Monday, February 14

Reform Party politics turned nasty over the weekend in Nashville when a free-for-all meeting ended with the ouster of Party Chair Jack Gargan. Meanwhile at a meeting in St. Paul, Minnesota Reformers took the first step toward distancing themselves from the national infighting. Local party leaders scheduled a special convention for the first Saturday in March to a vote on leaving the national Reform Party. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports.

A mysterious pollution problem in Ely may have a simple, but worrying explanation. Local officials have been bugged by a mystery chemical showing up sporadically in the water discharged from Ely's waste water treatment plant. They didn't know what it was, just that it was extremely nasty. But new tests suggest the blame might be placed on Minnesota's unofficial bird - the mosquito. Minnesota Public Radio's Bob Kelleher reports.

The recent roadblock Governor Ventura's nominee for Commerce Commissioner ran into in a Senate committee may be an early sign that it's going to be a tough session for the Governor. It's not that he's not trying. Ventura has testified four times before legislative committees in the past few months - probably a gubernatorial record. His supporters say Ventura is using committee meetings and public forums to push his legislative priorities, partly because he says he won't cut back-room deals, and partly because he doesn't have the sway with key legislators that some of his predecessors had. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.

Joining us now with a preview of the week ahead at the Capitol is MPR Political Editor Mike Mulcahy.

MPR's Chris Farrell discusses the declining DOW, the rising NASDAQ, interest rates and more.

Some Twin cities residents can now buy groceries over the Internet, thanks to a new company called Simon Delivers. The company says it's signing people up at a fast pace, but it's also experiencing growing pains that illustrate why the online grocery business is so tough. Minnesota Public Radio's Andrew Haeg has more.

Mayo Clinic officials say Congressman Bruce Vento is resting comfortably after surgery yesterday to remove a cancerous lung. The operation is designed to battle a rare type of cancer that is difficult to treat. Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes reports.

Car dealers in Minnesota want some protection from the state. An organization representing many of the dealers is promoting legislation that would forbid car manufacturers from owning dealerships. The House Commerce Committee plans to vote on the bill later today. If passed, it would eliminate the possibility that automakers could sell directly to consumers. Scott Lambert is the executive vice president of the Minnesota Automobile Dealers Association.

Governor Jesse Ventura's choice to lead the Public Service and Commerce department will be at the Capitol later today fighting for his job. Steve Minn is seeking the endorsement of the Senate Commerce committee. Earlier this month, the Senate Jobs, Energy and Community Development committee voted overwhelmingly to reject him. If Minn is ultimately rejected by the full senate, it would be the first time that's happened in over 50 years. Joining us on the line is Commissioner Steve Minn.

City officials in Little Falls are considering an ordinance that would ban smoking in all of the town's restaurants. The move has anti-smoking activists cheering, but some restaurant owners are afraid the first city-enforced smoking ban in Minnesota, could put them out of business. Mainstreet Radio's Tim Post has the story.

Meteorologist Rick Hiltbrand discusses the current winter storm.

In today's edition of the medical journal Annals of Internal Medicine Dr. Keith Henry of Regions Hospital in St. Paul writes that doctors should reconsider when to prescribe anti-HIV drug cocktails. Henry, a nationally-known expert on AIDS and HIV, says he is concerned about the side effects and the possibility that the virus will become immune to the drugs. Dr. Keith Henry joins us now.

Governor Ventura's Commerce Commissioner appointee suffered another setback yesterday. The Senate Commerce Committee became the second Senate panel to vote against confirming Steve Minn as head of a newly merged Commerce and Public Service department. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says an explosion in the popularity of perch fishing is causing a steady decline of the species in some northern Minnesota lakes. The DNR wants to cut the daily limit on yellow perch from 100 to 20 statewide. But resort owners say the plan would ruin their winter business. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Robertson reports from Bemidji.

The Guthrie Theater's Joe Dowling says the next few weeks are a critical time in the effort to build a new theater. The Guthrie wants $25 million from the Legislature to help finance a new $75 million theater complex on the river in Minneapolis. At a special forum last night Dowling urged a letter-writing campaign directed at lawmakers. As Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Stucky reports, Dowling also answered questions from those skeptical about the Guthrie's expansion plans.

The widening debate over the future of genetically modified organisms in our food supply is the focus of a two day Minnesota Organics conference this week. Organic farmers and other producers say the increase in organic food purchases tells them their message is getting through. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.

Governor Jesse Ventura will head to Denver on Thursday to check out that city's light rail transit system. Ventura has been big supporter of the proposed Hiawatha line here in the Twin Cities. Last November, Colorado voters approved a light rail expansion in the Denver area with a price tag of over $870 million. The expansion would add to the five miles of rail that the city already has. April Washington is a transportation reporter for the Rocky Mountain News. She's on the line now.

A computer software company that sprouted in Fargo nearly 20 years ago has grown to international dominance in its sector of the industry. Along the way Great Plains Software has made Fortune Magazines list of the country's 100 best places to work four times. Minnesota Public Radios Dan Gunderson reports.

Historic Dania Hall next to the West Bank campus of the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis has been spared from the wrecking ball and is being brought back to life. A fire ten years ago nearly gutted the structure. Since then, the city has pooled millions of dollars from various public sources to finance the reconstruction which is scheduled to be complete this summer. One hundred years ago, Dania Hall was a hot spot for the city's Scandinavian immigrants. Boosters believe when the building is restored it will attract the city's new immigrant population. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports.

Governor Jesse Venture is in Denver, Colorado, today to tour that city's light-rail transit system. The trip is part of the governor's campaign to bring LRT to the Twin Cities, where the plan faces renewed opposition from some state lawmakers. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo is covering the governor in Colorado and prepared this report on how LRT serves the Denver metropolitan area.

St. Paul city officials are considering how to make the best use of a small parcel of downtown property that adjoins several city landmarks. Designers and architects are collecting suggestions for redeveloping the site between Rice Park and the new Lawson Commons building. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen reports.

Meteorologist Mark Seeley says much of the coverage of this week's tornadoes contained incorrect information.

Governor Jesse Ventura's trip to Colorado continues today. The governor is in Denver this week in part to study that city's light-rail transit. He says the Denver experience offers lessons in building successful rail systems - including overcoming political obstacles. Ventura's plan for a Minneapolis LRT line faces a challenge from some state lawmakers. But the governor seemed to downplay those concerns yesterday while he toured Denver's system. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo was along for the ride and prepared this report.

Access to high speed communications is becoming increasingly important for business and consumers. But some people including Governor Jesse Ventura say the state's laws governing telephone and cable television companies are badly out of date. That's why the legislature today will take up competing proposals aimed at bringing Minnesotans lower prices and more services. Minnesota Public Radio's Andrew Haeg reports.

Chris Roberts brings you a special pledge version of the Word of Mouth arts roundup.