Monday, January 31

More than 60 people from around the United States raced through the streets of Minneapolis the day before the Super Bowl in a contest called the Stupor Bowl. They weren't on foot or in cars, but on bicycles - the same bikes they use in their jobs as bike messengers. Minnesota Public Radio's John Rabe reports.

Tomorrow may be the official start of the 2000 legislative session, but the political maneuvering at the state Capitol has been underway for weeks. At stake is another pot of surplus money, on top of the regular borrowing for capital improvements that's done every two years. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste has this review of some of the top contenders in the race to spend the state's money.

A 40-year-long trend of declining home values in Phillips - Minneapolis' largest and poorest neighborhood - appears to be turning around. Home values are on the rise. A strong economy and the south Minneapolis neighborhood's proximity to downtown are factors behind the trend. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports.

The St. Louis Rams defeated the Tennessee Titans 23-16 in the Super Bowl yesterday. But the Super Bowl is a bigger event than just the game itself. It's potentially a logistical nightmare for the host city. That's why the NFL has people like Paul Ridgeway, a transportation logistics consultant for the league. He had his hands full this weekend getting everyone around Atlanta because of bad weather. Ridgeway lives and works here in the Twin Cities. He's been handling Super Bowl logistics for eight years now. He joins us from Atlanta.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have reached the half-way point in their 82 game season. The team began the year with several new players, and had to work through some early injuries. But the Wolves enter the second half of the season having won 11 out of their 14 games in January. They start the second half of the season with a game against the Sacramento Kings tonight at the Target Center. Joining us on the line is Brit Robson, who follows the Timberwolves for the City Pages.

Monday Markets. The fed may raise interests rates as they meet later this week. It's possible we'll see a half-percent rise. And the unemployment rate will be released on Friday. Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Farrell joins us now.

Last night, the people in the small town of Martell, Wisconsin approved a one-year moratorium on large feed lots. The measure put before the community near River Falls, which covers farms with more than 500 animals, is just the latest in a debate across the nation about the future of farming. But that doesn't make it easier when the debate comes to a new town. The controversy began in Martell with a proposal for a large dairy operation. Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Stucky reports those plans were dropped but the battle lines were drawn and the fight continues.

Year-end finance reports show the Republican Party of Minnesota took in more than two and a half times what the DFL did in 1999. The two parties say they're on track for an even wider fund raising gap this election year. As the Democrats and Republicans talk in the millions, Minnesota's Reform party is celebrating the tens of thousands it raised last year and hopes this year will bring enough money for a paid staff. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports.

Members of the Minnesota House and Senate meet at noon today for the first day of the 2000 legislative session. Technically, this is just the continuation of the two-year session started in 1999 but as every capitol insider will tell you, the second year of a legislative session tends to be a lot more partisan - with elections looming in November. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste has more.

Minnesota is one of six states with a policy to restrict or divest tobacco stocks, according to a new study by the Investor Responsibility Research Center based in Washington, DC. The study found that most pension funds and university endowments are still holding tobacco stocks despite the industry's legal problems. The Minnesota State Board of Investments voted in 1998 to have money managers in charge of state pension funds sell tobacco stocks. But holdings invested in stock index funds retain tobacco shares. Doug Cogan produced the new study. He's on the line now.

Fifty members of Congress, including five from Minnesota, are asking President Clinton to end the nine-year-old embargo against Iraq. They say the embargo should be lifted because it is causing widespread food shortages and health problems. Critics say the sanctions are giving Saddam Hussein more, not less, power over Iraqi citizens. That view is echoed by an Edina couple just returned from Iraq. Eugene and Mary Lou Ott travelled with a group delivering medical supplies. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports.

Governor Jesse Ventura says he'll offer Minnesota businesses some relief from contributions to the state's workers' compensation fund. In an address to the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce last night, the governor said he'd take advantage of a $500 million surplus in the workers' comp program. But as Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports, Ventura says he'll be more prudent with projected surpluses in the state's general fund.

The recent rise in gas prices affects the entire economy, and one of the first sectors to feel the hit is trucking. According to the Energy Department, diesel prices across the country have gone up 47 percent in the last year. The higher prices have caused trucking companies to add surcharges to their bills to make up some of the difference. Joining us on the line is John Hausladen, president of the Minnesota Trucking Association.

