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March 3 - 7, 2003
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Monday, March 3, 2003 |
Previewing the week ahead at the State Capitol
The state's $4.2 billion projected budget deficit is expected to dominate activity at the State Capitol this week, but a few other issues will also be addressed. The House and Senate will meet in joint session to pick University of Minnesota regents today, and the issue of abortion is expected to come up later this week at the capitol as well. Joining us on the line is Minnesota Public Radio Capitol Bureau Chief Laura McCallum.
Taconite plants face new environmental rules
The federal Environmental Protection Agency is getting ready to issue new rules about what taconite plants in Northeastern Minnesota can release into the air. But some environmental activists are upset that the new rules do not say anything about mercury. Minnesota Public Radio's Stephanie Hemphill reports.
Life after prison
The U. S. prison population the last two decades has grown to record levels. Now, a record number of those put behind bars are getting out. Many are returning to their former neighborhoods. They are looking for jobs and a place to live, and they have a prison record. This week on Morning Edition, we are going to meet three Minnesotans in prison. In a couple of cases, we have been able to locate them after they got out to find out how life is going. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson has this report.
Readings of Lysistrata to protest war in Iraq
Actors and directors who oppose a possible war in Iraq are gathering in 49 countries, and all 50 states today to promote peace. They will hold public readings of Lysistrata, an ancient Greek comedy in which women on both sides of the Peloponnesian War refuse to have sex with their husbands until the men resolve the conflict peacefully. Over 25 readings will be held in Minnesota. Joining us now is Wendy Knox, the Artistic Director of Frank Theatre, who is directing one of the readings in Minneapolis.
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Tuesday, March 4, 2003 |
Life after prison
America's prison population is at record levels. Two million people are behind bars in county, state and federal facilities. Most prison inmates are eventually released. Last year the number of people coming out of prison set a record. 600,000 inmates returned to hometowns and neighborhoods, looking for work and a place to live. This week on Morning Edition, we're meeting three Minnesota inmates anticipating their release. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson has the second in our series of reports.
Minnesota Supreme Court hears media sources case
An attorney testifying before the Minnesota Supreme Court says that reporter privileges against divulging unnamed sources should not apply to sources who willfully lie in news reports. The court held arguments yesterday at the University of Minnesota Law School on whether judges may compel news reporters to reveal their confidential sources in defamation lawsuits, even if the reporter or news organization isn't a party to the case. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports.
Bill requiring 24-hour waiting period before abortion gets hearing
The so-called "Women's Right to Know" bill will get a hearing in the House Health and Human Services committee today. The bill would require that women be given certain information at least 24 hours before having an abortion, including the risks associated with the procedure, the probable gestational age of the fetus, and financial help available for pregnant women. Sarah Stoesz is the President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Minnesota and South Dakota, which provides family planning and abortions.
State releases January unemployment numbers
The Minnesota Department of Economic Security has crunched the numbers and later this morning will announce the state's unemployment rate for the month of January. Joining us on the line to give us a preview of that announcement is Steve Hind, acting director of research at the Department of Economic Security.
VA clinics using technology to ease patient overloads
Veterans Affairs medical centers have seen an explosion in the number of patients across the country. Patient loads have increased by as much as 60 percent over the last seven years. The Sioux Falls VA clinic serves veterans from one of the largest regions in the country, and 23,000 patients are enrolled there. Many drive hours to see a doctor. Nationally, the VA is looking for ways to be more efficient. The Sioux Falls clinic is already changing things. Doctors are using new techniques to treat more patients every day. Mainstreet Radio's Cara Hetland reports.
Comedy tells of thirty-somethings who have trouble connecting
For a society that spends so much time on cell phones, email, and the internet, it seems people have more and more trouble communicating meaningfully with each other. In her comedy "sic," spelled s-i-c like the editorial notation, Melissa James Gibson tells the story of three thirty-somethings who can't connect to the world and the people around them. The play is currently at Pillsbury House Theater in Minneapolis. Minnesota Public Radio's Marianne Combs has this report.
