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December 16 - 20, 2002
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Monday, Dec. 16, 2002 |
Looking back on Gov. Jesse Ventura's 4 years
The curtain falls on Governor Jesse Ventura's administration early next month, bringing to a close Minnesota's brief experiment with three-party government. Four years ago, Ventura took Minnesota and the nation by surprise, delivering an upset victory that few political observers had predicted. And very little that followed was predictable, either. The Ventura years were marked by some notable policy successes. But they are likely to be most remembered for the governor's frequent flamboyance, his occasional outbursts, and his constant celebrity. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo remembers the highlights of four years with Governor Jesse Ventura.
Congressman Martin Sabo holds Iraq meeting
Twin Cities residents who oppose a war with Iraq are discussing the best way to get their message across. Minnesota Congressman Martin Sabo, a Democrat, spoke to a group of about 350 people yesterday at a Minneapolis church about his anti-war stance and advised the group on how best to sway public opinion. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.
DFL chair Mike Erlandson reacts to Gore announcement
Former Vice President Al Gore has announced that he will not run for president again in 2004. Gore, who made the announcement yesterday on "60 Minutes," says he was worried that a rematch with President Bush would focus on the past rather than the future. The announcement surprised some, but not Minnesota DFL Party Chair Mike Erlandson.
Retail sales sluggish so far this holiday season
The holiday retail season is in full swing right now, and it seems not a day goes by without advertising flyers in the morning newspaper, or sales posters going up on the storefronts. Retailers reported heavy traffic during the Thanksgiving Day weekend, but the traditional lull between then and the last week before Christmas has some retailers worried. Joining us on the line is Steven Roorda, Senior Equity Analyst for American Express Financial Advisors.
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Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2002 |
Some non-immigrant visitors encouraged to register with INS
Representatives of the Minnesota immigrant community are joining officials from the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) to encourage foreign visitors to comply with a new registration law. The U.S. government is requiring all non-immigrant visitors from certain countries to register with the INS over the next two months. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.
Minneapolis officials adopt difficult budget
Facing the toughest financial situation in at least a decade, the Minneapolis City Council displayed relative harmony by unanimously adopting the city's $1.2 billion spending plan for next year. Homeowners will see about a 12 percent increase on their property tax statements. City officials also say with the impending state budget deficit, more budget cuts are likely before the year is out. Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes reports.
Airports Commission passes budget
The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) agreed to a one-time freeze on rents for major airlines at Twin Cities International Airport, but delayed decisions on other major cost-cutting proposals. The commission also decided not to delay a flood dike for the St. Paul downtown airport. The decision to finalize a budget for next year came shortly after the commission's biggest tenant, Northwest Airlines, sued over reliever airport costs. Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Catlin reports.
Gov. Jesse Ventura's legacy
As Governor Jesse Ventura prepares to leave office, he ends a term that saw one of the most dramatic four-year shifts in Minnesota's financial picture. Ventura inherited a $4 billion surplus, and leaves office with the state facing a $4.5 billion deficit. Will he be remembered as the man at the helm when the state's economy took a nosedive? Or as a competent reformer CEO who left a lasting stamp on state government? Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum examines Ventura's legacy.
Making court experiences just and fair
Early next year, Hennepin County courts will be the first in the country to implement procedures designed to make the court experience feel more fair. The plan will include a way to keep track of whether those who come in contact with the courts feel like they are heard and cared for by judges, and ultimately whether their experiences were fair to them. Joining us on the line is Hennepin County Chief Judge Kevin Burke.
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Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2002 |
Met Council may vote on growth management plan
The Metropolitan Council may vote today on a plan to manage Twin Cities growth. Or it may not. After Republican victories in November, the Met Council is being advised to do nothing until Gov.-elect Tim Pawlenty selects new Met Council leadership. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports.
