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June 10 - 14, 2002
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Monday, June 10, 2002 |
2002 high school seniors exempt from Profiles
High school seniors throughout Minnesota are graduating this month without completing the state requirements that once stood between them and their diploma.
The class of 2002 is the first group of students tied to the graduation standards known as the Profile of Learning. Two years ago, Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire spent several months watching the class of 2002 at Roosevelt High School in Minneapolis tackle profile requirements. He caught up with several of those students recently and prepared this report.
Chinese trade bureau honors Ventura
Governor Jesse Ventura is being honored this hour at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China. Ventura is on a week-long trip to China to promote Minnesota goods and services. The Great Hall dinner caps a day of briefing and networking events meant to help Minnesota businesses develop contacts with their Chinese counterparts. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo joins us now from the Great Hall.
3M: A century of innovation
3M turns 100 this week. In the past century, the company grew from a troubled little startup in Two Harbors, Minn. to one of the world's most innovative companies. But some prominent 3M employees are voicing concerns that sweeping changes could threaten the company's storied culture of innovation.
Minnesota Public Radio's Andrew Haeg reports.
United States, South Korea tie in world cup
The United States tied South Korea 1-1 in South Korea this morning at the World Cup Soccer Tournament. The tie gives the U.S. team four points in the first round of the tournament. A victory over Poland on Friday would make it very likely that the U.S. will advance to the second round of games for the first time ever. The game was a huge event in South Korea, where tens of thousands of fans gathered in front of television screens in the plazas and parks of Seoul to watch. Buzz Lagos is the head coach of the Minnesota Thunder. He's on the line now.
Interim president takes on big issues at the "U"
The University of Minnesota's new interim president will have a full plate once he starts his new job. The University's board of regents unanimously chose Robert Bruininks, the U of M's current Provost, as interim president. He'll take over for the departing Mark Yudof who is leaving to become chancellor of the University of Texas system. Bruininks will lead the university through tough budget times, and deal with several high profile open positions, including a new athletic director, and new deans at the Medical School, and the Humphrey Institute. Joining us on the line is Robert Bruininks.
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Tuesday, June 11, 2002 |
Ventura tours Hormel plant in Beijing
Gov. Jesse Ventura has just finished a meeting with high-level Chinese officials to discuss the future of trade relations between Minnesota and China. The meeting comes on Ventura's third day in China where he's on a week-long mission to promote Minnesota products and services. Earlier in the day Ventura toured a Hormel processing plant and held it up as a success story. MPR's Michael Khoo is on the road with the governor and he joins us now from Beijing.
Link between elk farms and chronic wasting disease causes concern
Minnesota leads the nation with the largest number of domestic elk farms. The animals are bought and sold through a network of producers around the country. Recently that system has sparked concerns. Critics argue imported elk may have introduced a fatal brain wasting disease to animals in Wisconsin. Those same fears exist in Minnesota where so far no sign of chronic wasting disease has been discovered. Mainstreet Radio's Erin Galbally reports.
Ada continues to battle flood waters
Kevin Rude, Norman County emergency coordinator joins us withan update on the flooding in Ada.
Fingerhut limbo
Fingerhut's remaining workforce got a little smaller when 50 more layoff notices went out to Minnesota workers last week. About 700 employees remain at Fingerhut's biggest location in St. Cloud.
Fingerhut's future is still uncertain, six months after its parent company announced it would liquidate or sell the catalog retailer. With an offer on the table, workers hover between a future with Fingerhut, and a future without it. Minnesota Public Radio's Jeff Horwich reports.
Small business suffered after Sept. 11
While the bailout of the airline industry after Sept. 11 received a lot of attention, there is another less-publicized program that has been helping smaller business that suffered because of the terrorist attacks. The Small Business Administration has been making low interest loans to businesses across the country that can prove they were directly affected by the attacks. So far 62 small businesses in Minnesota have received nearly $6 million through the program. Hector Barretto is the national administrator of the Small Business Administration. He's in the Twin Cities today for the annual meeting of the Metropolitan Economic Development Association and he's come by the studio this morning.
