Monday, December 11

The Science Museum of Minnesota celebrates its one-year anniversary today. One of the goals when the museum opened was to reflect the importance of its riverfront location. One year later, it appears the museum has achieved that goal. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.

Minnesota Public Radio's Chief Economic Correspondent Chris Farrell with an update on the slowing economy.

In a game reminiscent of the one that ended their season last year, the Vikings lost to the Rams 40-29 yesterday in St. Louis. The defending champion Rams scored touchdowns on their first two possessions and never trailed. Rams quarterback Kurt Warner completed 27 of 32 passes and Marshall Faulk ran for four touchdowns. The Vikings are now 11-3, still the best record in the NFC. Joining us now is Sean Jensen who covers the Vikings for the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

A British power company announced Monday it will build a turkey manure-fired power plant in the west central Minnesota town of Benson. The plant will provide Xcel Energy with a portion of biomass-created electricity that it's required to purchase each year. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Post reports.

The commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Employee Relations says Governor Ventura's new job as an XFL analyst is not a conflict of interest. The Governor's office says the decision confirms what Ventura has argued all along, while critics of the Governor's outside earnings say the decision lacks credibility, because it was made by a Ventura appointee. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.

University of Minnesota President Mark Yudof has provided more details about the proposals expected from the working group he convened on Minnesota's economy. Yudof told a business group in Minneapolis yesterday that the ideas will likely include merit scholarships to Minnesota colleges and universities to keep top students in the state. Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Catlin reports.

Striking workers at the Robbinsdale School district could be back on the job as soon as tonight. The union representing custodians and school bus drivers, and the school district have reached a tentative agreement. The rank and file could vote on the deal this afternoon. It gives the workers a 12.7 percent pay raise over two years. Joining us on the line is Stan Mack, superintendent of Robbinsdale schools.

Twin Cities commuters are getting used to a modified system of ramp meters. Many of the meters were turned back on Friday afternoon, with a few changes. Sixty of the meters typically used in the mornings and 63 of those typically used in the afternoons remain off. The meters are also on for a shorter period of time, and the maximum duration between green lights is shorter. Before Friday, the meters had been turned off for almost eight weeks as part of a study of their effectiveness. Mike Sobolewski is the project manager of the ramp meter study for MnDOT. He said that yesterday wasn't a good day on which to base any decisions.

Everyone involved in the presidential election dispute is evaluating what to do in the wake of last night's decision by the U.S. Supreme Court. That includes the Florida Legislature. Yesterday, the Republican-dominated Florida House passed a resolution to select a set of 25 electors who support Governor George W. Bush. The Florida Senate was planning to vote on that resolution today, but that may not happen. Roger Magnuson is an attorney with the Minneapolis firm Dorsey and Whitney. He has been in Florida testifying on the legitimacy of the Legislature's action. Magnuson says the Supreme Court decision will have an impact on what the Florida Legislature decides to do.

Many are saying it's time for Al Gore to concede after last night's decision by the U.S. Supreme Court. Yesterday, Second District DFL Congressman David Minge conceded and halted a recount in his race against Republican challenger Mark Kennedy. Minge called for a recount after the certified vote totals gave Kennedy a victory margin of only 155 votes, but Minge determined yesterday that even if the vast majority of disputed ballots went in his favor, he would not have enough to win. Joining us now is Congress-elect Mark Kennedy.

While yesterday was a happy day for Republicans like Kennedy, it was disappointing one for Democrats like Minnesota DFL Chair Mike Erlandson. He says the Supreme Court decision was not as decisive as he had hoped it would be.

Political leaders in Washington are busy this morning figuring what to do next after last night's decision by the U.S. Supreme Court. Minnesota Democratic Fifth District Congressman Martin Sabo says Vice President Al Gore is running out of options.

Republican Gil Gutknecht, who represents Minnesota's First Congressional District, says last night's decision means George W. Bush is the winner of the presidential election.

After the speeches last night by Vice President Gore and President-elect Bush, Minnesota Senator Paul Wellstone announced he is reconsidering his pledge to serve no more than two terms in the U.S. Senate. Wellstone's second term ends in 2002. He joins us now.

Next winter's natural gas costs might be lower. But until then, analysts predict, homeowners and businesses will be hammered with high natural gas bills. The result for homeowners is already being seen in monthly bills more than 50 percent higher than last year's costs. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports.

Sung Won Sohn, chief economist for Wells Fargo Bank on the affect of high natural gas prices on businesses and the economy.

The presidential contest is over, and Al Gore has conceded to George W. Bush. In a speech last night, the Vice President told the country that it's time to come together as a nation, and offered his support to Bush. After Gore's speech, Bush said he will bring a spirit of bipartisanship back to Washington, and is ready to lead the country. The two speeches last night came a day after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 to end manual recounts in Florida. Joining us on the line is Steven Schier, chair of the political science department at Carleton College.

Money for park projects in Minneapolis won out over some City Council members' concerns about unmet infrastructure needs as the Council narrowly approved the city's $1 billion budget for 2001 last night. Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes reports.

The 2000 census will likely show continued population loss in the state's most rural counties. In western Minnesota, some counties have lost 10 percent of their population over the last decade. Lac Qui Parle county shows one of the biggest losses as its population continues to age. Mainstreet Radio's Mark Steil reports.

Unemployment remains low across Minnesota, despite a slowing economy. In northeast Minnesota's Arrowhead, the jobless rate hovers around 3 percent; but new data show that many of those with jobs are either working below their abilities, or making less money than they could elsewhere. Economic development officials hope to convince new employers the region's under employment represents a hidden work force that's ready to be tapped. Minnesota Public Radio's Bob Kelleher reports.