|
March 31 - April 4, 2003
[ Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday ]
|
Monday, March 31, 2003 |
"Target Market" targeted to disappear
Gov. Tim Pawlenty has been clear that he intends to use the three anti-tobacco endowments to help bridge the state's more than $4 billion deficit. The Legislature must still approve the plan, but using money from the state's tobacco settlement is likely to pass if other states' actions are indicators. While the governor says there will still be money appropriated for helping those addicted quit smoking and preventing others from starting, there's one group that'll disappear: "Target Market," a program for teenagers. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports.
First committee deadline at Minnesota Capitol
Friday is the first committee deadline at the Minnesota Legislature. That means policy bills will have to clear committees in at least one body by the end of the week to stay alive. Joining us with a look at what's happening at the Capitol this week is Minnesota Public Radio's Capitol Bureau Chief, Laura McCallum.
Do taconite fibers cause cancer?
Researchers from around the world are gathering in St. Paul to talk about the possible dangers in fibers in taconite ore. Those microscopic fibers are a lot like asbestos, and asbestos causes cancer. Organizers of this week's conference will try to determine whether taconite fibers pose a health risk. The answer could have a big impact on future mining projects, and the economy of northeastern Minnesota. Mainstreet Radio's Stephanie Hemphill reports.
Baby with respiratory problem taken off plane
A baby is under surveillance this morning at Hennepin County Medical Center after being taken off a Northwest Airlines flight arriving in the Twin Cities from Asia. Officials were concerned the child might have Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. The fatal respiratory disease has killed at least 55 people and sickened more than 1400, mostly in China. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention contacted Northwest airlines after the baby experienced coughing and diarrhea. The state health department says the baby tested positive for a common respiratory infection, but is being observed for further symptoms. Dr. Harry Hull is the state epidemiologist. He's on the line now.
Monday Markets
Minnesota Public Radio's Chief Economics Correspondent Chris Farrell discusses how the war in Iraq is affecting the markets.
|
|
Tuesday, April 1, 2003 |
Minnesota schools watch affirmative action case
The U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments today in the affirmative action case against the University of Michigan. It's being called the most important case of its kind in 25 years, and the University of Minnesota and the state's private colleges will be closely watching the court and its decision. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.
Abortion measure passes House easily
The Minnesota House has passed a bill that would require abortion providers to give women seeking an abortion 24 hours before the procedure is done. Supporters say the measure will ensure that women have all of the available information before they have an abortion. Opponents say the bill is filled with bad information and is an attempt to restrict the procedure in the state. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
"T" word surfaces at the Capitol
The debate over taxes at the state Capitol is heating up on several fronts. A key Republican lawmaker is proposing a $1 increase in the state's cigarette tax. Gov. Tim Pawlenty says he'll consider the idea, because the money would be used to offset another tax. And the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits is the first interest group to come forward with a specific proposal to raise taxes. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
Pawlenty's plan for biotechnology
Gov. Pawlenty says biotechnology will cause an economic revolution in the United States. In order to get Minnesota involved, he's working with officials at the University of Minnesota and Mayo Clinic to join a partnership to lead the way in biotech development. All that's missing in Pawlenty's plan is state money. Minnesota Public Radio's Rob Schmitz reports.
Iraqi-born man wants say in post-war Iraq
An Iraqi-born man is back home in Minnesota this morning after meeting with other Iraqi expatriates in London. Abbas Mehdi travelled to England this past weekend for a meeting of about 300 Iraqis who want a role in determining what a post-war Iraq would look like. Mehdi was representing a group, the Union of Independent Iraqis, and he joined the newly formed Independent Iraqis for Democracy. Abbas Mehdi is also a sociology professor at St. Cloud State University. He says it was important to him to attend the London meeting.
|
|
Wednesday, April 2, 2003 |
Minneapolis City Council and Hennepin County making cuts
Minneapolis city officials say residents can expect fewer firefighters to show up at emergency calls, fewer police staff at community meetings and working in schools, and longer wait times for some street repairs. Those are expected to be some of the results from a series of job cuts approved by a divided Minneapolis City Council yesterday. The council's move address a proposed $21 million cut in state aid. At the same time, Hennepin County officials approved $27 million in cuts to their budget, eliminating more than 300 jobs, mostly at the county's hospital. Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes reports.
