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July 14 - 18, 2003
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Monday, July 14, 2003 |
Pawlenty says he didn't know company was being investigated
Minnesota's governor, auditor and other prominent Republicans are being tied to a Minneapolis-based telephone company accused of cheating consumers in Wisconsin and six other states. The St. Paul Pioneer Press says Gov. Pawlenty was a director and an investor in NewTel Holdings when its New Access Communications subsidiary was accused of overcharging some customers and tricking others into switching phone services. New Access has paid $222,000 to settle charges that it violated consumer protection laws in Washington, Oregon and Indiana. The company also faces complaints in North Dakota, Wisconsin, Iowa and Montana and is being investigated by the Minnesota attorney general's office. Pawlenty says he wasn't involved in the day-to-day operations of New Access and was not aware of the complaints against of the company. State Auditor Pat Awada and Pawlenty's campaign manager Tim Commers also have connections to NewTel Holdings. DFLer Steve Kelley is the chair of the telecommunications subcommittee of the Senate Commerce and Utilities Committee. He expects that the Legislature will be investigating the charges.
Funeral services tomorrow for Minnesotan killed in Iraq
Funeral services will be held tomorrow in Shakopee for Edward James Herrgott, the first Minnesotan to die in the war with Iraq. Herrgott, a member of the First Armored Division, was killed by a sniper while on patrol in Baghdad a week and a half ago. His family and friends want him remembered as a regular kid who was working hard to build a future for himself. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports.
Minnesotans travel U.S. to build Habitat for Humanity houses
Retirement means more time to read, or golf, or garden. Unless you're Ann Weese. Then it means learning to use power tools. Ann Weese and her husband Bill volunteer their time building houses for other people. They drive around the country in their RV and work on Habitat for Humanity projects. They're in Duluth for the next two weeks working on a Habitat house. Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Julin reports.
Tough economy puts pressure on pensions
Across the country, corporate pension plans are in trouble. The plans many companies set up to provide for workers in their retirement don't have the money they'll need to keep that promise. Many pension plans in Minnesota are suffering along with the rest. Experts say in most cases, there's nothing to panic about. But they say there are good reasons for employees and investors to pay closer attention to their retirement plans. Minnesota Public Radio's Jeff Horwich reports.
Monday Markets
Minnesota Public Radio's Chief Economics Correspondent Chris Farrell discusses the latest economic news.
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Tuesday, July 15, 2003 |
State commerce official resigns
Gov. Tim Pawlenty's former campaign manager Tim Commers has resigned his post as a special assistant to the state commerce commissioner. Commers is one of several prominent Republicans, including the governor, with alleged ties to a telecommunications firm convicted of defrauding customers in as many as eight states, including Minnesota. Pawlenty, Commers, State Auditor Patricia Awada, and party activist Elam Baer were involved in a holding company that owned New Access Communications. Pawlenty says his role in overseeing the company didn't extend to the day-to-day operations and he was unaware of numerous consumer complaints against New Access. Senate DFLers said yesterday that they'll hold committee hearings later this summer to investigate the allegations. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports.
Former state official: there was a plan to release sex offenders
The former clinical director of the state's sexual offenders program told state lawmakers last night that she quit her job earlier this year because of plans to release some of the sexual psychopaths in the program. Her testimony conflicted with that of the state human services commissioner. Kevin Goodno told the joint legislative committee that there are no plans to release committed sexual offenders and called such allegations "outrageous." Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.
Minnesotans turning in their lead tackle
All over Minnesota this summer, people are bringing old fishing tackle back to the store. Two state agencies are teaming up with conservation groups and offering free lead tackle exchanges in response to growing evidence that lead tackle is poisoning loons and eagles. Mainstreet Radio's Stephanie Hemphill reports.
Some Minnesota businesses want more help from Washington
Several Minnesota business leaders told a top U.S. trade official yesterday that they could use more help from Washington. U.S. Undersecretary for International Trade, Grant Aldonas, is touring the country to hear from American manufacturers. In Minnesota, many believe the present and future of manufacturing are tied to medical devices and biotechnology. But six leaders in the field told Aldonas that the government is not always giving them the support they need. Minnesota Public Radio's Jeff Horwich reports.
