MONDAY, OCT. 21, 2002

The future of special education
In 1975, President Ford signed landmark legislation that guaranteed every disabled child equal access to an education. Congress will soon begin work to reauthorize the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. This complex law has opened up learning opportunities for millions of children. However, it's also consistently criticized as the classic unfunded mandate, one that puts a financial drain on school districts. In the first of three reports, Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire looks at the impact of the special education law.

Gubernatorial candidates debate in Duluth
The Minnesota governor's race is a three-way dead heat, according to the latest polls. Republican Tim Pawlenty, Democrat Roger Moe, and Independence Party candidate Tim Penny are all within a couple percentage points of each other. The three candidates were joined by the Green Party's Ken Pentel for a televised debate last night in Duluth. Penny and Pentel joined forces and repeatedly accused the Democrats and Republicans of trying to shut out new ideas. Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Julin has this report.

Profile: Secretary of State race
One of the races that is not drawing as much attention as the governor's contest or the tight U.S. Senate race is the election of the next Secretary of State. The incumbent, Mary Kiffmeyer, is Minnesota's only statewide Republican office-holder. She is facing challengers on three fronts: DFLer Buck Humphrey, Independence Party candidate Dean Alger, and Green Party nominee Andrew Koebrick. All four candidates say the outcome is crucial to the future administration of the state's elections. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.

Mail theft on the rise
One million Twin Cities residents will soon receive a card from the U.S. Postal Service offering advice on how to avoid becoming a victim of mail theft. Mail theft is on the rise in Minnesota and many parts of the country, and authorities believe thieves are stealing the mail to obtain personal information like credit card and social security numbers. The St. Paul Field Office of the Postal Service investigates mail theft in Minnesota, the Dakotas, and Western Wisconsin. Postal Inspector Susan Matt joins us now.

Monday markets
Minnesota Public Radio's Chief Economics Correspondent Chris Farrell discusses the latest economics news.

TUESDAY, OCT. 22, 2002

Gubernatorial candidates debate on TV
With the election just two weeks from today, Minnesota's major-party gubernatorial candidates are scrambling to pick up the state's remaining undecided voters. The candidates met last night for a televised debate on KSTP. Recent polls show a virtual dead heat between Republican Tim Pawlenty, DFLer Roger Moe, and Independence Party nominee Tim Penny. However, each played it fairly safe, sticking to his campaign's familiar themes and avoiding dramatic shifts that could fracture his base of supporters. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.

Special education: A day in the life of Sam
A recent national survey found most parents of special education students are satisfied with their schools. But the factors that drive that satisfaction are also what make mandated special education requirements costly. Educators must follow detailed plans to meet the unique needs of every student. Most of the plans require additional staff to get the job done. The result is a complex and expensive school day. In the second of a three-part series on special education, Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports on a typical day for one Minneapolis student.

TV airwaves full of political ads
The 2002 elections are just two weeks away, and TV airwaves are full of political ads. Some are paid for by the candidates' campaigns, but others are paid for by political parties or issue groups that want to influence elections in Minnesota. Many of the ads concern the Senate race between incumbent Democrat Paul Wellstone and his main challenger, Republican Norm Coleman. If you watch the ads closely, many will end with a tagline, and a phone number flashed across the screen.

Louisiana's wetlands are vanishing
Louisiana's coast line is disappearing. Every couple of years, a chunk of land bigger than Manhattan crumbles and turns to open water. Scientists say it's causing one of the biggest environmental disasters in America's history. In the latest special from American RadioWorks, correspondent Daniel Zwerdling looks at what's causing the problem…and what scientists, politicians and business leaders want to do to fix it. In this excerpt from "Nature's Revenge: Louisiana's Vanishing Wetlands," Zwerdling goes into the marsh with scientist Denise Reed to see the damage first-hand.

Can treating women for gum disease reduce pre-term births?
The University of Minnesota's School of Dentistry has received a $7.5 million grant to determine whether treating women for gum disease during pregnancy can reduce the risk of pre-term birth. A pre-term birth occurs when a woman has her baby before her 37th week of pregnancy. Previous research has shown a link between gum disease and both pre-term birth and low birthweight. Researchers at the U of M will use the grant to conduct a clinical trial involving 800 women across four enrollment centers. Dr. Michalowicz is one of the researchers on the study. He's on the line now.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 23, 2002

Senate campaigns spar over ads
Supporters of Democrat Paul Wellstone and Republican Norm Coleman are complaining about the latest aids that independent groups are airing in Minnesota's U.S. Senate race. Wellstone's campaign is calling on a Washington-based trade group to stop airing television ads which criticize the senator. Some supporters of Coleman are saying a union-financed radio ad about Coleman is inaccurate. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports.

State Senate race heats up in Olmsted County
Minnesota's new State Senate District 30 cuts a jagged path across Olmsted County. It's an area best known in political circles for its homebred allegiance to the GOP. But because of changes in the Independence Party this election year, Senate District 30 is up for grabs. Mainstreet Radio's Erin Galbally reports.

The future of special education
The main federal law requiring equal educational access to disabled children is up for renewal, and big changes in the special education regulations are possible. Congress will soon begin work to reauthorize the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which was signed into law by President Ford in 1975. Despite a major rewrite in 1997, some people are now calling for another overhaul of special education. Others say a few tweaks and more money are all that's needed for a mostly successful mandate. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire has the final story in our series on special education.

