|
September 23 - 27, 2002
[ Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday ]
|
Monday, Sept. 23, 2002 |
Officials conduct bomb drill at Mall of America
More than 100 local and state emergency workers took part in a bomb drill last night at the Mall of America. Minnesota media were invited to watch as two simulated bombs brought police, fire, and other emergency workers to the mall to assess and handle the simulated terrorist scenario. The success of the exercise won't be known until all the groups can determine if emergency workers responded correctly and efficiently. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.
Federal EPA negotiating with ethanol plants nationwide
The federal Environmental Protection Agency is negotiating with ethanol plants across the nation to cut back air pollution. Testing at Gopher State Ethanol, a converted St. Paul brewery, showed levels of pollutants far higher than the industry had claimed. Those results triggered an EPA crackdown on ethanol plants nationwide. Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Losure reports.
Preserving the history of a Duluth steel mill
At one time, the biggest employer in Duluth was a steel mill. Just before World War I, U.S. Steel built a huge plant on the western edge of Duluth. Over the next 50 years, workers hammered out the steel posts and barbed wire that fenced the west and the steel for tanks and planes that won World War II. 5,000 people worked there. The plant was closed and torn down in the early 1970s. Now the grandson of a mill worker is trying to capture some of the plant's history before everyone who worked there is gone. Mainstreet Radio's Stephanie Hemphill reports.
Xcel Energy Center getting lots of concerts
The Xcel Energy Center is on a roll. The St. Paul arena will host Paul McCartney tonight, and "The Who" will play there tomorrow. Bruce Springsteen will be there next week. All chose Xcel over Minneapolis' Target Center and other Twin Cities venues. Doug Clouse is director of touring for Concerts West, a promoter in California. He says the Xcel Energy Center is successful because people like to see concerts there. He says that's just one of the factors that acts weigh when deciding where to play.
Analysts encourage parents to spend more time with their kids
This may not be on your calendar, but today is National Family Day. The day is supposed to call attention to families and the fact that they aren't spending a whole lot of time together, which analysts say is not good. Martha Farrell Erickson is the director of Children, Youth, and Families Consortium at the University of Minnesota.
Monday Markets
Minnesota Public Radio's Chief Economics Correspondent Chris Farrell discusses the latest economic news.
|
|
Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2002 |
Agriculture at risk of terror attack
A new study says U.S. farms and feedlots are vulnerable to terrorist attack. The threat isn't so much one of making humans ill, as spreading diseases that would harm animals and plants. The result could disrupt the food supply and, as Britain's foot and mouth outbreak showed, cost the country billions of dollars. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports.
State get federal plan on bio-terror vaccinations
Terrorism is also the topic of new guidelines that state governments are receiving from the federal government on how to vaccinate massive numbers of people in the event of a bioterrorist attack using smallpox. State and local governments would be relied upon to lead an effort to vaccinate people quickly. Joining us on the line is Minnesota's state epidemiologist Dr. Harry Hull.
State budget worsens, forecast won't be done early
State officials say that Minnesota's budget deficit for the 2004-2006 budget years could top $3 billion. That is $550 million more than forecast earlier this year. State economists and Governor Jesse Ventura discussed the new numbers after Independence Party gubernatorial candidate Tim Penny called for a new official forecast to be done before the November 5th elections. Penny says the new numbers would help candidates and voters with updated information. Ventura agreed, but officials at the Minnesota Department of Finance said a forecast could not be completed so soon. The next official forecast is not scheduled to come out until late November or early December. Joining us on the line is Anne Barry, acting Minnesota Commissioner of Finance.
Poll respondents may not be honest with pollsters
Political scientists in South Dakota say this year's election is the most important they have seen in more than 20 years. The balance of power in congress is at stake. So are some long term political appointments. It is an important year to see what voters are thinking. But there are fewer people agreeing to take polls, and those who do may not be honest about their opinions. Mainstreet Radio's Cara Hetland reports.
Wisconsin's "Do Not Call" list a hit.
Wisconsin has just signed up 500,000 phone numbers to the state's "Do Not Call" list. It took just over 2 weeks to reach that milestone with 65,000 people signing up in the first day alone. Telemarketers will be getting the list in December, and will be penalized if they use those numbers. Minnesotans do not have long to wait to get on Minnesota's list which is scheduled to be assembled in November. So what can Minnesota learn from Wisconsin's experience? Joining us on the line is Jim Rabbit, Senior Analyst with the Wisconsin Bureau of Consumer Protection.
WWII ace honored in Superior, Wisconsin
For forty years, a weathered warplane stood guard over the northern Wisconsin village of Poplar. It probably did not look like much to the average person. But now, after a meticulous restoration, it is the centerpiece of a new museum in Superior. Mainstreet Radio's Bob Kelleher reports.
|
|
Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2002 |
Ventura begins final foreign journey as governor
Governor Jesse Ventura is headed to Cuba today. Ventura will spend the next three days participating in the U.S. Food & Agribusiness Exhibition in Havana. The governor and leaders from several prominent Minnesota companies say the island nation presents a new market for the state's farmers, but Ventura's visit has drawn criticism from Bush administration officials who say he's only lending legitimacy to Fidel Castro's government. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo is traveling with Ventura. He prepared this report.
