|
August 26 - 30, 2002
[ Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday ]
|
Monday, Aug. 26, 2002 |
North Minneapolis community reacts to shooting
The Minneapolis branch of the NAACP is calling for an independent investigation into the city's policing policies. The call comes on the heels of an incident in north Minneapolis last week, in which a police bullet accidentally hit an 11-year-old boy during an attempt to serve a search warrant on a house suspected of drug activity. Community members gathered for an interfaith prayer service over the weekend. Community activist Shane Price was there. He says the service, along with community patrols over the weekend, were helpful.
Two sides of real estate boom
The price of a home in the Twin Cities, St. Cloud and Rochester has risen at double-digit rates for at least four years. Many homeowners in those areas have seen their net worth balloon. Others, trying to buy their first house, have watched as the prices of even modest homes have soared beyond their reach. The rapid increase in home prices has some wondering if the housing market, like the late nineties dot-com sector, is in the midst of a bubble that's ready to burst. Minnesota Public Radio's Andrew Haeg reports.
State Fair vendors make good money
1.7 million people visit the Minnesota State Fair annually, and just about every one of them will spend money. For vendors, the state fair is a huge business opportunity. Competition for a slot at the fair is intense, and the barriers to entry are high. But, given the chance, those who've set up shop at the fair say it's worth the trouble and the wait. Andrew Haeg reports.
Monday Markets
Minnesota Public Radio's Chief Economics Correspondent Chris Farrell discusses the latest economic news.
|
|
Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2002 |
Pawlenty leads fundraising race
Republican candidate for governor Tim Pawlenty has taken the lead in this year's money race. Among the four major party gubernatorial endorsees, Pawlenty has the most cash on hand as of last week. In just over a month, Independence Party candidate Tim Penny has surged into second place ahead of DFLer Roger Moe. The Green Party's Ken Pentel rounds out the list. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
Second District candidates differ on war with Iraq
Second District congressional candidate John Kline is making war against Iraq a campaign issue. Vice President Dick Cheney said there are compelling reasons to carry out a pre-emptive strike with Iraq and that those who argue against an attack are guilty of weak and wishful thinking. Republican Kline agrees. The incumbent he's challenging -- DFLer Bill Luther -- says he supports the war on terror, but doesn't think the Bush administration has yet made a case for invading Iraq. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
Federal mediator will return to Minneapolis in wake of melee
A federal mediator will return to North Minneapolis on Thursday, hoping to improve relations between the predominantly African-American community and the Minneapolis Police Department in the wake of last week's violent melee. Right after the incident, Patricia Glenn visited the community and conducted preliminary talks. Glenn, who's based in Chicago, has extensive experience mediating between law enforcement and communities of color. She helped when Cincinnati exploded in riots after a string of police shootings. She says the meetings in Minneapolis last week were a good start.
What to do with problem properties
The atmosphere remains calm in the north Minneapolis neighborhood which last week exploded in a violent melee after a young boy was injured during a police raid. As neighbors and city officials try to make sense of what happened, some are asking why the house, which is suspected by police and neighbors of being a drug house, is still occupied. Minnesota Public Radio's Brandt Williams reports.
More and more immigrants buying homes
Low interest rates continue to fuel demand for homes, despite a weak economy. Last month, for instance, national sales of new single-family houses rose to a record level. Experts say immigration is helping to fuel demand for homes nationally and in Minnesota. Real estate experts say immigrants are an increasingly important part of the real estate market. Now, lenders are taking steps to accommodate them. Minnesota Public Radio's Andrew Haeg reports.
Still no deal between baseball players and owners
Baseball negotiators met three times yesterday in an effort to reach a new collective bargaining agreement, and they plan to meet again today. Players say they'll strike on Friday if no agreement is reached before then. Meanwhile, the first-place Minnesota Twins open a three-game series against the Seattle Mariners at home later today. LaVelle Neal covers the Twins for the Minneapolis Star Tribune. He's optimistic the two sides will avert a strike.
|
|
Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2002 |
St. Paul voters to decide on school levy
The St. Paul school board has voted to place a $72 million levy referendum on the November ballot. If approved by district voters, the measure would generate $18 million a year for four years. Some board members acknowledged that the decision is coming late in the process. The St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce, which was instrumental in passing a levy just two years ago, opposes the move. Joining us on the line is Al Oertwig, chairman of the St. Paul school board.
Mexican officials visit Minnesota
Minnesota's ties to Mexico grew closer this week because of a trade mission. No, Governor Jesse Ventura isn't traveling out of the country. This trade mission involves a delegation from the state of Colima, Mexico. The delegation is just completing a visit to the Twin Cities to improve cultural and economic ties with Minnesota. Joining us on the line is Miguel De La Madrid, the minister of tourism for Colima, Mexico.
Duluth's Shipping News for boat watchers
Some people think Minnesota is a landlocked state. But more than 1000 ships come to the Duluth harbor each year. At first glance, it's hard to tell if a ship is carrying wheat to Taiwan or corn to Algeria. Ken Newhams can help. He runs the Duluth Shipping News. All summer long he puts out a daily schedule for the Duluth harbor, and he gives the paper away -- free of charge. Chris Julin has this Mainstreet Radio report.
