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July 22 - 26, 2002
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Monday, July 22, 2002 |
MCLU to challenge new driver's license rules
The Minnesota Civil Liberties Union and some Minnesota organizations that work with immigrants are planning to file a lawsuit today, challenging new driver's license requirements. The requirements took effect earlier this month and are intended to fight terrorism. They order, among other things, that a driver's license note when an immigrant's visa will expire. Joining us on the line is Omar Jamal, executive director of the Somali Justice Advocacy Center in St. Paul, which will be of the plaintiffs in the suit.
North Dakota Gov. John Hoeven heads trade delegation to Cuba
North Dakota Gov. John Hoeven is leading a trade delegation to Cuba today. Hoeven and representatives from several farm groups will spend four days in Cuba. Gov. Hoeven is hopeful the trip will be the first step to opening new markets for North Dakota's farmers. Mainstreet Radio's Bob Reha reports.
Twin Cities has one of highest population hikes in midwest
Finding room for nearly one million more Twin Cities residents is one of the controversial items on the Metropolitan Council's agenda this year. Projections show the region's population will grow by more than 900,000 people over the next 30 years. State Sen. Myron Orfield wants the Metropolitan Council to adopt a plan that will more tightly control the sprawl. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports.
New documentary examines history of war crimes trials
A new, permanent International Criminal Court, based in The Hague, opened this summer, ushering in a new era in the quest for international justice. Since the Nuremberg trials after World War II, war crimes tribunals have held out the hope of successfully prosecuting and punishing the perpetrators of genocide and other large-scale crimes against innocent civilians. United Nations tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda, created in the 1990's, have spent hundreds of millions of dollars prosecuting a select group of war crimes suspects, and similar tribunals have been planned for Cambodia and Sierra Leone. In a special report airing on Midday at noon today, American RadioWorks examines whether tribunals are the solution for a world wrenched by terrorism and violence. In this excerpt, correspondent Michael Montgomery goes to The Hague and Bosnia, where justice is far from complete.
U.S. women's soccer team victorious in Blaine
The U.S. women's soccer team defeated Norway yesterday 4-0 at the National Sports Center in Blaine. For two team members, it was a memorable homecoming. For thousands of little girls, it was one of the best days ever. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.
Investors turn to financial advisors as markets fall
Financial forecasters are predicting that this could be another rough day on Wall Street after Friday's nearly 400-point drop in the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Investors have watched their portfolios shrink dramatically in the last year during one of the worst bear markets in some time. As their net worth declines, many people are looking to their financial advisors for help. One of those people is Bob Potter, who is with JNBA Financial Advisors and as many of you recall, the former host of this program. He joins us this morning in the studio.
Liberace's piano on grand display
Rochester's Mayo Clinic is known worldwide as a place where human illnesses are treated, but another business in that southern Minnesota city is known for its ability to fix ailing pianos. A rhinestone-covered piano, once owned by the entertainer Liberace, is in Rochester for a tune-up. MainStreet Radio's Laurel Druley reports.
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Tuesday, July 23, 2002 |
Minneapolis Civilian Review Authority to get a makeover
The group charged with redesigning the Minneapolis Civilian Review Authority has come up with its recommendation for making the agency more effective. Under the proposal agreed upon last night, the CRA would get additional staff and more power to conduct its investigations. However, the plan would cost the city more than the old CRA. Plus, some critics say a CRA under this plan would still have the same problems as the old agency. Minnesota Public Radio's Brandt Williams reports.
Dutch elm disease making a comeback in Minneapolis
A resurgence of Dutch elm disease is causing Minneapolis forestry workers to put in more hours and cut down more trees than in the last few years. The city's forestry department removes diseased trees quickly to keep the problem from spreading. Joining us on the line is Ralph Sievert, director of forestry for the city of Minneapolis.
Some lay Catholics want more say in church governance
Some Catholics are calling for a change in how the Church is governed in the wake of the sex abuse scandal that has rocked parishes throughout the country. Over 4,000 Catholics from 35 states and several foreign countries gathered in Boston this past weekend to discuss ways to give lay people more power in the Church. Their organization, Voice of the Faithful, started in a Massachusetts church five months ago with 20 people and has grown to 19,000 members since then. A handful of Minnesotans attended the meeting in Boston this past weekend. One of them was Trish Vanni, who is Director of the Leavin Center in Eden Prairie, a nonprofit organization designed to improve the vitality of Catholic parishes. She joins us now.
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Wednesday, July 24, 2002 |
School districts try levy votes again
Several financially-strapped suburban school districts are planning to ask local voters again this fall to provide some additional tax support. Most districts that failed to pass so-called excess levy referendums last November wrestled with deep budget cuts this year. They're eager to try another ballot initiative to prevent further cuts. However, some district leaders say despite tight finances, the timing is still not right. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
State hears from the public on proposed immunization policy
The public will get a chance to respond to a proposal from the Minnesota Department of Health to require all school kids be vaccinated for chickenpox. The proposal also requires toddlers and infants in child-care to be vaccinated for hepatitis B. The department will hold public comment meetings on the proposals in St. Paul later today. Most states already require the vaccinations. Joining us on the line is Kristen Ehresman, head of the immunization program at the Minnesota Department of Health.
Twins lose, but still hold big lead in division
The Minnesota Twins lost to the Chicago White Sox 8-7 last night, ending a six-game winning streak. Despite the loss, the Twins still hold a commanding 13-game lead over the White Sox in the American League's Central Division. Before the game, Twins players met with Don Fehr, the head of the Major League Baseball Players Association, to get an update on the labor situation as talk of a strike continues. Lavelle Neal covers the Twins for the Star Tribune, and he joins us this morning from Chicago.
