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March 24 - 28, 2003
[ Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday ]
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Monday, March 24, 2003 |
Minnesota's U.S. senators discuss the war in Iraq
President Bush meets today with Congressional leaders to discuss paying for the war. The President is expected to present a cost estimate which could total 70 to 90 billion dollars. That doesn't include money for securing and rebuilding Iraq after the end of hostilities. On Friday, the Senate voted to trim 100 billion dollars from President Bush's proposed 726 billion dollar tax cut package to help pay for the war. Joining us now are Minnesota's two U.S. senators, Republican Norm Coleman and Democrat Mark Dayton.
Thousands to lose jobs at Northwest Airlines
More major airlines are expected to cut flight schedules and jobs this week as the slump in travel bookings because of the war in Iraq takes a toll on the airline industry. Northwest Airlines announced Friday that it is laying off about 4900 employees. The company says it is also reducing its flight schedule by about 12 percent and pulling 20 planes out of service. Flight attendants, mechanics, customer service agents, and pilots will be among those laid off. Daryl Jenkins is the Director of The Aviation Institute at George Washington University. He's on the line now.
Minnesota lawmakers to consider many issues this week
The war in Iraq continues, and so does business at the state Capitol. The session is about half over, and both the House and Senate continue to work on a budget that's designed to close a budget deficit projected at 4.2 billion dollars. Gov. Tim Pawlenty's tax-free zone proposal and an ethics flap over House Republican Arlon Lindner is also going to occupy lawmakers. Joining us on the line is Laura McCallum, MPR's Capitol Bureau Chief.
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Tuesday, March 25, 2003 |
Protesters arrested at Coleman's St. Paul office
Local anti-war demonstrators stepped up their acts of civil disobedience Monday as 20-25 protesters were arrested after sitting in U.S. Senator Norm Coleman's office in St. Paul. Until Monday, arrests during local demonstrations have been rare to non-existent. Minnesota Public Radio's Brandt Williams reports.
Bush says war will cost about $75 billion
The White House says the war with Iraq will cost about $75 billion, including the cost of anti-terrorism efforts at home. Their estimate is based on a prediction that the war will last 30 days. Bush met with congressional leaders yesterday to discuss his proposal, which includes about $63 billion for the Department of Defense, $4 billion for domestic security, and $8 billion for aid to U.S. allies, rebuilding Iraq, and tighter security for American diplomats. Minnesota Congressman Martin Sabo is the ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, and he was at the meeting yesterday. He joins us now.
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Wednesday, March 26, 2003 |
Refugee organization still waiting for plan on Iraq
Both public and private humanitarian organizations are trying to figure out the best way to help Iraqis affected by the war. Intense fighting, especially in the southern part of the country, has made it difficult to get aid to Iraqi civilians. At the same time, fewer than expected refugees have crossed into other countries. Joining us on the line now is Hugh Parmer, president of the Minneapolis-based American Refugee Committee, which is working on setting up services in southern Iraq.
Gambling bills at Capitol divide Native American
A proposal for a state-run casino in the Twin Cities is dividing Native American communities. The package is supported by the White Earth Band of Ojibwe and the Red Lake Band of Chippewa, who stand to share in millions of dollars of gambling revenues. But the state's other nine tribes say a new casino will eat into revenues they currently generate with their own gaming operations. The bill also faces opposition from lawmakers who say the state has no business in the gambling industry. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports.
Four Winds school may be overhauled
Minneapolis school district officials are considering a plan to overhaul and relocate a magnet program for American Indian students. Four Winds American Indian Magnet School is among the district's lowest performing schools. Superintendent Carol Johnson says it is time to reorganize and return the school to its original mission. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
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Thursday, March 27, 2003 |
1991 Gulf War veteran watching war
As we try to understand what's happening in Iraq right now, one Minnesotan watches and listens with a unique perspective. John Hartnett is a veteran of the first Gulf War. He was a Military Police Platoon Commander with the Marines. His job was to round up prisoners on the battlefield and take them to POW compounds in Saudi Arabia. John Hartnett has written a book about his experiences. He says the job was sometimes very stressful.
al-Jazeera watchers gather in Twin Cities restaurants
Millions of people around the world watch the Arab satellite TV channel al-Jazeera. It offers viewers a different perspective on the war from the one shown on American television. Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Losure talked with a number of people watching al Jazeera in a local cafe. She has this report.
Psychological warfare still raging in Iraq
In addition to bullets and bombs, U-S Armed Forces have been employing psychological tactics like leafleting to assist with the invasion of Iraq. But U.S. psychological operations, or psy-ops, haven't caused the mass surrendering of Iraqi soldiers that American military officials had hoped. Joining us on the line is retired Colonel Jim Noll... who commanded a psy ops batallion in the first Gulf War.
Dome and downtown get economic boost from NCAA
The men's NCAA basketball tournament comes to Minnesota today, when the midwest regional finals open at the Metrodome in Minneapolis. Wisconsin, Marquette, Pittsburgh, and Kentucky will vie for a spot in the Final Four. The event is expected to bring thousands of fans into Minneapolis, and officials are preparing to keep the dome secure. Bill Lester is the Executive Director of the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission. He's on the line now.
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Friday, March 28, 2003 |
Governor, NWA workers decry executive pay increases
Eagan-based Northwest Airlines is taking heat from laid-off workers, union leaders and even Gov. Tim Pawlenty over executive pay increases. Last week, Northwest announced it was cutting nearly 5,000 jobs due to the war in Iraq. Less than a week later, the company disclosed its two top executives saw pay increases last year totalling nearly $2 million, a year the company lost almost $800 million. Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Catlin reports.
Senate rejects Pawlenty's health, higher ed budgets
Gov. Tim Pawlenty says he's not concerned about the fate of his budget proposals, despite legislative defeats of parts of his package. On Thursday two Senate committees rejected portions of the governor's two-year budget. Pawlenty and other Republican leaders say the actions come as no surprise, and they criticized Democrats for dismissing the governor's proposals without offering clear alternatives. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
Twin Cities Somalis meet with law enforcement
Federal and local law enforcement officials met Thursday in Minneapolis with about 60 members of the Twin Cities Somali community. Minnesota's U.S. attorney's office set up the meeting, billed as a forum to discuss terrorism and the war in Iraq. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.
War raises questions for Azad Berwari
One thousand American troops parachuted onto an airfield in Kurdish-controlled northern Iraq Thursday. It's the first large deployment of American ground troops in the region. The action is being followed closely by Kurdish people in the Fargo-Moorhead area which is currently home to some 500 Iraqi Kurds. Many are reluctant to speak publicly about the war. But Azad Berwari, a graduate student in Fargo, speaks freely about his concerns. Minnesota Public Radio's Bob Reha reports.
More Minnesota National Guard members to be deployed
Tomorrow afternoon, another 26 members of the Minnesota National Guard are expected to be deployed for duty. Their destination at this time is unknown. The group specializes in telecommunications. The deployment will bring the number of Minnesota Guard members who have been called up to almost 900. Joining us on the line is Sargent Steven Perkins and his wife Shari.
Weather with Mark Seeley
University of Minnesota Meteorologist Mark Seeley discusses Minnesota weather history, answers listener questions, and looks ahead to the weekend forecast.
Word of Mouth Roundup
Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Roberts provides the scoop on the best of Minnesota's art scene, including theater, gallery shows, music, and spoken-word events.
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