Pawlenty announces relief aid for Buffalo Lake
The state of Minnesota is directing $375,000 from a federal housing fund to help the town of Buffalo Lake rebuild. A tornado swept through the south-central Minnesota community last month, destroying homes and several businesses. When announcing the funding yesterday, Gov. Tim Pawlenty said the tornado caused an estimated $12 million in damages in Buffalo Lake. Greg Gowan is the town's police chief, and he's on the line now.
Twins in big slump heading into All-Star break
Major League Baseball's mid-season classic, the All-Star break, couldn't have come at a better time for the Minnesota Twins. They've lost 8 games in row and were just swept in a three-game series against the Anaheim Angels. It wasn't supposed to be like this. The Twins made it to the American League Championship Series last year with a young up-and-coming team. Joining us on the line is LaVelle Neal who covers the Twins for the Star Tribune.
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Wednesday, July 16, 2003 |
As Democrats criticize, Pawlenty reveals additional telecom work
Gov. Tim Pawlenty has acknowledged deeper ties to a Republican businessman who oversaw several telecommunications firms, one of which has been charged with defrauding customers in at least seven states. Pawlenty made his comments during a two-hour press conference on Tuesday that was meant to clarify Pawlenty's role in the controversy, which he maintains was minimal. At the same time, House Democrats say the governor's voting record as a state representative favored phone companies over consumers. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
Youth programs hit hard by budget cuts
Funding for teen programs around Minnesota is dwindling as a result of the state budget crisis. As youth programs statewide reduce their services for things like housing and employment, there's growing concern no one's left to pick up the slack. Mainstreet Radio's Erin Galbally reports.
The Enthusiasts: The guardian of the Air Guard Museum
Officials at a small Twin Cities museum hope to re-open in August, after the events of Sept. 11, 2001, forced them to close. The Minnesota Air Guard Museum had to return its hangars and exhibition space to the Air Force. Our next edition of "The Enthusiasts" features volunteer Ray Peterson, who has devoted thousands of hours to the museum over nearly 20 years. The museum's displays feature the Minnesota Air National Guard's history, aircraft, and a rare "Blackbird" spy plane.
Amber Alerts
Minnesota's Amber Alert system has just passed its first anniversary. The system's been triggered six times. Now state officials are looking at ways to improve the system. Mainstreet Radio's Bob Kelleher reviews the system's first year.
Getting some of the dollars spent rebuilding Iraq
Security concerns in Iraq are slowing efforts to rebuild the country, but that isn't stopping one businessman here from helping Minnesota companies get some of the rebuilding business. Odeh Muhawesh is originally from Jordan but has lived in Minnesota for more than two decades. He's CEO of a new consulting company called the Minnesota Middle East Trading Company, and he joins us on the line this morning.
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Thursday, July 17, 2003 |
Pawlenty faces questions about disclosure of outside income
A spokesman for Gov. Tim Pawlenty says the governor would be willing to amend a campaign disclosure report to reflect payments he received from a telephone company partially owned by his longtime friend and Republican activist Elam Baer. Pawlenty revealed the payments this week, but said they were made to a corporation he formed. He also said he believes they didn't need to be reported as income. But some campaign finance reform advocates say Pawlenty was taking advantage of a loophole in the law, and that candidates should be required to reveal much more about their outside income. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports.
Archbishop Roach laid to rest
About 2500 people attended the funeral yesterday of former Archbishop John Roach. Roach, who retired in 1995, died last Friday from heart failure at the Little Sisters of the Poor in St. Paul at the age of 81. He's the first Minnesota native to serve as archbishop of the Minneapolis and St. Paul Archdiocese. He's best remembered for his work on interfaith relations, social justice and his ability to reconcile different viewpoints in the Catholic church. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
An 'arrogant' job market
The job market in Minnesota is worse right now than it has been at any time since the nation's economic downturn began two years ago. That's the conclusion of the latest Minnesota Job Vacancy Survey. The study finds job openings in the last three months fell 22 percent from last year. Officials and workers say they're hard-pressed to find much good news in Minnesota job market. Minnesota Public Radio's Jeff Horwich reports.