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Wednesday, June 12, 2002 |
GOP candidates for governor hold final debate
The two candidates for the Republican gubernatorial endorsement participated Tuesday night in the final debate before the state party convention later this week. House Majority Tim Pawlenty of Eagan and Orono Businessman Brian Sullivan are engaged in a close race to win the party's endorsement. Both candidates say they'll drop out of the race if delegates choose their opponent. Last night's debate, sponsored by Minnesota Public Radio and the St. Paul Pioneer Press, didn't offer many surprises but reinforced where the candidates stand going into the convention. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
Shopping with the governor
Gov. Jesse Ventura arrived in Shanghai just hours ago for the second and final stop on his week-long mission to China. Ventura is visiting China to develop contacts and to promote Minnesota goods and services. Before leaving Beijing, Ventura made a stop at a supermarket to see firsthand Minnesota products for sale. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo is traveling with the governor and joins us now from Shanghai.
Parents angered by proposed transportation cuts
St. Paul school district officials are rethinking a controversial proposal to cut bus service.
The district must solve a $20 million budget deficit in two weeks. But angry parents told school board members Tuesday night that say they don't want transportation reductions included in the solution. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
Campaign 2002 profile: Brian Sullivan
Minnesota Republicans will endorse a candidate for governor on Friday and the race is a close one between entrepreneur Brian Sullivan and legislative leader Tim Pawlenty. Sullivan holds a slight lead in the party's non-binding straw polls of delegates. This is Sullivan's first bid for public office, but he says his business background has prepared him to run the state. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
Dike gives out in Roseau
The Roseau River is expected to crest today in the northern Minnesota town of Roseau. Yesterday afternoon, a dike broke sending water through the community. Hundreds of workers are trying to protect a Polaris Industries plant, a local hospital and the high school. Master Sergeant Jeff Olson of the Thief River Falls National Guard came to town last night to help out. He says its a pretty amazing scene there this morning.
Ayd Mill Road controversy moves into court
Opponents of a plan to open St. Paul's Ayd Mill Road to highway traffic have asked a court to block today's scheduled opening. The Neighborhood Defense Fund hopes to prevent St. Paul officials from connecting Ayd Mill Road to Interstate 35E after today's morning rush. Ayd Mill Road was conceived more than 40 years ago as a link between St. Paul's two Interstate highways, I-94 and 35-E. But neighborhood opposition has stalled the project for years. Now St. Paul Mayor Randy Kelly wants the controversial road connected to 35E for a year, to test the effects of the change. Michael Cline is with Neighborhoods First, which opposes the road opening. He's on the line now.
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Thursday, June 13, 2002 |
Ayd Mill Road opens to interstate
St. Paul's Ayd Mill Road is open to Interstate highway traffic. City crews opened the road's connection to I-35E Wednesday, even though a neighborhood group is challenging the move in court. A Ramsey County judge refused to issue an order that would have kept the Interstate link closed while the lawsuit is pending. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen reports.
Farmers in northwestern Minnesota debate dam policy
Farmers in northwest Minnesota are checking their flood
damaged fields and adding up the cost.
Some say they've lost crops to flooding nine of the last 10 years.
They argue there is a way to stop these disasters.
Mainstreet Radios Dan Gunderson reports.
A century of innovation
3M is 100 years old today. The Maplewood-based company was born in Two Harbors, Minn. Famous for making sand paper, scotch tape, and post-it notes, 3M has become a Fortune 500 company largely because of an unusual corporate culture that fostered innovation. But some current and former employees worry that new CEO James McNerny will change that culture. Joining us on the line is author Earnest Gundling, who wrote a book titled The 3M Way to Innovation. He says the company got off to a shaky start.
U of M search for athletic director continues
Friday is the last day of work for University of Minnesota Women's Athletic Director Chris Voelz and Men's Athletic Director Tom Moe. The day marks the first stage in the merging of the U of M men's and women's athletics departments. In mid-April, University President Mark Yudof announced a plan to merge the departments in an attempt to save money. Vice President and Chief of Staff Tonya Moten Brown is one of four people leading a transition team that will oversee the department until a permanent athletics director is hired. She says the university still plans to hire someone before President Yudof leaves this summer.