Wisconsin politicians to appear in court
Two former legislative leaders in Wisconsin will make their initial appearance in state court tomorrow. They face charges stemming from an investigation into the use of state staff and property for campaign purposes. State Senate Majority Leader and Democrat Chuck Chvala is facing 20 felony counts, among other charges, including accusations of extortion. State Assembly Speaker Scott Jensen, a Republican, faces three felony counts. Both say they're innocent of the charges levied against them. Joining us on the line is Dee Hall, a reporter with the Wisconsin State Journal who first broke this story in May of 2001.

THURSDAY, OCT. 24, 2002

Former Lanesboro police chief on trial
Final arguments are expected today in the trial of former Lanesboro Police Chief John Tuchek. Tuchek is accused of deliberately lighting a fire that destroyed three historic buildings last April. Tuchek had been expected to take the stand Wednesday, but at the last minute his attorney decided against it. The Fillmore County Court did hear a taped confession. Minnesota Public Radio's Laurel Druley reports.

GOP looks to take control in Minnesota Senate
Republicans and DFLers are battling for control of the state Legislature. Redistricting has created nine open seats in the Minnesota Senate, and has pitted two incumbents against each other. DFLers have controlled the Minnesota Senate since 1972. But despite being 10 seats down, Republicans say they have the best chance in years of making major gains in the Senate. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.

Pentel's water tax - a good idea?
Green Party gubernatorial candidate Ken Pentel is proposing a water tax to balance the state budget. Pentel says a 3-cent per gallon tax on commercial/industrial water use could wipe out a deficit that could top $3 billion. Some companies, however, say such a tax could put them out of business. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.

War issue debated on campus
Student activists at Minnesota's college campuses are getting involved in the national debate over Iraq. Students at the University of Minnesota will hold an anti-war protest at noon today on Northrup Plaza. Peace activists at campuses across the state are planning similar protests, debates and votes to show their opposition to a potential invasion of Iraq. Some say today's student activists are better prepared to present their case than their counterparts from the Vietnam era. But some students, who don't consider themselves peace activists, say peace has become part of their school's curriculum. They say professors need to teach both sides of the issue and push aside the anti-war ideology. Mainstreet Radio's Tim Post reports.

New book on Minneapolis' Skid Row
In the early 1960s, over one-third of downtown Minneapolis was demolished in the nation's first federally funded urban renewal project. The goal was to rebuild the city's Gateway district, a lively but decrepit area with dozens of bars, flophouses, and pawnshops. Minneapolis writer Joe Hart traces the history of this area in a new book called "Down & Out: The Life and Death of Minneapolis's Skid Row." His essay is accompanied by pictures of the demolition taken by Edwin Hirschoff. Hart says although the area was rundown, it had some buildings with real character.

FRIDAY, OCT. 25, 2002

Senate campaign spending reaches record levels
Minnesota's U.S. Senate race has attracted nearly $20 million in direct contributions to the campaigns of DFL Senator Paul Wellstone and Republican Norm Coleman. That doesn't include money the campaigns have taken in since the middle of the month. The Wellstone-Coleman contest easily breaks the record for spending in a Minnesota U.S. Senate race, with the DFL incumbent significantly outpacing his Republican challenger. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports.

The battle for the Minnesota House
Along with the other offices on the ballot this year, all 134 seats in the Minnesota House will be decided. Republicans currently control the House with a 71 to 63 margin over DFLers. Officials with both parties say there are at least 25 competitive seats in the upcoming election. Redistricting has created a number of open seats and forced ten incumbents to run against each other. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.

Education a hot issue in gubernatorial race
The State of Minnesota spends nearly 40 percent of its general fund dollars on K-12 education, making it by far the single largest expense in the budget. Nonetheless, school districts across the state are laying off teachers and cutting programs as they struggle to make ends meet. Voters regularly list education as a top priority in this year's elections, and the four major-party gubernatorial candidates are paying attention. As part of our Campaign 2002 coverage, Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo takes a look at the education debate.

Pheasant numbers down in South Dakota
This is the second week of the South Dakota pheasant season, and officials there are concerned. The state can typically count on a $110 million boost to the state's economy from the influx of hunters, but this year the numbers are down. Mainstreet Radio's Cara Hetland explains why.

Campaign statement: Lawrence Michael Aeshliman
As a public service, Minnesota Public Radio will be broadcasting short campaign statements from each of the seven candidates for governor on our daily news programs through next Friday. These statements, which are also available on the Minnesota Public Radio website, are an opportunity for the candidates to deliver an unfiltered message directly to voters.

General Mills to roll out new products
General Mills' acquisition of Pillsbury may finally be paying off. General Mills bought Pillsbury for more than $10 billion in 2001. But since then, the company has focused on integrating Pillsbury into the business instead of launching new products. Now that's changing. New products are on the way, according to an article in this week's edition of The Business Journal. Andrew Tellijohn is the reporter who wrote the story. He says General Mills' latest product is called Complete Meals.

Meteorologist Mark Seeley on the cold weather
University of Minnesota Meteorologist Mark Seeley talks about Minnesota weather history and explains this week's cold weather.

Word of Mouth
Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Roberts looks at art and artists around the state this week.