commentator Jay Weiner keeps a vigilant watch over all the developments on the stadium front, but like a lot people he took time out on Saturday to sit down and watch the Finals of the Women's World Cup Soccer match between China and the United States. The US won that game when Minnesota native Briana Scurry made a key save during the penalty kick shoot-out after the game ended in a zero-zero tie.

The Minnesota Twins' pledge to deal with St. Paul only hasn't stopped Minneapolis leaders from working on plans to build the baseball team a new stadium in their city. They claim their plan is much more likely to win state approval, if they can get local constituents - and their council colleagues - to buy it. Minnesota Public Radio's Eric Jansen reports.

All seemed right with the world last week as US stocks rose to record highs. Katherine Lanpher asked Chris Farrell what he thought would drive stock prices this week.

Authorities say alcohol and excessive speed contributed to a deadly boating accident on the St. Croix River just over a week ago. Five men died after their two powerboats collided over the Fourth of July weekend. The accident is the deadliest ever on the St. Croix and has re-focused attention on safe boating. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.

Minnesota's longest serving lawmaker died Sunday. Eighty-eight-year-old Duluth DFLer Willard Munger, who was a member of the Minnesota House for 43 years, was diagnosed with liver cancer this spring. Widely acknowledged as a leading state and national environmental leader, Munger was also deeply respected for his support of people and social issues. Minnesota Public Radio's Bob Kelleher reports.

Governor Jesse Ventura is planning a return to the wrestling ring. His old bosses at the World Wrestling Federation say he's agreed to make an appearance at a WWF show at the Target Center in August. They and Ventura haven't said what role he'll play, but they promise to disclose more during a publicity event at the Target Center tomorrow. Verne Gagne wrestled professionally for 32 years, winning the US Heavyweight Championship in 1952. He is the founder of the American Wrestling Association, one of the biggest wrestling organizations of his time. Mr. Gagne is on the line with us now.

People are still talking about Saturday's World Cup Soccer final, and that's good news for women's sports, including the WNBA's Minnesota Lynx. The Lynx lost to the Cleveland Rockers last night by a score of 67-55 giving them a record of 7 and 6 heading into the WNBA all-star break. The Lynx are one of two expansion teams created this season in the rapidly growing league. Roger Griffith is the team's Chief Operating Officer, and he's on the line now.

One of the nation's most expensive and dramatic storage facilities for rare books is now under construction at the University of Minnesota. One collection making the move to the new facility is the Kerlan Collection of children's literature which must leave the beautiful room it's occupied for years. Mary Stucky reports.

Governor Ventura viewed storm damage in northeast Minnesota Monday, and heard from residents whose homes were damaged or destroyed in the July 4th flood. Ventura tried to balance his message between reassuring storm victims they'll receive necessary aid, and downplaying the damage so as not to scare away the area's vital economic resource: summer vacationers. Minnesota Public Radio's Amy Radil reports.

First there was Governor Jesse Ventura's radio program, "Lunch with the Governor." Now, St. Paul Mayor Norm Coleman is getting into the act. Coleman will begin hosting a three-hour talk show this Saturday on KSTP AM during which the mayor might discuss everything from ballparks to what movies he's recently seen. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports.

Most Americans take for granted a strong, free press. But there are places in the US where the press is routinely censored and journalists can be fired for reporting information officials don't like. Some of the 555 major tribes recognize free speech in their constitutions, others do not. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports.

Steven Schier, chair of the Political Science department at Carleton College in Northfield, on the results of an Minnesota Public Radio poll on the performance of Governor Ventura.

The McKnight Foundation is today naming Rip Rapson its new president. The Foundation, which is the largest in the state, annually gives out approximately $80 million in grants. Rapson is a senior fellow at the University of Minnesota's Design Center for American Urban Landscape; he also served as deputy Mayor of Minneapolis under Don Fraser. The McKnight search committee says it chose Rapson because of his expertise in community development, the arts, the environment and human services. He helped draft the Boundary Waters Canoe Wilderness Act and was one of the primary architects of the Minneapolis Neighborhood Revitalization Program.

Mayor Norm Coleman says the loss of hundreds of St. Paul Companies jobs hurts, but he also says the cuts come while the city is on the upswing. The St. Paul Companies announced Monday it will cut 500 to 600 jobs as a result of selling its home and automobile insurance businesses to MetLife of Rhode Island. The deal also may jeopardize an additional 530 Minnesota jobs which are being transferred to MetLife Auto and Home. Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Catlin reports.

A new poll commissioned by Minnesota Public Radio, KARE-11 T-V, and the St. Paul Pioneer Press shows Governor Jesse Ventura's approval rating holding steady. A clear majority of respondents say the governor is doing a good or excellent job in office. But as Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports, a growing number are concerned about Ventura's extracurricular activities.

