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June 9 - 13, 2003
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Monday, June 9, 2003 |
Rick Kahn talks about the Wellstone memorial
More than seven months after last fall's election, Rick Kahn says it's hard for him to understand why some Minnesotans voted against Democratic candidates last fall because of comments he made during a memorial service for Paul Wellstone and the other plane crash victims. DFL leaders say backlash from the memorial, cost Democrats votes and in Walter Mondale's case, cost him the Senate election. In an extended interview, Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik spoke with Rick Kahn about the memorial service and the political fallout.
Democratic candidate Dean visits St. Paul
There are ten candidates vying for the 2004 democratic nomination for president. The first primary isn't until January, but the candidates are already busy raising money. Candidate Howard Dean, the former governor of Vermont, attended a fundraiser last night in St. Paul. He came not only to share his views of the presidency, but equally as important, to pass the hat among the party faithful. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.
Duluth pauses to remember lynching victims
This week, Duluth residents pause to remember three black men, lynched more than eighty years ago by a mob. There are events planned most days. On Friday, a memorial march begins at noon on Superior Street, outside the old Duluth City Jail. Meanwhile, work continues on Duluth's monument to the three victims. A downtown corner will become a pedestrian park with benches and a memorial wall. The centerpiece is a bronze relief of the three men. Mainstreet Radio's Bob Kelleher reports.
Oldest Ford dealership celebrates 100 years
As Ford Motor Company marks its 100th anniversary this month, a Ford dealership in St. Cloud is joining the celebration. The Tenvoorde family started selling Fords a century ago, just as Henry Ford started his business. It's now considered the oldest Ford dealership in the world. Mainstreet Radio's Tim Post reports.
MPR's Chris Farrell's Monday Markets interview
Minnesota Public Radio chief economics correspondent Chris Farrell talks about the recently surging stock market.
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Tuesday, June 10, 2003 |
Officials fear child care-to-welfare shift
Starting in July, child care will become more expensive for thousands of Minnesota families. To help balance the state budget, lawmakers approved cuts in state child care subsidies. Overall the changes are projected to save the state more than $86 million over the next two years. But the cuts may have a secondary effect: Driving some lower-income, working families onto the welfare rolls. Minnesota Public Radio's Jeff Horwich reports.
Not too late to sign up for Minneapolis summer school
Today is the last day of the regular school year in Minneapolis, but school officials want to get the word out that it's not too late to enroll in summer school. Earlier this year, Minneapolis school officials announced that budget cuts would limit summer school to all but the neediest students. But after the community responded, and after finding some money in the budget, officials decided to offer summer school to more kids. Joining us on the line is Dave Jennings, chief operating officer of the Minneapolis Public Schools.
Traffic and livability questions surround light rail station
The Twin Cities' first light rail service begins in ten months. The Hiawatha line begins carrying passengers in April 2004. Besides hoping light rail will carry lots of riders, proponents are also counting on the service to spark development around the stations. However, development prospects at one of the busiest neighborhood stations are murky because of traffic and resident concerns. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports.
Minneapolis to install downtown surveillance cameras
The city of Minneapolis is planning to install surveillance cameras in the downtown area that will monitor activity on streets and sidewalks. The Target Corporation donated the money for the cameras. Councilmember Gary Schiff, who represents the 9th Ward, was one of four council members who voted against accepting the gift and installing the cameras. He says a private corporation shouldn't determine where public safety resources are deployed.
Archdiocese of Boston expected to name Law replacement soon
The Archdiocese of Boston is expected to name a permanent replacement this month for Cardinal Bernard Law, and Twin Cities Archbishop Harry Flynn is on the shortlist. The Boston Globe has reported that the Vatican's choice may be made public as early as today. Law resigned last December, after revelations that he failed to remove known sexual offenders from active ministry. Don Briel is the director of the Center for Catholic Studies at the University of St. Thomas. He's on the line now.
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Wednesday, June 11, 2003 |
Rail expansion heads to federal court
The future of the largest railroad expansion plan since the Civil War goes before a Federal Appeals court today in St. Paul. The Dakota, Minnesota, and Eastern Railroad's $2 billion project includes hundreds of miles of new and rehabilitated track. It's all part of a plan to haul coal through Wyoming, South Dakota and Minnesota. The federal government has endorsed the expansion, but that approval faces a challenge from a handful of communities and environmental groups. We have two reports this morning, the first is from Mainstreet Radio's Erin Galbally.
DM&E continues to build as it awaits court
MPR's Cara Hetland reports on the status of the expansion of the Dakota, Minnesota, and Eastern Railroad.
Minnesota gets OK on No Child Left Behind plan
Federal education officials have approved Minnesota's plan for complying with the No Child Left Behind law. President Bush announced yesterday that the remaining 17 states, including Minnesota, had completed plans to determine whether schools and school districts are making adequate yearly progress. The president described the approval as a historic milestone for accountability. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
Hennepin County bans guns in its facilities
The Hennepin County Board has passed a resolution prohibiting dangerous weapons on county property. Five commissioners voted for the resolution yesterday, and two abstained. The move comes in response to the recently-passed concealed-carry law, which is expected to increase the number of Minnesotans carrying handguns. Hennepin is one of several counties considering such bans, despite a section in the new law that forbids them. David Hough is an Assistant Hennepin County Attorney, and he's on the line now.