Eagan approves construction of home for children
The Eagan City Council last night approved, by a 4 to 1 vote, construction of a 200 bed orphanage within the city limits. It was the final vote needed for Mary Jo Copeland's Gift of Mary Children's Home -- a 36 acre campus located north of Highway 55 and south of Lone Oak Road. The council also approved building a road and extending sewer, water and utilities to the orphanage home site. Despite Eagan's approval, some city residents and others remain critical of the project. They say it will cost too much and there is no need for the facility. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.
Minnesota job market stagnant
The latest economic data for Minnesota indicate the state's job market is stuck in neutral. Minnesota's unemployment rate for November came in at 3.9 percent. That is down slightly from October. A separate survey of businesses indicates Minnesota companies are reluctant to start hiring even though many expect sales to pick up. Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Catlin reports.
St. Cloud citizens frustrated over racial vandalism
Community leaders in St. Cloud say they are frustrated by a string of racial motivated acts of vandalism the past few weeks. Vandals struck again this week, spray painting racist messages on two African-owned businesses. That follows other recent incidents at St. Cloud's new Somali Community Center. Mainstreet Radio's Tim Post has this report.
Gov. Jesse Ventura's future
Gov. Jesse Ventura is saying little about his plans after he leaves office in January. There have been reports that he will host a national talk show on a cable television, that he'll go back to doing some work in professional wrestling or that he will return to TV and movies. On the surface, it seems like the professional wrestler turned mayor turned radio personality turned governor has plenty of options to choose from. But some say Ventura's image has tarnished and the public will be less interested in him when he leaves office. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
Proposed St. Paul casino echoes Duluth's experience
Bringing a casino to St. Paul is now the subject of preliminary discussions between minority business groups in the city, two indian tribes, and city officials. The idea was discussed in meetings yesterday with the White Earth Band of Ojibwe, and the Red Lake Band of Chippewa. A casino located near downtown St. Paul could serve as a tourist draw, and add revenues for the city during tough economic times. The idea echoes a similar move made by the city of Duluth more than a decade ago, when it allowed a casino to open downtown. Joining us on the line is longtime Duluth city council member Neill Atkins.
North metro groups want Minnesota Vikings
Preliminary talks have begun on moving the Minnesota Vikings to another city, possibly Blaine, or other northern metro suburb of the Twin Cities. Officials with Anoka County, the Metro North Chamber of Commerce, and other groups met with Vikings officials to discuss the possibility of the team moving to a new stadium in the area. Joining us on the line is Tom Snell, executive director of the Metro North Chamber of Commerce.
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Thursday, Dec. 19, 2002 |
Met Council votes on 2030 plan
The Metropolitan Council, voting along party lines, has adopted a development plan for the Twin Cities. Called Blueprint 2030, the document encourages more development along existing transportation corridors and redevelopment of run down areas in cities and suburbs. Gov.-elect Tim Pawlenty asked the DFL dominated Council to hold off on a vote until he takes office and appoints new Met Council members. But Gov. Jesse Ventura, who appointed the current members, asked them to pass the plan. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports.
Pressure on Sen.-elect Coleman to denounce Trent Lott
Pressure is building on Sen.-elect Norm Coleman to decide whether he supports Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott. Coleman has criticized Lott's racially charged comments, but has not said whether he will vote for Lott to remain as Majority Leader. Some black leaders say Coleman's silence is telling. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
Gov. Jesse Ventura and his party during his 4 years
Jesse Ventura's election four years ago was remarkable not just for the flamboyant individual Minnesotans picked, but for the party he represented. Ventura hitched a ride to the governor's office with Ross Perot's Reform Party. Then after disagreements over the direction of the national organization, Ventura oversaw the party's rebirth as the Independence Party. And throughout his tenure, he called for greater participation by Minnesota voters and more viewpoints to enrich the political debate. But even members of his own party say he did little of the day-to-day work necessary to capitalize on his electoral success. In our look back at the Ventura years, Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo examines his contributions to the political landscape.
