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May 12 - 16, 2003
[ Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday ]
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Monday, May 12, 2003 |
The battle for concealed carry
The Minnesota Personal Protection Act became law following a seven-year gun lobby effort led by a group called Minnesota Concealed Carry Reform NOW!. Several lawmakers say legislative maneuvering which circumvented conventional debate in the Senate resulted in legislation that should have been more closely scrutinized. Some lawmakers also say concealed carry passed because some legislators were afraid to vote no. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports.
Gov. Pawlenty fishes walleye opener despite rain
The cold, rainy weekend didn't dampen Gov. Tim Pawlenty's enthusiasm for fishing. The governor was in Detroit Lakes for the traditional walleye opener. He says it was a fun, relaxing weekend. Now it's back to work, for the last hectic week of the legislative session. Mainstreet Radio's Dan Gunderson reports.
Colleges keep watch for SARS
Concern about the spread of SARS is affecting college campuses across the country and in Minnesota. So far, three universities in the U.S. have said they do not want families from SARS-affected countries to attend their graduation ceremonies, and one high profile university is banning some Asians from attending summer school. Minnesota colleges are just starting to develop their own SARS policies. Officials say while it's wise to be cautious, it's important to keep fear of SARS in check. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.
Companies doing business in China assess SARS risk
Many Minnesota companies that do business in China have had to decide whether to visit the country despite the SARS threat. Dan Stemm is vice president and general manager at REELL Precision Manufacturing, a Vandais Heights-based computer component manufacturer. Stemm says Asia has become a major export destination for his company.
Wild to try again against the Ducks
The Minnesota Wild say they plan no big changes when they try again tonight to score against the Anaheim Mighty Ducks in the National Hockey League's Western Conference Finals. Players and coaches say the Wild did most of what they wanted in game one over the weekend, but were stymied by a hot goaltender in their 1-0 double overtime loss. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen reports.
With a week to go, special session looms
Just one week from today, Minnesota lawmakers must adjourn the 2003 legislative session. They have lots of work to do before then, including coming up with the next two-year budget in the face of a projected $4.2 billion shortfall. Legislative leaders have not yet agreed on overall spending targets, which means conference committees are still waiting to do their work. Joining us now is Minnesota Public Radio's Capitol Bureau Chief, Laura McCallum.
Monday Markets
Minnesota Public Radio's Chief Economics Correspondent Chris Farrell discusses the financial markets in light of the latest economic news.
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Tuesday, May 13, 2003 |
Senate passes nuclear storage bill
The Minnesota Senate has approved a plan to increase storage of nuclear waste at Xcel Energy's Prairie Island power plant. Early this morning, the Senate voted 42-24 for a compromise plan that keeps the facility open for the next ten years, but preserves legislative oversight of any operation beyond that horizon. The plan also increases investments in renewable energy and codifies an agreement between Xcel and the Prairie Island Indian Community situated adjacent to the facility. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
Hundreds of workers at Eveleth's EvTac mine to lose jobs
Minnesota's Iron Range is expecting more bad news this week. Hundreds of workers at the EvTac mine in Eveleth will probably be out of work tomorrow. They'll follow in the footsteps of workers at the LTV Steel mine near Hoyt Lakes. More than 1,000 people lost their jobs at LTV two-and-a-half years ago. Many of them are still looking for work. Chris Julin has this Mainstreet Radio report.
Wild lose again to Ducks
The Minnesota Wild are heading to Anaheim still searching for their first goal in their Stanley Cup playoff series with the Mighty Ducks. The Wild now trail the best-of-seven series by two games, following a 2-0 loss last night. The next two games are in Anaheim, and the Wild need at least one win just to bring the Western Conference Finals back to Minnesota for a game five. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen reports.
Popular northwest Minnesota lake faces environmental threat
Big Detroit Lake, in northwest Minnesota, is a popular destination for tourists. Each summer the lake attracts thousands of tourists who pump millions of dollars into the economy. But the lake faces a serious environmental threat. Mainstreet Radio's Bob Reha reports.
State epidemiologist to brief doctors on SARS
Minnesota's state epidemiologist will talk to doctors today about Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS. Dr. Harry Hull is a speaker at a conference for primary care physicians. Minnesota has had three probable cases of SARS, which has infected more than 7,300 people worldwide. No one in the state has died from the illness. Dr. Hull is on the line now.
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Wednesday, May 14, 2003 |
Governor will call special session immediately
Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty says he will call state lawmakers back for a special session immediately if they don't reach agreement on a state budget by Monday. Pawlenty and Republican House Speaker Steve Sviggum say they are concerned that there will not be enough time to finish all of their work even if an overall budget framework is agreed upon soon. They say they need to give conference committees ample time to negotiate their differences and for the revisors office to process paperwork. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
Some schools liked Profile of Learning
Lawmakers could soon strike the Profile of Learning from state law, but portions of the controversial graduation standards might live on in some classrooms. The bureaucracy of the Profile has been widely criticized since its launch in 1998. Yet, despite its flaws, many school districts have found the show-what-you-know approach to be an effective way to teach kids. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
Mixed messages from Minnesota's job market
There's mixed news on the job front around the state. The unemployment rate in Minnesota for April was 4.3 percent, a slight improvement from the month before. But May is off to a rocky start with a couple of big layoff announcements. About 450 employees of EvTac Mining on the Iron Range are expected to be laid off this week. And the parent company of Rainbow Foods announced that it will lay off more than one thousand workers, as it closes 11 stores in the state. Some of those who lose their jobs are likely to use the state's Dislocated Worker Program. Paul Moe is the director of that program.
