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September 30 - October 4, 2002
[ Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday ]
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Monday, Sept. 30, 2002 |
Ventura casts long shadow on Cuba trade show
Today is the last day for the U.S. Food & Agribusiness Exhibition in Havana, Cuba. Governor Ventura spent a portion of last week participating in the trade fair, and several prominent Minnesota companies will be folding up their exhibit booths - but not, they hope, before a sale. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports from Havana.
A boring adventure
Workers are boring two tunnels through sandstone 70 feet below the Twin Cities International airport. When the tunnels are complete, they'll allow the trains of the Hiawatha light rail line to drop off passengers at the airport's two LRT stations. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson visited the tunnel and the tunnel boring machine.
Hennepin County courthouse security debated
At a time when the nation remains sensitive to security concerns, one of the Twin Cities urban courthouses allows essentially unfettered access to its adult courtrooms. Hennepin County is one of the few metro courthouses in the country that has not enhanced security with metal detectors and entrance screening. But as Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports, officials say securing the building would be a difficult and costly proposition.
Twins gearing up for playoffs
For the first time in eleven years, the Minnesota Twins this week are headed to the postseason. The Twins will be underdogs when they open their series with the Oakland A's tomorrow afternoon. But whether they win or lose in the playoffs, 2002 will go down as a landmark season for the Twins. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen reports.
Vikings slip to 0-4
While the Twins are headed to the playoffs, the Minnesota Vikings are going in the opposite direction. The Vikes are off to the worst start since they came into the National Football League in 1967. Their record slipped to 0-4 with a loss in Seattle last night, 48-23. It was a wild game in which the Seahawks scored 28 points in less than two minutes near the end of the first half. Sean Jensen covers the Vikings for the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Sean says he's never seen such a flurry of turnovers and scoring.
Medtronic gives U of M $6 million
Medical device maker Medtronic is funding a new position at the University of Minnesota that could lead to new discoveries in the biomedical and bioengineering research fields. That research could lead to products that might one day replace medical devices. Medtronic is giving $6 million to the U of M to endow a new position intended to explore the convergence of medical devices and breakthroughs in bioscience. The search to fill the position will be led by Dr. Jeffrey McCullough, a professor at the U of M and director of the University's Biomedical Engineering Institute.
Monday markets
Investors will watch the stock market this week for signs of improvement. After two days of gains, the Dow finished down on Friday, following warnings of reduced earnings from some big companies. Usually at this time, Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Farrell joins us for a look at the markets. Chris is out of town this week, so we've called Craig Shaver, managing director of investments at U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray. Mr. Shaver joins us now.
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Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2002 |
With state short of cash, candidates short of solutions
Minnesota finance officials said last week that the state's budget deficit could top $3 billion in the next two-year budget cycle. Perhaps the most challenging job for Minnesota's next governor will be preparing a budget that addresses the deficit. The four major party gubernatorial candidates offer different approaches to plugging the budget hole, but none is willing to outline specific spending cuts at this point. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum looks at the budget debate.
Nice season. Now what?
The Minnesota Twins open the postseason on the road this afternoon against the Oakland A's. Game time is 3:00pm. Sure, one team is from the Midwest, the other from the West Coast. One is in the playoffs for the third straight year, the other hasn't tasted baseball's postseason since 1991. But as Jon Gordon reports from Oakland, the Twins and the A's have a lot in common.
Negative ads in Senate campaign
The latest ads in the race between incumbent DFL Senator Paul Wellstone and Republican challenger Norm Coleman indicate a campaign that is getting even more negative. While the candidates talk publicly about wanting the race to focus on the issues, political observers say the campaigns may see negative ads as a more effective way to sway undecided voters. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports.
Hearing will be held on state plan to collect medical information
An administrative law judge will hold a hearing this week on the state Health Department's plan to collect medical information about Minnesotans. Beginning in 2004, the Health Department wants to gather the name, race, diagnosis, and other information about patients in order to create a database. Health officials say the database would allow them to scrutinize the health system and find ways to improve it. They might, for example, see a disease cluster in a particular area, and be able to reduce the disease in that region. The plan has some opponents, including Twila Brase, president of the Citizens' Council on Health Care in St. Paul. She was instrumental is pushing for Friday's hearing, and she's on the line now.
Minneapolis Library to unveil new design
The new Minneapolis Central Library will take another step forward later today when the architects of the new building unveil their design. The new library will be built on the Hennepin Avenue site of the old library, which is being torn down. The new building will also include a planetarium if funding is secured. Joining us on the line is Bill Butler, leader of the design team working with architect Cesar Pelli.
