Monday, November 19

A survey of more than 800 city and county-level elected officials in the Twin Cities metropolitan area shows the number of racial minorities in elected office lags far behind the growth of minority populations. The survey shows minorities are having little success in translating their gains in numbers to power at the polls. Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes reports.

Civil rights groups across the nation are challenging laws that ban convicted felons from voting. They argue the laws are outdated, racist and dilute the voting strength of people of color. Such laws vary widely from state to state. In Vermont, prisoners may vote; In Florida, convicted felons lose the right to vote permanently. As Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports, in Minnesota, convicted felons may vote only after they've served their sentences and completed probation.

Rain and cool temperatures didn't keep several thousand Twins fans from gathering at the Metrodome Sunday to support the future of the team. At a rally coordinated by the grass roots organization "Keep the Twins at Home," fans expressed support for Major League Baseball in the state. The Twins are one of a handful of teams considered top candidates to be eliminated through baseball's contraction plans. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.

The busiest travel time of the year is approaching. Travel experts say Minnesotans like people elsewhere in the country are likely to stay at home more than in past years. The lingering effects of the Sept. 11 terror attacks are leading many people to choose not to fly this year. That means more people are travelling by car, train and bus. Minnesota Public Radio's Andrew Haeg reports.

Minnesota Public Radio's Chief Economics Correspondent, Chris Farrell, joins us now for a look at the financial markets.

The Thanksgiving holiday is one of the busiest air travel times of the year and this year will be no exception. Twin Cities-based Northwest Airlines, the nation's fourth largest carrier, says its planes will be fuller this year than last. The big difference is airline security; with new rules and more searches, there are a number of things you can do to make Thanksgiving air travel easier. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports.

A survey released Tuesday by the U.S. Census Bureau shows St. Paul residents outrank their Minneapolis counterparts in household income. The survey also shows Anoka County residents spend as much time commuting as people living in Los Angeles County. The survey of 700,000 Americans is a snapshot of various characteristics, but experts warn its relative inaccuracy makes it valuable for only broad comparisons. Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes reports.

Rochester's minority population has grown 170 percent over the last decade. The city's now home to several ethnic food stores and the state's second largest Somali community. Despite that growth, Rochester's elected public officials are all white. Last year Mohamoud Hamud, a Somali native, attempted to change that trend by running for the Rochester School Board. Even though his campaign was backed by the city's biggest names, Hamud suffered a major defeat at the polls. Minnesota Public Radio's Erin Galbally has this Mainstreet report.

A start-up regional railroad may be positioned to compete with two of the nation's largest rail lines. The Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern Railroad received a favorable report from the Surface Transportation Board Monday. The Final Environmental Impact Statement outlines nearly 150 environmental requirements. Those will add 10 percent to the $1.5 billion expansion project. Still, company officials predict they'll build their railroad to satisfy a growing market for coal in East Coast power plants. Mainstreet Radio's Cara Hetland reports.

The Minnesota Twins say they will make an appeal to the Minnesota Supreme Court in hopes of reversing a Hennepin County ruling that the Twins' lease requires that the team play the 2002 season in the Metrodome. Major League Baseball owners have voted to eliminate two teams from the league and the Twins are considered a prime candidate. The Twins are being considered for contraction in large part because the team has failed to secure public funding for a new stadium. A new task force will meet for the first time today to discuss ideas for funding sports stadiums in Minnesota. Republican Representative Kevin Goodno of Moorhead is a member of the stadium task force. He's on the line now.

The Rainbow Children, a new album by the artist once again known as Prince, goes on sale in stores today. It is the first album he has released in 10 years using the name Prince. The Minneapolis native stopped using that name after a dispute with his former label, Warner Brothers. The Rainbow Children is being released on the Redline Entertainment label, which is a division of Eden Prairie-based Best Buy. Minnesota Public Radio's Jim Bickal reports.

Minnesota's oldest regional development commission has run out of money and is fighting for its life. A failed tourism center in Worthington is the problem. Officials with the Southwest Regional Development Commission hope its members - nine area counties - will bail out the organization. But its been a tough sell. Mainstreet Radio's Mark Steil reports.

Hundreds of Bloomington residents turned out Monday night to register their opposition to the proposed Black Dog Amphitheater in Burnsville. Residents are asking the Metropolitan Council to legally classify the project as having significant adverse impact on the entire metro area. The hearing was just the latest move to keep the controversial project from going forward. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.

Light rail officials say construction on the state's largest public works project is proceeding on schedule. They say the $675 million Hiawatha line is within budget. Some of the most intense and visible activity is on Fifth Street in downtown Minneapolis and in the Cedar Riverside neighborhood near downtown. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports.

There's more maneuvering in the debate over the Minnesota Twins. Tuesday a tripartisan stadium task force held its first meeting to discuss the future of professional sports facilities in the state. Attorneys for the Twins and Major League Baseball have prepared motions seeking a speedy ruling on their appeal to overturn an injunction that effectively blocks the threat of contraction. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports.

