Monday, December 17

Three Norman Rockwell paintings stolen from a Minnesota Gallery 23 years ago have been recovered and will be returned to their owner. That story made big news, in part because it involved the work of a famous artist. Art theft is a multi-billion dollar crime that plagues collectors, gallery owners and insurance agencies. And as Minnesota Public Radio's Marianne Combs reports it's on the rise.

Minnesota's unusually warm weather this fall has been tough on the state's resorts. Ice fishermen are staying home because most of the state's lakes are still not frozen. Some small lakes in the northern third of the state are ice covered, but on Lake Mille Lacs conditions haven't been right for a freeze. Usually by this time, the lake would be frozen, with icehouses dotting it's surface. As Mainstreet Radio's Tim Post reports, resort owners on the big lake hope for a cold snap soon, so they can salvage what's left of their winter business.

Since the Sept. 11 attacks, the federal government has passed several laws and changed others to widen the government's authority to investigate people deemed potential terrorists. From airline security, wiretapping and military tribunals, the changes are happening fast, but not without concern from civil libertarians. While many of these changes are at the federal level, some state lawmakers say they'll propose related legislation. State anti-terrorism measures could include broadening wiretapping authority and limiting public access to information. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports. FULL STORY

The Osseo school board meets again this week to talk about more budget cutting options, including alternatives to a controversial four day school week that has many teachers and parents upset - most notably the governor, who's daughter goes to school in the district. Many Minnesota school districts are facing budget deficits, the Minneapolis public schools in particular, which faces a $30 million shortfall. Minneapolis public school officials have hired a former speaker of the Minnesota House to help them. Dave Jennings was hired last week as the district's new chief operating officer. In addition to his legislative background, he's also the former CEO of the Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce. Jennings says he took the job because it will allow him to work with District Superintendent Carol Johnson.

The Sept. 11 terrorist attacks raised U.S. border security to level one, or red alert. That means extra work for the people who monitor dozens of border crossings. It can also mean lost time and money for those who cross the border. Mainstreet Radios Dan Gunderson reports. FULL STORY LIFE ON THE BORDER SERIES

America's border with Canada has always been open. Friendly relations between the two country's have meant its been easy to travel between the two nations. The September terrorist attacks have increased the fear factor on the border. The attacks have given momentum to improve security. Congress is moving forward with plans to upgrade the resources used to guard the 4,000-mile stretch of border between the two countries. But until those promises become reality, who is protecting our northern border? Mainstreet Radios Bob Reha has the next installment in our series Life on the Border. FULL STORY LIFE ON THE BORDER SERIES

Voters in the Bemidji School District tonight will learn the results of their school operating referendum. While about half of Minnesota school districts held referendums in November, the Bemidji district chose a mail-in ballot. School officials predict a record voter turnout. As Mainstreet Radio's Tom Robertson reports, there's a lot at stake in this election.

The welfare caseload had been falling steadily since 1994, in part due to a federal welfare reform act that puts a five-year limit on benefits. This past summer, we talked with a series of women who were facing the benefit cutoff, and trying to find work. Shirley Hawkins is the single mother of one child who had recently started her first job. She was working in a temporary position at a packaging company doing everything from creating store displays to stuffing calendars into plastic bags. At that time, I asked her how she felt about her future.

A Minnesota woman who was known nationally for her health care initiatives in this country will be remembered tonight. A visitation will be held at St. Andrews Church in Eden Prairie for Eden Prairie mayor Jean Harris. Harris died last Friday at the age of 70 after a battle with lung cancer. She was a physician, assisted five U.S. presidents, was a former vice president of Control Data Corporation, and ran for lieutenant governor of Minnesota before being elected mayor of one of the Twin Cities' largest and fastest-growing suburbs. Harris grew up in a second-floor apartment above a drugstore in a segregated neighborhood of Richmond, Virginia. She later became the first black student to attend the Medical College of Virginia. Minneapolis attorney Doug Kelly chose Harris for his running mate during his 1990 gubernatorial bid. He says after looking at her credentials, it was an easy choice.

A northern Minnesota farmer says he's found a new, very effective tool for search and rescue teams. Terry Nowacki says he's trained his horse to be a sort of equine bloodhound. His work is piquing the interest of search and rescue experts nationwide. Mainstreet Radios Dan Gunderson reports. FULL STORY

The St. Paul school board has given Superintendent Pat Harvey a new three-year contract and a bigger salary. Some city residents say the pay raise is inappropriate when the school district is facing a budget deficit. But board members say Harvey's total compensation package will be about the same as when she started the job. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.

