MONDAY, NOV. 11, 2002

Pawlenty to cut government spending to balance budget
Governor-elect Tim Pawlenty says he won't raise taxes to address a budget deficit that could top $3 billion. To do that, Pawlenty plans to cut government spending. State agency heads are saying they already cut to the bone under the last budget agreement and any further cuts will be felt by the public. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.

Deer hunters out despite fears of CWD
Nearly 400,000 Minnesota hunters were out trying to bag a deer over the weekend, despite concerns about chronic wasting disease. Saturday was the first day of the firearms deer hunting season in Minnesota. DNR officials were also out over the weekend. They collected brain samples of deer at some registration points across the state in order to test for CWD. Mike DonCarlos is the wildlife research manager for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. He's on the line now.

Vet cemeteries short of space
Military veterans in the United States are entitled to be buried in a veterans' cemetery. But many of those cemeteries are running out of space, particularly as hundreds of World War II veterans die every day. The two veterans' cemeteries in Minnesota are facing that prospect as well. The state veterans' cemetery at Camp Ripley is being expanded, in hopes of taking some of the pressure off Ft. Snelling, which will run out of room in less than 25 years. Mainstreet Radio's Tim Post reports.

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

TUESDAY, NOV. 12, 2002

Barkley to remain independent
Minnesota's interim U.S. Sen. Dean Barkley says he will remain independent, caucusing neither with Republicans nor Democrats. Barkley announced his decision not to link with either major party yesterday afternoon. There will be a ceremonial swearing in for Barkley on the floor of the Senate today. He'll also meet with President Bush and attend a presidential reception for newly elected members of Congress including Minnesota Republican Sen.-elect Norm Coleman who's expected to take Barkley's place early next year. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports from Washington.

The ethanol steamroller
When the new Congress heads to Washington in January, members are expected to resume work on energy legislation that would be a giant boost for the corn-based fuel, ethanol. The energy bill would more than double the nation's use of ethanol over the next ten years. Ethanol supporters --such the nation's corn farmers -- say it's a way to reduce this country's dependence on foreign oil and benefit the environment at the same time. Ethanol opponents doubt those arguments, but they're fighting a losing battle. Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Losure has the latest in our occasional series on ethanol.

Schools looking to cut despite successful referendums
Voters approved levy referendums in 18 of 24 Twin Cities area school districts last week, but the additional revenue might not be enough to prevent budget cuts and teacher layoffs next year. Most school district leaders set their referendum amounts at what was needed to maintain current programs. They say the Legislature's approach to balancing the state budget next year could quickly create more financial problems. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.

King of the critics
Most folks have a hobby. Some of us have an obsession. There's that neighbor with the fancy, old cars. Or your friend the birdwatcher. And you've probably read about a physicist who sleeps three hours a night and works seven days a week. These are people with a passion. People like Lawrence Bernabo. He lives in Duluth. And he wants to be number one. Chris Julin has this Mainstreet Radio report.

Broadway show The Producers opens in Minneapolis
The popular musical The Producers opens today at the Historic Orpheum Theater in Minneapolis. The show has been a huge hit in other parts of the country, setting box office records and collecting multiple Tony awards. The Producers is created and co-written by Mel Brooks. It's the story of two con men who try make money in a shameless scam-- by creating what they think is a sure-fire Broadway flop so they can pocket the investors' money when the show closes. Dominic Papatola is a theatre critic for the St. Paul Pioneer Press. He's come by the studio this morning.

Local political reporter out with new book
A local political reporter is out with her first piece of fiction. Kerri Miller from KARE-11 TV has written "Dead Air," a political thriller that tells the story of an intrepid TV reporter who suddenly finds herself covering the disappearance of a press secretary. Miller says although the story is fiction, she drew from her own real-life experience when writing this book.

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 13, 2002

Barkley takes oath; Senators eulogize Wellstone
As Congress and the White House move toward passage of a homeland security bill, Minnesota's interim Sen. Dean Barkley says he plans to vote for something that the White House will support. Vice President Dick Cheney swore in Barkley on the floor of the Senate yesterday afternoon. Following that brief ceremony, Republican and Democratic Senators praised Paul Wellstone for hours with eulogies. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports.

Tentative agreement reached in Red Wing teachers strike
Red Wing students could return to class Friday if the teachers union and school officials approve a tentative agreement. Negotiators reached the deal yesterday, and both sides will vote on it later today. The parties refuse to release details until after the vote. Red Wing teachers walked off the job 16 days ago in a dispute over salaries and insurance benefits. They had been working without a contract since July of last year. Angie Healy heads the Parent Advisory Council for the district. She's on the line now.

Study shows all-day kindergarten helping kids learn to read
Minneapolis school district officials say early literacy interventions are helping many students of color catch up to their white classmates. A new report shows significant gains by African-American, American Indian and Latino students enrolled in all-day kindergarten compared to those in half-day classes. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.

DNR could see changes under new administration
If Gov.-elect Tim Pawlenty has his way, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources could be split into two agencies. During the campaign, Pawlenty said he wanted to turn the fish and wildlife functions of the DNR into a separate cabinet-level agency. He says the move will make the state government's management of natural resources more accountable to anglers and hunters - and to taxpayers. Dennis Anderson is a columnist for the Minneapolis Star Tribune. He says Pawlenty has two reasons why the DNR should be split.

THURSDAY, NOV. 14, 2002

Memorial for Wellstone held in D.C.
Some members of Congress, including Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, were among those remembering Paul Wellstone, his wife and his daughter at a memorial service held at a Washington D.C. synagogue last night. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports.

Red Wing teachers strike over
The first and only teachers strike in Red Wing history has come to end. After three weeks on the picket line, teachers will return to the classroom today and students will head back to school on Friday. The settlement follows two days of face-to-face talks between teachers and district officials. Mainstreet Radio's Erin Galbally reports.

Property owners get truth-in-taxation forms
Property owners are receiving their truth-in-taxation forms in the mail, and some homeowners may be surprised at how much they'll owe next year. Property taxes were reformed in 2001 when Gov. Jesse Ventura signed a bill that lowered those taxes for businesses and had the state take over funding for schools. Local property taxes may be in for even more changes as Gov.-elect Tim Pawlenty takes office after promising not to raise taxes. Joining us on the line is Dan Salomone, executive director of the Minnesota Taxpayers Association.

FRIDAY, NOV. 15, 2002

Listings not yet available.