So how likely is the Minnesota Supreme Court to hear the Twin's case? One peson who should know is former Chief Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court, Sandy Keith.

This Friday marks the traditional start of retail's crucial holiday shopping season, which typically contributes about one quarter of a year's sales. The September terror attacks hit an already weak economy, suggesting it will be a subdued holiday shopping season overall. But as Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Catlin reports, some segments are likely to fare better than others.

For the first time in years, budget cuts are likely for the state government. The Ventura administration is telling state department heads and others agencies to find spending cuts of up to 10 percent in their budgets. The slowing economy, and recent tax cuts have caused revenues to sink below earlier forecasts. The next revenue forecast will be released on Dec. 4, and it should give the administration a clearer idea of how much the budget needs to be cut to keep it in balance. Peter Hutchinson is the former finance commissioner under DFL governor Rudy Perpich, and is now president of Public Strategies Group. He says it's a good thing the Ventura administration is thinking about this shortfall right now.

A new one woman play, Coya Comes Home, tells the story of the first woman elected to Congress from Minnesota. Playwright and actress Kathy Ray says she hopes educate Minnesotans about the character and courage of Coya Knutson, as well as the disastrous end of her political career. Mainstreet Radios Dan Gunderson reports.

The winding back roads of southeastern Minnesota are home to a growing controversy over an activity known as deer shining. By definition, deer shining is the use of artificial light to locate animals. Throughout the fall, especially during hunting season, law enforcement is tough on deer shiners. The Department of Natural Resources can throw violators in jail, impound cars, and take away firearms. But as the rural population grows, deer shiners and their late night antics amount to nothing short of harassment. Minnesota Public Radio's Erin Galbally has this Mainstreet report.

The Ventura administration has unveiled its plan for fighting terrorism. It includes more wiretap authority for the government, limits on public access to sensitive information, and broader authority to quarantine citizens in the event of a bioterrorist incident. Most of the proposals will need to be passed in the Legislature. Joining us on the line is DFL State Senator Linda Berglin, chair of the Health, Human Services, and Corrections Budget committee.

The turkey is about to go in the oven. Thanksgiving dinner is on everyone's mind right now. Eveyone except those getting ready to run in the Arena 5-K, which is set to begin this morning. The Thanksgiving Day event gives each runner a head-start in working off the huge dinner that will come later today. Joining us on the line is the mayor-elect of Minneapolis R.T. Ryback, who's warming up for the Arena 5-K.

St. Paul Mayor Norm Coleman is taking one last swing at trying to get the Minnesota Twins to move to St. Paul. Coleman, and his successor, mayor-elect Randy Kelly, will present the plan to a new stadium task force next week. Major League Baseball owners have voted to contract the league and eliminate two teams. The Twins are top candidates for elimination. Joining us on the line is mayor Norm Coleman.

A small Iron Range town is reliving it's past through a classic children's book - the true tale of a moose that came to town and stayed. First published in 1935, Honk: The Moose was out of print for 40 years. Now Honk is back. Minnesota Public Radio's Bob Kelleher reports.

In elections around the state earlier this month, a record number of school districts asked voters to approve extra money for school programs. Most of those levy referendums passed. In Cook County in northeastern Minnesota, voters defeated a $300,000 referendum. But some residents aren't giving up. They're not challenging the referendum, but they're still trying to raise money. They've organized a fund drive. They're inviting people to contribute any amount, and they've raised about $13,000 in just a couple of weeks. Minnesota Public Radio's Stephanie Hemphill reports.

Do you remember the quiz show Name that tune? Contestants would square off, vying to name a tune based on a clue and as few notes as possible. Here's one for you: a classic hymn, and you have to name it in one.

As you may have heard our good friends at Word of Mouth have launched a monthly series examining the state of Minnesota arts. Tonight that series continues with a look at the health of the Twin Cities' music scene. Here's an excerpt from that report, put together by Word of Mouth's Chris Roberts.

The Minnesota Timberwolves are off to their best start in franchise history. They're 9-2 and in first place in the tough Midwest division. The Wolves tip-off against the second-place San Antonio Spurs on Saturday at the Target Center. Joining us on the line is Brit Robson, a writer for the City Pages.

Unsettled weather over the weekend is about to usher in a change in the recent mild weather. Widespread snow is a possibility for early next week, with temperatures dipping below normal to conclude the last few days of November. Mark Seeley joins us with more.

Photographer and author Bill Allard's timing couldn't be better. His new book, Portraits of America, is hitting stores just as patriotic feelings are running high across the country since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11. Allard is from Minneapolis, but has traveled the country and the world as a photographer for National Geographic. His latest book is filled with pictures that he chose to depict the United States. Most are from the American west, but there's also a chapter on spending summer days on the lakes of Minnesota. Allard says everything about the book took-on a personal meaning for him, including its title.