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April 15 - 19, 2002
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Monday, April 15, 2002 |
Mille Lacs Band, MnDot seek common ground on road project
Highway 169 runs from the Iowa border to the Boundary Waters in Minnesota. Each summer, it carries thousands of motorists from the Twin Cities to points north every weekend. But the highway was never meant to handle the heavy traffic. That's made a two-lane stretch of the road near Lake Mille Lacs a dangerous place to drive. The Minnesota Department of Transportation wants to make the highway safer by expanding it to four lanes, but the project is a challenge because of concerns over the environment and ancient Native American cultural sites. Mainstreet Radio's Tim Post reports.
Lanesboro stunned
Nestled in the limestone bluffs of southeastern Minnesota is the Root River Valley. As trout fishermen from all over the state made their pilgrimage to the Root River this past weekend for the opener, many stopped in the town of Lanesboro to see the wreckage. A fire earlier in the week destroyed three businesses and displaced four families. The townspeople are still in a state of shock. On Friday they learned that the Lanesboro police chief confessed to starting the fire to impress an ex-girlfriend. Mainstreet Radio's Laurel Druley tells us how Lanesboro is recovering.
Budget logjam eases slightly
Lawmakers at the State Capitol are still trying to hammer out an agreement on the budget and other key issues. Last week, Senate DFLers and House Republicans tried to move closer to an agreement to close a $439 million budget deficit for the current two-year budget. The two sides are still trying to agree on several other issues like a transportation and unemployment benefits. Joining us on the line is Minnesota Public Radio Capitol Bureau Chief Laura McCallum.
Yudof recommends 16 percent tuition hike
University of Minnesota President Mark Yudof said Friday that next year's tuition hike will likely be even larger than anticipated. Students were already bracing for a nearly 14 percent average tuition increase for next fall. But Yudof is now recommending a 16 percent increase. Yudof outlined his plan to the Board of Regents at their meeting in Rochester. Kyle Althoff, a student representative to the University of Minnesota's Board of Regents reacts.
Monday markets
MPR's Chris Farrell joins us with a market update.
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Tuesday, April 16, 2002 |
Weed killer causes abnormalities in frogs
A new study shows that very low doses of a corn herbicide widely used in Minnesota and across the world causes sexual abnormalities in frogs. The study says the weed killer atrazine may be one cause of the worldwide decline of amphibians. It was published today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Losure reports.
Minnesota students facing more standardized tests
Minnesota's battery of required school tests gets bigger this week with the launch of new high school exams in reading and math.
The tests will measure schools' progress on the state graduation standards, but some students might not yet have all the skills they need for the math test. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
An end to hard times?
Minnesota's economy, like the rest of the nation's, has slumped for more than a year. Now there are signs that the hard times may be coming to an end. But there are also signs that Minnesota's economic recovery may not be all that robust.
Minnesota Public Radio's Andrew Haeg reports.
Minnesota HIV rates increased in 2001
The Minnesota Health Department is reporting that in the year 2001 new HIV infections were up 40 percent among white men in Minnesota. In addition, 16 percent of the newly reported HIV infections were found in African-born immigrants. Those immigrants represent only 1 percent of the state's population. Dr. Gary Remafedi is the director of the Youth and AIDS Project at the University of Minnesota. He says while the numbers are a concern, it's too early to say whether they represent a trend.
Rybak and Olson at odds
There are reports this morning that Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak is planning to replace Police Chief Robert Olson. Rybak and Olson have not confirmed those reports, but Rybak has said he is concerned about the relationship between the police department and the community. The police have been criticized in recent weeks for shooting a mentally ill Somaili man, and using agressive tactics against people celebrating the University of Minnesota's men's hockey championship. If Olson does not leave voluntarily, the City Council would have to buy out the remaining two years of his contract. Paul Ostrow is the president of the Minneapolis City Council.
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Wednesday, April 17, 2002 |
Kelly highlights arts and education
St. Paul Mayor Randy Kelly highlighted arts, education, housing, and multi-culturalism in delivering his first State of the City speech Tuesday night. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen has more.
JFK's Profiles in Courage selected for St. Paul reading program
St. Paul city and school offcials have chosen John F. Kennedy's Profiles in Courage as the book they'll encourage everyone in St. Paul to read. Kennedy won a Pulitzer Prize for the book which he wrote in 1955 while he was a U.S. Senator. He's an excerpt from the beginning of the book read by Kennedy's son, John F. Kennedy, Jr.
Statewide tornado drilled planned
It's Severe Weather Awareness Week in Minnesota. Tomorrow, the National Weather Service will simulate a Tornado Watch beginning at 9:00 a.m. At 1:45 p.m., all counties will activate their warning systems for a statewide Tornado Drill.
Tornadoes are one of the deadliest kinds of severe weather to regularly hit Minnesota. There's a large group of people who voluntarily keep their eyes out for them. Throughout the state, trained spotters are able to accurately identify certain kinds of clouds that could turn into tornadoes. Here in the metro area, many of them are part of Skywarn, a network of amateur radio operators. Bill Hughes is a Skywarn spotter and a spotter instructor. He says spotters cannot be replaced by technology.