Sugar-beet farmers concerned trade with Cuba may hurt them
There are some Minnesota farmers who aren't convinced they'd benefit from more trade with Cuba. Sugar-beet farmers are watching the Cuba situation carefully, aware that the country produces a large amount of sugar cane. Mark Weber is the executive director of the Red River Valley Sugar Beet Growers' Association in Fargo. He's on the line now.
Minnesota has nation's highest percentage of Asians in poverty
Earlier this hour, we had a report on new Census figures showing that poverty is on the rise in this country. Those figures also show that Minnesota has one of the highest percentages of Asians in poverty when compared to other states. The new numbers also confirm the widely held belief that there are more Somalis in Minnesota than anywhere else in the U.S. Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes reports.
Leading experts on bioterrorism speak at U of M
Two of the countries leading experts on bioterrorism say this is no time to be complacent about preparing for germ warfare. Former Minnesota Epidemiologist Michael Osterholm and New York Times journalist Judith Miller spoke together last night at the University of Minnesota Great Conversations forum. Their sobering discussion revealed that there are still too many unknowns about how to prevent a bioterrorist attack on Americans. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.
Attack ads in 6th District focus on corporate ethics
Two of the candidates in Minnesota's 6th Congressional District are turning corporate ethics into a major theme of the campaign. Republican Congressman Mark Kennedy and DFL challenger Janet Robert both say their opponent is soft on corporate responsibility and that they're the candidate who would best represent employees and shareholders. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
|
|
Thursday, Sept. 26, 2002 |
Ventura in Cuba
Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura will make an appearance at the U.S. Food & Agribusiness Exposition today in Havana, Cuba. Ventura arrived in Cuba yesterday for a three-day trade mission designed to promote businesses in the state. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo is traveling with the governor, and he has this report.
Gubernatorial candidates debate at Temple Israel
The major party candidates hoping to succeed Ventura as governor answered questions in a debate last night at the Temple Israel in Minneapolis. It was lively forum in which candidates clashed on concealed guns, marijuana and same-sex marriages. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.
Minnesota's uncivil war
140 years ago, Minnesota's Dakota Indians were expelled from the state. It was one of the most heartbreaking results of a war fought in 1862. The war broke out in the Minnesota River Valley. When the Dakota were defeated, the federal government rounded up the survivors. Most were sent to Crow Creek, South Dakota where disease and starvation killed many. There's still a reservation there, and times are still hard. Mainstreet Radio's Mark Steil reports.
Art on the Town gets underway
Today marks the beginning of an unprecedented, weeklong event in the Twin Cities arts community. "Art on the Town" involves dozens of art galleries and four museums in an effort to raise awareness of what the local visual arts scene has to offer. For more on "Art on the Town," we turn to Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Roberts.
Xcel Energy may be forced to spin off some operations
A top state regulator says Xcel Energy may be forced to spin off some operations to protect customers of NSP, the utility serving Minnesota. Minnesota Public Utilities Commission Chairman Gregory Scott says he's willing to try beefed-up reporting requirements to protect customers from the problems of Xcel's troubled NRG Energy subsidiary. However, he says he's less convinced that will work, and other measures may be necessary. Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Catlin reports.
New report measures impact of electing female lawmakers
A new report by researchers at the Minnesota Women's Campaign Fund suggests that electing women to public office changes the lawmaking agenda and the way government works. Researchers analyzed the past 20 years of work by female lawmakers in the Minnesota Legislature. They say women were key to positive changes in several policy areas. Lydia Mallet is the president of the Minnesota Women's Campaign Fund. She's on the line now.
|
|
Friday, Sept. 27, 2002 |
Ventura invited to meet Cuba's Castro
Cuban President Fidel Castro has invited Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura to meet with him today in Havana. Castro and Ventura shared the stage and chatted briefly yesterday at the opening ceremonies of the U.S. Food and Agribusiness Exhibition. Ventura is in Cuba on a trade mission promoting Minnesota products. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo is traveling with the Governor and he has this report.
Gubernatorial candidates debate in Mankato
The state's gubernatorial candidates squared off in Mankato last night in what was their first, and most likely only debate scheduled for southern Minnesota. The four major party candidates focused on transportation, the rural economy, and the future of large-scale farming. Mainstreet Radio's Erin Galbally reports.
Middle East forum with George Mitchell
Three distinguished Middle East experts told an audience at Macalester College last night that they believe peace in the Middle East is still possible. Former U.S. Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell moderated a so-called peace summit discussion with two men, a Palestinian and an Israeli, who have drafted a peace proposal for the region. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.
Teachers on strike in International Falls
The last two teacher strikes in Minnesota both took place in International Falls. In 1992, teachers walked out for 18 days. Now, they are back on the picket line. Teachers want higher wages and better health insurance. School district officials say they cannot afford it. The two sides head back to the negotiating table this weekend. As Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Robertson reports, the Falls community is no stranger to labor unrest.
African American Men Project meets
The challenges facing African American men were front and center at an all-day conference at the Humphrey Institute in Minneapolis. The Hennepin County African American Men Project sponsored the conference yesterday. It was another milestone for the project which started in 1999, after officials at Hennepin County decided to concentrate an effort at helping black men ages 18 to 30. Joining us on the line is Gary Cunningham, director of the African American Men Project.
|
| Morning Edition Archive |
|
|
|
© 2024 | Home : Terms of Use : Your Privacy Rights