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August 18 - 22, 2003
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Monday, Aug. 18, 2003 |
In Minnesota visit, Kucinich invokes the legacy of Wellstone
Although the Democratic presidential nominating convention isn't until next summer, several of the nine candidates vying for George Bushs' job have been making Minnesota a must-stop state on the campaign trail. Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich is the latest candidate to roll into Minnesota. He spoke to hundreds of supporters this weekend at a rally at Central High School in St. Paul. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.
Soldier killed in Iraq is remembered in St. Rosa, Minnesota
Over the weekend, hundreds of central Minnesotans honored Army Staff Sergeant Brian Hellermann at a memorial in St. Rosa. Hellermann was killed in an ambush earlier this month in Iraq. He grew up in central Minnesota but left the area 17 years ago to begin a career in the Army. While many didn't know Hellermann personally, this tight-know community is showing their support for the soldier's family. Mainstreet Radio's Tim Post reports.
Recession impact: layoff survivors doing more work
Since the recession began, Minnesota has lost more than 67,000 jobs. The layoffs come in a variety of sizes -- some wipe out hundreds of jobs, others just a handful. In many cases, those left behind have to do the same or more work with less--less help and tighter budgets. Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Catlin reports.
Monday Markets
Minnesota Public Radio's Chief Economics Correspondent Chris Farrell discusses the latest economic news.
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Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2003 |
Investigation continues in Janklow crash
More information should be released today in the investigation of a crash involving South Dakota Congressman Bill Janklow. Janklow was driving the car that was struck by a motorcycle driven by a Minnesota man. Fifty-five-year-old Randolph Scott died at the scene. Officials say blood samples were collected from both Janklow and Scott. Those results should be back today. Also authorities may release details about Scott's fatal injuries. The full accident report isn't expected to be be finalized for a few days and then its release is up to the county attorney. Mainstreet Radio's Cara Hetland has more from Sioux Falls.
Paying their child support debts
Minnesota is easily the best in the nation when it comes to collecting child support. Last year the state collected more than $2,100 per open case, more than twice the national average. But many who pay child support -- especially those with lower incomes -- say the system can actually make it harder for them to meet their obligations. Rather than helping them get back on their feet and hold a steady job, they say it encourages a spiral of debt and unemployment. Minnesota Public Radio's Jeff Horwich reports.
Met Council set to revamp Twin Cities growth plan
The Metropolitan Council will meet tomorrow to discuss how to change the Twin Cities' growth plan. The current plan, called Blueprint 2030, was adopted by the Met Council last December, when Ted Mondale was the chairman. Blueprint 2030 hopes to preserve open space by promoting higher-density development along existing transportation corridors. In adopting the plan, the previous Council predicted that the region will grow by nearly a million people in the next three decades. Peter Bell is the chair of the current Met Council, and he joins us on the line now.
Somali cab drivers rally in support of slain drivers
The Minneapolis Star Tribune is reporting this morning that police have identified two suspects in the killing of Minneapolis cabdriver Mohamed Salah. Salah was shot August 8th at an intersection in the Phillips neighborhood. About 50 Minneapolis cab drivers held a rally yesterday afternoon to memorialize Salah and another slain colleague, and to call attention to what they say are unaddressed safety issues. Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes reports.
Paul Magers to leave KARE 11
Paul Magers is headed to the West Coast. The KARE 11 T.V. anchor is leaving the Twin Cities later this year to become an anchor at KCBS in Los Angeles. Magers has been an anchor at KARE 11 since 1983. St. Paul Pioneer Press media critic Brian Lambert says his move is a strategy on the part of Viacom, which owns both Twin Cities' CBS affiliate WCCO and KCBS.
U of M swimmers test fluid mechanics
And now for today's science lesson. What happens when you make water thicker, or more viscous? Do you swim faster or slower? Here with the answer is Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson.
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Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2003 |
American Indians reclaiming their native spirituality
Many American Indians are reclaiming their native spirituality. They are following traditional beliefs and ceremonies. Some of those ceremonies were illegal for generations of Indians. They were done in secret and carefully protected. Today many American Indians fear their faith is once again under assault. This time from people who want to buy spirituality. Mainstreet Radio's Dan Gunderson reports.
Dry conditions worry state's farmers
Most areas of the state have not received a heavy rain since the July 4th weekend. The hot and dry weather since then has led to a sharp decline in the state's crop conditions. Farmers are losing money with each day it doesn't rain. Minnesota Public Radio's Rob Schmitz reports.
The Enthusiasts: The rodeo queen
When she was a little kid, Amber Hultman hated horses. Now, at age 16, she's the Minnesota High School Rodeo Queen. To win the crown, she had to excel in categories like modeling, public speaking, and horsemanship. But Hultman says being queen is much more than looking pretty while riding a horse. The Chisago Lakes High School junior also excels in events like goat tying, pole bending, and barrel racing. In this week's edition of our series, The Enthusiasts, Minnesota Public Radio's Nikki Tundel caught up with Hultman on her family's farm in Center City.
Minnesotan making ads for California gubernatorial candidate
California Gov. Gray Davis was on statewide television last night in his political fight for survival. Challenger Arnold Schwarzenegger is one of the first candidates running television ads, and a judge may rule today on whether to delay the recall effort. Two Minnesotans, well-known in political circles, are helping California gubernatorial candidate Arianna Huffington. Dean Barkley is her campaign manager, and Bill Hillsman is heading up the ad campaign. Hillsman is known for his creative ads for the late Sen. Paul Wellstone and for former Gov. Jesse Ventura. Hillsman says the biggest reason he's working for Huffington is that they are friends.