Former State Epidemiologist Michael Osterholm plans to roll out a subscription-based Web site next month. The site will offer expertise on infectious disease control. Osterholm worked for over 20 years at the Minnesota Department of Health before becoming an Internet entrepreneur. Since he left less than a year ago, he's raised over $6 million in capital for the business. It's called the Infection Control Advisory Network and will eventually include another web site designed to help doctors prescribe antibiotics. Mr. Osterholm joins us now.

Joining us now to talk about Governor Ventura's position at the start of the new legislative session is Stephen Schier, chair of the Political Science Department at Carleton College.

Governor Jesse Ventura touted his transportation funding package before the Senate transportation committee today. Many Senators support Ventura's transportation initiatives in general, but lawmakers also appear far more willing to challenge the Governor this session. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.

Stillwater prisoners are living under some new rules this week. The prison has followed St. Cloud's lead in assigning seats in the dining hall to break up segregation along ethnic and gang lines. Prisoners are also now required to wear headphones while listening to the television or radio. And finally, inmates who refuse to work at prison jobs will be confined in their cells 23 hours a day under the new no-work-no-play rule. Prison officials say the changes will result in a calmer, less stressful environment. Matthew Gore is the assistant editor for "The Prison Mirror" the monthly newspaper published by Stillwater inmates. He says the changes have gone smoothly inside the prison so far.

Fourth District Congressman Bruce Vento surprised the political world today by announcing he has been diagnosed with cancer and will not run for re-election this fall. The 12-term Democrat issued a written statement saying he wants to focus his energies on his treatment. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste has the story.

Congressman Vento has built a reputation as a strong friend to the environmental movement. Ginny Yingling is the director of the Sierra Club of Minnesota, and has worked closely with Vento on a number of issues over the years. She says she doesn't know how such an ally can be replaced.

Pretrial hearings have resumed in Carlton for Donald Blom, who is accused of kidnapping and murdering Katie Poirier. Blom's attorneys are questioning the validity of search warrants and other pieces of evidence, while prosecutors say a new key witness in the case has come forward. Minnesota Public Radio's Amy Radil reports.

A new report from the Legislative Auditor says while some Minnesota school districts are having budget problems, the overall financial health of schools is better than a decade ago. The study of school district finances also found that average teachers' salaries have declined in the last ten years. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.

We use it to record our most cherished moments, we toss it in the trash many times a day, we save it and we recycle it. Paper has been around for nearly 2000 years and modern life has been so transformed by it, that it's virtually impossible to get through a day without using paper. A new exhibit at the University of Minnesota Goldstein Gallery celebrates the significant role of paper in contemporary culture - from newspapers to wallpaper to clothing and even furniture. Exhibit co-curator, Harold Alexander, says even though people use paper all the time, many don't even know how it's made.

The future of light rail transit in the Twin Cities may not be as certain as it once seemed. At the end of last year's legislative session, LRT advocates took an important step forward by increasing state funding for the project to $100 million. But opponents haven't given up. Last night, a crowd of 300 gathered to watch both sides square-off in a public forum in south Minneapolis. And as Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports the debate turned personal.

Preventing gang activity is a hot issue among social and civil service professionals working with Minnesota's Asian youth population. But keeping young people out of gangs and away from gang violence, challenges even those most committed to the task. Some see tomorrow's Asian Youth Crime Prevention and Intervention Summit in Saint Paul as a way to connect and strengthen the fight against Asian gangs. Minnesota Public Radio's Lynette Nyman reports.

Just ten Sled Dog teams will head up a trail along Lake Superior's North Shore Sunday for the annual John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon. That's because new 'upstart' races, with much larger purses, may be draining top competitors from the State's premier Sled Dog event. Mainstreet Radio's Bob Kelleher reports from Duluth

The running of the John Beargrease sled dog race has Commentator NAnci Oleson thinking north this weekend.

A key state senate committee has voted overwhelmingly against Governor Jesse Ventura's choice for commerce Commissioner. The vote is a strong indication that the full Senate will also vote against the nominee - former Minneapolis city council member Steve Minn - and many Senators say Ventura should regard the action as a rebuke for what they see as his uncooperative governing style. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports.

Mark Seeley joins us with his weather commentary.

Word of Mouth round up with Chris Roberts.