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May 20 - 24, 2002
[ Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday ]
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Monday, May 20, 2002 |
Racial disparity in domestic abuse arrests
Statistics show that domestic abuse occurs in equal rates among racial and ethnic groups. However, in the Twin Cities, African American men are more likely than whites to be arrested for domestic abuse. Police say they aren't profiling black men and experts on domestic violence say there may be other reasons for the disparity. Some Twin Cities social workers are working on a way to reduce domestic abuse and at the same time reduce the number of black men going to jail. They say the key is a culturally-specific prevention program.
Minnesota Public Radio's Brandt Williams reports.
Minneapolis appears out of the running for ballpark
Gov. Jesse Ventura has 14 days to decided what to do with a Twins stadium financing plan that lawmakers sent him late Saturday night. The deal for a $330 million ballpark, requires a $120 million private contribution, facilitated by the Twins, prior to any bond sale. In addition, the team would pay $10 million a year in rent. Proponents of a new ballpark in Minneapolis were hoping the bill would allow a county to finance the local portion of the cost, but that did not happen. Minneapolis Mayor R.T Rybak says because of that, Minneapolis appears to be out of the running as a location for a new ballpark.
Session 2002: It's a wrap
The 82nd state legislative session will officially end Monday after the Senate returns to wish its departing members farewell. The House completed its business and adjourned early Sunday morning after both bodies put the finishing touches on this year's legislative business. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
The way it was
Joining us now with a recap of the end of the legislative session is Minnesota Public Radio's Capitol Bureau Chief Laura McCallum.
Minneapolis gears up for biotech conference
Scientists, public health officials and consumer advocates are in Minneapolis this week learning about the integration of agriculture, biotechnology, and medicine.
Protesters disrupted an animal genomics conference at the University of Minnesota two years ago. While the first day of this year's conference was peaceful, Minneapolis police officers were on hand just in case. They will be on duty again Monday for a planned rally outside the conference protesting genetic research on wild rice.
Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.
Pentel, McGaa get major Green Party endorsements
Minnesota's newest major political party has chosen its slate of candidates for this year's election. The Green Party says its ready to take on the established parties in races for governor, U.S. Senate, secretary of state, and state auditor. Mainstreet Radio's Jeff Horwich was at the party's first statewide convention this weekend.
Monday markets
Chris Farrell joins us with his Monday market update.
Gypsy moth spraying begins
A helicoptor is cruising just above the tree-tops in Minneapolis this morning, and it will be headed to nearby suburbs later in the day. The helicoptor is spraying a substance designed to kill gypsy moth caterpillars that have infested the area. The Gypsy Moth is spreading west from the East Coast, and state officials want to keep the moth in check. Joining us on the line from Armatage Park in Minneapolis is Geir Friisoe, manager of the plant protection section of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.
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Tuesday, May 21, 2002 |
Mea cuppa
Coffee houses are springing up everywhere, and lots of them have quirky themes or gimmicks. But not many offer legal advice. A place called Cup O' Justice opened this week in downtown Duluth. The menu lists the usual array of espresso drinks. But it also offers a "review of legal papers" starting at $25, or a "simple will" for $150.
Chris Julin paid a visit, and he has this Mainstreet Radio report.
Treasure among the trash
If you like a bargain this story is for you. Need a few gallons of Elmers glue, a few hundred two by fours, or some marble wall covering?
Dozens of items like these are available free through the Minnesota Exchange program. Much of it is lightly used building materials salvaged from landfills. The program started in the Twin Cities, but in the past two years it's spread across much of the state.
Mainstreet Radios Dan Gunderson reports.
Anti-bioterrorism bill set for approval
Gov. Jesse Ventura is expected to sign an anti-bioterrorism bill that passed in the last days of the legislative session. The bill outlines the emergency powers the governor has if bioterrorism is committed in the state. An earlier version was defeated because gun-owner groups were worried that the governor could take away their guns in the event of a public health emergency. AIDS groups were also worried about the quarantine provisions in the bill, fearing a governor who might broadly interpret the language and abuse the quarantine powers. The sponsors of the bill changed it to overcome those objections. Joining us on the line is the chief author of the bill, Rep. Richard Mulder, a R-Ivanhoe.
