|
February 10 - 14, 2003
[ Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday ]
|
Monday, Feb. 10, 2003 |
Muslim men face INS bureaucracy
After the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft ordered the Immigration and Naturalization Service to begin tracking visitors from 25 mostly Muslim countries. Since the first anniversary of the attacks, male visitors from these countries have been required to report in person to the INS for special registration, or risk deportation. So far, more than 23,000 have registered nationwide. Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Losure followed one Pakistani man as he made his way through the process. She filed this report.
Lawmakers prepare to tackle shortfall
When Minnesota lawmakers return to the Capitol this week, they'll face a daunting problem - what to do about the projected $4.2 billion shortfall in the next two-year budget. Last week, lawmakers failed to agree on how to fix a much smaller deficit in this fiscal year, leaving Gov. Pawlenty to cut spending on his own. Laura McCallum is Minnesota Public Radio's Capitol Bureau Chief, and she joins us now.
Bush's plan for the Mississippi River
Environmental groups throughout the upper midwest are praising President Bush's proposal to fully fund the Army Corps of Engineers' Mississippi River environmental restoration program. However, some river experts are wary of the president's gesture. They say the money is throwing a bone to environmentalists even as the Army Corps makes controversial plans to expand the river's lock and dam system. Minnesota Public Radio's Rob Schmitz reports.
Duluth showing signs of strength despite weak economy
A slump in the nation's economy has pundits speculating about a double-dip recession. Few communities are immune to recession. But the Duluth Superior area is showing surprising resiliency. An effort to diversify the Twin Ports job base is apparently paying off. Minnesota Public Radio's Bob Kelleher reports.
Safety officials offer advice in correctly buckling up children
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety this week is emphasizing to parents the importance of properly buckling up their children. Officials say over half of all child safety seats are used incorrectly. Patti Klicka is the Child Passenger Safety Coordinator for the Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety, and she's on the line now.
Monday Markets
Minnesota Public Radio's Chief Economics Correspondent Chris Farrell discusses the latest economic news.
|
|
Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2003 |
Sen. Coleman won't sign letter against drilling in Alaska
For years, members of Alaska's congressional delegation have pushed for oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife refuge. Minnesota's late Sen. Paul Wellstone was a vocal opponent of those efforts. Now, pro-drilling forces backed by the Bush administration are making a new attempt. Environmental groups say this time around, Minnesota's new Republican Sen. Norm Coleman, could play a key role in the refuge's fate. Coleman came out against drilling during last year's campaign, but has now declined to join an anti-drilling letter circulated by other Republican opponents. Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Losure reports.
Rushford requests money for nanotechnology
Officials from the small southeastern Minnesota town of Rushford are expected to be at the state capitol later today seeking support for making nanotechnology a big business there. Nanotechnology is science and research on the molecular level, and holds the promise of reshaping whole industries like computing, materials, and medical devices. Officials with the Rushford Institute for Nanotechnology are expected to testify before the House Commerce committee, hoping for $5 million to build an incubator and research lab for nanotech startups. Joining us on the line is Rushford Institute program coordinator Kevin Klungtveldt.
Fish houses come in all varieties
A different sort of drilling has been popular in Minnesota for years, drilling through lake ice in hopes of catching a few fish. Minnesotans take their ice fishing seriously, and the habitat of the ice angler runs the gamut from spartan to posh. When cold weather hits, many Minnesotans head for their second homes. Some are warm, southern getaways. But many are sparsely furnished, cheaply made, and about the size of a prison cell. Mainstreet Radio's Jeff Horwich spent a day on the lake, learning what makes a shack a house, and what make a house a home.
|
|
Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2003 |
House committee passes concealed handgun bill
The Minnesota House Civil Law Committee has approved a bill that would allow nearly every Minnesotan over the age of 21 to carry a handgun. Supporters say the bill would create a statewide uniform set of standards for all applicants to receive a handgun permit. Current law gives local law enforcement discretion over who can carry a gun. Opponents say the current law is acceptable and loosening the requirements would make the state more dangerous. The handgun legislation approved yesterday is one of several controversial bills that Republican House Speaker Steve Sviggum wants the House to vote on before February 27th. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
Kentucky's experience with conceal carry
Residents of Kentucky have been able to carry concealed weapons since 1996. Joining us is Lieutenant Lisa Rudzinski, with the Kentucky State Police.
Gas prices hit $1.70 per gallon
Gas prices hit $1.70 per gallon Wednesday morning in the Twin Cities. Possible war in Iraq and a general strike in oil-rich Venezuela are major reasons for the increases. But the prices at Minnesota pumps may be especially high because of the nature of the state's gasoline market. The state attorney general's office examined the structure of the market after allegations of price gouging immediately following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. While gouging wasn't proven, the attorney general did find a market dominated by just a few players. Joining us on the line is Minnesota Attorney General Mike Hatch.
