Monday, January 17

Given the excitement in the stock market over Amazon.com, the Internet retailer, it might seem like a no-brainer for a community to try to encourage a distribution center in its midst. But when faced with just that possibility, the city of Grand Forks is finding there is a lot to debate. As Mainstreet Radio's Bob Reha reports it's becoming a discussion about the city's whole economic future.

Reverend Jesse Jackson will be celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in Rochester. City leaders see his visit as an honor for a community rocked by racially motivated beatings of Somali immigrants three years ago. African-American leaders say the beatings, and the ensuing wave of bad publicity, made many Rochester residents realize they can't be complacent about racism. Now those leaders say diversity programs are improving the climate in the city. Minnesota Public Radio's Brent Wolfe reports.

The Minnesota Vikings look to next year for any chances at the Superbowl. That's because they lost at St. Louis yesterday in the second-highest scoring playoff game in NFL history: 49-37. The Vikings finished the year at 11-7. Now their attention turns to off-season roster moves including how to keep their starting quarterback Jeff George.

On this Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Professor John Powell has come by the studio this morning. He's the Executive Director of the Institute on Race and Poverty at the University of Minnesota and is a nationally recognized authority in the area of civil rights.

The University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management today holds a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new financial markets laboratory. The lab will be the base of operations for the Golden Gopher Growth Fund, an investment fund with about $4 million in real money run by 20-25 MBA students. The University of St. Thomas is launching a student-run fund as well. Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Catlin reports.

Today the Metropolitan Airports Commission is scheduled to take final action on new lease agreements for boarding gates at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. MAC Staff say the introduction of several "short-term" leases will make it easier for new airlines to enter the Twin Cities market. Critics say Northwest still controls too many gates. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports.

For the second time in a week a Republican office holder is switching parties to the DFL. Last week it was state senator Dean Johnson, this time it's state auditor Judi Dutcher. The state Republican party Chair says he's "baffled" by her decision. Dutcher says there is no single reason why she's leaving the GOP.

State Auditor Judi Dutcher says her decision to leave the Republican Party for the DFL was because of a culmination of events, not one incident. But Dutcher says the party's decision to endorse conservative Gary Bauer for president last year was a big factor. We asked State Republican party chairman Ron Eibensteiner for his reaction to Dutcher's decision.

MPR's Chief Economic correspondent Chris Farrell joins us now for a look at this weeks markets.

The five major announced DFL candidates seeking to unseat Republican senator Rod Grams met for their first debate last night in Mankato. The candidates sought to distinguish themselves from one another, but the task was complicated by their frequent agreement on the issues. Most of their harshest criticisms were directed at Senator Grams rather than at each other. Minnesota Public Radio's Brent Wolfe reports.

The city of Rochester remains a steadfast holdout against pressure to sign an agreement with the Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern Railroad, which is also known as the DM&E. The rail company plans a major reconstruction of its tracks to haul coal from Wyoming to the Mississippi River. Most cities along the route have signed agreements with the railroad - some willingly, some grudgingly. Despite closed-door negotiations over the last two months local officials in Rochester remain at an impasse with the company. DM&E president Kevin Shieffer meets with Rochester officials today in a last-ditch effort to reach common ground. Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes reports.

There are few public buildings more open than the Minnesota state capitol - visitors can come and go through dozens of different entrances without so much as an ID check. But that may soon change: a special task force on security recommends more officers, fewer public entrances, and metal detectors. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports.

Minnesota has a performance company that sold three million tickets last year, tours around North America, Europe and the Far East and produces the nation's longest running stage musical for kids. The company is the Vee Corporation, and it creates "Sesame Street Live." The show opens its 20th anniversary show at the Target Center this week. Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Stucky recently visited the Minneapolis facility where Big Bird, Cookie Monster, Ernie and the rest are brought to life.

Some school districts will lose thousands of dollars after failing to reach a contract agreement with their teachers by midnight. State law imposes a financial penalty on districts that didn't come to agreements by the deadline. Ten of the state's 347 districts missed the deadline, including the Menahga school district in northwestern Minnesota. Fred Seybert is the superintendent of Menahga Public Schools.

The Minnesota Racing Commission is scheduled to vote today on whether to allow card gambling games at Canterbury Park. State lawmakers cleared the way for card games at the track during their last session to bolster purses for live horse racing. Randy Sampson is the President and General Manager of Canterbury Park. He's on the line now.

The Minnesota Department of Human Services is about to make recommendations to the Legislature about what should happen when welfare recipients reach the new five-year limit for benefits. As the welfare recipients with the most skills move into the workplace, key questions about the welfare-to-work program are starting to emerge. These include what happens to people who aren't working when the five years is up, or to people who aren't earning enough to escape poverty. People in rural areas face the additional challenges of limited transportation and lower wages. Amy Radil has this Mainstreet Radio report.

A jury has decided in favor of Koch Petroleum Group in a whistleblower lawsuit filed by a former Koch worker. Charles Chadwell's lawsuit claimed Koch fired him in retaliation for reporting environmental violations at Koch's Rosemount refinery to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. The jury found Chadwell was fired for legitimate reasons, not in retaliation for reporting the violations. Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Losure reports.

Farmers attending a University of Minnesota seminar on winter crops yesterday found themselves facing a group protesting the use of genetically modified crops. The protesters in southeastern Minnesota maintain genetically modified products haven't been properly tested and will wreak havoc on the environment. They also worry about the influence of large agricultural corporations that sponsor such seminars. Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes reports.

Yesterday's snowfall was an opportunity for the Minnesota Department of Transportation to try out Ice Ban, the latest weapon in the war against snow and ice on our highways. Ice Ban looks like molasses and is a by-product of the ethanol manufacturing process. It's being tested in Lakeville and Roseville. Joining us now to discuss Ice Ban and other cutting edge ice removal technology is Ken Nelson, Project Supervisor for MNDOT's Maintainence Research division.

Results of a study on the impact of putting buses on the Midtown Greenway will be discussed at a community meeting tonight in Minneapolis. The Greenway is a former railroad bed, one block north of Lake Street that's already being equipped with biking and walking trails. It could become part a new transit corridor linking the city with southwestern suburbs. Joining us now is George Puzak, a board member of the Midtown Greenway Coalition.

Some Minnesotans are headed to Iowa this weekend to support Al Gore. Representatives from the Minnesotans for Gore campaign are hoping to convince Gore supporters to get out and vote in the Iowa caucus. It's the nation's first real test for presidential hopefuls. Roman Levit is the field director for Minnesotans for Gore and one of those making the trip. He's on the line now.

State officials are searching for ways to contain the fallout from the bankruptcy of motorcycle maker Excelsior Henderson. The Belle Plain firm is in default on a state economic development loan, and filed for bankruptcy last month. The situation threatens to raise the cost of borrowing for other businesses seeking state loans. Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Catlin reports.

Minnesota Attorney General Mike Hatch says he will soon launch an investigation into rising health care premiums in Minnesota. Hatch made his announcement yesterday as top DFL lawmakers unveiled a package of health care proposals for the 2000 legislative session. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports.

Jazz is considered by many to be the greatest art form of purely American origin - but one that may be losing the next generation. Rap, pop and rock are everywhere but where can kids hear jazz? And particularly jazz performed for them. The Dakota Restaurant in St. Paul regularly presents some of the world's greatest jazz artists, and now it's offering the J Train, a program that brings jazz to kids. Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Stucky reports.

Meteorologist Mark Seeley discusses the trickiness of measuring snowfall, the frequency of big snow storms and our cold temps.

MPR arts maven Chris Roberts tells what to do on the the weekly Word of Mouth Arts Round Up.