Lessons from retirees at the Capitol
The Minnesota Senate honored retiring members Monday before ending the 2002 session. Twelve legislators are leaving the Senate, including some of its most senior members. The House said good-bye to its retiring members Sunday before adjourning. At least 24 House members aren't running for their seats again. Some of the retiring lawmakers say they leave a Legislature that's become more partisan over the years, and they say it's becoming harder for a moderate to get elected. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
Therapy for monks questioned
As cases of sexual abuse have resurfaced at St. John's Abbey in Collegeville, the public has gotten a better look at how the abbey treats offenders within its ranks.
For years the abbey has treated monks accused of abuse through in-house therapy. Some say it's a system that's worked well and has kept accused monks from offending again.
But some victims advocates says the church cannot effectively treat it's own people. Mainstreet Radio's Tim Post has more on that debate.
The political price of tripartisan government
Today is the day Gov. Ventura is to begin looking at which projects he may cut from the $979 million bonding bill.
Ventura's vetoes will stand, because the Legislature didn't leave itself enough time to override any of them before the end of session.
The Legislature found itself mired in a budget balancing debate at the end of the session .
Earlier this morning we talked to editorial page writers, Lori Sturdevant, with the Star Tribune, and Steve Dornfeld with the Pioneer Press.
Dornfeld says in the end, the governor came out looking the best politically.
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Wednesday, May 22, 2002 |
State workers' unions re-sign contracts
The state of Minnesota and two state workers' unions have re-signed a contract that will continue to provide pay and health benefits for the state's workers. The contracts technically expired on Monday after the Legislature failed to ratify them during the legislative session. The agreement effectively works around the refusal of House Republicans to agree to the contracts. They objected because part of the contract includes benefits for same-sex couples. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
Winona's virtual picket fence
While some people bemoan a decline in conversation about world issues, that's not the case in Winona. Thanks to Winona Online Democracy, a community email list with more than 200 members, steady correspondence keeps inboxes filled with thoughts on global politics, the Pledge of Allegiance, as well as the latest supermarket and parking problems at the local high school. Mainstreet Radio's Erin Galbally reports that its success has captured international attention.
Food for health
Some Twin Cities business executives say consumers want foods that promote health, and the market for meals with a health benefit will grow dramatically. The remarks came on the last day of a national conference called Foods for Health in Minneapolis. But others at the conference say consumers generally won't eat foods unless they taste good, regardless of whether they're healthful or not. Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Catlin reports.
Eden Prairie considers smoking ban
The Eden Prairie City Council is considering enacting the first city-wide smoking ban in the Twin Cities area. Council members heard testimony Tuesday from the hospitality industry, which opposes a ban.
Opponents say a smoking ban would devastate businesses that are already having trouble because of the weak economy. Supporters say a smoking ban is the best way to combat second-hand smoke and protect public health.
Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.
St. Cloud Diocese addresses parishioners concerns
The St. Cloud Diocese held the first in a series of meetings regarding sexual abuse by clergy last night. The meetings are designed to give Catholics a place to discuss their concerns about recent allegations in the church, and allow victims to speak up or consult with victims' advocates. Last night's meeting was held in Wadena; other sessions will take place in Alexandria, St. Cloud, and Princeton over the next few weeks. The meetings come just shortly after Bishop John Kinney ordered a revision of the diocese's 1991 sexual abuse policy. Steve Gottwalt is a spokesman for the diocese, and was at the meeting last night. He joins us now.
Stadium debate different for baseball, football
Gov. Jesse Ventura could act on the Twins stadium bill that was passed at the end of the just-completed legislative session as early as today. Just two days after that bill passed, Vikings owner Red McCombs announced that he may sell or move the team because he can't make money in the Metrodome. That shifts the debate about publicly-financed stadiums to the world of professional football. Andrew Zimbalist, a professor at Smith College, has studied the economics of professional sports. He says there are key difference between the National Football League and Major League Baseball.
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Thursday, May 23, 2002 |
Arts organizations take major hit in bonding bill vetoes
Gov. Jesse Ventura has slashed more than one-third of the funding for state construction projects that the Legislature had approved just last weekend. Ventura chopped 116 projects totalling just over $350 million and says he'll withhold full funding for three other projects. Lawmakers and other supporters of the vetoed projects are crying foul -- and vowing to revisit the governor's actions next year. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports.
