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December 9 - 13, 2002
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Monday, Dec. 9, 2002 |
United bankruptcy could affect Northwest
This morning, United Airlines filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. As the nation's second largest carrier, it is by far the largest airline to ever file for bankruptcy. The final decision was made yesterday after United was able to secure $1.5 billion in loans that will enable it to continue operating. While its flight schedule will remain the same for now, it is likely to be revamped as part of the restructuring, and that will have an impact on competitors like Northwest Airlines. Joel Denny is an airline industry analyst for U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray. He says United's financial situation is better today than it was yesterday.
U.S. Supreme Court reviews sex offender law
The U.S. Supreme Court is reviewing Megan's Law, which governs how the public is notified about registered sex offenders in their community. The court is also reviewing which offenders must be publicly identified. The federal law passed in 1996 is named for Megan Kanka, a 7-year-old girl who was raped and murdered by a neighbor. It was later discovered he was a convicted sex offender. In Minnesota, so-called level three offenders, those who are considered the most dangerous, have their pictures and personal information distributed to the public. Some Minnesota law enforcement officials believe they have a national model. But others say there are inherent problems with the law. They say the sex offender label makes it almost impossible for a reformed individual to reenter society. Mainstreet Radio's Laurel Druley reports.
Some farmers see good crops and higher prices
Minnesota farmers are having it both ways this year: good crops and higher grain prices. Taxpayers may also benefit. Higher crop prices means the federal government will be paying less to subsidize farmers. Mainstreet Radio's Mark Steil reports.
MPR documentary on 70's powerline struggle
At noon today on our Midday program, MPR will air a new historical documentary, "Powerline Blues." It is the story of a mass movement of farmers who tried to stop a high voltage transmission line in west central Minnesota in the late 1970's. The struggle caught the attention of a young Carleton College professor named Paul Wellstone. He later co-authored a book about it, "Powerline: The First Battle of America's Energy War." In this report, Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Losure looks at how the protest helped shape the man who went on to the US Senate as a champion for the little guy against the power structure.
Vikings 17th consecutive road game to Packers
The Minnesota Vikings led for almost the entire game, but ended up losing to the Packers 26 to 22 last night in Green Bay. Tony Fisher scored on a 14-yard run with 1:06 left in the game to give the Packers their only lead. The loss was the seventeenth road loss in a row for the Vikings who are now 3-10 on the season. Joining us on the line from Green Bay is Sean Jensen, who covers the Vikings for the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
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Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2002 |
Police and community groups in Minneapolis to talk
Federal mediation between Minneapolis police officials and a panel of citizens was expected to begin today. A coalition of anti-police brutality groups called for the talks following a series of police shootings earlier this year. However, a federal mediator took it upon herself to offer her services to the city after a north Minneapolis riot was sparked by the accidental police shooting of an African American child. Minnesota Public Radio's Brandt Williams reports.
School groups say small budget increases needed
As Minnesota lawmakers look for ways to balance the state budget, Republican Gov.-elect Tim Pawlenty says he'll try to protect K-12 funding from cuts, but the organizations representing school boards and teachers say they'll still need an increase to avoid financial trouble. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
International college students to be tracked
Minnesota's colleges and universities are about to go online with a new federal electronic database designed to track the state's nearly 9,000 international students. The idea for a system to track foreigners emerged after terrorists bombed the World Trade Center in 1993. The project was a low priority for years. But post-September 11th, antiterrorism legislation put the database on the fast track. International students say they don't mind the increased scrutiny, as long as it doesn't lead to discrimination against them. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms has this report.
New construction at State Fairgrounds
There are changes coming to a key part of the Minnesota State Fair. Crews are scheduled to be at the fairgounds this week to begin taking out the bleachers that provide extra seating for events at the Grandstand. Fair Vice President Jerry Hammer says the main Grandstand structure will not be torn down.
Black leader W. Harry Davis' autobiography
When he was born there nearly 80 years ago, north Minneapolis was a very different place than it is today, especially for an African-American like Harry Davis. Davis grew up in a segregated community and spent most of his adult life working to change that through the civil rights movement. Harry Davis has just published his autobiography, titled "Overcoming." In it he describes growing up in poverty, helping found the Minneapolis Urban Coalition, running a local Golden Gloves Boxing organization and serving on the Minneapolis School Board for 20 years. Davis stopped by the studio to talk about the book and the continuing struggles in his community. He says his youth was shaped by the people he met at a gathering spot for African Americans called the Phillis Wheatley Community Center.