Vehicle registration fees would rise under road plan
A bipartisan group of state lawmakers has thrown its support behind a plan to raise vehicle license tab fees. They say the money would fund much-needed improvements to the state's road, bridge and transit system. The lawmakers, with the backing of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, say the state needs to improve its transportation system. The tab fee proposal came as the Senate Transportation Policy and Budget Committee defeated part of Gov. Tim Pawlenty's transportation package because they say it doesn't go far enough. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
Keeping American Indian kids in school
American Indians in Minneapolis high schools have the highest dropout rate of any minority group. Eighty-five percent of them don't graduate in four years. A school district intervention worker is trying to find ways to keep these young people in school. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports.
Some businesses changing travel policies in light of SARS
Fear of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS, is causing many corporations to change travel policies for employees who plan to travel to Asia. World Health Organization officials believe the disease started in China, and more than 1,600 cases have been reported worldwide. Joining us on the line is Kevin Mitchell, chair of the Business Travel Coalition which conducted a survey of more than 180 organizations on how they're changing their corporate travel policies.
|
|
Thursday, April 3, 2003 |
Notifying families of casualties a tough job
The downing of a Black Hawk helicopter in Iraq has resulted in at least six more casualties of war for the U.S. If any of those casualties has family in a six state region including Minnesota, and is a member of the Army Reserve, it's the job of a unit based in the Twin Cities to notify them of the family of their loss. The Pentagon says 51 Americans have been killed in the war so far, sixteen are listed as missing, and seven have been captured. Sargent Harold Bishop is the casualty area coordinator for the region. He says soldiers in his unit go out to the homes of the families, and tell them everything they can about what happened.
SARS could affect Northwest's bottom line
Northwest Airlines flight attendants are keeping an eye out for passengers who may be showing signs of the mysterious, fast moving disease called SARS, also known as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. Northwest and other airlines with extensive routes to Asia, also face some potential economic problems as travelers grow more concerned about the disease. Northwest's Asian routes make up about 25 percent of its revenue. Joel Denny is an airline industry analyst with U.S. Bankcorp Piper Jaffrey. He says it took a while for SARS to affect Northwest's business.
Education lobby at Capitol muted this year
A State Senate panel is scheduled to vote today on Gov. Tim Pawlenty's proposed education budget. Pawlenty says his budget protects K-12 funding for the classroom. Education groups disagree, but they are not complaining very loudly. They say K-12 schools were largely spared from the deep cuts that hit other areas of the state budget. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
Bemidji faces budget cuts
Cities across Minnesota are facing deep budget cuts. Gov. Tim Pawlenty's proposal to erase a $4.2 billion dollar projected budget deficit would slash aid to cities by more than 20 percent over two years. People in Bemidji are bracing for a broad range of cuts, including reductions in the police department. But some lawmakers now say the governor's plan has little chance of passing in the Legislature. Mainstreet Radio's Tom Robertson reports.
|
|
Friday, April 4, 2003 |
Puckett found not guilty
A jury has found baseball Hall of Famer Kirby Puckett not guilty on all charges. It took the jury a little more than eight hours of deliberation to clear Puckett on three charges related to an alleged assault of a woman in a restaurant bathroom last September. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports.
Same-sex benefits not in state worker contracts
A bill is now on its way to Gov. Tim Pawlenty's desk that would ratify state employment contracts without providing benefits to same-sex partners of state workers. Yesterday, the House and Senate voted to strip those provisions from labor agreements that were initially negotiated in 2001, following a two-week strike. Union leaders say they are pleased the contracts were finally approved, but they expressed disappointment in losing the domestic partner benefits and in the lengthy ratification process. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
Senate academic standards differ from governor's
A Minnesota Senate committee has voted to repeal the Profile of Learning and implement a new set a statewide academic standards for public schools. But the replacement standards differ sharply from the back-to-basics approach approved in the House and favored by Gov. Tim Pawlenty. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
Previewing the Minnesota Twins season
The Minnesota Twins are no longer the contraction kids. This time last year, they survived Major League Baseball's attempt to eliminate the team. Not only did they survive, they thrived, winning their division, and coming within a few games of the World Series. Expectations are high this year with some publications picking the Twins to go to the World Series. The team is already 3-and-0, having opened their season in Detroit. Later today, they play their home opener against the Toronto Blue Jays at the Metrodome. Joining us on the line is La Velle Neal who covers the team for the Star Tribune.
Meteorologist Mark Seeley's weather commentary
University of Minnesota meteorologist Mark Seeley's discusses the changing "colors" of precipitation in April in Minnesota. .
|
| Morning Edition Archive |
|
|
|
© 2024 | Home : Terms of Use : Your Privacy Rights