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April 14 - 18, 2003
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Monday, April 14, 2003 |
Three Somalis released from custody
The Department of Homeland Security's Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement has released three Somalis who were being held in indefinite detention in the Minnesota Correctional Facility at Rush City. A federal district judge in Minnesota ordered the release. He cited a 2001 Supreme Court ruling that found the indefinite detention of aliens is unconstitutional. Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Losure reports.
Abortion and budget headline coming week at Capitol
The budget continues to dominate discussion at the state Capitol, but abortion may be in the spotlight today. The Senate could vote on a bill that requires a woman to wait 24 hours before receiving an abortion. It is a bill the House has already approved, and Gov. Tim Pawlenty says he will sign. Joining us now for a look at the week ahead is Laura McCallum, Minnesota Public Radio's Capitol Bureau Chief.
Dairy industry in Minnesota is slumping
Farmers have had a rough few years, but some segments are in worse shape than others. In Minnesota, the intense debate about agriculture in general has overshadowed what may be the biggest problem area. That's the dairy industry, which some say is quietly slipping away. The dairy cow is one of the most recognizable symbols of Minnesota agriculture. But some wonder if its time is over. Mainstreet Radio's Mark Steil reports.
Frmr. President Bill Clinton speaks on Iraq, taxes
Former President Bill Clinton says he agrees with the Bush administration's fight against terrorism. But, he said it's North Korea, not Iraq, that poses the biggest threat with its weapons of mass destruction. Clinton spoke last night to a sold out crowd of 1,500 people at the Beth El Synagogue in St. Louis Park. During his speech, Clinton also assailed the Bush administration's tax cut proposal. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.
"Frog and Toad" show hits Broadway in New York
For the first time, a theatre production created in Minnesota has made a debut on Broadway. "A Year with Frog and Toad," originally performed in Minneapolis by the Children's Theatre Company, opened yesterday in the Manhattan Theater District. The musical is based on the children's books of Arnold Lobel. It follows Frog and Toad, two amphibians with very different personalities, but a sound friendship. St. Paul Pioneer Press theatre critic Dominic Papatola was in New York for the opening, and he's on the line now.
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Tuesday, April 15, 2003 |
Pawlenty signs 24-hour abortion waiting period
Gov. Tim Pawlenty has signed into a law a measure that would require any woman seeking an abortion to wait 24 hours before the procedure is done. Minnesota is now the 19th state to have such a law. The Minnesota Senate passed the bill and sent it to the governor earlier Monday afternoon. Supporters of the waiting period say it provides women with information about possible risks. Opponents say the bill is an attempt to chip away at a woman's right to choose. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
Lawmakers get a look at new education standards
Gov. Tim Pawlenty's administration will brief lawmakers today on a revised set of English and math standards meant to replace the Profile of Learning. Pawlenty has long sought a repeal of the controversial hands-on, projects-based Profile and a return to academic basics. The administration released the updated standards yesterday just as House lawmakers revealed a $12 billion education package that closely follows the governor's spending recommendations. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
House to vote on health and human services bill
A House panel is scheduled to vote today on a bill funding health and human services programs for the next two years. The bill would restore some of the governor's proposed cuts in funding for nursing homes and services for people with disabilities. To offset the additional funding, House Republicans would make deep cuts in child care subsidies. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
Dairy farmers facing big changes
Minnesota's dairy industry is at a crossroads. Some farmers say the future is in getting bigger - milking more cows. Some of their neighbors disagree. Right now the average Minnesota dairy farm has less than 100 cows. Still other say bigger means better even if that means operations with hundreds and even thousands of animals. One group has led the opposition. It's Minnesota's Land Stewardship Project. The organization is a lightning rod for controversy and is at the center of much of the debate over the future of farming in the Upper Midwest. Mainstreet Radio's Erin Galbally reports.
Wild loses to Colorado
After an eleven-year absence, hockey's Stanley Cup playoffs are back in Minnesota. The Minnesota Wild, however, are still waiting for their first home-ice goal of the playoffs. The Wild were shut out by the Colorado Avalanche in game three of their playoff series in St. Paul last night. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen reports.
Fire season is early this spring
Fire crews are hoping to catch a break today from battling brush and grass fires that have been popping up around the state. The warm, windy and dry conditions fueled more fires yesterday from Brainerd to Cloquet, over to Gilbert and down to the Twin Cities. The largest grass fire in the metro was near Blaine. Because it's so dry, officials have imposed fire burning restrictions statewide. Joining us on the line is Jean Bergerson with the Minnesota Interagency Fire Center.
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Wednesday, April 16, 2003 |
HIV cases in Minnesota up in 2002
Minnesota health officials say the state's HIV rate increased six percent in 2002, spurred in part by new infections among African immigrants. The Minnesota Department of Health says there were 65 new cases of HIV among African-born immigrants last year, compared with 46 new cases in the previous year. More than half of the new cases were among women. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer talked with Dr. Keith Henry, director of HIV Clinical Research at the Hennepin County Medical Center.
Northwest Airlines earnings down
Northwest Airlines announced today that in the first quarter of this year it lost nearly $400 million, adding to what analysts expect will be one of the worst quarters in aviation history. Yesterday, Northwest outlined a plan to its machinists which includes a two percent pay cut plus over 1,400 more job cuts. Earlier this year, Northwest cut its schedule by 12 percent and announced 4,900 temporary layoffs. Joel Denney is an Airline Analyst with the investment firm U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray. He's on the line now.