Osseo School District officials are backing away from plans for a four-day school week. They say when it comes up for a vote again next month, there probably won't be the votes to support the measure. Meanwhile, the Osseo School Board is still looking for ways to cut the budget to make up for what they're saying is a budget shortfall of $9 Million. Tuesday night board members approved a handful of cuts for the district. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.

A Hazelden Foundation report says Minnesotans between the ages of 12 and 25 rank among the highest in the nation in illegal drug use, binge drinking and tobacco use. Researchers say the report shows more young Minneotans are engaging in risky behavior. They say the findings prove the state needs to improve its alcohol, drug and tobacco prevention programs, even as some state lawmakers are urging that funds earmarked for antitobacco education be diverted to solve the state's budget woes. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.

As Tom reported, the Hazelden survey may be used by some Minnesota legislators as evidence that youth smoking prevention programs, paid for by the tobacco settlement, are not working. Republican Phil Krinkie of Shoreview would like the Legislature to consider using tobacco settlement money to help cover the state's $2 billion shortfall - he's on the line now. Also joining us is State Health Commissioner, Jan Malcolm.

Law enforcement officials around the country have been stepping up security measures everywhere since the Sept. 11 attacks. Officials are operating at a heightened sense of alert even in Duluth, more than a 1,000 miles from the nearest ocean. Duluth-Superior is the busiest port on the U.S. side of the Great Lakes. Port officials say they are thinking a lot more about security. But they say a terrorist attack on the port is unlikely. Minnesota Public Radio's Stephanie Hemphill has the next report in our series on border security. FULL STORY LIFE ON THE BORDER SERIES

St. Paul City Council members have approved a 2002 budget that does not cut services or raise property taxes. But to do that, the council had to dip into St. Paul's reserve fund and that's causing some apprehension about how painful the budget process might be a year from now. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen reports.

Tonight, the Minneapolis Central Library Implementation Committee will discuss a plan to create an interim library in the old Federal Reserve Building while a new library is built on the Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis. The interim space would be in use for about three and a half years. Walter Gegner is the director of interim library operations. He says the building, which is now called Marquette Plaza, is a good fit for the library.

The mayor of Falcon Heights, Minn. has just returned from Washington, DC, where she presented a kit designed to help communities fight terrorism. Mayor Sue Gehrz gave the tool kit to representatives in the Office of Homeland Security and in the Justice Department. Gehrz developed the kit with community dialogue expert Jim Gambone. It's intended to be a primer on how communities can mobilize residents to prevent and respond to terrorism. Mayor Gehrz is on the line now.

The last time the Twin Cities was without snowcover on Christmas was 1997. But as climatologist Mark Seeley explains, fhe frequency of storms on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day is fairly high. This year may be no exception.

Minnesota's largest antiabortion group has a new leader. Scott Fischbach took over as executive director of Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life earlier this month. He replaced the MCCL's leader of 18 years, Jackie Schwietz, who was widely viewed as one of the most effective lobbyists at the State Capitol. Fischbach says he'll build on Schwietz's success, although he may have a different style. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports. FULL STORY

One hundred and forty thousand dollars in reward money is being made available today for people providing new leads on two unsolved Minnesota murder cases. The money comes from a fund called "Spotlight on Crime" which was launched earlier this year as a way to find new leads in cold cases. The rewards offered for three other muder cases are set to expire at the end of the year. Superintendent Michael Campion of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension helps oversee the program and he's on the line now.

It took sixty years of exploration, negotiation and compromise to establish the U.S. Canadian border. The debate over Minnesota's northern border was particularly contentious. In the final part of our MainStreet Radio series Life on the Border, Euan Kerr talks with Francis Carroll, author of A Good and Wise Measure, a new book detailing how the boundary was set. FULL STORY LIFE ON THE BORDER SERIES

The holiday travel season begins today for many people trying to be with friends and family for Christmas. For those taking to the air, increased security at airports, along with the crush of travelers, can be a recipe for delays. Joining us from the Twin Cities airport is Mary Beth Schubert, spokesperson for Northwest Airlines.