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June 2 - 6, 2003
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Monday, June 2, 2003 |
State politicians hit the road after Session 2003
Gov. Tim Pawlenty and DFL legislative leaders will be travelling around the state today. Lawmakers adjourned late last week, after fixing a projected $4.2 billion shortfall without raising taxes. Democrats were critical of the budget plan, while Republican got nearly everything they wanted this session. Joining us now is Minnesota Public Radio's Capitol Bureau Chief, Laura McCallum.
Higher Ed. officials react to bonding bill
Leaders of Minnesota's two public higher education systems are feeling better about the outcome of the legislative session. Lawmakers had cut the systems' appropriations 15 percent earlier in the session. But they also approved $108 million for building improvements at the University of Minnesota, and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system.
Exit tests may be requirement in high school
Minnesota high school students might one day have to pass tests in several subjects to earn diplomas. A provision in the just-passed bill establishing new academic standards for public schools also directs the state education commissioner to study the possibility of high-stakes exit exams. Similar tests have generated lots of controversy in other states. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
Minnesota group helps Bulgaria fight domestic violence
Women in Bulgaria who are victims of domestic violence could soon have better protection -- thanks in part to a Minnesota group. Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights has been working with with groups in Bulgaria since 1994 to reduce violence against women, and improve legal protection for victims. Now a bill has been introduced in the Bulgarian parliament that would allow battered women to go to court and get an order for their abuser to stay away. Cheryl Thomas is the Director of the Women's Human Rights program for Minnesota Advocates, and she's just returned from Bulgaria, where she met with public officials, attorneys, and journalists. She's on the line now.
Northwest Airlines trying to improve service
Eagan-based Northwest Airlines is competing today in a different airline industry than it faced at the end of the 90s. Fewer Americans are flying. Southwest and other so-called low-cost carriers have taken 20 percent of the U.S. market. Northwest is competing on fares, and trying to cut labor costs. But the airline also hopes to improve its position in the new marketplace by offering travelers better service, in the air, and on the ground. Minnesota Public Radio's Jeff Horwich reports.
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Tuesday, June 3, 2003 |
Minnesotans reacting to legislative budget decisions
Gov. Tim Pawlenty and legislative leaders took their differing opinions of the legislative session across the state. The Legislature adjourned a ten-day special session last Thursday night by finalizing a budget that erases a $4.2 billion deficit without raising state taxes. Both Pawlenty and Senate DFLers are using separate tours of the state to differentiate their ideas. Meanwhile, Minnesotans are already forming opinions about the budget. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
Fitness, not fatness, is key to health
Research shows interesting new correlations between exercise and health. Even obese people who exercise are healthier than thin people who don't. A leading researcher on obesity says you don't have to lose weight to be healthy -- you just have to walk. People who exercise -- no matter what their weight -- have half the death rate of those who just sit around. Increasing your life span could be as simple as walking 30 minutes each day. Cara Hetland has the next installment in our Mainstreet Radio series, "The Fight Against Fat."
A new kind of iron ore
People in Silver Bay, on Lake Superior's North Shore, are producing a new kind of iron. They're trying out a new technology to produce a very pure form of iron, called iron nuggets. If the experiment shows the nuggets can be produced profitably, it could offer a new future for the struggling Iron Range. Mainstreet Radio's Stephanie Hemphill reports.
St. Paul to get new fire chief
The St. Paul City Council is expected to confirm the appointment of a new fire chief tomorrow. Mayor Randy Kelly named Douglas Holton to be the new chief last month. Holton is a deputy chief in Milwaukee's fire department. If he's confirmed, he'll become St. Paul's first African-American fire chief. Joining us on the line is Douglas Holton.
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Wednesday, June 4, 2003 |
Flight attendants' union sues NWA
Northwest Airlines flight attendants are taking the company to court. The flight attendants' union filed a lawsuit yesterday in New York, saying the airline refuses to pay more than $220 million it owes to workers. Northwest denies it has made any such decision and plans to resolve the issue later this summer. Minnesota Public Radio's Jeff Horwich reports.
Minnesota businesses launch effort to reduce ozone
Minnesota business leaders have launched a plan to cut smog and ozone in the state's air. They hope to take action now to stave off federal regulations that could be imposed within the next few years if Minnesota's air quality continues to deteriorate. Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Losure reports.