McKnight Foundation recognizes efforts to protect open spaces
Three landowners in Washington County will be honored today for their efforts to protect open spaces in the Twin Cities area. They will receive awards from the McKnight Foundation, which wants to raise awareness about threats to natural areas. One of the awards will go to David Hartwell, on behalf of his family. Hartwell is the grandson of Charlie Bell and the president of Belwin, a nonprofit organization set up by the Bell family to protect open space in the Afton area. Hartwell says it all started when his grandparents bought a weekend retreat near Afton.
Baseball legend Minnie Minoso plays with St. Paul Saints
Minnie Minoso, who is 77 years old, became the first baseball player to play in a pro game in his 7th decade last night. Minoso played in the Negro Leagues in the 1940's and then began a career in Major League Baseball soon after Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in 1947. Minoso received a few at-bats with the Chicago White Sox in the 1970's and 1980's. In 1993, he had an at-bat for the St. Paul Saints. The Saints brought him back again last night, as part of their annual tribute to the Negro Leagues. They penciled him in as their lead-off hitter. Before the game, Minnesota Public Radio's Eugene Cha spoke with Minoso at Midway Stadium to look back on his career. He says many factors went into his longevity.
Ad campaign criticizes Rep. Gutknecht's drug bill
An ad campaign paid for in part by the pharmaceutical industry takes aim at legislation sponsored by Rep. Gil Gutknecht. The Seniors Coalition put together the spots, which have been running in Minnesota and other states. They criticize a Gutknecht-sponsored bill that would allow people to buy prescription drugs from FDA-approved facilities in other countries. Rep. Gutknecht joins us now.
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Friday, July 18, 2003 |
Big deployment in National Guard to begin
Tomorrow, the Minnesota National Guard will hold a ceremony marking the largest overseas troop deployment the guard has seen since World War II. Two thousand National Guard troops from the Twin Cities, Moorehead and Duluth are about to begin an eight month mission in Bosnia. The National Guard says the deployment will be tough on the soldiers and their families. But they also realize it is a burden on employers. Mainstreet Radio's Tim Post reports.
Gathering farm equipment to ship to Iraq
A retired military officer now living in western Wisconsin is asking farmers across the Upper Midwest to donate used farm equipment for shipment to Iraq. Peter Strzok already has at least fifteen tractors and tillers on hand that he expects to ship to Iraqi farmers in the northern part of the country. The will use the equipment to improve production of two main crops: wheat and barley. Stzrok is doing the work as head of a non-profit group called the Agency to Facilitate the Growth of Rural Organizations (AFGRO). He says he was inspired by Iraqis he met 10 years ago while working in the country.
Northwest earns profit but still having difficulty
Northwest Airlines has announced a second quarter profit of $227 million. It is the first time the Eagan-based company has had positive results in nearly two years. But Northwest officials say the number actually disguises another very difficult period for the airline. Minnesota Public Radio's Jeff Horwich reports.
Gordon Parks celebrated as part of Rondo Days
Minnesotans with ties to the Rondo community will gather in St. Paul this weekend to celebrate their heritage. It is the 20th anniversary of Rondo Days, a festival that honors the memory of a primarily African-American neighborhood torn apart by the construction of Interstate 94. In conjunction with the festival, a documentary will be shown about former Rondo resident Gordon Parks who became a world famous photographer, filmmaker, and composer. Parks was born in Fort Scott, Kansas in 1912. He moved to the Twin Cities as a teenager after his mother died. Craig Rice directed the documentary "Half Past Autumn: The Life and Art of Gordon Parks."
Meteorologist Mark Seeley's weather commentary
Meteorologist Mark Seeley discusses precipitation records in Minnesota, and the new seasonal climate outlook for August through October.
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