Monday, September 10

Much of the rolling, picturesque farmland of southeast Minnesota is is what geologists call "karst." The soil is underlain by cracked, water- soluble rock riddled with underground tunnels and caves. That makes the region's groundwater highly vulnerable to pollution. Depressions known as sinkholes can appear without warning when the underlying rock collapses. Sinkholes act like drains, whooshing water---and contaminants---into underground aquifers. Now, many local residents are worried as large, industrial -scale feedlots begin to move into the karst region. Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Losure reports.

Fifty years ago the Minneapolis mayor was mainly a ribbon cutter. If they wanted power and influence they had to do it mostly by force of personality. Since then, city charter changes have given the person elected Minneapolis mayor broad power for setting the city's budget and hiring top city staff. We wanted to know what leadership qualities a mayor needs for the job. Two of the city's political veterans offered their perspectives. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports.

Norm Coleman is not seeking a third term as mayor of St. Paul, but his imprint is visible on this year's race, nonetheless. The relationships of the major mayoral candidates to Coleman and his legacy are among the political angles at play in Tuesday's mayoral primary. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen reports.

The influence of Washington politics on the national economy.

Former Cretin-Derham Hall quarterback Chris Weinke made a triumphant return to his hometown yesterday, leading the Carolina Panthers to 24-13 upset victory over the Vikings. Weinke passed for 223 yards in his first regular season NFL game. Vikings quarterback Duante Culpepper threw three interceptions and turned the ball over on a fumble. Wide receiver Randy Moss caught only one pass. Joining us now with his take on the game is Sean Jensen who covers the Vikings for the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

The Primary Elections for mayor of both Minneapolis and St. Paul will take place tomorrow. The top-two vote getters in each race will move on the general election in November. Voters will find other races on the ballot as well. Citizens who haven't registered to vote yet, can take advantage of same-day registration. Joining us on the line is Susanne Griffin, director of elections for the City of Minneapolis.

The state of Minnesota will resume contract negotiations with two of its unions on Thursday in hopes of averting a strike. The Minnesota Association of Professional Employees and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Council 6 say they'll strike on September 17, if a contract agreement cannot be reached. Lead negotiators say the major unresolved issues include pay raises and health benefits. Health economists and labor experts say health care costs are becoming a major issue in labor negotiations as insurance premiums continue to rise at double digit rates. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.

A new report reveals that a Minnesota-based farm cooperative is the third-largest recipient of federal farm aid in the country. The news comes as the House of Representatives prepares to vote on a new federal farm bill that critics say doesn't address the fact that most federal support goes to a small percentage of producers. Minnesota Public Radio's Andrew Haeg reports.

One of biggest issues in the debate over genetically modified food is the how to keep the genetically modified crops separated from the other crops. Genetically modified Star Link corn has not been approved for human consumption, yet it was found in products like frozen corn dogs. Keeping genetically modified crops, like corn, separated from regular crops is the main topic at a Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology conference in Minneapolis later today. Michael Fernandez is the director of science for the Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology. He says there needs to be a change in the way processors think of crops.

Flights at U.S. airports were suspended after yesterday's hijackings. Officials at the Twin Cities International Airport are awaiting word from Washington on whether flights will be resumed this morning at 11 o'clock. Jim Welna is chief of airport police at the Metropolitan Airports Commission.

Minnesotans reacted to news of Tuesday's terrorist attacks with the same shock, anger and sorrow that has engulfed much of the nation. Many businesses closed for the day amid heightened security and a call for calm from public officials. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports.

Many churches around the state held services Tuesday night for victims of yesterday's attacks in New York City and Washington. In Minneapolis, about 1,300 people came to the Basilica of St. Mary for what the church called a "Service of Prayer for Peace and Justice." Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms attended the service. Here are some of the impressions she recorded.

Minnesota Public Safety Commissioner Charlie Weaver says Minnesota government offices will reopen today, but will be on alert for any signs of terrorism. He says state officials will be meeting to discuss what role they can play in the nation's recovery.

Political newcomer R.T. Rybak will face two-term incumbent Sharon Sayles Belton in the Minneapolis mayoral election in November. Rybak was the top vote-getter Tuesday in a race that included two other viable challengers to Sayles Belton. Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes reports.

DFLers Jay Benanav and Randy Kelly have emerged from the St. Paul mayoral field to face one another on the November ballot. The winner will succeed Norm Coleman, who is not seeking a third term as mayor. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen reports on the primary results.

Concerned motorists were lining up to fill their tanks Tuesday night at service stations throughout Minnesota. Many people feared a big price jump after the terrorist attacks on the East Coast, and a few station owners were apparently taking advantage of those fears. The state's commerce commissioner says there is no shortage of gasoline in the state, and motorists should remain calm. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.

Airlines and Airports across the country are upgrading security to meet new Federal Aviation Administration rules the wake of this week's terrorist attacks in New York and Washington. Twin Cities-based Northwest Airlines has begun bringing back some international flights which were diverted to cities outside of the United States on Tuesday. Minneapolis St. Paul Airport officials say the airport here will be ready to open under heightened security when the FAA permits the resumption of regular scheduled service. But no one knows when that will be.

A potential state employees strike has been delayed until October 1. Union and state negotiators Wednesday postponed the strike deadline in deference to the crisis caused by Tuesday's terrorist attacks on the East Coast. A mediation session that had been scheduled for Thursday has been rescheduled for September 27, in hopes a strike can still be averted. Minnesota Public Radio's Patty Marsicano reports.

The tragedy of the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington D.C. continues to sink in. In Minnesota's schools, teachers are trying to help students deal with fears brought on by the tragedy. Mainstreet Radio's Tim Post reports.

Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Gunderson talked with people at the Big Iron Farm Show in West Fargo to get their thoughts on what happened and what the future might hold.

Economists say the terror attacks on the east coast increase the odds of a recession. While disagreeing on the severity of the impact, they generally agree the consumer's reaction is key. Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Catlin reports.

Northwest Airlines abruptly canceled all flights nationwide Thursday night, citing "external factors" and "security concerns on the East Coast." United and Continental followed Northwest's lead, also canceling last night's flight schedules. Airport spokespeople said all airlines intend to resume regular flights Friday morning. For the thousands of travelers who came to the Minneapolis/St. Paul International airport ready to leave Minnesota, it was another frustrating day in a very unusual week. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.

Minnesota companies have not been immune from the terrorist attacks that occurred hundreds of miles away on the East Coast. Several with operations in New York have been busy trying to find their employees and relocate operations from areas damaged by Tuesdays terrorist attacks. Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Catlin reports.

U.S. Customs officials are in a state of high alert at U.S border crossings as security tightens in the wake of this week's terrorist attacks. At the bridge crossing between International Falls and Fort Frances, Ontario, this means long lines for those trying to get into the United States. As Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Robertson reports, travelers see it as a necessary inconvenience.