MONDAY, OCT. 28, 2002

DFL looks to Mondale
As Minnesotans continue to mourn the death of Senator Paul Wellstone, Democrats across the state are starting to talk about who will replace Wellstone on the ballot. State DFL officials are reluctant to talk politics before a public memorial service for Wellstone tomorrow night, but they don't have much time, with the election in just over a week. Party activists meet Wednesday night to choose a new Senate candidate, and it's likely to be former Vice President and Senator Walter Mondale. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.

Wellstone's death altered political landscape
As Minnesotans continue to mourn the death of Senator Paul Wellstone, many are also talking about who will replace Wellstone on the ballot. Party activists will meet to choose a new candidate Wednesday night, and it's likely to be former Vice President and Senator Walter Mondale. Chris Gilbert is the Chair of the Political Science department at Gustavous Adolphus College. He says Mondale is, indeed, the obvious choice.

Minnesotans mourn loss of Sen. Paul Wellstone
Many of those mourning the loss of Sen. Paul Wellstone say they hope his political legacy will live on. Wellstone died in a plane crash Friday along with his wife Sheila, daughter Marcia, three campaign workers and two pilots. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.

Crash investigation continues
Investigators have more clues about the plane crash that killed Paul and Sheila Wellstone, and six other people. But the cause of the crash is still a mystery. Some investigators are already heading back to Washington D.C. with information they collected at the crash site. But they say they won't have any answers for a long time. Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Julin has this report from Eveleth.

Wellstone friends and family gather for private memorial
Family members and close friends of Paul and Sheila Wellstone and their daughter Marcia Wellstone Markuson will be gathering today for a private funeral service in St. Paul. Details are being kept private. Rabbi Stacy Offner from Shir Tikvah Synagogue is helping to lead the service. She says the service will follow Jewish tradition.

Attorney for Wellstone's campaign mourns loss
As the DFL prepares to move forward with the Senate campaign, one of the people in the middle of the discussions is former U.S. Attorney David Lillehaug. Lillehaug worked on Walter Mondale's presidential campaign in 1984 and was the Wellstone campaign's attorney during this campaign. He was at the meeting on Saturday when Wellstone's son and campaign manager asked Mondale to run in Senator Wellstone's place. David Lillehaug joins us now in the studio.

DFL officials raise questions about supplemental ballot
There's a lot happening around the continuing story of Sen. Paul Wellstone's death. His funeral and that of his wife and daughter is today. Memorial services and visitations for two of his campaign staffers, Tom Lapic and Mary McEvoy, are tonight. Former Vice President Walter Mondale's name keeps coming up as a possible replacement on the ballot for Wellstone. The Republican Party says it will begin campaigning in ernest by Wednesday, with the election just days away. Add to all this some confusion over the balloting. DFL Party Chairman Mike Erlandson wants the mailing of absentee ballots to stop. Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer is handling those questions.

TUESDAY, OCT. 29, 2002

Wellstone crash investigation may take long time
Federal investigators are still studying evidence at the scene of the plane crash that killed U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone, his wife Sheila, and six other people. The first stage of the inquiry is expected to wrap up in the next couple of days in Eveleth, Minnesota. Investigators say it could be a long time before they find out what caused the crash, if an answer can be found from the evidence. Minnesota Public Radio's Stephanie Hemphill reports.

Thousands expected at Wellstone public memorial
Many national dignitaries are expected to join nearly 20,000 others at a public memorial service tonight for U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone, his wife Sheila, and daughter Marcia. The service will also honor three Wellstone campaign staffers, Mary McEvoy, Tom Lapic, and Will McLaughlin. Two pilots Richard Conry and Michael Guess also died in the crash. All eight people perished in a plane crash on Friday near Eveleth, Minnesota. A private service was held for Wellstone yesterday. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.

Remembering crash victims
Organizers say nearly 20,000 people could attend the public memorial service for U.S Senator Paul Wellstone, his wife, their daughter and three campaign workers tonight at the University of Minnesota. They were among eight people killed when a chartered plane crashed Friday near Eveleth, Minnesota. Family, friends and admirers gathered last night at three different ceremonies around the Twin Cities to remember several of the crash victims. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.

Ballot issues still in dispute
Minnesota elections officials are still sorting out polling details in the wake of DFL Senator Paul Wellstone's death last week. Governor Jesse Ventura says the process could lead to lawsuits after the election that questions the balloting process. Democratic Attorney General Mike Hatch says he will advise county auditors to continue issuing absentee ballots with Wellstone's name, despite pleas by DFL officials to wait until a new nominee has been identified. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.