New deal could save Fingerhut jobs
Ted Deikel and Tom Petters have signed a non-binding letter of intent to buy most of Fingerhut from its parent, Federated Department Stores. Terms of the potential deal were not disclosed, but it brings renewed job hopes to Fingerhut workers, and to the city of St. Cloud, which was bracing for the closure of one of its largest businesses. A deal would put Deikel back in charge of a company he had helped build into one of the nation's largest catalog retailers.
Minnesota Public Radio's Andrew Haeg reports.
Cuts hit outstate projects
Gov. Ventura also vetoed many outstate projects from the bonding bill. Joining us now is John Sundvor, a lobbyist for the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities.
State spending on public education increased, but state may be losing ground
Minnesota has held steady in a new national ranking of the amount states spend on public education.
For the second year in a row, a Census Bureau survey on local government finances ranked Minnesota 18th for total per pupil spending. The amount of spending did rise significantly, and state education officials credit the jump on a big increase in K-12 funding two years ago. Other education leaders warn, however, that the state is actually losing ground. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
Opera comes to Lake Wobegon
This weekend, the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra and a star studded ensemble will present the world premiere of Mr and Mrs Olson, an opera with the libretto by Garrison Keillor.
Keillor told Euan Kerr the story aims to amuse, by putting a modern twist on one of the great operatic themes.
The Dukes play ball
The unofficial summer season begins next week with the crack of a hickory bat and the roar of the crowd. Northern League Baseball opens it's 10th season, with teams in St. Paul, Sioux City, Fargo, Sioux Falls and Duluth-Superior. In Duluth, the Dukes are hoping to regroup with new coaches, a new manager, and a new attitude. Minnesota Public Radio's Bob Kelleher reports, if they make any money this year, that would be new too.
Pledge veto dismays legislators
Gov. Ventura has vetoed a bill that would have required public school students to say the Pledge of Allegiance at least once a week. In explaining his veto, Ventura said patriotism should come from the heart and should be voluntary. The governor had hinted he might veto the bill, once comparing a pledge requirement to the indoctrination practiced by the Nazis and the Taliban. Sen. Mady Reiter, R-Shoreview was a chief sponsor of the bill, and she joins us now.
Minnesota kids fare best in nation
Minnesota's children are the healthiest in the nation, according to a statistical look at children nationwide by the Annie E. Casey Foundation in Baltimore, Md. The foundation is out with its annual Kids Count data, which tracks how kids are doing educationally, economically, socially, and physically. The report measures ten indicators between 1990 and 1999, and ranks each state according to the well-being of its children. Diane Benjamin is the Kids Count director for the Children's Defense Fund of Minnesota.
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Friday, May 24, 2002 |
Kelly criticized for Ayd Mill project
St. Paul Mayor Randy Kelly met face-to-face Thursday night with neighborhood critics of his plan to connect Ayd Mill Road with Interstate 35E. The road has been a source of contention among residents since it was first planned more than 40 years ago. Now Kelly is defending his plan for an experimental connection against critics who say it will make their neighborhood unsafe by routing thousands of additional cars through city streets.
Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen has more.
Media charged with uneven coverage of women's sports
Supporters of women's sports at the University of Minnesota say the Twin Cities news media are doing an inadequate job covering women's sports at the University.
The Minnesota News Council held a forum last Thursday night for those critics to face local media representatives.
Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.
UW-River Falls honors explorer
One of China's most accomplished living explorers will accept an award this weekend from his Wisconsin alma mater. The University of Wisconsin-River Falls will honor Wong How Man for his expeditions in remote areas of China and Tibet. During his career, Wong has identified the world's northern-most rain forest, and proved that the source of the Yangtze River isn't where everyone thought it was. He's also focused on conservation, and runs a nonprofit committed to ensuring that the people and sites he finds won't disappear. Wong says even though he grew up in Hong Kong, it wasn't until he came to River Falls that he grew curious about China.
Twin Cities may get hair salon chain
Getting a haircut could get cheaper in the Twin Cities. That's because 80 to 100 Supercuts hair salons could open over the next 10 years. The Supercuts chain focuses on inexpensive haircuts. It's owned by Edina-based Regis Corporation, which thinks the Twin Cities market is ready for the franchise. The invasion of the Supercuts chain is the topic of an article in todays The Business Journal. Reporter Andrew Tellijohn wrote the story and he says Supercuts is a large chain, usually found in strip malls near grocery stores.
Weekly weather with Mark Seeley
Mark Seeley joins us with a look ahaead at the holiday weekend weather.
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