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Morning Edition
Morning Edition
June 23 - 27, 2003
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Monday, June 23, 2003
War of words over sexual psychopaths
A war of words has erupted in the wake of a newspaper article about Minnesota's sexual offender program. The article in yesterday's Star Tribune was headlined: "State looks to release sexual psychopaths." Gov. Tim Pawlenty's chief of staff Charlie Weaver say the article is wrong, but Attorney General Mike Hatch says the governor is looking to release sexual predators to save state money. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.

State block grants worries mental health advocates
A portion of the health and human services bill passed into law earlier this month changes the way the state provides grants to Minnesota counties. Instead of providing grants for specific services, county officials will receive larger block grants. Supporters say counties will now be able to prioritize spending based on their unique needs. But several special interest groups say counties will deliver money to services that have the most political clout instead of services that need the help the most. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.

New drunk-driving video aimed at blue-collar workers
Summer is peak time for alcohol-related deaths on Minnesota roads, and this year the Minnesota Department of Public Safety is targeting young, blue-collar workers with messages to get them to stop drinking and driving. An analysis of the numbers shows people with blue-collar jobs, such as construction workers, mechanics, and truck drivers, are disproportionately involved in these accidents. The department has produced a video about the consequences of alcohol-related accidents, and hopes it gets through to these workers. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer talked with Cathy Swanson, director of the Office of Traffic Safety.

Tuesday, June 24, 2003
Ramsey county to vote on gun ban
Ramsey county is expected to vote today on banning handguns from county owned property. The vote is a response to the recent conceal-carry handgun law passed at the State Capitol. Ramsey county's plan would prohibit handguns from county buildings, libraries,beaches, and other facilities. Joining us on the line is the chair of the county Board of Commissioners, Jim McDonough.

MnSCU expected to raise tuition in July
When the MnSCU Board of Trustees meets in July, tuition increases will be on the agenda. All 33 institutions of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system are asking for tuition hikes. If approved, MnSCU's full-time students will see their average costs rise about $400 a year. Students would pay more than $3500 a year in tuition and fees. Mainstreet Radio's Bob Reha reports.

New law to allow bigger feedlots
A new law makes it easier to build larger feedlots in Minnesota. People who oppose such facilities and their large manure lagoons say the law prevents citizens from having a say in the future of their community. Supporters say it will save the government time and money. Mainstreet Radio's Rob Schmitz reports.

Minnesota higher ed reacts to Supreme Court
Officials from Minnesota's public and private colleges say they're pleased with the Supreme Court decision on affirmative action. The court ruled that race can still be used as a factor in college admissions decisions -- if it is used sparingly. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.

Wednesday, June 25, 2003
Tornado hits Buffalo Lake
The residents of Buffalo Lake, a small town about 75 miles southwest of the Twin Cities, are picking up the pieces this morning. A tornado hit the town last night at about 8 o'clock, causing extensive damage and some injuries. Emergency crews worked into the early morning to help residents cope with the destruction in the nine by twelve block town. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.

Minneapolis and St. Paul schools face different budgets
The budget balancing pain has been dramatically unequal this year in the state's two largest school districts. School boards in Minneapolis and St. Paul approved operating budgets last night for the coming school year. St. Paul officials cut $1.9 million to balance the budget, while Minneapolis had to solve a $ 30 million deficit. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.

St. Paul discusses 2 a.m. bar closing time
The St. Paul City Council is expected to open a hearing later today on moving bar closing times from 1 a.m. to 2 a.m. The extra hour is a welcome development for downtown bars, but some neighborhood residents are worried about the effects of changing the bar closing time. Joining us on the line is Dan Bostrom, president of the St. Paul city council.

MnSCU tuition increases squeeze students
Students at Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) expect a big jump in the cost of tuition this fall. When the MnSCU Board of Trustees meets next month, a tuition increase is on the agenda. It could be as much as 15 percent for some state colleges. Students and their parents say tuition is becoming a burden, even at the traditionally affordable public colleges. College financial experts say the good news is there are some new ways to save for college. Mainstreet Radio's Tim Post reports.

MPCA allows more coal burning in Rochester
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's Citizen's Board gave the go-ahead to Rochester Public Utilities on its plan to increase its coal consumption by 55 percent. The decision makes it the first time in ten years that the MPCA has allowed a power plant to increase its burning of coal. Minnesota Public Radio's Rob Schmitz has this report.

Thursday, June 26, 2003
South Dakota Legislature meets in special session
South Dakota lawmakers head into a special legislative session today. There's only one item on the agenda - to create a health insurance "risk pool" for the state. It's a model used by other states in which a group of people, who can't get private insurance because of their expensive medical needs, are insured through a subsidized state-run program. About 1000 people in South Dakota are unable to get insurance. Their poor health is only part of the problem. More and more insurance companies are pulling out of South Dakota refusing to insure anyone. Mainstreet Radio's Cara Hetland has the story.

They just love Judy
Grand Rapids is hoping to lure a couple thousand Judy Garland fans to town this weekend. It's the annual Judy Garland Festival. And this year, the town is unveiling its new Judy Garland Museum. Chris Julin paid a visit, and he has this Mainstreet Radio report.

Volunteer spotters watch for hazardous weather
Residents are assessing the damage and cleaning up in Buffalo Lake. The small town in west central Minnesota was the hardest hit by a series of storms that struck the state Tuesday night. Many amateur radio operators were out looking for bad weather during those storms. The operators are part of Skywarn, a nonprofit organization made up of volunteers in the metro area who are trained to look for dangerous weather and alert the National Weather Service when they see it. Bill Hughes is a Skywarn spotter and a spotter instructor. He's on the line now.

NBA draft could determine future for some Minnesota players
Several Minnesotans will be watching today's NBA draft with their futures on the line. Rick Rickert and Jerry Holman are former Gophers who may get drafted. Troy Bell played his college ball at Boston College, but the former high school star from Holy Angels is expected to watch the draft at his parents home in Minneapolis. And the Minnesota Timberwolves are hoping to get a good player with their first first-round pick since 1999. Joining us on the line is Brit Robson, who writes about the Wolves and the NBA for City Pages.

Friday, June 27, 2003
Northwest management wage cuts on hold
Northwest Airlines says it will not cut managers' pay in July, as many union leaders and others expected. Northwest says the five to 15 percent pay cuts are on hold until at least one major union agrees to concessions. Unions say that could actually make those discussions more difficult. Minnesota Public Radio's Jeff Horwich reports.

Mayor Kelley's free trip to Wild game is ruled illegal
The state ethical practices board says St. Paul Mayor Randy Kelly was wrong to accept a free trip to Denver, Colorado, for a Minnesota Wild hockey playoff game. The Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board ruled against the mayor for accepting a plane ride, ground transportation, and game tickets on April 22nd from Minnesota Wild owners. The mayor says he will appeal the Board's decision. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.

Word of Mouth Roundup
Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Roberts provides the scoop each week on the best of Minnesota's art scene, including theater, gallery shows, music, and spoken-word events.

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