Rice county debates Muslim meat plant
Rice County officials heard public testimony last night about a proposal to build Minnesota's first Muslim meat-processing plant. Some Rice County residents are protesting the proposal. They say the facility would damage the environment, and increase traffic to the area. Minnesota Public Radio's Rob Schmitz reports.
Some want nonprofits to quantify their results
Some leaders in the non-profit, philanthropic, and business communities are calling on non-profits to show funders quantifiable results from their work, rather than rely on pure charity. Philanthropy in difficult economic times was the subject of a panel discussion last night that drew about 60 people to the Minneapolis campus of the University of St. Thomas. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.
Wild must score against Mighty Duck goalie
The Minnesota Wild will need to find a way to get the puck past Mighty Ducks' goalie, Jean-Sebastien Giguere if they are going to make it to Stanley Cup finals. Game three of the Western Conference Finals will be played tonight in Anaheim. The Wild trail the Mighty Ducks 2-0 after being shut out twice in a row at home. Doug Johnson is the publisher of Let's Play Hockey.
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Thursday, May 15, 2003 |
Special session all but certain, leaders say
Negotiations on an overall budget agreement are continuing at the state Capitol today, but legislative leaders say it's unlikely that they'll finish their work on time. Lawmakers are facing a Monday deadline and are still more than $1 billion apart on a budget deal. They remain optimistic that the two sides can agree on an overall budget deal, but still remain divided on tax increases. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
Some voices for compromise at the Capitol
With less than a week left to come up with a state budget, a few voices of compromise are emerging at the state Capitol. Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty and House Republicans say they won't budge on their pledges to not raise state taxes in closing a projected $4.2 billion budget deficit. Meanwhile, Senate DFLers say they have the momentum in the budget debate and passed a plan that includes cigarette taxes and an income tax surcharge on upper-income Minnesotans. They say previous governors from both sides of the aisle, economists, and polls point to a budget fix that includes both spending cuts and taxes. Joining us on the line is a lawmaker floating some compromise proposals to break the deadlock. He's Republican State Sen. Steve Dille.
Wild on the verge of elimination
For the second time in seven months, a Minnesota sports team could see its post-season journey end in Anaheim. Last fall, baseball's Twins were ousted by the Anaheim Angels. Now it's the Anaheim Mighty Ducks who have the Minnesota Wild on the ropes. Anaheim's 4-0 victory last night gives them a commanding three-games-to-none lead in the Western Conference Finals. Another loss would end the Wild's surprising Stanley Cup playoff run. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen reports.
Heritage Park development approaches milestone
The Heritage Park housing development in north Minneapolis is nearing a milestone in its completion. Heritage Park replaces two former public housing projects that were the object of a federal lawsuit alleging the segregation of poor people. The new community will be home to a racially and economically diverse population. Minnesota Public Radio's Brandt Williams reports.
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Friday, May 16, 2003 |
Budget deal is close at State Capitol
Legislative leaders emerged from talks last night around midnight saying they are close to reaching an agreement on an overall budget. House Republicans and Senate DFLers say they hope to finalize the deal today and have conference committees negotiate over the weekend. They say they probably do not have time to pass all of the budget bills before the Monday night deadline. They hope, however, that they will have enough time to finish several of them. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
House action a setback for nuclear storage
The Minnesota House has delivered a dramatic setback to plans for expanded nuclear waste storage at Xcel Energy's Prairie Island nuclear facility. Members voted 99-33 last night against the additional storage capacity, leaving the issue in legislative limbo with only four days left in the regular legislative session. Xcel officials say without extra storage space, the plant will need to shut down in 2007. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
Businesses gear up for new handgun law
The recently passed Conceal Carry handgun law is causing confusion and dismay among business owners who don't want guns on their property. The new law says that those businesses will not only have to post signs at their entrances, but will also have to personally notify each person coming through the doors. Businesses like the Mall of America say that's not very practical. Other organizations like office buildings, hospitals, and college campuses are also worried about what to do. The confusion and concern about the conceal carry law is the topic of an article in this week's edition of The Business Journal. Scott Smith is the reporter who wrote the article.
Three St. Paul schools vying for Wellstone name
Three St. Paul elementary schools are competing to be renamed in honor of the late U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone.
Members of a name selection committee, including Wellstone's son Mark, are scheduled to tour the schools today. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
Gov. Ventura makes tentative debut on MSNBC
Former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura made a brief prime time appearance on MSNBC last night as the cable network readies the one-time radio talk show host for his own television talk show. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports.
Mark Seeley on the first tornados in the state
University of Minnesota meteorologist Mark Seeley on the first tornados reported in the state this year.
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