Monday, December 10

One of the rare success stories in technology this past year is the rise of wireless computer networks. With a system called "Wi-Fi," users connect their computers to the Internet or nearby PC's wirelessly, at their workplace, home and in public places like coffee shops and airports. What millions of new wireless users don't know is that these new-fangled networks lack basic security. With simple tools, outsiders can find computer networks, snoop around, and even do damage. Minnesota Public Radio's Jon Gordon reports. FULL STORY

School board members in Osseo will meet tomorrow to discuss options for cutting next year's budget. The Board voted last week to look at a four-day school week as a way to save money. They also voted for several other changes, including increasing the distance secondary students must live from school to receive busing. Dr. Chris Richardson is the superintendent of the Osseo Area Schools. He says the reaction from parents so far has been mixed.

MPR's Chief Economics Correspondent Chris Farrell.

Minneapolis artist Joseph Giannetti wanted to paint a mural that would last. His latest work probably will. He's hard at work on a huge mural. What's a little different is he's working on a rock wall, half a mile beneath the surface of Northeast Minnesota. Minnesota Public Radio's Bob Kelleher reports.

In the first start of his NFL career, Vikings quarterback Todd Bouman threw for 348 yards and four touchdowns to lead Minnesota over Tennessee 42-24 yesterday at the Metrodome. Bouman, starting in place of the injured Duante Culpepper, connected with Randy Moss seven times for 158 yards. The Vikings are now 5-7 on the season. Joining us now is Sean Jensen who covers the Vikings for the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

An additional property tax levy to fund a popular neighborhood program will be a key topic when the Minneapolis City Council begins honing budget details Tuesday. Speakers at a public hearing on the budget last night listed the accomplishments of the Neighborhood Revitalization Program and pleaded for its future. Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes reports.

Former Minnesota Viking Robert Smith will be back in the Twin Cities later this week for benefit concerts with the Minnesota Orchestra for the Robert Smith Foundation. Smith suddenly retired as the Viking's top running back after last season, at the age of 28, passing up millions of dollars in his next contract. Smith was a premed student in college, and started the foundation two years ago to support children's hospitals and cancer research. He spoke with us about the foundation, his retirement and Randy Moss. He said his foundation raises crucial money for effective cancer research.

Talks today in New York could result in a year's delay in plans to eliminate the Minnesota Twins and Montreal Expos from Major League Baseball. Owners and representatives of the player's union are close to an agreement that would shelve contraction plans for the 2002 season. If that happens, it would buy supporters for a new Twins Ballpark some time. But Rep. Harry Mares, R- White Bear Lake, says there's a lot of work to be done to save the Twins.

Critics of a proposed orphanage in Chaska call the project a "warm hearted, but wrong headed" approach to helping the state's foster children. A panel of people opposing the orphanage spoke to a group of several hundred residents Monday night at the Chaska Community Center. The meeting left many supporters of the project feeling their voice was not heard. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.

The image of small cities in rural America is often the stuff of humor, the punch line for jokes. They're isolated communities where nothing much happens. Small cities and towns are a good place to leave. But some of that perception may be changing. Mainstreet Radio's Bob Reha has the next installment in the series Our Town. Since Sept. 11, some people are realizing they can find the good life by coming home to the Midwest. FULL STORY OUR TOWN SERIES

A federal investigation of corruption in southwest Minnesota has turned into a financial windfall for local government. Two people have pleaded guilty so far in cases involving bribery and illegal loans. As part of their pleas, the two agreed to pay nearly $700,000 for public improvement projects. But some people wonder if money can erase the harm done. Mainstreet Radio's Mark Steil reports.

The Twin Cities metropolitan area is growing, and the Metropolitan Council helps plan that growth for the seven- county metro area. Later today, the Met Council's chairman Ted Mondale will be joined with other officials like Governor Jesse Ventura for a "State of the Region" event in Maplewood. The event is supposed to look back at regional growth patterns, and look ahead on how the region should grow in the future. Joining us on the line is Met Council's Ted Mondale.

Minneapolis school district officials have hired a key city business leader to oversee their financial operations. David Jennings will step down as CEO of the Greater Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce to become the school district new chief operating officer. His first task will be to deal with a projected $30 million budget deficit. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.

Minneapolis isn't the only school district facing budget cuts. Many districts around the state are beginning to talk about how to solve budget deficits. The Osseo school board met Tuesday night to consider options for cutting $9 million out of next year's budget. The state's third-largest school district, Anoka-Hennepin, has talked about reducing student busing and making extracurricular activities self-supporting. John Sylvester is the director of management services at the Minnesota School Boards Association. He's on the line now.

