|
January 27 - 31, 2003
[ Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday ]
|
Monday, Jan. 27, 2003 |
The ethanol debate
The House is set to take up a budget-balancing plan today that preserves most of the state's ethanol payments. Gov. Tim Pawlenty's suggestion that the subsidies should be eliminated to balance the current budget deficit met with cries of protest from farmers and producers of the corn-based fuel. Critics of the program say ethanol producers would survive without state assistance, but supporters say profits vary from year to year and plant to plant. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
House to vote on short-term budget plan
The Minnesota House is scheduled to vote on a plan to balance the state's short-term budget deficit today. The House is expected to pass a $468 million package that tracks closely with the priorities outlined by Gov. Pawlenty. The Senate passed its own proposal last week. Laura McCallum is Minnesota Public Radio's capitol bureau chief. She's on the line now.
Female heart patients unhappy with treatment
The first-ever national survey of women heart patients shows that more than half are dissatisfied with their health care and face other obstacles to their recovery. The survey was done by the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Joining us on the line is Doctor Sharonne Hayes, director of the Mayo Women's Heart Clinic.
Monday Markets
Minnesota Public Radio's Chief Economics Correspondent Chris Farrell discusses the markets in light of the possible war on Iraq.
|
|
Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2003 |
House focuses on human services cuts in budget battle
The Minnesota House last night passed its version of a short-term budget fix. The Republican-sponsored bill would erase a projected $356 million deficit in the current fiscal year and leave a financial cushion in case the state's economy worsens. The plan must now be reconciled with a DFL-sponsored Senate plan. DFL leaders say House Republicans moved too quickly to cut programs without considering the impact of the cuts. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
Hometown hockey
Residents of northwestern Minnesota take their hockey very seriously. The rivalry between the Roseau and Warroad high school hockey teams is one of the most celebrated sports rivalries in this part of the state. On Tuesday Jan. 28, the Morning Edition crew broadcast live from Roseau.
|
|
Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2003 |
Sen. Dayton, Rep. Kline react to State of the Union
Lawmakers on both sides on the political spectrum are reacting this morning to President Bush's State of the Union address. Last night, Bush made his case for war with Iraq, and called on Congress to help revive the U.S. economy. Joining us now are two of Minnesota's lawmakers in Washington, Democratic Sen. Mark Dayton and Republican congressman John Kline.
Pawlenty visits downtown Minneapolis
Gov. Tim Pawlenty told downtown Minneapolis business and government leaders yesterday to prepare for coming economic troubles. But he also said the state can respond with tax system changes to encourage more businesses to locate and stay in Minnesota. Pawlenty was less encouraging about mass transit. He advised supporters of transit systems to focus more on the cost and the number of people they move rather than their ability to spur development. Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes reports.
Working poor having hard time finding affordable housing
Thousands of Minnesota families struggle each month to pay for the roof over their heads. Mortgage payments or rent eat up so much of their income there's not enough left for other necessities. Hundreds of millions of dollars are pumped into affordable housing programs every year, but the need continues to grow. As our series "Falling Behind" continues, Mainstreet Radio's Dan Gunderson reports on the challenge of finding affordable housing.
News organizations want Twins files to stay open
Three Twin Cities-based news organizations are asking the Minnesota Court of Appeals to keep open the option for access to documents filed as part of the lawsuit to keep the Minnesota Twins in the Metrodome. In a hearing yesterday, an attorney for the organizations argued that a Hennepin County judge made a mistake when he issued a broad protective order to keep the documents sealed. The Twins argue the the judge had wide discretion to keep all the information confidential. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports.
Warroad beats Roseau in boy's hockey game
On Morning Edition yesterday, we explored hockey culture in Minnesota in a live broadcast from Roseau, where hockey is a long tradition. Last night, Warrord beat the Roseau Rams 5-4, continuing one of the most storied rivalries in Minnesota sports. Joining us now is Myron Dieter, who covers the games for the Roseau Times Region.
|
|
Thursday, Jan. 30, 2003 |
1,000 anti-war protesters respond to State of the Union
About 1,000 anti-war protesters slowed traffic last night as they lined the Lake Street bridge between Minneapolis and St. Paul. Though the bridge is the site of weekly protests against a possible war with Iraq, last night's event turned out a larger than usual number of protesters. Many said they felt it was especially important to show up to oppose what they see as President Bush's declaration of war in Tuesday night's State of the Union address. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.
