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February 3 - 7, 2003
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Monday, Feb. 3, 2003 |
State budget talks stall
House and Senate negotiators have until the end of the week to agree on a short-term budget fix. If they don't finish by Friday, Gov. Tim Pawlenty says he will cut spending on his own to fix the state's $356 million shortfall. Laura McCallum is Minnesota Public Radio's Capitol Bureau Chief. She's on the line now.
Ethanol lobby flexes muscle at the Capitol
When Gov. Tim Pawlenty outlined his plans for erasing a $356 million deficit projected between now and the end of June, affected interest groups converged on St. Paul to beg a reprieve. Producers of the corn-based fuel ethanol were among the most visible -- and not surprisingly, they have seen the most success at preserving their funding. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo examines the lobbying war at the Capitol.
MAD DADS works to help those on the street
Local authorities say the two-decade old war on drugs has not diminished the availability of illicit drugs. That makes the job of groups trying to divert young African American men from the drug trade more difficult. One of those groups is MAD DADS. MAD DADS is an acronym for Men Against Destruction-Defending Against Drugs and Social-Disorder. The 13-year-old organization was started in Omaha. It is headquartered in Florida. The Minneapolis chapter uses prayer and straight talk to get men off the street. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports.
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Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2003 |
Don Samuels wins Minneapolis council seat
Jordon neighborhood activist Don Samuels is the newest member of the Minneapolis City Council. The 53-year-old Samuels won the Third Ward City Council race against fellow DFLer Olin Moore, who was the party's endorsed candidate. Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes reports.
2002 U.S. Senate race not as negative as expected
A study of last year's Minnesota U.S. Senate race has some surprising findings. Minnesota political scientists worked with their colleagues around the country to examine the role of money in contested political races. They found that before Senator Wellstone's death, the race between Coleman and Wellstone was not nearly as negative as other Senate races and wasn't flooded by special interest money as expected. Bill Flanagan of the University of Minnesota worked on the study.
Minneapolis' snow emergency tweaked not overhauled
The cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul declared snow emergencies in wake of the winter's biggest snow storm. Minneapolis' snow emergency system takes 3 days to implement, while St. Paul's just takes just a single day. In Minneapolis, mayor R.T. Rybak campaigned on making the system shorter and simpler. Joining us on the line to talk about Minneapolis' system is mayor R.T. Rybak.
"Recycling" project in Fargo turns rags to riches
Say the word recycling to most people and they think newspaper, aluminum and glass. But there's a new project in Fargo, North Dakota, that gives a new twist to recycling. The United Shoe Project is a business that literally turns rags into riches. The project helps needy people, while cutting through red tape. Mainstreet Radio's Bob Reha reports.
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Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2003 |
Minneapolis school cuts may mean bigger classes
Budget problems could soon force the Minneapolis school district to back away from its more than decade-long commitment to small class sizes. School board members will hold the first of two public forums tonight on a plan to cut more than $28 million from next year's budget, including the elimination of 289 teaching jobs. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
Education commissioner Yecke starts job
Minnesota's new education commissioner officially begins work today. Cheri Pierson Yecke is a former secretary of education in Virginia. One of her first priorities in Minnesota is developing new standards to replace the "Profile of Learning," which lawmakers are expected to repeal this session. Yecke will have to do much of her work on a tight budget. Some school districts are already facing multimillion dollar shortfalls, and large funding increases are not likely given the state's projected $4.5 billion deficit. Commissioner Yecke joins us now.
Qwest faces penalties from Public Utilities Commission
State regulators have ordered Qwest Communications to give competitors discounts, or pay a fine of $26 million. The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission action stems from illegal, secret deals in which Qwest gave some competitors preferential rates for the use of its phone lines. Qwest officials say the PUC overstepped its authority, but the company's critics hailed the decision. Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Catlin reports.
Farmers waiting for approval of new herbicide
Minnesota corn growers are waiting to find out whether they can use a new herbicide this spring. "Balance Pro" is used in 17 states, but not in Minnesota, Michigan, or Wisconsin. Critics say Balance gets into rivers and lakes too easily, and it could harm wildlife or even humans. Minnesota Public Radio's Stephanie Hemphill reports.
Timberwolves in good shape before All Star break
The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Houston Rockets 103 to 89 at the Target Center last night in their last game before the All Star Break. Once again, Kevin Garnett led the Wolves with 23 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists. When the All Star Game is held Sunday in Atlanta, Garnett will be a starter for the fifth straight year. Despite a number of key injuries, Minnesota goes into the break with a record of 29 and 20. Joining us on the line is Brit Robson, who covers the team for the City Pages.
Guthrie Lab looks at marriage
At at time of growing cynicism about the institution of marriage, the Guthrie Theater is examining the virtues and vices of modern day relationships. In "Wintertime," opening tonight at the Guthrie Lab in Minneapolis, playwright Charles Mee sets love in a cold climate to see if it can survive. Minnesota Public Radio's Marianne Combs has this profile.
