Monday, December 24

Wednesday, Dec. 26 marks the beginning of Kwanzaa. The seven-day cultural celebration is observed by millions of people of African descent around the world. It's not known how many people in the Twin Cities participate in Kwanzaa, but some who do say the principles of Kwanzaa can be useful for all people. Minnesota Public Radio's Brandt Williams reports.

Randy Kelly's inauguration as the new mayor of St. Paul will bring a close to Norm Coleman's leadership of the capital city. The last eight years have been a period of prosperity for many -- but not all -- St. Paul residents. It remains to be seen how history will judge Coleman's tenure, but many of his supporters think he will rank as one of the city's most effective mayors. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen has this report. FULL STORY

The Minnesota Vikings have just two games left in what will be remembered as the team's worst season since the infamous Les Steckel era. The Vikings lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars 33-3 yesterday at the Metrodome. Wide Receiver Cris Carter, in what could be his last home game for the Vikings, caught seven passes thrown by third-string quarterback Spergon Wynn. Wynn replaced Tood Bouman who reinjured his right thumb early in the game. Joining us now is Sean Jensen who covers the Vikings for the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

Holiday Programming.

A lot of companies are laying off workers, but a manufacturing plant in a prairie town, population 78, is bucking the trends. Central States Fire Apparatus of Lyons, S.D., builds fire engines and rescue vehicles. Since it was founded in 1982, the company has grown every year. A new $27 million contract ensures growth for the next two years. Mainstreet Radio's Cara Hetland reports. FULL STORY

There's a good chance the DFL candidate for governor in 2002 will be a woman. Others may still enter the race, but for now, the DFL race is between two women - State Auditor Judi Dutcher and State Sen. Becky Lourey, DFL-Kerrick. While women candidates may not seem unusual in the year 2002, it's worth noting that a woman has never been on the ballot for governor in Minnesota. The presence of Dutcher and Lourey in the race has many political observers, especially women, saying it's about time. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum has more. FULL STORY

After visiting the Twin Cities and meeting with fans, Alabama businessman Donald Watkins says he will make an attempt to buy the Minnesota Twins. Watkins says he will discuss his intentions with baseball's ownership committee on Jan. 10. Meanwhile, lawyers for current Twins owner Carl Pohlad will be at the Minnesota Court of Appeals tomorrow arguing that the team should be allowed to dissolve before next season. The Twins will ask the court to reverse a ruling by District Court Judge Harry Crump that said the Twins must honor their one-year Metrodome lease and play the 2002 season. Joining us to sort through all this is LaVelle Neal, who covers the Twins for the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

The Minnesota Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments this morning on whether the Minnesota Twins should be required to play another season in the metrodome. The Twins will ask the court to reverse a ruling by District Court Judge Harry Crump that orders the team to honor to their one-year Metrodome lease, and play in the facility next year. Meanwhile, Minnesota Twins players remain in limbo. Denny Hocking is the Twins player representative. He says contraction isn't his only concern right now.

A year ago, Minnesota Iron Mining employed nearly 4,500 workers. By the year's end the number has dropped by a third. Northeast Minnesota is reeling from a double punch: the national recession, and a steel industry in crisis. The fallout is spreading well beyond the 1,400 households of displaced iron workers. It's hitting some of the region's most vulnerable residents. Mainstreet Radio's Bob Kelleher reports. FULL STORY

The Minnesota Court of Appeals has scheduled oral arguments this morning on an appeal by Major League Baseball and the Minnesota Twins of an injunction requiring the team to play in the Metrodome next season. If the injunction is upheld, lawmakers and the public would have one year to find a way to keep the team in the state. Most experts say only a new stadium will prevent the loss of the team. Observers say if Major League Baseball moves ahead with its contraction plans and cuts the Twins before next season, the Twin Cities reputation as a major-league city sports location would be in jeopardy. However, economists say the fallout from the loss of the team would be more psychological than economic. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports. FULL STORY

The University of Minnesota Extension Service plans almost $5 million of budget cuts over the next three years. Money from state and federal sources did not increase enough this year to support the current organization, and officials expect to phase out dozens of jobs around the state. The current financial reserves of the service have dwindled to less than one month's operating expenses. In the midst of forced belt-tightening it's a surprise to hear Extension officials using words like "excited" and "optimistic." But they say they're using the budget crunch to streamline and update the service, making some of the biggest changes in decades. Details from Mainstreet Radio's Jeff Horwich.

Later today, Hennepin County Attorney Amy Klobuchar will announce the results of a program designed to prevent abuse of the elderly. The Senior Initiative is one year old. Its team of four attorneys, an investigator, and a victim advocate has worked on 43 cases so far this year. Klobuchar says they've seen a wide range of crimes.

It's time for potica. Up on the Iron Range, the pastry called potica is a holiday treat. Eastern European grandmothers have made it for generations. But it's hard work, and not many people make it at home any more. A few bakeries still make potica by hand, the way the grandmothers used to. Chris Julin visited one of those bakeries in the town of Chisholm. He has this Mainstreet Radio report. FULL STORY

A review of the weather of 2001 with University of Minnesota Climatologist Mark Seeley.

The three judge panel that heard arguments on both sides of the baseball controversy yesterday left few clues as to which way it will rule. Joining us on the line for some analysis is Hamline Universty Law School professor Joe Daley.

While several school districts around the state are spending a lot of energy right now tightening belts, charter schools are unphased. They're already working with modest budgets. In the last year a handful of charter schools have been shut down because of criticism over how they spend their money. But administrators at a Rochester charter school say their school should be a role model to others. Mainstreet Radio's Laurel Druley has this report. FULL STORY

The Minnesota Department of Finance is ending its freeze on state grants to nonprofits. Officials announced the decision yesterday. In late November, the Finance Department asked state agencies to stop giving new grant money until it determined the extent of the budget shortfall. The move raised concerns about how some nonprofits would continue their work serving the public. Marcia Avner is the public policy director for the Minnesota Council on Nonprofits. She's on the line now.