The weight of our kids
There's a growing crisis among America's children. Recent studies agree that young people are heavier than ever. Three times more kids are considered overweight than 20 years ago. Students used to get a lot more exercise in school, but school officials say they don't have the time or money for recommended physical education. Meanwhile, kids can find plenty of calories right on school property, from the lunchroom to the vending machines. Mainstreet Radio's Bob Kelleher has the next installment in our continuing series "The Fight Against Fat."
Best Buy holds dedication of new corporate headquarters
Officials at Best Buy today will hold a campus dedication, marking the end of their long move to a new corporate headquarters. The $160 million campus in Richfield provides a central location for Best Buy's 5300 corporate workers, who were previously scattered in several locations. Alfred Marcus is a professor of Strategic Management at the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management. He joins us now to discuss the new headquarters.
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Thursday, June 5, 2003 |
Iron Range cities brace against cuts
Many cities and towns across Minnesota will be getting less money from the state in coming years. The Legislature cut aid to cities to help balance the state budget. But cities on the Iron Range say they're getting a double dose of cuts from the Legislature -- just when the Range is facing more mine closures. But the lawmakers and the Pawlenty administration says the Iron Range has been getting more aid than it deserves for years. Chris Julin has this Mainstreet Radio report.
Many obese people turning to surgery
About 10 million Americans are considered severely obese. That means they're at least 100 pounds overweight. A growing number of severely obese people are turning to gastric bypass surgery as a last-ditch solution to their weight problems. The procedure is controversial. It can lead to serious health complications. But supporters say the surgery helps shed pounds and save lives. Mainstreet Radio's Tom Robertson has this next installment in our weeklong series "The Fight Against Fat."
Rock quarry in Mankato morphs into concert hall
If you're in Mankato this weekend, you can attend a different kind of rock concert. There will be live music performed inside a working quarry which produces thousands of tons of crushed rock annually for the construction industry. But once a year it becomes a stage. Thousands of people show up to listen to an orchestra and a blues rock band. Mainstreet Radio's Mark Steil reports.
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Friday, June 6, 2003 |
No guns signs going up in county buildings
Minnesota's concealed-carry handgun law has been in effect a little over a week. In that time, private establishments across the state have put up signs banning guns on their premises. Now, Minnesota counties and cities are following suit. But as MPR's Rob Schmitz reports, the law may not be on their side.
St. Paul officials worried about budget future
St. Paul school district officials say the new revenue from a voter-approved tax levy will only provide a temporary fix for their budget problems. The state's second largest school district is facing a deficit for the next school year of just over $2 million dollars. But school leaders say they are more concerned about the following year, when the budget shortfall could reach $20 million. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
Obesity on the indian reservations
Type two diabetes is an epidemic on the country's Indian reservations. On some reservations as many as a quarter of the people have diabetes. The disease and its complications take a serious toll on the health of Native Americans. Doctors aren't sure what causes type two diabetes, but say in many cases it's brought on by obesity. Mainstreet Radio's Tim Post has this report as a part of our weeklong series "The Fight Against Fat."
Walker exhibit looks at design in ordinary objects
An exhibit opening this weekend at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis explores creative approaches to designing ordinary objects. "Strangely Familiar: Design and Everyday Life" features 40 projects that range from furniture, to clothing, to graphic design. The exhibit also includes several examples of innovative architecture. I stopped by the museum this week and met designer Ada Tolla. Her studio, Lot/Ek has created a Mobile Dwelling Unit, which is a 40-foot-long shipping container transformed into a portable living space.
Excelsior ad campaign against national chains
If you're looking for a change from the usual Starbucks or Burger King, you might want to head to Excelsior, Minnesota. The small town near Lake Minnetonka prides itself on the independently-owned businesses that line its streets. And now the city's Chamber of Commerce have launched an ad campaign they hope will bring more traffic to their business district by highlighting its independent retailers. Nicole Garrison covered the story in this week's edition of the The Business Journal. She's come by the studio this morning.
Minnesota-made horse feed fuels Funny Cide
The breakfast cereal Wheaties won't be the only Breakfast of Champions made in Minnesota, if the horse Funny Cide can win the Belmont Stakes tomorrow. If he wins the race, Funny Cide would become the first triple crown winner since 1978. The horse's food comes from a privately held company in Minnesota called Triple Crown Nutrition. Joining us on the line is the company's president Rob Daugherty.
Meteorologist Mark Seeley on lack of heat
University of Minnesota meteorologist Mark Seeley discusses the lack of heat in Minnesota so far this spring, and the best weather for a good hair day.
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