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Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2002 |
Election recounts done. Lawsuit may follow.
Senate DFLers won't see their slim majority over Republicans shrink or perhaps vanish -- at least not yet. Last night, the state Canvassing Board certified winners in two disputed races. But one of the contests is likely to draw a court challenge that could drag past the opening of the next legislative session next month. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports.
Tommy Thompson on health care costs
Health and Human Secretary Tommy Thompson was in Minnetonka yesterday), to hold the first of many town hall meetings on the cost of health care. Thompson will use the town hall meetings to promote the Bush administration's policies on lowering the cost of health care. At yesterday's forum, Thompson talked about creating a system that would allow individuals to buy their own health insurance. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
Citizens attend St. Paul "Truth in Taxation" meeting
As local governments finish the annual budget process, they are holding public hearings to give property taxpayers a chance to comment on the tax bills they'll get in the new year. This year the meetings occur against the ominous backdrop of a big state budget deficit that has cities, counties -- and taxpayers -- worried about what the future holds. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen attended last night's "Truth in Taxation" hearing in Saint Paul and has this report.
Food program disallows organic food purchases
More and more people are choosing to buy organic food, but now some poor people are finding they don't have the option. The Women Infants and Children Program, or WIC, helps low-income women feed their families better. The program covers nearly half the babies born in the U.S. every year. The people who run the program in Minnesota have told participants they can't use WIC vouchers to buy organic food anymore. They say it's too expensive. The Whole Foods Co-op in Duluth is trying to persuade the state Health Department to reverse the ruling. Mainstreet Radio's Stephanie Hemphill reports.
Met Council to help dentists filter mercury
The biggest source of mercury pollution comes from dentist offices, and the Metropolitan Council is expected to ask dentists to capture that mercury before it goes down the drain and into lakes and rivers. Mercury can interfere with the mental development of children, and can damage human nervous systems. The Met Council will take up the issue in a meeting later today. Joining us on the line is Rebecca Flood, the council's Environmental Compliance Manager.
Minneapolis schools bracing for cuts
Minneapolis schools are bracing themselves for big budget cuts again this year. Superintendent Carol Johnson, and the school board intend to cut $25 million from the budget, on top of last year's cuts which totaled $31 million. Johnson and the board met yesterday to discuss how to prioritize items in the budget this year, and joining us on the line is school Superintendent Carol Johnson.
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Thursday, Dec. 12, 2002 |
St. Paul adopts new budget with no new property taxes
Saint Paul city council members have adopted a $500 million city budget for 2003. It's the tenth straight year Saint Paul has put together its budget without seeking an increase in the property tax levy. But for many in City Hall, satisfaction over that accomplishment is overshadowed by concern about difficult financial decisions that lie ahead. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen reports.
Regents to hear about U of M budget
Later today, the University of Minnesota Board of Regents will hear first-hand about the state's big budget deficits, and then get a report about the University's own financial situation. State economist Tom Stinson will present the board with a report on the economy, and how that could affect state funding for higher education. The report on the U of M's finances will come from Chief Financial Officer, Richard Pfutzenreuter, who joins us on the line this morning.
Minneapolis Fed sees slow economic growth
The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis is projecting fewer jobs and higher unemployment in Minnesota amid modest regional and national economic growth next year. The outlook for the Fed's ninth district and the U.S. is based on both a statistical analysis and a survey of business leaders in the region. But a top official at the Minneapolis Fed says Minnesota may do better than the forecast. Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Catlin reports.
Gang strike force to get boost from Minneapolis
Minneapolis police chief Robert Olson says his department will work more closely with the Minnesota gang strike force in an effort to combat gang violence. Olson says the partnership was inspired by the murder of Tyesha Edwards, the 11-year-old girl who was killed by a stray bullet while sitting in her home a few weeks ago. Olson and other police officials met with citizens last night and say they are hopeful information turned over in the Edwards case and the involvement of the state gang task force will help the department do a better job of preventing gang-related violence. Minnesota Public Radio's Brandt Williams reports.