Nuclear storage issue to come up again
Almost nine years ago after a contentious debate, the state of Minnesota approved on-site nuclear waste storage for the Prairie Island nuclear power plant. At the time Northern States Power, now Xcel Energy, said it expected to be able to move the waste to a federal repository within a few years. That repository has yet to materialize. And now Xcel says it may have to close down the Prairie Island facility if it does not get more storage space. While Xcel has not officially asked for more storage, many observers say its almost inevitable that request will be made during the upcoming legislative session. Minnesota Public Radio's Erin Galbally reports.
Red Wing schools regroup after levys fail
Red Wing school administrators are looking for places to cut their budget. That's because the possibility of raising more levy revenues was shot down earlier this week as voters rejected a series of school referendums. The district is still recovering from the aftermath of a teacher strike that ended just a month ago. Kelly Smith is the Red Wing school superintendent. He says the money from the referendums would not have been used for new programs.
"Eternal Egypt" exhibit to open at MIA
"Eternal Egypt: Masterworks of Ancient Art from the British Museum" opening this weekend at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts is a rare opportunity to see pieces that are thousands of years old, many of which have never traveled before. The exhibit was planned in part because the British Museum is being renovated and the art would have gone into storage otherwise. Host Cathy Wurzer got a sneak preview with Marcel Maree, an Assistant Keeper of Collections at the British Museum. He started our tour with a statue of Egyptian King Sesostris the third which dates from around 1850 B.C.
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Friday, Dec. 20, 2002 |
Hubert Humphrey and Trent Lott
A pivotal moment in the story behind Senate Republican leader Trent Lott's current predicament can be traced back to a speech given by a Minnesotan. Lott put his leadership post at risk earlier this month when he praised Strom Thurmond's segregationist bid for the presidency in 1948. Thurmond, and many other southern Democrats, walked out of the Democratic National Convention that year after hearing a speech from an obscure mayor of Minneapolis named Hubert Humphrey. Humphrey lobbied hard for a strong civil rights plank in the party's platform, but met stiff opposition, mainly from southern Democrats who felt he was moving too fast on the issue. Humphrey's speech was a sensation, and marked a turning point, not just for his career, but for Minnesota, the Democratic Party, and for the country. Here's an extended excerpt of Humphrey's famous speech.
Twin Cities' income gap between blacks and whites third worst
The Twin Cities had the third biggest income disparity between whites and blacks among large metropolitan areas around the country. That is according to analysis of data from the 2000 Census. The analysis, which was done by the parent company of the publication "The Business Journal," found that only Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Buffalo, New York had higher disparities. Scott Smith reports on the study in this week's edition of "The Business Journal." He says the numbers for the Twin Cities tell a big part of the story.
Reporters talk about covering Gov. Jesse Ventura
One of the most remarkable stories in modern American politics is coming to a conclusion. Gov. Jesse Ventura's term as governor of Minnesota will soon be over. From his improbable victory, to his unique style of governing, and his stormy relationship with legislators and reporters, this has been a story like none other. In the studio today we have assembled a group of people who have been covering the governor over the last four years, Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum, Jim Ragsdale of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Pat Lopez of the Star Tribune, and Kerri Miller of KARE-11 TV.
Citizen group says new energy sources needed
A new study concludes Minnesota is not prepared for rising electricity demand. A Citizens League report says the state needs to encourage conservation and develop new energy technology to meet the demand. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports.
Minnesota to buy electricity from Canada
The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission has approved Xcel Energy's purchase of $1 billion in hydro-electric power. The power will come from controversial dams in the Northern Canadian province of Manitoba. The Public Utilities Commission also rejected calls from environmentalists for a special hearing that would determine just what the costs have been to Canada's environment and to the Cree Indians by the use of hydro power. Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Stucky reports.
St. Cloud Times web site chat can get controversial
Officials at the St. Cloud Times are surprised at the number of visitors to their Web site. The site gets as many hits as newspapers in larger communities. Part of the popularity is from a section of the site called "Story Chat" where readers post their opinions. But the conversations can get heated and sometimes offensive. And that has some questioning the value of "Story Chat." Mainstreet Radio's Tim Post reports.
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