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Wednesday, March 5, 2003 |
Prescription drug plan passes Minnesota Senate panel
A plan to provide low-cost prescription drugs to some Minnesotans has cleared its first committee hurdle in the Senate. The proposal would require drug manufacturers to offer uninsured Minnesotans the same rebate that's provided through the federal Medicaid program. Supporters say it would provide discounted medications at no cost to the state -- but pharmaceutical companies say the plan amounts to an unfair tax on their industry. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
Abortion bill passes Minnesota House committee
A bill that would require a 24-hour waiting period for any woman seeking an abortion has been approved by a Minnesota House committee. The House Health and Human Services Policy Committee approved the bill yesterday on a 12 to 4 vote. Supporters say the bill is a moderate approach that provides women with information on the potential risks and alternatives to an abortion. Opponents say the bill implies that women have not thought through their decision to go through with the procedure. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
Some prisoners re-entering society face special issues
Thousands of inmates will walk free this year from Minnesota's correctional facilities, according to data from the federal government. While about 24 percent of them go back within three years, more than 80 percent stay out. Almost any former offender will tell you that adjusting to life on the outside can be very difficult. This week on Morning Edition, we are introducing you to several Minnesotans who have served their time, and are back in our communities. They face hurdles, like finding work and a place to live. Others, like the man you are about to meet, have additional obstacles to contend with.
Smallest MNSCU institution worried about cuts
University of Minnesota President Robert Bruininks will testify today before a House Higher Education committee, offering his reaction to Gov. Tim Pawlenty's proposal to cut funding for the University by 15 percent over the next biennium. The governor has also proposed cutting the budget of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, or MNSCU System by ten percent. MNSCU has 53 campuses in 46 communities all across the state. The cuts are expected to hit virtually every campus, including Pine Technical College in Pine City, the smallest college in the system. Robert Musgrove is the president of Pine Technical, and we asked him about the situation at that college.
McKnight focuses on English education for kids
The Minnesota Department of Children, Families, and Learning says nearly one-fifth of children entering kindergarten lack the language and literacy skills needed to succeed in school. Now 36 greater Minnesota cities will be part of a multi-million dollar effort to improve early childhood care and education. The project will be funded in part by a grant from the McKnight Foundation, which is working to address early childhood issues across the state. Rip Rapson is the President of the McKnight Foundation, and he joins us now.
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Thursday, March 6, 2003 |
Property taxes becoming a focus in budget debate
As lawmakers debate Gov. Tim Pawlenty's budget proposal, the issue of property taxes is becoming a major focus. DFL lawmakers say the governor's budget would result in significant local property tax increases. They say that violates the spirit of the no-tax-increase pledge Gov. Pawlenty campaigned on. Pawlenty says his pledge didn't apply to property taxes. He says property taxes are going up with or without his budget. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
Minneapolis responds to local government aid cuts
Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak has called a special city council meeting this afternoon to take up the city's response to an expected $20 million cut to local government aid. The actual amount of money cut from LGA may not be known until the legislative session ends this spring. However, city officials say they have to start cutting the budget before the final numbers come out. Minnesota Public Radio's Brandt Williams reports.
St. Paul looking at $11 million more in cuts
The city of St. Paul is also dealing with budget cuts. In private meetings with city council members yesterday, Mayor Randy Kelly proposed $11 million in new spending cuts that would come on top of $13 million in cuts enacted last month. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen reports.
Sex offenders returning to society
The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that photos of convicted sex offenders can be posted on the Internet. Yesterday's ruling is considered a victory for states that post information on sex offenders. The Minnesota Department of Corrections has a web page with information on released level three sex offenders, individuals who are considered at the highest risk for re-offending. In Minnesota, approximately 800 sex offenders are released from prison every year. We met one of them yesterday as part of our series profiling the lives of Minnesota inmates, after they have done their time, and have gone back into the community. His name is Robert Gladhill. He left prison last summer after serving his sentence for criminal sexual conduct. We continue his story.
