Monday, February 5

It turns out girls can play hockey. Some old-timers were doubtful when the first girls' high school teams took to the ice six years ago. Some folks chuckled at girls who wobbled on their skates and goalies who fell down when they saw the puck coming. But across Minnesota, thousands of girls traded in their figure skates for hockey skates. They went to hockey camps and goalie schools. This year, 120 Minnesota high schools have girls' hockey teams. Today, two-thirds of the girls playing high school hockey in the entire country live in Minnesota. Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Julin has been watching the team from Cloquet High School, and he has this report.

With the new XFL out of the box, many who watched the weekend games and Governor Jesse Ventura's debut as a color commentator are left scratching their heads or shrugging their shoulders. Ventura and others had promised a new breed of football -- harder, faster, tougher. But many of those who tuned in say they're less than impressed and not sure they're ready for 11 more weeks. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports.

Brian Lambert is a media critic with the St. Paul Pioneer Press, he has this review of the XFL debut game.

Minnesota U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone is calling for an independent investigation into the mysterious death of a Minnesota priest who died in the east African nation of Kenya last summer. Many say the priest's death was a political assassination. Minnesota Public Radio's Helms reports.

MPR's Capitol Bureau Chief Laura McCollum joins us with a look ahead to the week in the Legislature.

There are some practical realities to chicken farming, even for small operators with small flocks of just a few hundred birds. Preparing a chicken means killing, plucking and gutting the bird. Multiply that by the size of a flock and it can be a messy and time-consuming business. That's where the chicken bus comes in. James Kwon reports.

Minnesota Public Radio's Chief Economics Correspondent Chris Farrell is here with a look at the markets.

Mental health advocates hope to attack the problem of juvenile crime by providing more support for agencies that can intervene early in the lives of children with mental illness. Last night at the Capitol, advocates took their case to the joint hearing of the Senate Crime Prevention and Health and Family Security Committees. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.

The Minnesota Senate has passed a measure that would use $30 million from the state surplus to help schools with heating costs. That bill is unlikely to pass in the House. Education funding could be one of the biggest battles at the Minnesota Legislature this year. Governor Ventura proposed only minimal spending increases for K-12 education in his two-year budget. His proposal pales in comparison to his last budget, when state spending on K-12 education jumped by $1.3 billion. David Below is the superintendent of Colombia Heights School District.

Minnesota's Native American leaders say they'll be lobbying this week against a plan for a state-sponsored casino. Yesterday, Governor Ventura told Indian leaders that he's against a state-sponsored casino, but didn't take a stand on private competition to Minnesota's Indian-run casinos. Ventura met yesterday with leaders from Minnesota's 11 tribal governments at the Prairie Island reservation near Red Wing. One of the leaders at the meeting: Melanie Benjamin, chief executive for the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe.

St. Paul may have another Peanuts on Parade this summer. City officials are in discussions with the family of Charles Schulz and United Media in the hope of gaining approval to reprise last year's successful celebration of Schulz and the Peanuts comic. But the Schulz family says the city needs to follow through on promises made last year before they'll consider Peanuts On Parade Part Two. Minnesota Public Radio's Lynette Nyman reports.

There's yet another tribute to Charles Schulz in the works. The Minnesota Museum of American Art in St. Paul is working on an exhibit that explores Schulz's artwork, and his creative process. Speak Softly and Carry a Beagle: The Art of Charles Schulz is scheduled to open on February 18. Lynn Nelson Mason is the curator of the exhibit.

The state Court of Appeals has ruled the "patterned sex offender" law unconstitutional. The law allows judges to enhance prison terms for sex offenders under certain conditions. But the Court says the law violates due process by allowing a judge, not a jury, to determine whether the person is a "patterned sex offender." Minnesota Public Radio's Patty Marsicano reports.

Last night in Anoka, lawmakers held the second in a series of legislative hearings to introduce the public to the Governors' tax reform proposals. Members of the Senate Income and Sales Tax Budget Division mostly heard testimony from nonprofit organizations concerned about how the plan's sales tax provisions will affect them. Minnesota Public Radio's Helms reports.

The Minnesota Timberwolves play the Sacramento Kings tonight at the Target Center. If the Wolves win, they will extend the longest winning streak in franchise history to 11 games. Win or lose, the T-Wolves will go into the upcoming All-Star break with their best record ever. That accomplishment is particularly impressive considering what the team has had to overcome this season. Minnesota Public Radio's Jim Bickal reports.

Tony Saleski is forecaster with the National Weather Service; he joins us with an update on the expected snow storm.

Yesterday on Morning Edition we said that Oarfolkjokeopus, a record store in Minneapolis, is closing. In fact the store is not closing, but is changing ownership and its name. For those you who have wondered where that name came, owner Vern Sanden explains.

The University of Minnesota broke ground on a $20 million building designed to make the school a center for leading-edge biotechnology research. University officials are calling the enterprise a prime example of a public-private partnership in the name of higher education. They also tout it as the first big example of the U of M's drive into more interdisciplinary scientific research. Minnesota Public Radio's Andrew Haeg reports.

As Andrew reported, the Genomics building is being hailed as a successful partnership between the University and private industry. Another advocate of that kind of relationships is leaving the University. David Kidwell has announced that he is resigning as the dean of the Carlson School of Business. Kidwell has held that position for ten years. He says there are two main reasons for his decision.

The 2002 election is still 21 months away, but potential candidates for Governor are already testing the waters. While no one has officially announced an intention to run, more than a half-dozen potential candidates are exploring the idea. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.

More snow is on the way. After receiving 5-7 inches yesterday, we could get that same amount overnight tonight. Chris Scott is a forecaster with the National Weather Service.

Marlene White of the Charles and Anne Murrow Lindbergh Foundation remembers Anne, who died yesterday.

Across rural Minnesota, the radio systems many cities and counties operate for fire, and police are vital for emergency communication. But many of them are 30-years old. A recent survey by the state found 60 percent of law enforcement report problems with congested communication channels and poor radio reception for officers in the field. A task force is recommending the state take the lead in building a statewide shared radio system,a system which could cost hundreds of millions of dollars. Minnesota Public Radios Dan Gunderson reports.

Mark Seely talks about the recent winter weather.

The House last night rejected a Senate measure to provide emergency heating assistance for schools. But rather than simply saying `no' to the DFL-sponsored plan, the House Republican majority sent a strong message that it would let nothing diminish the size of a proposed sales tax rebate. Minnesota Public Radio's Helms reports.

Minnesota's largest city is prosperous and the city's initiatives are working according to Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton, who delivered her 2001 State of the City Address last night. Unemployment and crime are low, downtown construction is booming and the arts are strong. But the mayor says the city has two problems it must tackle: a lack of affordable housing and racial profiling by Minneapolis police. Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes reports.