US Forest Service officials are expected to announce soon whether they'll allow further use of chainsaws and low-flying aircraft in the storm damaged Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Both have been authorized during the initial search and rescue effort in the area, but sawyer crews have nearly completed their exploration of tree-choked portages. Meanwhile investigators with the Federal Emergency Management Agency have begun their assessment of damage outside the BWCAW, with visits to washed-out bridges and flooded homes around Northeast Minnesota. Minnesota Public Radio's Amy Radil reports.

The City of St. Paul is adopting competitive bidding for its city service jobs. City administrators say the move will help the city save money and keep down property taxes. Union representatives say Saint Paul administrators are taking the action without considering its workers. Minnesota Public Radio's Lynette Nyman reports.

There will be a bail hearing today in Los Angeles Superior Court for Kathleen Soliah on charges of conspiracy to commit murder and possession of explosives. Soliah, who has been living in St. Paul under the name Sara Jane Olson is accused of committing the crimes as part of the Symbionese Liberation Army. Additionally, authorities in Sacramento, California say they're investigating the possibility that Soliah was involved in a 1975 bank robbery in which one person was killed. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum will be at today's hearing, and she stopped by the studio to explain how the court will decide her bail.

A new political poll shows Minnesotans would vote for Texas Governor George W. Bush over Vice President Al Gore if the Presidential election were held today. The results put Bush ahead of Gore among likely Minnesota voters, but they also have Gore running ahead of presidential hopeful Elizabeth Dole. Minnesota Public Radio's Lynette Nyman reports.

Thirty years ago when Minneapolis was clearing land for downtown office buildings and parking lots it seemed like science fiction to predict that people would one day want to live downtown. But that's what is happening. Young professionals and an aging population of empty nesters are fueling housing demand in neighborhoods around downtown. One result is the cheap housing many low-income residents rely on is disappearing. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports.

The National Forest Service has announced it will allow chain saw use in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness water through the end of next year to clear damage from the July 4th storm. Meanwhile Federal Emergency Management Agency teams fanned out across northeastern Minnesota gathering information to build a case for federal aid. Mainstreet Radio's Leif Enger reports.

A California judge has set bail at $1 million for Kathleen Soliah, the Symbionese Liberation Army fugitive who has been living in the Twin Cities as Sara Jane Olson. Soliah faces charges of placing bombs under Los Angeles squad cars in the mid-seventies. Prosecutors unveiled some of the evidence in the case for the first time, while her friends and family members painted a picture of a devoted wife and mother they said could never turn to violence. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.

The University of Minnesota reportedly has offered the job of basketball coach to University of Virginia athletic director Terry Holland. He would replace Clem Haskins, who accepted a buyout offer last month amid an academic fraud investigation. But the experiences of other universities show that hiring a new coach is just one step in a lengthy re-building process that follows college sports scandals. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen reports.

The Grand Opening of the new Science Museum of Minnesota adjacent to the Mississippi River in downtown St. Paul is just five months away. Construction crews and museum employees are busy finishing the building and installing exhibits. Members of the media got a chance, yesterday, to see inside the building. Minnesota Public Radio's Jim Bickal went on a tour with Project Manager Teresa Stearns.

A new poll indicates Republican US Senator Rod Grams will have a tough battle getting re-elected next year. The Minnesota Public Radio/KARE-TV/St. Paul Pioneer Press poll found Grams fails to get a majority of voter preference against any potential Democratic challenger and a Reform party candidate. Minnesota Public Radio's Eric Jansen reports.

D.J. Leary, co-author of the newsletter Politics in Minnesota, discusses the poll .

It looks as though the University of Minnesota is close to having a new basketball coach. After meetings with U of M officials, University of Virginia Athletic Director Terry Holland is now reportedly deciding whether to take a multi-year, multi- million dollar contract. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports on Holland's career and why the U is hoping he'll take over its troubled basketball program.

This summer, on a series we're calling Minnesota Sidetrips, we'll tell you about some out of the way places that you might want to visit. Today, we take you to place that is actually right in the middle of the Twin Cities. In a wooded ravine, right where St. Paul's Summit Avenue dead ends into the Mississippi River, there's a little waterfall called Shadow Falls. Its featured in the book Waterfalls of the Mississippi by Richard Arey.

It's the third week in July and that means it's time for the Aquatennial. This year's festival, called "The 10 Best Days of Summer," kicks off tonight in Minneapolis. The Aquatennial has been a part of summer in the Twin Cities since 1940, with parades, sand sculpture contests, water ski demonstrations, and other activities for both adults and children. Dennis Schulstad is President of the Aquatennial, and he stopped by the studio to tell us about the highlights of this year's celebration.

Meteorologist Mark Seeley discusses the hot and cold extremes of July.