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June 3 - 7, 2002
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Monday, June 3, 2002 |
K-12 funding: What's the problem?
School district officials throughout Minnesota have been laying off teachers, raising fees and slashing services to balance their budgets for the coming school year.
Today, we begin a series of reports Reading, Writing and Revenue, looking at the schools' funding crunch. Administrators blame the drastic cuts on rising costs and insufficient state funding. But state spending on public education has been steadily increasing, not decreasing. And that has some policymakers questioning whether schools will ever have enough money. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
Rural Minnesota could be battleground in Senate race
This summer, Minnesotans can expect to see and hear a lot of Republican Senate Candidate Norm Coleman and DFL incumbent Paul Wellstone as the two engage in a election contest that'll cost millions of dollars and could shift power from Democrats to Republicans in the U.S. Senate.
For Coleman, support from voters in rural Minnesota could be critical.
Polls have shown Coleman and Wellstone are running neck and neck statewide but that Wellstone enjoys a comfortable lead over Coleman in greater Minnesota.
Not surprisingly, Coleman is campaigning aggressively outside the metro area, mixing farm policy with his broader campaign themes. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik prepared this report.
South Dakota: State of politics
There's a lot of national attention focused on South Dakota politics this year. November is a long time away, but prime-time campaign ads are bombarding South Dakota voters. This year they'll elect a new governor and and two new members to Congress. On Jun. 4, voters will narrow the list of 15 major party candidates down to four. Mainstreet Radio's Cara Hetland has this rundown of the candidates.
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Tuesday, June 4, 2002 |
Census: College graduates, drop-outs increase
New demographic data from the 2000 Census shows big increases over the past 10 years in the number of Minnesotans who've attended college, as well as those with undergraduate and graduate degrees. There's also been a significant decline in the number of people who dropped out of school at a young age. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
The price of prosperity
The last decade of the 20th century proved to be a boom time for Minnesota. New census figures show substantial jumps in median household income between 1990 and 2000. At the same time family poverty rates - already one of the lowest in the nation - dropped by nearly a quarter. The price of success, however, shows up in lengthening commutes and higher home prices.
Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes reports.
A stranglehold on meatpacking
Only a handful of companies now control the nation's meatpacking industry. The growing consolidation concerns family farmers. They say packer ownership depresses livestock prices and has forced more independent producers to leave the farm. Those farmers would like the federal government to restrict the practice. Mainstreet Radio's Erin Galbally reports.
Opposition to MLK Jr. street surfaces
Later this month the St. Paul City Council is expected to decide which city street to rename after civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.
An advisory committee is considering eight streets for the name change, and will make a recommendation to the council by June 12. The committee held a public hearing last night to get input from neighborhood residents and businesses. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.
Reading, Writing and Revenue: A Minneapolis profile
We continue our weeklong series of special reports Reading, Writing and Revenue with a look at Minnesota's biggest school district. Minneapolis schools are facing big problems trying to balance the budget for the coming school year.
Officials have already cut $30 million in operating expenses and recently sent layoff notices to 419 probationary teachers. School leaders say the consequences of insufficient state funding are more severe in a school district with higher concentrations of poverty and students with greater learning needs. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
Stressed out over snowmobiles
A study in this month's issue of the scientific journal Conservation Biology shows snowmobiling in national parks increases stress levels in some wildlife. Researchers studied wolves and elk in three national parks - Voyageurs, Isle Royale and Yellowstone. Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Losure reports.
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Wednesday, June 5, 2002 |
School cuts in human terms
A survey of Minnesota school districts shows budget cuts for the next school year will top $192 million and cost more than 2,800 employees their jobs. Members of a group representing school boards, principals, superintendents, parents and teachers released the survey results yesterday. They also asked voters to make sure this year's political candidates will support improved funding for public education. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
Copeland orphanage plan gets OK
After two years of searching, Mary Jo Copeland has found a place to build her proposed orphanage. The Eagan City Council voted 4-1 last night to approve a preliminary development plan to make way for Copeland to build her 200-bed facility. Strong support from Eagan Mayor Pat Awada helped push the project through. But dozens of critics made it clear they do not want the orphanage to be built in Eagan, or anywhere in the state. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.
Casino effect reflected in census data
Census figures released this week show people living on Indian reservations did better in the 1990s than the previous decade. During the casino era of the 1990s, incomes climbed and poverty fell on most reservations. A few saw tremendous income growth that outpaced the state average. But reservations have had a lot of catching up to do, and most are still struggling with poverty, housing shortages and unemployment. Mainstreet Radio's Tom Robertson reports.
District profile: Osseo
All this week we're looking at the financial crisis facing public schools in a series of reports titled, Reading, Writing and Revenue. Few districts are facing tougher school finance questions than Osseo. The northern Twin Cities school district proposed, then rejected, going to a four-day school week as one way to cope with a nearly $15 million shortfall. Instead, Osseo is cutting staff, raising fees and asking school district residents to pay higher property taxes. Taxpayers rejected the most recent levy increase proposal. School officials say they may try again this fall. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports.
Organic farming less dependent on subsidies
Despite all the talk of market-based agriculture, the new farm bill means most farmers are dependent on government subsidies for their living. But there are exceptions. Organic farmers for one. Most organic growers receive far less money than conventional farmers. Some don't receive any subsidies. They say there's a message in their mission.
Mainstreet Radio's Mark Steil reports.