List of birds that may become endangered
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has placed over forty birds found in the Midwest on a warning list. The birds are uncommon or have declining populations, and officials are worried they might become endangered species if conservation efforts are not intensified. Bob Russell is a non-game bird biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. He says there's a wide variety of birds on the list.
|
|
Thursday, Feb. 13, 2003 |
Prescription drug bill passes House committee
A key state House committee has approved a bill that would provide prescription drug discounts for up to 70,000 Minnesotans. Supporters of the bill say it would provide an added boost to seniors who are struggling to pay for prescription drugs. Opponents say it imposes unnecessary government price regulation. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
U of M absorbs $25 million cut in state aid
Later today, the University of Minnesota Board of Regents begins two days of meetings that include discussions on managing an immediate $25 million cut in state aid. The reduction is a result of gov. Tim Pawlenty's move last week to unallot, or unilaterally cut the state budget. Joining us on the line is University President Robert Bruininks.
Yecke cites Fordham Foundation for education reforms
The Minnesota House is a step closer to repealing the Profile of Learning. The House Govermental Operations committee this week passed a bill that would replace the profile with new academic standards. The bill now heads to the floor for a full House vote. Education Commissioner Cheri Pierson Yecke is overseeing the development of new standards. She says rather than starting from scratch, she will draw from other states, particularly those rated high by the Fordham Foundation. Mathematics Professor Ralph Raimi has graded states on their math standards for the Fordham Foundation. He says a handful of states did very well.
Northwest Airlines looking for labor concessions
Eagan-based Northwest airlines is launching a campaign to convince union leaders of the need to reduce labor costs. Company officials have told Wall Street that Northwest needs to cut overall expenses by as much as $1.5 billion. Northwest has already cut almost 12,000 jobs and more than $1.0 billion in expenses in about 2 years. But labor leaders at the nation's fourth largest airline say the last round of concessions has bred strong resistance to another round of give-backs. Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Catlin reports.
North Dakota exhibit celebrates small town movie theaters
In some small towns in rural North Dakota there's treasure to be found. Many small towns still have an old fashioned movie theater on Main Street. The theaters are the focus of a new exhibit, "Memory Palaces of the Dakotas." Mainstreet Radio's Bob Reha reports.
|
|
Friday, Feb. 14, 2003 |
Comparing Minnesota's budget to other states
A national expert on tax and budget issues says Gov. Tim Pawlenty is taking an ambitious approach to Minnesota's budget problem. The governor says he will eliminate a deficit that's about 14 percent of the state budget without raising taxes. An official with the National Conference of State Legislatures yesterday told Minnesota lawmakers what other states are doing to balance their budgets. Also, Minnesota business groups released their ideas to balance the budget - and public employee groups aren't happy about it. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
Cities criticize Auditor's report on Local Government Aid
Local government officials and some lawmakers are objecting to the suggestion that cities are squandering state aid payments on unnecessary services. A report from Republican State Auditor Pat Awada concluded that local government aid could be trimmed by 43 percent without affecting essential programs or prompting local property tax increases. But officials from a cross-section of Minnesota cities told lawmakers yesterday the auditor's report does not present the full picture. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports.
Nursing home insurance up despite no claims
Insurance rates for nursing homes are going up sharply, and many operators are worried about the increased costs coming just as possible budget cuts from the state loom on the horizon. The insurance rate increases are the topic of an article in this week's edition of "The Business Journal." Scott Smith is the reporter who wrote the article. He says the reasons for the increases have raised eyebrows in this state.
Missota Paper to reopen mill in Brainerd
A Michigan company called Missota Paper is going to buy a mill in Brainerd that closed last year. When the Potlatch paper mill shut down, more than 600 people lost their jobs. The new owners hope to hire about a third of the laid off workers, to restart the paper mill. Industry experts say the plant's success won't come easy. The nation's paper industry is in a slump. But Missota officials say they have a plan that will make the plant profitable. It includes a smaller workforce and lower wages. Mainstreet Radio's Tim Post reports.
Meteorologist Mark Seeley on high wind speeds
University of Minnesota meteorologist Mark Seeley's weather commentary. This week, he discusses the high wind speeds in Minnesota this week, with gusts up to 60 miles per hour. The wind chills that accompanied the high wind speeds also made it feel much colder than the air temperatures.
|
| Morning Edition Archive |
|
|
|
© 2024 | Home : Terms of Use : Your Privacy Rights