European farmers not coming to Minnesota
State agriculture officials say Minnesota could benefit from a new wave of European immigrants, but isn't. Many European dairy farmers are selling their farms and moving to the United States. Current law however keeps those farmers from buying land in Minnesota. Agriculture officials want to change that. They say European farmers have the desire to buy failing Minnesota dairy farms. But some say the state shouldn't lay out the welcome mat for foreigners, while Minnesota dairy farmers are struggling. Mainstreet Radio's Tim Post has this report.
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Thursday, April 17, 2003 |
Farmers prepare for spring planting
Farmers across the state are eager for the weather to settle so they can plant their crops. Machinery is rolled out of the shed and prepped for work. It's time to act on plans developed over the winter. Spring is a time for optimism on the farm. This year is no exception. Mainstreet Radio's Bob Reha reports.
Wild one loss away from elimination
The Minnesota Wild have their backs to the wall in their first-ever Stanley Cup playoff series. A 3-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche in St. Paul last night means the Wild now trail in the best-of-seven series three games to one. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen reports.
Lawmakers disagree about new education standards
A disagreement over how to replace the much-maligned Profile of Learning academic standards is raising the possibility that the Profile could survive for another year. Education Commissioner Cheri Pearson Yecke presented a draft of new K-12 standards to lawmakers earlier this week. The new standards contain hundreds of facts and concepts that kids should know in math and language arts. House Republicans generally agree with the proposal, but the DFL Senate is seriously considering an alternative that was created by teachers more than a year ago to fix the Profile. Joining us on the line is Steve Kelley, DFL chair of the Senate Education Policy committee, and Barbara Sykora, the Republican chair of the House Education Policy committee.
So-called Racino bill is headed to House floor
A bill that would allow slot machines at Canterbury Park racetrack in Shakopee is on its way to the House floor. The slots would be operated by the State Lottery, and revenues would be divided between the state and the track's owners. By Canterbury estimates, that means the state would get about 100 million dollars over the next two years. House Republicans are counting on those proceeds to support their budget plan, but Senate DLFers and Governor Pawlenty have both voiced opposition to the plan. Bill Eadington is an economics professor and director of the Institute for the Study of Gambling and Commercial Gaming at the University of Nevada in Reno. He's on the line now.
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Friday, April 18, 2003 |
Mayo, U of M forge bioscience alliance
Minnesota's premier research institutions formalized an alliance Thursday in what Gov. Tim Pawlenty termed a "historic" step toward making the state a world leader in cutting-edge science fields. Pawlenty and leaders of Rochester's Mayo Clinic and the University of Minnesota announced a plan to have the state devote more than $100 million over the next few years to get the partnership up and running. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
Firefighters lose their jobs in Minneapolis due to budget cuts
Today is the last official day of work for 34 Minneapolis firefighters who have been cut to offset expected cuts in state aid. Some firefighters will return to jobs they held before joining the force; others face unemployment. But many say they are more concerned about what the layoffs will mean to the residents of Minneapolis. Minnesota Public Radio's Brandt Williams reports.
State patrol stretches to cover Minneapolis
Minnesota's State Patrol troopers say it's getting harder to keep motorists safe. In the past 20 years, the number of licensed drivers in Minnesota has increased 27 percent. The number of miles traveled by motorists has doubled. But the number of troopers on Minnesota's highways has stayed the same. State Patrol officials realize during these lean budget times they're not likely to get more money to hire troopers. But they say if something doesn't change soon, the roads will become more dangerous, and more Minnesotans will die. Mainstreet Radio's Tim Post spent a day on the road with a state trooper and has this report.
Weather with Mark Seeley
University of Minnesota Meteorologist Mark Seeley discusses the recent temperature swings in the context of Minnesota weather history.
Fees on utilities could increase in some areas
An increasing number of local governments want to raise the fees they charge utilities, who then typically pass those fees on to ratepayers. State law says local governments can raise these fees up to eight percent each year. The potential hike in fees is the subject of an article in this week's edition of The Business Journal. Joining us on the line is Scott Smith, the reporter who wrote the article.
Minneapolis-based aid organization sets up services near Iraq
The United Nations has increased its aid deliveries to Iraq, bringing 100 trucks of food into the country from Turkey and opening a new supply route from Jordan. But security and access are still hurdles. UN officials say the U.S. military is preventing a team of humanitarian staff from flying into northern Iraq, delaying plans to oversee food, water, and health-care programs in the area. Other aid organizations are also setting up services in and around Iraq. Hugh Parmer, president of Minneapolis-based American Refugee Committee, is now on border between Iran and Iraq, planning his group's efforts. He joins us now from there.
Timberwolves take on Lakers in first round of playoffs
The Minnesota Timberwolves have secured home-court advantage in the NBA playoffs for the first time in franchise history. Their reward is a first-round matchup with the three-time defending champion Los Angeles Lakers. That series begins on Sunday at the Target Center. The Wolves have lost in the first round of the playoffs six years in a row. Joining us on the line is Brit Robson, who covers the team for City Pages.
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