Tribal court judgements may get same enforcement power as state courts
There are a dozen American Indian tribal courts that operate in Minnesota. They, like their state court counterparts, hand down rulings on civil cases including child protection, contracts, and taxes. But the two court systems don't always honor each others orders. Now some tribal and Minnesota state court judges have asked the State Supreme Court to adopt a new rule that would formally put state court enforcement power behind tribal court's civil judgements. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports.
Timberwolves back home after long road trip
The Minnesota Timberwolves take the court tonight at the Target Center in Minneapolis where they haven't played a game since the day before Thanksgiving. The Wolves are coming off a six game road trip, their longest of the season. The team has a record of 12-10, and have done it without All Star guard Wally Szczerbiak, who's been on the bench most of the season because of a toe injury. Joining us on the line is Brit Robson, who covers the Timberwolves for the "City Pages."
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Friday, Dec. 13, 2002 |
Minnesota INS office overwhelmed
Immigrants are encountering long lines at Minnesota's only Immigration and Naturalization Service office (INS). Nearly every morning at the Bloomington INS facility, hundreds wait outside in the winter cold. Often, many are turned away because the INS does not have enough staff to answer their questions. INS officials and others say the lines are growing because the number of immigrants to this country remains high and Congress is adding more rules on how to handle them. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports.
Northwest sues the MAC
Northwest Airlines is suing the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) over subsidies to six Twin Cities area reliever airports. The airline says too much money from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport passengers is subsidizing airports that primarily serve business and general aviation. MAC officials say the lawsuit is a waste of time and money when the airline is pressuring the commission to cut costs. Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Catlin reports.
Minorities meet for public policy forum
African American groups around the Twin Cities are getting together to develop a public policy strategy for the upcoming legislative session at the state capitol. The state faces a projected $4.5 billion budget deficit over the next two-and-a-half years, and Gov.-elect Tim Pawlenty says he will not support any new taxes to close the gap. The Minneapolis Urban League, the NAACP, and the Council on Black Minnesotans met last night, and Keith Ellison, a State Representative from Minneapolis joins us on the line this morning.
Independence Party state senator caucusing with GOP
DFLers now control the Minnesota Senate by a slim three vote margin. There are 35 DFLers and 32 Republicans, now that Independence Party Sen. Sheila Kiscaden of Rochester has decided to caucus with the Republicans.
Kiscaden was a Republican, but ran as an independent, after she was denied party endorsement by conservative activists. Kiscaden says her decision to caucus with the GOP is a pragmatic one.
Outsourcing a tool for Gov.-elect Pawlenty to cut budget
In his effort to close a $4.5 billion projected budget shortfall, Gov.-elect Tim Pawlenty is expected to outsource many state government activities to the private sector. Outsourcing is the topic of an article in this week's edition of "The Business Journal." Scott Smith, the reporter who wrote the story says Finance Commissioner designate Dan McElroy sees outsourcing as just one tool to save the state money.
Small pox vaccine plans made for Ramsey County
Minnesota's public health agencies are preparing to move forward with a vaccination plan for smallpox. President Bush is expected to announce today that he will order mandatory vaccinations for the military and voluntary vaccinations for front line health workers to begin in the next month. Other health care workers, police and fire will be next in line to receive the vaccine, followed by the general public. State and county public health agencies have been going through their plans and are holding meetings to explain the details to workers. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
Appeals court hears case on immigrant drivers licences
An attorney representing a coalition of groups opposed to new driver's license rules told the Minnesota Court of Appeals that the rules are unconstitutional and discriminate against immigrants. A three-judge panel heard arguments yesterday on challenges to administrative changes to Minnesota driver's license applications. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports.
Composer John Adam's on his oratorio "El Nino"
Tonight at 7 o'clock, the classical music stations of Minnesota Public Radio will present composer John Adam's "El Nino." The work has been described as a Nativity Oratorio, and has earned Adams praise around the world. Adams titled the work "El Nino" because of a heavy Latin American influence on the piece. He says the association with "El Nino" the weather phenomenon is fitting because Christ is referred to as "the wind" blowing away all that comes in its path and then transforming it. MPR's classical music host Michael Barone interviewed John Adams about "El Nino" the composition. Adams says he disagrees with the characterization that "El Nino" is a darker story than other music of the holiday season like Handel's Messiah.
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