State Fair gets underway Thursday
Get ready to eat food on a stick, and see more Minnesotans than you can shake that stick at. The Minnesota State Fair begins tomorrow and runs through Labor Day. Joining us on the line to talk about what's new for this year is Jerry Hammer, executive vice president of the Minnesota State Fair.
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Thursday, Aug. 21, 2003 |
Report says Janklow going 70-75 mph at time of crash
An accident report estimates South Dakota Congressman Bill Janklow was speeding when he failed to stop at a stop sign and collided with a motorcycle Saturday. The driver of the motorcycle died. Joining us from Sioux Falls is Minnesota Public Radio's Cara Hetland.
Gun advocates question State Fair's gun ban
When the Minnesota State Fair opens today, visitors will see signs at entrances banning guns from the fairgrounds. Fair officials say the ban on guns has been in place for decades, and makes practical sense. Gun rights advocates say the fair has no legal authority under Minnesota's new concealed carry law to prevent permit-holders from bringing handguns to the fair. They say if the Fair goes ahead, it'll likely face a lawsuit. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports.
30 National Guard members headed to Afghanistan
Thirty members of the Minnesota National Guard's 34th Military Police Company will be deployed to Afghanistan. The soldiers are expected to be on duty for a year, providing security support at an unnamed U.S. installation in the war-torn country. Yesterday members of the Company and their families were honored at a deployment celebration held in Rosemount. Minnesota Public Radio's Brandt Williams reports.
Smoking ban proposed for Fargo-Moorhead area
An anti-tobacco coalition in the Fargo-Moorhead area wants local bars and restaurants to go smoke-free. They've proposed an ordinance to local city officials, and hope it's approved by the end of the year. Mainstreet Radio's Bob Reha reports.
Lawsuits likely over sex offender treatment program
Several attorneys who represent patients in the Minnesota Sexual Offender Program say they'll file a lawsuit against the state unless Gov. Pawlenty lifts his executive order forbidding any offenders from leaving the program. Pawlenty issued the order in July, after a report alleging the administration was considering putting several offenders in community-based settings. Attorneys who represent some of the patients in the program say Pawlenty is undermining the constitutionality of the program. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
Catholic priests in Milwaukee want celibacy reconsidered
More than 160 priests in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Milwaukee have signed a letter arguing that married men should be allowed to enter the priesthood. The letter will be sent to the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Those who put their name on it hope it will prompt a dialogue about making celibacy optional to help ease the shortage of priests. Don Briel is the director of the Center for Catholic Studies at the University of St. Thomas. He's on the line now.
Twins have big series coming up
The Minnesota Twins are just a half-game out of first place, with division leader Kansas City limping into the Metrodome for a big 4-game series that starts tonight. The Twins won yesterday against the Cleveland Indians 4-3. The Royals arrive from New York, where the Yankees swept their 3-game series with a 8-7 win. A week ago, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire apologized to fans, saying the team's performance was "embarrassing." Joining us to talk about the team's turnaround is LaVelle E. Neal III, who covers the Twins for the Star Tribune.
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Friday, Aug. 22, 2003 |
Group of DFLers opposes legalized abortion
A new group of DFLers in the state is forming itself around the issue of abortion, but the group is not pro-choice. The DFLers are creating a state chapter of a national organization called "Democrats for Life." DFL party chairman Mike Erlandson says he doesn't see this group changing the party's pro-choice platform. Joining us on the line is Janet Robert, who unsuccessfully ran for Congress last year and is leading the new effort.
Minnesota Orchestra board member resigns
A significant board member and supporter of the Minnesota Orchestra Association has resigned over the search process for its new president. This week the orchestra announced it has chosen Tony Woodcock to replace outgoing president David Hyslop. But as Minnesota Public Radio's Marianne Combs reports, the new music director Osmo Vanska appears to have played a controversial role in the selection process.
Camp Knutson turns 50
For 50 years, a summer camp in north central Minnesota has served as a getaway for disabled kids. Camp Knutson gives them the chance to experience the outdoors. Advocates for the disabled say the camp also lets them meet kids just like themselves. Mainstreet Radio's Tim Post has this report.
Lynx headed to playoffs for first time ever
The Minnesota Lynx are headed to the WNBA playoffs for the first time in their five-year history. The team lost 88-65 last night in Los Angeles, and they still have to take on Eastern Conference champ Detroit at home tomorrow, in their last regular season game. But no matter. The Lynx are 18-15, and are guaranteed a spot in postseason play. Pam Schmid covers the team for the Minneapolis Star Tribune, and she's on the line now.
Polaris considering locations for new research site
Polaris Industries wants to centralize its research on a new, 600-acre test site, and it's considering two locations. One is in Minnesota, and the other is in Wisconsin. The cities at both locations are offering incentive packages for Polaris, which is looking for a place to test its motorcycles, ATVs, and snowmobiles. The company plans to build a 100,000 square-foot facility that would employ up to 300 engineers and researchers. Sam Black covered the story for this week's edition of "The Business Journal." He's come by the studio this morning.
School report cards out; available online
State education officials have released individual report cards for more than 1,800 public schools. They also for the first time rated 921 elementary schools on a one to five-star scale. Most earned a three-star rating. Gov. Pawlenty and his education commissioner unveiled the cards Thursday at the Minnesota State Fair. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
Weather with Mark Seeley
Usually at this time, University of Minnesota Meteorologist Mark Seeley joins us in the studio to discuss the weather. But this week, we joined him out at the Minnesota State Fair. Mark says that it can occasionally get extremely hot at the Great Minnesota Get Together.
Word of Mouth
Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Roberts provides the scoop each week on art and artists around the state.
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