Heading for China
Gov. Jesse Ventura leaves on Friday for a week-long trade mission to China. His goal is to help Minnesota sell more goods and products to one of the world's fastest-growing economies. Sixty business officials will accompany the governor on his trip, including representatives from companies like Medtronic and Ellerbe Becket. Ralph Kaehler, who runs Kaehler's Homedale Farms near St. Charles, is also going along. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer talked with Mr. Kaehler about the trip.
Wildfire update
Fire crews have nearly put out a wildfire near Brainerd, after it scorched over 700 acres late last week. Several other fires that burned over 300 acres on the North Shore over the weekend are also under control.
As wildfires are burning in many parts of the country, officials at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources are working on a program designed to make homes more likely to survive an approaching wildfire. The program, called Firewise, offers advice on how to build and landscape a home to prevent fires from spreading. Dave Schuler is a Firewise specialist.
Cleveland? Who's afraid of Cleveland?
The Minnesota Twins crushed the Cleveland Indians 23-2 at the Metrodome last night in the first of a three-game series. It was the biggest margin of victory in team history. The Twins also set a team record by collecting 25 hits. Minnesota increased their lead in the American League Central to four games. LaVelle Neal covers the Twins for the Star Tribune.
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Thursday, June 6, 2002 |
Lawsuit deal could save Twins
Members of the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission could vote this morning on a proposed settlement with Major League Baseball and the Minnesota Twins. The commission, which owns and operates the Metrodome, filed suit against the two entities after the league announced that it wanted to eliminate two teams. No teams were named, but the Twins were considered a top candidate. If the settlement is approved, the commission would drop its lawsuit in exchange for a promise the league would not eliminate the team before the end of the 2003 season. One effect of such a delay could be to allow state lawmakers to rework the stadium financing bill that passed in May. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
District profile: Bemidji
This week we've been airing a series of reports, Reading, Writing and Revenue, looking at the fiscal problems facing many of Minnesota's school districts. The problem is compounded in many places by declining enrollment, especially in rural Minnesota. In the past two years, the Bemidji School District in north central Minnesota has been forced to fire about 80 teachers, close two schools and slash programs to balance its budget. Officials there say the financial turmoil has confused local taxpayers and eroded public trust. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Robertson reports.
Wildfire update
A forecast of warm and windy conditions over the northern part of the state today increases the likelyhood of wildfires. Late last week dry conditions contributed to a wildfire that burned over 700 acres near Brainerd. As more and more people are moving out of the city into wooded areas and fields, officials at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources are offering advice on how to protect those homes from wildfires. They've started a program called Firewise, which provides information on how to build and landscape homes to prevent fires from spreading. Dave Schuller is a Firewise Specialist. He says Firewise started as a national program in the wake of several big fires in the west.
Guthrie endangered, National Trust says
The National Trust for Historic Preservation has named the Guthrie Theater to its 2002 list of America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places. The Walker Art Center, which owns the Guthrie's current performing space, wants to demolish it if the theatre moves to a new complex along the riverfront in downtown Minneapolis. Plans for the new complex hit a setback when Governor Jesse Ventura vetoed $24 million in state money designated for the project. But the Guthrie Theater Board voted earlier this week to proceed with design work despite the veto. Royce Yeater is the Midwest director for the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
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Friday, June 7, 2002 |
Ventura leaves for China
Gov. Jesse Ventura departs this afternoon for a week-long trade mission to China. Roughly 100 government and business leaders will join Ventura to help promote Minnesota products and services in the world's most populous country. The delegation is believed to be the largest ever assembled by a state government. While it's billed as a trade mission, some are pressing Ventura to carry an additional message on human rights. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports.
A conversation with Terry Ventura
Gov. Ventura has said that when he returns from China he will make a decision about whether to run for a second term. He says that decision will come after he discusses the matter with his wife, Terry. Terry Ventura says it has taken her quite some time to get comfortable with her role as Minnesota's First Lady. MPR's Cathy Wurzer recently stopped by the Ventura's ranch in Maple Grove and spoke with Mrs. Ventura in the barn where she runs a horse training and breeding business. She says she has learned a great deal since her husband was elected governor in 1998.
The U's plan for life after Yudof
The University of Minnesota Board of Regents plans to name an interim president this morning. The Pioneer Press reports that it will be Executive Vice President and Provost Robert Bruininks. Outgoing President Mark Yudof will leave the university later this summer for the University of Texas, after heading up the U for nearly five years. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports on what approach the regents will likely take in the search for Yudof's replacement.
New player in video rental market
There's a new player moving into the Minnesota video rental market. Movie Gallery is buying nearly 40 Video Update stores after that company declared bankrupcy. Movie Gallery plans to expand in Minnesota, to about 150 stores open throughout the state in the next five years. Andrew Tellijohn reported that story in this week's edition of The Business Journal. He's says Movie Gallery has grown quickly in the last few years.
What is the future of K-12 funding?
School district officials throughout Minnesota say a funding crisis is forcing them to redefine public school education.
They've cut services, increased fees and laid off teachers to fix their budgets. Now they're looking for long term financial solutions. In the final part of our week-long series Reading, Writing and Revenue, Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports that while some educators push for more creative uses of school resources, others are pushing for a whole new system.
How to connect St. Paul and Minneapolis
The opening of the Twin Cities' first light-rail transit line is still a couple of years
away, but policymakers are beginning to collect opinions on a possible second line. A commission is studying transit options for the University Ave. corridor between Minneapolis and St. Paul. Last night, the group heard from citizens on the possibility of LRT or a bus rapid transit system connecting the two downtowns. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen has this report.
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