Karen Oman named Woman Business Owner of the Year
Certes Financial Pros, based in the Twin Cities, has racked up another award. A couple of years ago the financial consulting company was named best employer by And later this month, the firm's founder, Karen Oman, will be named Woman Business Owner of the Year by the Minnesota chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners. Certes hires out financial professionals, like CPAs, to other corporations. The firm began with one person in 1994, and has grown to more than 100 employees with revenues of $7 million last year. Founder and CEO Karen Oman says the toughest thing about getting started was converting ideas to reality.
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Thursday, April 18, 2002 |
DFL, GOP candidates in student-sponsored debate
The five major DFL and Republican candidates for governor shared a stage for the first time in the campaign Wednesday night. The five participated in a student-sponsored debate at the University of Minnesota. Questions about higher education, jobs and affordable housing highlighted the differences between the Democrats and Republicans. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
Vote on outside income disclosure near
The House is expected to vote as early as Thursday on legislation that would require the state's constitutional officers -- including the governor -- to disclose outside sources of income. Governor Jesse Ventura has fiercely resisted attempts to shed light on his extracurricular earnings. But supporters of the measure say it's a simple matter of open government to require more complete disclosure. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports.
Five years after the flood
It's been five years since the Red River flowed over and through the dikes in Grand Forks and East Grand Forks.
The water sparked a fire that destroyed much of downtown Grand Forks.
The flood forced 55,000 people from their homes and damage was estimated at nearly $2 billion.
For residents, many painful memories remain. But signs of recovery are everywhere. Local leaders say Grand Forks and East Grand Forks are back, stronger than ever. Mainstreet Radios Dan Gunderson reports.
Nanne urges U to save sports slated for elimination
A number of University of Minnesota supporters are planning to meet Thursday with Men's Athletic Director Tom Moe. The group, which includes Bob McNamara, Harvey Mackay, and Lou Nanne, will try to come up with a plan to save three sports that the University intends to cut. President Yudof has said men's gymnastics, and men's and women's golf will all be eliminated in order to save money. Lou Nanne, who came to Minnesota 40 years ago to play hockey at the U of M, joins us on the line now.
Rybak asks Olson to step down
Last night, Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak confirmed that he has asked Police Chief Robert Olson to resign. Rybak says he asked the chief to step down two weeks ago "for the good of the community." Olson has not commented on those reports. Fifth Precinct Inspector Lucy Gerold is reportedly being considered for the job of interim chief. Joining us now is former Minneapolis Police Chief Tony Bouza.
Wolves in playoffs on Sunday
The Minnesota Timberwolves finished their regular season last night with a victory over the Denver Nuggets, giving the team 50 wins for the year. The Wolves will begin the playoffs this Sunday afternoon in Dallas against the Mavericks. This will be the sixth straight playoff appearance for the Timberwolves. In each of their first five playoff appearances, Minnesota lost in the first round. Joining us on the line is Brit Robson, who writes for the CityPages.
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Friday, April 19, 2002 |
Biernat indicted
A federal grand jury has indicted City Council Member Joe Biernat on multiple felony extortion and conspiracy charges. Biernat,who represents parts of north and northeast Minneapolis, denies the charges. He's the second Minneapolis City Council Member to face corruption charges in less than a year. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports.
Political ads highlight education
If recent television ads are any indication, education will be one of the top issues in this year's U.S. Senate race. An ad for Republican Norm Coleman touts Coleman's educational achievements during his two terms as mayor of St. Paul. Democrats say Coleman is taking credit for things he didn't do. A recent ad for Coleman's opponent, DFL incumbent Senator Paul Wellstone, highlighted Wellstone's push for more education funding. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
Cranes return to Wisconsin
Five whooping cranes being tracked by researchers are nearing the end of their migration from Florida to Wisconsin. The whooping cranes are part of a project to restart a migratory path between the two states. Re-establishing the route is key to the survival of the cranes, which are among the most endangered birds in North America. Last fall, researchers guided the birds all the way to Florida using an ultralight plane. The birds were left to adjust to life in the wild, and are now flying back to Wisconsin-- on their own. Rachel Jepson Wolf is the outreach coordinator for the International Crane Foundation. She's on the line now.
Stalemate continues at the Capitol
The stalemate between House Republicans and Senate DFLers continues at the Capitol as lawmakers go home for a three day weekend. Some are saying part of the reason for the gridlock over solving Minnesota's budget problems is due to politically powerful lobbying group: the Taxpayers League of Minnesota. At least one Senate DFLer says lawmakers need to decide if they owe more to their constituents or to the group. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
Local execs rank Twin Cities business conditions
Top business executives in the Twin Cities do not see traffic congestion as the biggest concern for their companies. CityBusiness conducted a poll of 400 executives, asking them to rate factors which influence decisions about moving or expanding their companies. The results are the topic of an article in today's issue of CityBusiness. Andrew Tellijohn wrote the article. He says congestion ranked high as a concern, but wasn't at the top.
Southwest High School students boycott test
Many of the students at Southwest high school who boycotted a statewide test earlier this week had to make up the tests yesterday. About half of the junior class decided to skip the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment test in math. The tests do not affect student grades or graduation, but are used to assess the performance of schools. Joining us on the line is the commissioner of the Department of Children, Families and Learning, Christine Jax, who was also principal for the day yesterday at Southwest high school.
One for the record
April making its mark on weather history: the earliest ever 90-degree temperature for the state. Mark Seeley has more.
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