DFLers say stop politics until burial
Minnesota Democrats are angry that state Republican leaders issued a challenge for debates between Senator Paul Wellstone's replacement on next week's ballot and Republican Senate candidate Norm Coleman. Democrats are accusing Republicans of disrespect for issuing the challenge on the day Wellstone was buried in a private ceremony. Wellstone, his wife, daughter, and five others died Friday in a plane crash in Eveleth. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 30, 2002

Memorial service becomes DFL prep rally
More than 20,000 people came to the University of Minnesota last night to honor the late Senator Paul Wellstone. The event began as a farewell to the DFL Senator, his wife and daughter and three campaign workers, who were killed in a plane crash last Friday along with two pilots. The memorial service turned into a political rally, as Wellstone's two sons, his campaign treasurer and closest Senate colleague urged the crowd to continue Wellstone's legacy at the voting booth. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.

New poll shows Mondale has 8-point lead over Coleman
A new poll shows Republican Norm Coleman would have to play catch-up against Walter Mondale in the race for the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by the death of Paul Wellstone. The Star Tribune Minnesota Poll finds Mondale leads Coleman 47 percent to 39 percent. The poll also shows changes in the governor's race, where Independence Party candidate Tim Penny has fallen to 19 percent, essentially taking him out of what was a close three-way race. Larry Jacobs is a political science professor at the University of Minnesota. He's on the line now.

Norm Coleman restarts campaign
While DFLers select a new candidate this evening, Republican Norm Coleman's campaign plane has just left St. Paul's Holman airfield for a flyaround of the state. Coleman's campaign swing, which includes International Falls, Thief River Falls, and southern Minnesota, comes as a new poll from the Star Tribune shows him behind Mondale by 8 points. I just talked with Mr. Coleman about the poll and the campaign, and he says it's an uphill battle, and he'll keep the focus on his record.

Mondale ready to run
Former Vice President Walter F. Mondale intends to appear before Minnesota DFL party leaders tonight to launch a campaign to hold the late Paul Wellstone's seat for the Democrats, according to party officials. His entry will put the 74-year-old Mondale into a six day campaign against a 53 year old rival, Republican and former St. Paul mayor Norm Coleman. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson profiles Walter Mondale's public service.

Thousands of people gather to remember Wellstone
Of the thousands of people who attended last's night's memorial service for Senator Paul Wellstone, many knew him only from reading about him or seeing him on television. But many others had met Paul Wellstone personally, and almost everyone had a story to tell. Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Losure talked to people in the crowd and filed this report.

Norm Coleman speaks to supporters
Republican candidate Norm Coleman has once again launched his campaign for U.S. Senate. Coleman called off all campaign activities last Friday after Senator Paul Wellstone was killed in a plane crash. But today Coleman is flying around the state talking to voters in International Falls, Thief River Falls and Owatonna. He spoke to supporters at the airport before leaving this morning.

DFL officials expected to name Walter Mondale
The Minnesota DFL's Central Committee convenes a special meeting this evening where hundreds of DFL activists are expected to name former Vice President Walter Mondale as the party's new U.S. Senate candidate. The meeting will take place at 7:00pm at the Historic State Theater in downtown Minneapolis. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports.

THURSDAY, OCT. 31, 2002

Mondale accepts nomination
Former Vice President, U.S. Senator, and Ambassador to Japan Walter Mondale says he decided to take Paul Wellstone's place on the DFL ticket because he loves his state and country and wants to serve again. Last night hundreds of DFL activists voted by acclamation to make Mondale the party's Senate candidate. He now has five days to campaign against Republican Norm Coleman. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports.

GOP rallies in waning days of campaign
While Minnesota's DFLers were formalizing Walter Mondale's Senate candidacy yesterday, candidates from other parties were getting back on the campaign trail. Major party candidates took a four-day hiatus from campaigning following the plane crash that killed Senator Paul Wellstone. But politicking resumed in earnest yesterday. Republican candidates visited various parts of the state during the day and then converged for a joint political rally in Saint Paul. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen reports.

Coleman speaks at GOP rally
As Mark reported, Republican Senate candidate Norm Coleman joined other party members at a campaign rally at a restaurant in St. Paul last night. Here's some more of what Coleman had to say during that appearance.

Mondale addresses supporters
While the Republicans rallied in St. Paul, the DFL Central Committee was gathering in Minneapolis to officially make Walter Mondale the party's choice to replace Paul Wellstone on the ballot for U.S. Senate. Mondale was chosen by acclamation and then he addressed the crowd. Here is some of what he had to say.