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Thursday, Feb. 6, 2003 |
Minneapolis parents criticize school budget cuts
Minneapolis parents say they're growing frustrated with annual school district budget cuts and what they see as a lack of support from state lawmakers. School board members gathered public input last night at North High School on a proposal to increase class sizes and cut $28 million from next year's budget. Much of the criticism was directed toward state leaders and their new threat to cut into this year's school budget. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
Students face limited financial aid possibilities
Because of Minnesota's budget crisis, college students almost certainly face higher costs next fall. It's not just tuition that's going up. The state's budget deficit is also putting the squeeze on financial aid that many students depend on to make college affordable. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.
Reservists prepare for call
As Secretary of State Colin Powell made his case at the United Nations for disarming Iraq, the Pentagon announced that more people have been called to active duty. In the past week, 17,000 more National Guard and reserve forces have been called up. About 110,000 American forces have been assigned to the Persian Gulf region. One of the reservists who expects to get the call for active duty soon is Nina Selchow from Plato, Minnesota. Sergeant Selchow is an army medic and now lives in San Diego. She says if she's called up, the first order of business will be to take care of some personal matters.
Gutknecht involved in inquiry into space program
One of Minnesota's congressmen will be involved in a far-reaching inquiry into the nation's space program. Republican Representative Gil Gutknecht sits on the House Science Committee, which plans an investigation into the Columbia disaster. According to the committee chair, lawmakers will scrutinize every aspect of the program, including whether manned space missions should continue. Congressman Gutknecht joins us now.
Minneapolis artist takes art to Iraq
Minneapolis artist Meg Novak has strong feelings about the Iraqi situation. She broke federal law last summer when she smuggled 40 paintings out of Iraq and into the U.S. Novak calls it an act of civil disobedience, defying sanctions which forbid trade with Iraq. As Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Stucky reports, the paintings will go on public view in a Minneapolis gallery on Saturday.
Vikings fundraiser marred by assault allegations
An annual Minnesota Vikings event that raises money for children has been marred by allegations of sexual assault and the arrest of a top Vikings official. Investigators are examining a 30-year-old woman's claim that she was sexually assaulted this past weekend during the Arctic Blast snowmobile rally, which takes place at Lake Mille Lacs. She says she was socializing with members of the Vikings organization at a resort when the assault happened. No charges were immediately filed. In an unrelated incident, Vikings Executive Vice President Mike Kelly was charged with drunken driving after authorities stopped him during the Arctic Blast. Joel Patenaude is the editor of the Mille Lacs Messenger. He's on the line now.
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Friday, Feb. 7, 2003 |
Budget talks break down, Pawlenty to cut on his own
Gov. Tim Pawlenty today is expected to use his own authority to trim state spending in anticipation of a $356 million deficit projected through mid-summer. Early this morning, House and Senate negotiators deadlocked in budget discussions that would have pre-empted Pawlenty's authority to act on his own. Lawmakers from both bodies - as well as the governor's office - are expressing frustration over the lack of a breakthrough. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports.
Pawlenty stresses no-taxes in State of the State address
Gov. Tim Pawlenty says Minnesota is one of the best states in the country, despite the challenges it faces. Pawlenty delivered his first State of the State address to a joint session of the Legislature yesterday. He implored Minnesotans to accept sacrifices to help the state fix its budget problems. But he reiterated that if he has his way, the sacrifices will not include higher taxes. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
Indians play key role in nuclear storage question
In 1994, state lawmakers authorized Northern States Power to build 17 waste storage casks at the Prairie Island nuclear plant. The utility, which is now called Xcel Energy, says it needs more storage or the plant will have to shut down by 2007. Xcel officials must convince lawmakers and the neighboring Prairie Island Indian Community to agree to the extra storage. But down on Prairie Island, leaders say cooperation will come at a price. Mainstreet Radio's Erin Galbally reports.
Minnesota's health care community bracing for cuts
The wide-ranging health care community in Minnesota is bracing itself for big budget cuts from state government. The state faces a $4.5 billion budget deficit, and Gov. Tim Pawlenty has ruled out any new taxes to balance the budget. Groups representing doctors, hospitals, pharmacists, and others are expected to lobby for the least damaging cuts. The concerns of the health care industry are the topic of an article in this week's edition of "The Business Journal." Joining us in the studio is Scott Smith, who wrote the article.
Non-profits urged to call attorney general's office for advice
Minnesota's Solicitor General yesterday urged non-profit organizations to call the attorney general's office if they have questions about how to run their organizations or if they get into trouble. Minnesota non-profits are watching the attorney general following steps he has taken in the last year in regulating non-profit health care insurers. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports.
Study says pneumonia vaccine may not last for life
A new study by researchers at the University of Minnesota questions how long the pneumonia vaccine really protects elderly patients. U of M researchers found that people who received the vaccine booster shot might not be protected for life, as currently thought. Pneumonia is one of the top five causes of death in people over the age of 65, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Most types of pneumonia are caused by pneumococcal bacteria. Dr. David Gauy is a professor at the University's College of Pharmacy and a researcher on the study. He's on the line now.
Word of Mouth
Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Roberts looks at art and artists around the state this week.
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