Small pox vaccinations to begin by mid-February
The Minnesota Health Department says it will start vaccinating health care workers for small pox in mid-February. Health officials say 2,700 people have volunteered to receive the vaccine. The federal government is recommending the vaccine for front-line health care workers in case of a bioterrorist attack. The state says it is prepared to move forward with phase one of the program but caution they may have to take money from other programs to complete the task. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
A new way to pay teachers?
Gov. Tim Pawlenty addressed a conference Thursday on alternative ways to compensate teachers. Pawlenty has expressed support for concepts that tie teacher pay more closely to performance. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer talked with Connie Hayes, superintendent of the La Crescent school district. La Crescent is one of the few districts with a pilot program experimenting with new ways to pay teachers.
Big hurdle for working poor is transportation
Getting to work is the first step in holding a job. For people without a vehicle, that trip can be as difficult as the job itself. In rural areas it can mean a trip of ten, twenty or more miles. Even in a city with public transportation, getting to work can be a problem. The bus line may be too far away or not run at the right times. As our series "Falling Behind" continues, Mainstreet Radio's Mark Steil looks at the role of the car in the lives of the working poor.
Sporting goods store Cabela's bucking bad economy
While most retailers are complaining about disappointing Christmas sales, sporting goods giant Cabela's reported December as its best month in its history. The company credits its success to breaking all the rules of retail, and going after men who hate to shop. Mainstreet Radio's Rob Schmitz reports.
|
|
Friday, Jan. 31, 2003 |
Gov. Tim Pawlenty wants new welfare rules
Gov. Tim Pawlenty has proposed stricter work requirements for welfare recipients. Pawlenty released a plan yesterday that would require welfare recipients to look for a job before they're eligible for cash assistance. He says his goal is to make welfare recipients more self sufficient. Pawlenty says the program will also drop recipients from the program if they don't follow the rules. Critics say the plan would get people off of welfare rolls but not out of poverty. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
Minneapolis budget plans cause stir
Housing advocates and a group of Minneapolis city council members are speaking out against a five year spending plan scheduled for a vote today. They say the plan abandons promises to help residents most in need---especially those who can't afford a place to live. Supporters of the plan, though, say the money is just not there. Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes reports.
Guthrie changes design of new theater
Today, the Guthrie Theater company along with Architectural Alliance will present the final design for a new theater complex to members of the state legislature. It's part of the ongoing effort to convince legislators to help finance part of the riverfront development. The size and shape of the planned building remain almost entirely the same. As Minnesota Public Radio's Marianne Combs reports, the most startling change is the building's color.
Duluth officials pair with low income people to learn about working poor
This week we have heard about the struggles of people trying to work their way out of poverty. One of the obstacles people with low incomes often face, is isolation. Last month, people in Duluth tried to bridge that gap. Ten low-income families were paired with school board members, city council members -- people who make policies that affect families. For a month, they "walked a mile in each others' shoes." Mainstreet Radio's Stephanie Hemphill went along, and has the final story in our series "Falling Behind."
New air freight operation near airport proposed
A group called the Air Cargo Development committee wants to stop the loss of international air freight business to Chicago. The group wants to develop a major freight operation near the Twin Cities International airport... and is teaming up with the Metropolitan Airports Commission and the Minnesota Transportation Department to lobby the state for help. They want $3 million from the legislature to pay for a study of the idea, which they're calling "The Minnesota Gateway Project." The story is the topic of an article in today's edition of "The Business Journal." Reporter Andrew Tellijohn wrote the story and says putting the Gateway Project in a central location would be an important start.
Roseau's snowmobile museum
Snow lovers in Minnesota are finally getting a chance to ski, sled, and even snowmobile. Snowmobiles were perfected in Minnesota, by the company that would become Polaris Industries. Polaris is now the largest employer in Roseau, Minnesota, and there is museum in Roseau documenting the evolution of the snowmobile. I toured the museum with one of the founders of the company, David Johnson who is now retired. Johnson says initially snowmobiles were a sideline for the company that started out making farm implements.
Lennon bus gives students a chance to make a song
A state of the art recording studio rolled into the parking lot of Winona Senior High School this week. It is known as the John Lennon Song Writing Contest Educational Tour Bus. It is designed to give young musicians the chance to record original work. In Winona eight high schoolers crammed into the back of the bus to record a song written by one of their own. Mainstreet Radio's Erin Galbally reports.
Meteorologist Mark Seely on the weather
University of Minnesota meteorologist on what happened in January, and a look ahead to February.
|
| Morning Edition Archive |
|
|
|
© 2024 | Home : Terms of Use : Your Privacy Rights