U of M study released on congestion and sprawl
New Census numbers released today show that in the Twin Cities metropolitan area, people are living farther away from where they work, increasing commute times and traffic congestion. The University of Minnesota's Center for Transportation Studies has released a 5-year study on congestion and sprawl in the Twin Cities. The Met Council and the Minnesota Department of Transportation sponsored the study, which its authors hope will guide policy-makers in their management of transportation and land development. Bob Johns is the director of the University of Minnesota's Center for Transportation Studies, and he's on the line now.
Snowless winter bad for septic systems
It has been a tough winter for people who depend on snow to make money. But the lack of snow has made it a banner year for other businesses. People who thaw out septic systems have more work than they can handle. Chris Julin has this report from Duluth.
Historical Society may close some sites
The Minnesota Historical Society plans to close seven historic sites if Gov. Tim Pawlenty's budget plan becomes reality. The governor has proposed cutting 15 percent from the Society's budget in the next biennium. Two of the sites slated for closure are in the metro area-- the James J. Hill House on Summit Avenue, and the Oliver Kelley farm in Elk River. John Crippen oversees the metro sites for the Minnesota Historical Society, and he says the Hill House, which was built by the founder of the Great Northern Railway, is a unique site.
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Friday, March 7, 2003 |
"I've had enough fun"
In November, former State Sen. Majority Leader Roger Moe found himself a private citizen for the first time in decades. Moe left the Senate to run for governor, and came in second to Republican Tim Pawlenty. His bid for the University of Minnesota Board of Regents met an inelegant end this month. Moe withdrew his name just before the final vote by his former colleagues, when it was clear he would come up short. The future is suddenly a blank slate for one of Minnesota's longest-serving lawmakers. Moe has made few public appearances in recent months. In late February he made a long-scheduled stop at the University of Minnesota Morris. Mainstreet Radio's Jeff Horwich joined him there.
Gays, lesbians rally over human rights law
Many gay and lesbian activists are concerned about a proposal to remove sexual orientation from the state's human rights law. Over a thousand people rallied at the Capitol yesterday against the bill which they call mean-spirited. The bill's author says he wants to prevent homosexuality from being taught in the schools. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
Providing help for ex-offenders
All this week on Morning Edition, we're looking at what happens to people who get out of prison. The last two decades in this country we've been locking people up at a record rate. Now the number of people getting out of prison is setting records. Today we hear from a former inmate, Marvin Clark, and from Louise Wolfgramm. Wolfgramm is the executive director of AMICUS, the prisoner befriending group, and Clark is now an AMICUS program coordinator. Both say housing and a job are the two immediate needs for people getting out of prison. Clark says one of the biggest hurdles for ex-cons is finding work. Many employers simply refuse to hire people who fill out an employment application and answer yes to whether they've ever been convicted of a crime. Clark's advice?
No, No, Willmar!
We hear everyday about how liberal American society has become. But not too long ago, parts of Minnesota were known for their hard-lined efforts to stop behavior now considered harmless. The Kandiyohi County Historical society is hosting a display that looks back on that time. "No, No, Willmar!" profiles activities and items that were considered immoral and sometimes illegal. But some old-timers in Willmar say despite the community's efforts to appear straight-laced, they remember plenty of mischievous behavior going on. Mainstreet Radio's Tim Post reports.
Minnesota could lose millions in medicaid matching funds
The state of Minnesota is expected to lose hundreds of millions of dollars in federal matching funds if the Legislature passes Gov. Tim Pawlenty's proposed cuts to health care programs in the state's budget. Missing out on the federal dollars is the topic of an article in this week's edition of "The Business Journal." Scott Smith is the reporter who wrote the story. He says state health officials are trying to calculate how much federal money the state will lose.
Word of Mouth
Minnesota Public Radio's Marianne Combs looks at art and artists around the state this week.
Mark Seeley talks weather
University of Minnesota Meteorologist Mark Seeley discusses the state's weather history and looks ahead to the weekend forecast.
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