Rochester missing Middle East patients
Foreigners have traveled to the world-famous Mayo Clinic for nearly a hundred years, and patients from the Middle East have emerged as some the clinic's most important clientele. Traditionally summer brings visitors from Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia to Rochester for treatment. But since September 11th, the number of visitors is down at least 50-percent. That's largely because international visitors face long delays in receiving visas for travel to the U.S. Mayo isn't the only local business missing out. Mainstreet Radio's Erin Galbally has this report.
Literary magazine launches nationwide
A new literary magazine that's based in Minnesota will hit newsstands across the country this week. It's called "Speakeasy," and it's published by the Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis. The editors of the magazine want it to serve both people who love to write, and those who love to read. Bart Schneider is the editor of "Speakeasy." He says the premier issue covers a variety of topics.
|
|
Thursday, Aug. 29, 2002 |
Target stores pull products with neo-Nazi symbol
Minnesota-based Target corporation is pulling clothing and other merchandise from stores nationwide because they show a neo-Nazi symbol. The symbol is the number "88." Joining us on the line is Mark Potok, editor of the Intelligence Report at the Southern Poverty Law Center.
Baseball strike will affect workers in and around the Dome
Major League Baseball owners and players may be close to settling their differences and avoiding a walkout. But, without an eleventh hour reprieve, players will strike tomorrow. Those in and around the Metrodome who depend on the Twins for income say a strike would have substantial short and long term effects on their pocketbooks, and on baseball in Minnesota. Minnesota Public Radio's Andrew Haeg reports.
Senator Wellstone airs ad on Social Security
Republican Norm Coleman's U.S. Senate campaign is accusing incumbent Democrat Senator Paul Wellstone of using scare tactics in a new television ad about Social Security. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik has this report as part of our continuing campaign ad-watch series.
Truancey getting better in Minneapolis, still a problem
Some students don't want to hear this, but, they'll have to go back to school in less than a week.
later this morning, Hennepin County officials and school leaders will talk about the importance of attending school and the legal consequences of truancy. In Minnesota, students under 18 are considered truant if they have missed at least seven days in a school year without an excuse. Carol Johnson is the Superintendent of the Minneapolis Public Schools. She's on the line now.
City Inc. patrols to end in Jordan neighborhood
Representatives from the City Inc., announced yesterday that they will discontinue their patrols of the north Minneapolis neighborhood which was the site of a melee last week. The activists say the patrols of the area will stop because of opposition from some of the neighborhood residents who have openly criticized the leaders of the patrols. But, Minneapolis city officials continue to praise the work of the same leaders for their role in calming tensions during last week's incident and credit them with keeping the peace last weekend. Minnesota Public Radio's Brandt Williams reports.
|
|
Friday, Aug. 30, 2002 |
The latest on a possible baseball strike
Major League Baseball players and team owners are still bargaining over a new collective bargaining agreement, in a last minute effort to avert a strike that is scheduled to begin today. The two sides talked late into last night, but have not yet reached a deal. If players walk off the job, it will be the ninth work stoppage since 1972, and could put the Minnesota Twins' season, and the franchise itself in jeopardy. LaVelle Neal covers the Twins for the Star Tribune. He's on the line now.
Twins hope a strike will be averted
This is a pivotal day for the future of Major League Baseball, as players and fans await word on whether this weekend's games will proceed as usual or will be cancelled by a player's strike. A strike could prematurely end a stellar season for the Minnesota Twins. And, as Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen reports, the threat of a strike has already soured some fans on the national pastime.
Minneapolis looks at a new civilian review authority
Thursday night the Minneapolis city council prepared to listen to feedback on plans to restructure the city's police civilian review authority. They wound up getting a taste of some of the frustrations voiced by members of the black community who feel that police officers treat them unfairly. Some of those who offered testimony say a mediator is needed to handle the rising tensions among some inner city residents and police officers. Minnesota Public Radio's Brandt Williams reports.
Wellstone leads Coleman in fundraising
According to the latest Federal Elections Commission reports, DFL Senator Paul Wellstone has raised more than eight-and-a-half-million dollars so far for his reelection campaign. Republican challenger Norm Coleman has taken in more than six-and-a-half million dollars. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports.
Wells Fargo to focus on retaining customers
California-based Wells Fargo bank has tapped Jon Campbell, the CEO of Wells Fargo in Minnesota, to head a new effort to retain customers. The bank lost some customers after recent acquisitions, and officials are hoping to keep the trend from getting out of control. Wells Fargo is also planning to build new branches in the Twin Cities for the first time in years. The bank's plans are the topic two articles in this week's "The Business Journal." John Hoogesteger is the reporter who wrote the articles. He says Wells Fargo's top leadership has a lot of confidence in Jon Campbell.
First human cases of West Nile virus in Minnesota
The Minnesota Department of Health says the first two human cases of West Nile Virus have been discovered in the state. Officials say a 29-year-old Carver County man and a 35-year-old Hennepin County man have tested positive for the West Nile virus antibody. The mosquito-borne disease was first detected in animals in Minnesota last month. Health officials say they are not surprised by the first human cases and say it is possible additional human cases may be diagnosed this year. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
Supreme Court says privacy extends to ice fish houses
The State Supreme Court has ruled unanimously that Department of Natural Resource Conversation officers may not enter ice fishing houses without permission or warrants. The ruling is a blow for DNR enforcement which has argued its officers need to enter ice-houses to catch fish and game violators. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports.
|
| Morning Edition Archive |
|
|
|
© 2024 | Home : Terms of Use : Your Privacy Rights