Mayor Kelly close to keeping Hill House open
St. Paul Mayor Randy Kelly says he is close to raising enough money to keep the James J. Hill house open for another year. Kelly has been working to raise money for the historic mansion on summit avenue after the legislature cut its funding to balance the state budget. Kelly says he's been working with the Historical Society to come up a plan to keep the hill house open.
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Thursday, June 12, 2003 |
Pawlenty optimistic after meetings with Wall Street analysts
Gov. Pawlenty and state finance officials are wrapping up a three-day trip to New York to defend Minnesota's budget fix. They've been talking to the big three bond rating agencies in hopes of preserving Minnesota's coveted AAA credit rating. The governor says he's cautiously optimistic the bond houses won't downgrade the state. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
U of M to take up discipline policy
Students at the University of Minnesota who participate in celebratory riots could be punished even if their activity takes place off University property. A new policy is expected to be presented to the Board of Regents today. In April, riots broke out after the Gopher men's hockey team won the 2003 NCAA tournament. Riots also took place after the team won the championship in 2002. Joining us to talk about the new policy is June Nobbe, interim associate vice provost for student affairs.
Number of teacher layoffs in Minneapolis is growing
The number of teacher layoffs in the Minneapolis school district continues to grow. Union leaders say pink slips have now been issued to 464 teachers with less than four years experience. Another 98 veteran teachers are also in danger of losing their jobs. The layoffs are part of the district's effort to solve a nearly $30 million budget shortfall. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
Minneapolis Sculpture Garden turns 15
The Walker Art Center this weekend will celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. The Walker, along with the city's park and recreation board, opened the garden in 1988 as a gallery without walls. It features more than 40 works on permanent view, including the Spoonbridge and Cherry, which has become a icon for the Twin Cities area. Joining us on the line is Joan Rothfuss, curator of the permanent collection at the Walker.
Hamline University to open international high school
Students from around the world are expected to come to Hamline University this fall, but not to attend college. Hamline is recruiting the students to attend a new private high school that the University is setting up on its campus. It's called the Hamline International School, and it's already getting applicants from Russia, South Korea, and Columbia. High school students in Minnesota are also encouraged to apply. Joining us on the line is the new superintendent of the school, Dr. Frank Tarsitano.
Windsurfers race to Minnesota
In a rare visit to the Midwest, a national windsurfing contest is being held in Minnesota this week. Competitors in the U.S. Windsurfing National Championships will race around a set course on Lake Okabena in Worthington. It's one of the windiest places in the state. But organizers of the event say wind is only one of the reasons they choose southwest Minnesota. Mainstreet Radio's Mark Steil reports.
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Friday, June 13, 2003 |
Contracts set to expire, negotiators and state workers square off
The state's current employee contracts expire at the end of this month, and negotiations between Gov. Tim Pawlenty's administration and state workers are just heating up. The discussions are taking place under a tight budget, ratified as part of a $4.3 billion deficit reduction package in May. State officials say it's no secret they have limited resources to put on the bargaining table, but public employees say that doesn't mean they'll back down at the table. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
St. Paul pastor detained in Laos
A Hmong pastor from St. Paul is one of three men being detained in Laos. Karl Mua is the pastor of the Light of Life Lutheran Church in St. Paul. The Laotian government says he was arrested, along with two international journalists, for helping "bandits" kill a security official in a remote village. But at least one international reporters' group has said it fears the journalists are being punished for reporting on Hmong rebels. Peter Rogness is the bishop of the St. Paul Area Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and he's on the line now.
Minnesota National Guard members will go to Bosnia
In the biggest overseas deployment since WWII, 1100 members of the Minnesota National Guard will become peacekeepers in Bosnia starting in July. At a picnic this weekend, family members will hear some ideas on how to get by without loved ones while they are overseas. Major Kris Shelstad is the civil military affairs officer with the 34th Infantry Division of the Minnesota National Guard. She says maintaining a good relationship with the employers of Guard members is very important.
Group wants 90,000 acres protected near BWCA
An environmental group has identified nearly 90,000 acres in the Superior National Forest it would like to see designated as protected wilderness. Volunteers for the group Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness hiked and canoed into remote parts of the forest to find areas they say should be protected. Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Losure reports.
St. Paul club holds 31-hour jazz marathon
If you'd like to hear some jazz today, you might try Brilliant Corners in downtown St. Paul. The club is featuring 31 straight hours of jazz by local musicians. They started last night, and they'll continue until 4:00am tomorrow morning. Brilliant Corners opened in St. Paul in February. It's the only after-hours jazz venue in the Twin Cities. Owner Jeremy Walker is the emcee of the jazz marathon, and will be up all 31 hours. He's on the line now.
Word of Mouth
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.
Weather with Mark Seeley
University of Minnesota Meteorologist Mark Seeley discusses Minnesota weather history and looks ahead to the weekend forecast.
Two state departments merge next month
Employees and employers who used to have their own state agencies working on their issues will soon be going to the same agency. The Minnesota Department of Economic Security and the Department of Trade and Economic Development are merging next month to become one agency, which will be known as the Department of Employment and Economic Development. Critics say a single agency will have a tough time serving both constituencies, but Commissioner Matt Kramer, who will oversee the new agency, says it'll provide a fully integrated approach to workforce and economic development. The merger is the subject of a story in this week's edition of The Business Journal. Joining us in the studio is reporter Mark Reilly, who wrote the story.
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