Minnesota Supreme Court to hear ballot question
The Minnesota Supreme Court will hear arguments this morning on the DFL Party's demand that election officials send new absentee ballots to those who cast their vote for Wellstone before he died last week. The DFL party also claims the supplemental ballot for next Tuesday contains errors and should be changed. The Republican Party disagrees and has joined the lawsuit. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports.

Last-minute ballot changes not a first in Minnesota
Last-minute ballot changes have happened before in Minnesota. In 1990, GOP gubernatorial candidate John Grunseth withdrew from the race a little over a week before the election. Joan Growe was Secretary of State at the time, and had to manage the changes in the ballots. She joins us on the line now.

Statement from Republican gubernatorial candidate Tim Pawlenty
As a public service, Minnesota Public Radio is broadcasting short campaign statements from each of the seven candidates for governor on our daily news programs. 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. This morning we hear from the Republican candidate, Tim Pawlenty.

FRIDAY, NOV. 1, 2002

Minnesota court orders new absentee ballots in Senate race
The Minnesota Supreme Court has ordered election officials to send new absentee ballots and supplemental Senate ballots only to people who ask to change their vote. The ruling was a partial defeat for the DFL Party, which had asked the court to order officials to send new ballots to all Minnesota voters who had mailed absentee ballots. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports.

Senate candidates hit campaign trail
DFL Senate candidate Walter Mondale will hold a series of town meetings today in southern Minnesota while his Republican challenger Norm Coleman campaigns in northern Minnesota. Mondale hit the campaign trail yesterday for the first time since the mid 1980s looking for voter support. As Mondale's campaign rapidly unfolds, Coleman continues to push on with what he's calling "The Future is Now" campaign. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports.

New campaign ads much more civil than usual
Less than 24 hours after accepting the DFL nomination for Senate, former Vice-President Walter Mondale hit the airwaves with a television ad. His opponent, Republican candidate and former St. Paul Mayor Norm Coleman, has been back on TV since Wednesday. He introduced yet another spot yesterday. All ads suggest that the short campaign period following Democratic Sen. Paul Wellstone's death will be more civil than usual. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports.

School districts ask local voters for financial help
More than 70 of Minnesota's 341 school districts have proposals on the ballot this fall to raise local taxes. Last November, a record 188 districts held levy referendums, and 132 passed. Most of the districts that failed are trying again with new requests. They're also spelling out the bleak budget consequences of another defeat. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.

Statement from Republican U.S. Senate candidate Norm Coleman
As a public service, Minnesota Public Radio will be broadcasting short campaign statements from each of the five Minnesota candidates for U.S. Senate on our daily news programs today. 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. Today, we hear from Republican candidate Norm Coleman.

U.S. Senate race has similarities to 1990 gubernatorial race
Former Vice President Walter Mondale has kicked off a lightening campaign against Republican Norm Coleman for the U.S. Senate seat left open by Paul Wellstone. Mondale is the DFL's last-minute replacement for Wellstone, and he has only a few days to get out and talk to voters. This isn't the first time in Minnesota history that a candidate has mounted a campaign shortly before election day. In the 1990 race for the governor's seat, Arne Carlson was added to the ballot nine days before the election, after Republican Jon Grunseth withdrew. Carlson then charged past Perpich and won the race. Former Governor Arne Carlson joins us now.

Senate candidates would have different powers in Washington
As voters consider the new choices in the U.S. Senate race, one of the issues being raised is the relative power Walter Mondale would have in the Senate compared to Norm Coleman. Norman Ornstein is a congressional analyst with the American Enterprise Institute in Washington, D.C. He says, as a former Vice-President, Mondale would have special status in the Senate.

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

Meteorologist discusses Minnesota weather
Meteorologist Mark Seeley discusses the cold October, and looks ahead to the weekend forecast.

North Dakota ballot measure addresses population loss
For years, North Dakota has lost population. Like many rural areas dependent on agriculture, North Dakota's economy has struggled. Census data shows young people are leaving the state. North Dakota's population is getting older. The so-called "brain drain" is the focus of a ballot measure supporters say will address the issue. Mainstreet Radio's Bob Reha reports.

Kmart closing more stores
The retail giant Kmart is going to get a lot smaller. The company expects to close more than 550 stores nationwide, or about a third of its locations. Kmart's troubles are the topic of an article in this week's edition of The Business Journal. Scott Smith is the reporter who wrote the article, and he says Minnesota locations are expected to be included on the list of stores to close.