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Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2002 |
Comeback propels Twins to win
Minnesota Twins Manager Ron Gardenhire says his team embarrassed itself in the first two innings of yesterday's opening game of the American League division series. But the team is savoring innings three through nine, during which it battered the vaunted Oakland pitching staff and silenced the A's bats for a 7-5 victory. Minnesota Public Radio's Jon Gordon reports.
South Dakota has nation's poorest county
The 2000 census shows South Dakota's Buffalo County is the poorest in the nation. There are more poor kids in that county than anywhere else. Schools in Buffalo County want to work with the children to break the poverty cycle. Minnesota Public Radio's Cara Hetland reports.
Democrats find an issue
DFL and Republican candidates running Minnesota's 6th and 2nd congressional districts are attacking each other over the issue of Social Security. The DFLers say their Republican opponents want to privatize Social Security and allow younger workers to invest in the stock market. It's an issue that resonates with a group that votes -- senior citizens. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
Abuse victims settle with St. John's Abbey
Officials with St. John's Abbey have settled a dozen cases of abuse by monks in the 1960s, '70s and '80s. The victims will receive a payment from the Abbey, although the amount isn't being made public. Both sides say the most important part of the settlement is the formation an independent board of review. The board will be appointed by victims and will investigate accusations of abuse. Richard Sipe is a nationally recognized psychotherapist who specializes in priest-abuse issues. He's also a former monk at the abbey, and he's on the line now.
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Thursday, Oct. 3, 2002 |
Oakland spanks Twins to even series
The Minnesota Twins are returning to the Metrodome, where they are 11-1 in the postseason, for game three of the division playoff series with the Oakland A's. The Twins and A's play tomorrow afternoon. Rick Reed will pitch for the Twins. Another tough lefty, Barry Zito, will start for the A's. Yesterday, Oakland scorched the Twins 9-1 to even the series at one game apiece. Minnesota Public Radio's Jon Gordon reports from Oakland.
St. Paul Library reopens after facelift
The St. Paul Central Library is about to open its doors to the public once again. The building was built in 1917 but was closed two years ago so it could be renovated. When it reopens this weekend, the public will get to use new technology and see areas of the building that were previously off-limits. Steve Nelson is with the Central Library, and he spoke with us inside the nonfiction room while the finishing touches on the renovation were being completed. He says the room is one of the library staff's favorites.
Port closure impact could be felt here
All 29 West Coast seaports remain closed as longshoremen and management have failed to end an almost weeklong lockout. Minnesota companies that depend on the ports say they were prepared for the closures. Most businesses say they'll be fine if the lockout ends soon. However, a long lockout could present problems. Minnesota Public Radio's Andrew Haeg has more.
State board to hear complaint over Pawlenty ad
A state agency will consider today whether the state Republican Party and its gubernatorial candidate have illegally coordinated advertising efforts. The Independence Party has asked the Minnesota Campaign Finance and Disclosure Board to look into the ads the party has run on behalf of Tim Pawlenty. The party claims the ads are legal, but opponents say the ads violate restrictions on independent expenditures. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
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Friday, Oct. 4, 2002 |
There's no place like home
Well, there is one epidemic the state doesn't need any statistics to confirm - Twins Fever. 55,000 baseball fans will fill the Metrodome today for game three of the playoff series against Oakland. If previous postseason games are any indication, the noise those fans make will give the Twins a big advantage. Minnesota native Greg Olson was the starting catcher for the Atlanta Braves when they lost to the Twins in the 1991 World Series. He says Oakland is in for a surprise today.
U will seek slim budget increase
University of Minnesota Interim President Robert Bruininks says the state's projected $3 billion deficit means the U of M will propose its lowest biennial budget request in 10 years. Bruininks made his remarks to students, staff and faculty yesterday during his first State of the University address. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.
Data privacy vs. public health
An administrative law judge will hear arguments today on a state plan to collect medical information on nearly everyone in Minnesota. Supporters say the project could dramatically improve public health. Opponents, however, say the proposal could violate patient privacy. They're asking the judge to stop the plan before it even takes effect. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
3M to expand into service industry
3M, one of the country's biggest manufacturers, is about to expand into the service industry. The idea is to sell contracts to customers who buy products that need ongoing services. CEO James McNerney's new strategy could add a whole new dimension to the $16 billion company. 3M's move is the topic of an article in this week's edition of The Business Journal. Reporter Sam Black, who wrote the article, says the company is looking to develop ongoing relationships with its customers.
Cool, dry weather coming
University of Minnesota Meteorologist Mark Seeley discusses Minnesota weather history and the weekend forecast.
Word of Mouth
Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Roberts takes a look at art and artists around the state.
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