The city of Bemidji in northern Minnesota is built on geographic margins. Vast prairies to the west, dense forests to the east, and at the center, an unassuming Mississippi River flowing into Lake Bemidji. For years the town's quiet character was based on logging, farming and a stable downtown economy. But rapid growth has transformed Bemidji into an economic hub, home to big box retailers and chain restaurants. While many see the arrival of the retail giants as good news, others fear it will dilute its character. As part of Mainstreet Radio's Our Town series, Tom Robertson explores what's gained and what's lost when a small town grows big. FULL STORY OUR TOWN SERIES

The owner of Minnesota's only big game shooting preserve says the first season is a success. People pay thousands of dollars to shoot elk, bison and other big game on his farm near Detroit Lakes. Big-game shooting preserves are illegal in Minnesota, but not on the White Earth Reservation. Mainstreet Radios Dan Gunderson reports attempts are being made to expand such game reserves across the state. FULL STORY

After two days of debate, the Minneapolis City Council has made no substantial monetary change in Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton's proposed budget for next year. Supporters have fended off attempts by budget hawks to whittle down the tax levy. In fact the city budget going before the full council for a vote Thursday night could have a total tax levy increase close to 19 percent higher last year's. Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes reports.

U.S. Attorney Tom Heffelfinger met with a group of recent Somali immigrants Wednesday to attempt to allay some of their fears about questioning by the FBI. Last month, U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft asked law enforcement around the nation to help locate and interview 5,000 men from the Middle East and countries where Al-Qaida terrorists are known to operate. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports.

At one time fraternal societies like the Elk and the Moose thrived. In America's small towns they gave people a place to belong. Towns, like Plainview, once relied on those organizations to create community. Dwindling membership means clubs are either being redefined or disbanding all together. A couple members say the only way the clubs will grow is if they change with the times. As part of Mainstreet Radio's Our Town series, Laurel Druley looks at what community means to longtime residents and new comers. FULL STORY OUR TOWN SERIES

There could be changes coming to the University of Minnesota men's and women's athletic departments. Tomorrow, the U of M's board of regents will receive a report that shows both athletic departments will need some $87 million in subsidies in the next five years. Chris Voeltz, the women's athletic department director, joins us now.

Some Minnesota steelworkers are among a group of about 300 in Washington D.C. this week trying to convince Congress to save LTV steel. The steelworkers, who have come from five states, have pitched tents in suburban D.C. and plan to meet with members of Congress to voice their concerns. LTV has won court permission to stop steel production at several mills. In October, LTV completed the sale of its Hoyt Lakes plant in northeastern Minnesota to subsidiaries of Cleveland Cliffs and Minnesota Power. The plant closed in January, leaving 1,400 workers without jobs. Jerry Fallos is the president of Local 4108 of the Minnesota steelworkers union. He's part of the Minnesota delegation in Washington today.

The little town of Lakeland on the St. Croix River has a big problem - someone apparently dumped several garbage bags worth of a rare and deadly type of asbestos on the city's beach. Civil and criminal investigations are underway. Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Losure reports. FULL STORY

University of Minnesota Climatologist and Meteorologist Mark Seeley talks about the above-average temperatures, and lays odds on a white Christmas.

As the military campaign against Al-Qaeda tightens, so does a campaign launched by Rep. Gil Gutknecht, R-Minn. Gutknecht wants to transfer Sheikh Omar Abdel Rahman away from Rochester's Federal Medical Center to a secret location. The 63-year-old blind Imam was found guilty of conspiracy in the World Trade Center bombing of 1993. He is currently serving a life sentence. Gutknecht, a Republican who represents the first district, says the sheikh's presence poses a threat to Rochester. Mainstreet Radio's Rob Schmitz reports. FULL STORY

The Bulldogs from the University of Minnesota in Duluth are the reigning national champions in women's college hockey. But they're a bit confused about their identity this season. The team's roster changes from game to game. Several of the team's stars are taking off a week here and there to train for the Olympics -- and they're playing with four different national teams. Chris Julin has this Mainstreet Radio report. FULL STORY

The University of Minnesota's Board of Regents is set to meet this morning. High on its agenda is a report from Vice President Tonya Moten Brown, which details the financial problems of Gophers intercollegiate sports. Among the possible outcomes of the budgetary shortfalls is the merger of the long-standing women's athletic department - one of only five in the nation - with the men's department. But Minnesota Public Radio sports commentator Jay Weiner says that would be a mistake