Grain Belt will continue its Minnesota tradition
The tradition of Grain Belt beer will live on in Minnesota. August Schell Brewing Company in New Ulm has bought the brand from the bankrupt Minnesota Brewing Company. Minnesota Brewing closed last month, cutting more than 100 jobs and ending nearly 150 years of brewing tradition in St. Paul. Grain Belt was first introduced by the Minneapolis Brewing Company in 1893, and has since become one of the state's most popular homegrown beers. Jeff Lonto is the author of Legend of the Brewery: A Brief History of the Minneapolis Brewing Heritage. He joins us now.
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Thursday, July 25, 2002 |
West Nile virus hits Minnesota
The Minnesota Department of Health says West Nile virus has been detected in the state for the first time. Officials say two dead crows, one from Hennepin County and one from Mille Lacs County, have tested positive for the virus. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
Public weighs in on proposed immunization changes
A proposal to require school children to get vaccines for chicken pox and pneumonia drew a mixed response at a public hearing last night. The Minnesota Department of Health says the changes will bring the state's immunization law in line with much of the rest of the nation. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.
Coleman, Wellstone battle over national defense
Republican U.S. Senate candidate Norm Coleman plans to spend the next two days traveling throughout Minnesota criticizing DFL incumbent Sen. Paul Wellstone's record on national defense. Coleman says had Congress gone along with Wellstone's past anti-defense spending positions, more U.S. soldiers would have been killed in Afghanistan. The Wellstone campaign is accusing Coleman of politicizing last fall's tragedy and is calling Coleman's remarks sad and inappropriate. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports.
Fingerhut sale completed
Twin Cities businessmen Tom Petters and Ted Deikel are officially Fingerhut's new owners. The two completed their acquisition of Fingerhut's assets yesterday, more than a month after announcing a definitive agreement. The deal could save several hundred Fingerhut jobs that would have disappeared had Federated failed to find a buyer for Fingerhut. Minnesota Public Radio's Andrew Haeg reports.
Metropolitan Council plans for Twin Cities growth
The first draft of a Twin Cities growth management plan is in the hands of a committee of the Metropolitan Council. The plan, delivered yesterday, calls for focusing Twin Cities growth over the next three decades in areas that already have roads, sewers and other services. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports.
Anti-terrorism bill headed for president's desk
A $28.9 billion anti-terrorism bill is on its way to the president. The bill passed the Senate 97-2 on Wednesday, and passed the House on a large margin earlier this week. About half of the funds in the bill are for the Pentagon and intelligence activities, while the rest are for programs like security at nuclear facilities and New York's rebuilding efforts. The bill also includes several home-district projects won by lawmakers. Minnesota Congressman Jim Oberstar was one of only 32 House members to vote against the bill. He's on the line now.
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Friday, July 26, 2002 |
Two Minnesota horses being tested for West Nile virus
Two Minnesota horses are being tested for West Nile virus. One is in Hennepin County, and the other is in Clay County. The Minnesota Department of Health announced earlier this week that the mosquito-borne virus has been detected in two dead crows, marking the first time it has been found in Minnesota. Horses and crows are both particularly susceptible to the West Nile virus. Dr. Randy Crom is a senior epidemiologist with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service at the United States Department of Agriculture. He's on the line now.
Local CEO comments on corporate scandals
Corporate CEOs are running their companies under increasing scrutiny in the wake of scandals at Enron and Worldcom. Lawmakers at the nation's capitol passed a bill yesterday that punishes those who commit corporate fraud. The news media and investors are asking questions about the credibility of company balance sheets and accounting practices. Janet Dolan is the CEO of Minnesota-based Tennant Company, which makes industrial-strength cleaning equipment. She says handling questions about corporate scandals is a challenge, but she also sees big opportunities for her company if the economy stays out of recession. Dolan says, in this highly charged corporate environment, CEOs need to get back to the basics of managing their companies.
Minnesota Vikings open training camp
The Minnesota Vikings report for training camp in Mankato today, one year after offensive tackle Korey Stringer died of heat stroke. The Pro Bowl player collapsed with a temperature of 108 degrees, and died in the hospital after the second day of last year's camp. The team, and new head coach Mike Tice, have instituted new measures to keep players from overheating during practices. In addition, Tice has brought in new assistant coaches, and has overhauled the roster, in an effort to improve on last year's 5-11 finish. Joining us on the line is Sean Jensen, who covers the Vikings for the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
New article looks at overpaid and underpaid CEOs
President Bush is expected to sign a bill that is designed to crack down on business scandals. The bill creates new criminal penalties and jail terms for corporate officers who commit fraud or shred documents. The new rules put more pressure on corporate CEOs who are running their companies under increasing scrutiny. Here in Minnesota, the compensation packages of the CEOs of the state's top 100 public companies are the topic of an article in today's "The Business Journal." The publication compared each CEO's overall pay with an analysis of their company's performance. Andrew Tellijohn is the reporter who wrote the lead story. He says the result is a list of CEOs that, according to the paper, are overpaid and underpaid when compared to company performance.
MPR's Mainstreet explores Minnesota's Soudan mine
MPR's Mainstreet unit is taking a look at the history and future of the Soudan underground mine in northern Minnesota. It's Minnesota's oldest mine, but now scientists are doing cutting-edge research in a futuristic laboratory deep inside the historic mine.
A look at past and future weather
Meteorologist Mark Seeley has come by the studio to discuss Minnesota weather history and look ahead to the weekend's weather.
Word of Mouth arts roundup
Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Roberts looks at art and artists around the state this week.
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