Ventura meets Gore in Shanghai
Gov. Jesse Ventura went on a grand tour of Shanghai today. It's evening now in China, where Ventura has spent the last week building contacts and promoting trade with Minnesota. Ventura met with Shanghiai municipal officials in the morning, and later bumped into an old friend from home. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo is traveleing with Ventura, and joins us now from Shanghai.
Lt. Gov. Schunk steps in for Ventura
Water levels have started to drop in Roseau, Minn., which has been hit with recent floods. The Roseau river crested at a record level yesterday at just over 23 feet, about two feet above the previous record. Gov. Jesse Ventura has declared a state of emergency for 13 northwestern Minnesota counties hit by this week's flooding. With Ventura in China on a trade mission, Lt. Gov. Mae Schunk signed the emergency order yesterday, and then flew up north to tour flood damaged areas. The Lt. Gov. joins us on the line now.
Roseau residents work to save Polaris from flood
Floodwaters in Roseau have fallen slightly in the past day. That's good news for residents and businesses along the Roseau river, which crested yesterday at 23 feet. Gov. Jesse Ventura has declared a state of emergency for 13 northwestern Minnesota counties hit by this week's flooding. In Roseau, residents worked to save Polaris Industries, the town's largest employer. The Polaris plant makes snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles and employs 1,800 people in the Roseau area. Polaris CEO Tom Tiller flew to Roseau to help on the front lines. He joins us now.
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Friday, June 14, 2002 |
Coleman endorsed for Senate
Delegates to the Republican state convention turn their attention to endorsing a candidate for governor today. Last night the convention belonged to U.S. Senate candidate Norm Coleman. Delegates unanimously endorsed Coleman's campaign to unseat DFL Senator Paul Wellstone. Coleman wasted no time in attacking Wellstone's record.
Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports.
Pawlenty and Sullivan vie for delegates
Delegates at the Republican state convention will choose their candidate for governor Friday and the race looks like a toss up. Orono businessman Brian Sullivan and House Majority Leader Tim Pawlenty of Eagan are competing for the endorsement. Sullivan will apparently go into the balloting with a narrow lead but neither candidate is expected to be close to the 60 percent delegate support needed for endorsement. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
Ventura wrapping up trade mission; visits with Gore
Gov. Jesse Ventura is wrapping up his trade mission to China. The governor and nearly 100 business and government leaders have spent the last week in Beijing and Shanghai strengthening trade ties between Minnesota and China. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has been traveling with the governor, and joins us now from Shanghai.
Job growth greatest in suburbs
The Metropolitan Council projects job growth in the Twin Cities area over the next eight years will be fastest in the suburbs. The core cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul will add thousands of positions too, but at a slower rate. The projections are the topic of an article in todays Business Journal. Joining us in the studio is reporter Scott Smith who says Maple Grove and Bloomington will lead the area in jobs creation.
U.S. soccer team may advance to second round despite loss
The U.S. has just lost 3-1 to Poland in the World Cup soccer tournament. The loss puts the U.S. team's chances of making the second round of the tournament in jeopardy. All the U.S. needed to guarantee a spot in the second round was a win or a tie against Poland. With the loss, the U.S. team's chances depend on the results of the game between South Korea and Portugal. Buzz Lagos, coach of the Minnesota Thunder soccer team, got up early this morning to watch the game. He's on the line now.
Wet climate pattern overwhelms northwestern Minnesota
The stationary front that parked over the Minnesota-
Canadian border produced over eight inches of rain parts of the area,
and one spot along Hwy 11 in Lake of the Woods County reported
nearly 15 inches. Though the are was clearly drier than normal before these
rains came, the watersheds were overwhelmed with
runoff. Mark Seeley joins us with more on the overall wet climate pattern in northwestern Minnesota.
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