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September 1 - 5, 2003
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Monday, Sept. 1, 2003 |
Hacker had just enough knowledge, not enough direction
Eighteen-year-old Jeffrey Parson begins this week confined to his parents' home in Hopkins, prevented from any contact with computers. Parson was arrested Friday on charges he modified and spread a computer worm that slowed Internet traffic around the globe this summer. If Parson indeed did what is alleged, his work is unlikely to win him much respect inside or outside the computer hacker community. Far from a mastermind, experts say Parson is just an especially unlucky example that a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing. Minnesota Public Radio's Jeff Horwich reports.
Minnesotans reflect on work
It's Labor Day, the last day of the State Fair, and a day to reflect on work. Last week, MPR News was at the State Fair asking people about their jobs. Here's what they told us.
Alliant Techsystems growing with high-tech weapons
Many Minnesota businesses would just as soon put the last two years behind them. But as one of the state's few defense-industry companies, Edina-based Alliant Techsystems stands out as an exception in an otherwise stagnant post-9/11 economy. Alliant Techsystems, which now prefers to be known by its stock ticker initials, ATK, is a $2 billion public company that's been attracting a growing number of military contracts and shareholders. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.
A familiar voice comes to MPR
Beginning this afternoon, you'll hear a new voice on Minnesota Public Radio's All Things Considered. Or more precisely, you'll hear a familiar voice in a new context. National Public Radio veteran David Molpus takes over as the regional host of the program. Molpus spent 28 years at NPR, where he was a Pentagon Correspondent during the Reagan Administration and accompanied the Army's 10th Mountain Division into Haiti during the U.S. intervention. For two years, he co-hosted NPR's Weekend Edition of All Things Considered. He's won more than a dozen awards and honors, including a Nieman Fellowship at Harvard University. Most recently, he covered workplace issues in Tampa, Florida. Molpus came by the studio and explained how he first started working at NPR, in his twenties.
Some Minnesota industries have job openings
Workers in Minnesota have had a tough year so far. The number of unemployed workers is the highest it's been since 1985, and the latest unemployment rate for the state came in at 4.6 percent. But new research at the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, or DEED, shows that there is demand for workers in certain industries. Joining us on the line to talk about that glimmer of hope is Steve Hine, research director at the department.
Hurt by hooks
Anglers in Minnesota have plenty of tales about the fish they caught. They probably have many more about the ones they didn't. But for some, the memories are not hooking a fish, but how they hooked themselves. Most times getting stuck with a fish hook is a minor nuisance, but it can mean a trip to the emergency room. In the central Minnesota town of Alexandria, people in the ER have found a creative way to keep track of fish hook incidents. Mainstreet Radio's Tim Post has more in this story.
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Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2003 |
New charter schools open this year
Eleven new charter schools are opening for business this week, bringing Minnesota's total to eighty-eight. The operators of these public schools, which are run independently from the traditional system, say they're eager to meet the educational needs of their students. But they say they're under increasing pressure to also keep their financial books balanced. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
Tens of thousands start classes at U of M
Tens of thousands of students start classes today at the University of Minnesota. While many freshmen say they are excited about the challenges of being in college and away from home for the first time, older students say tuition increases and scarce part-time employment mean a stressful and hectic lifestyle. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.
Canterbury Park bucks national trends
Canterbury Park has finished its live racing season with record attendance and wagering. The track ran its final races last night. During the current season, Canterbury had its best numbers since it reopened in 1995. That bucks a national trend, as most tracks are reporting a decline in attendance. Joining us now is track president, Randy Sampson.
Monday Markets
Minnesota Public Radio's chief economics correspondent Chris Farrell discusses the week ahead in the economy and financial markets
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Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2003 |
U of M Raptor Center helping find West Nile vaccine
The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota is testing a new West Nile virus vaccine for birds. If it works, the vaccine could be used to protect birds in captivity, as well as threatened and endangered species. The mosquito-borne West Nile virus was first discovered in the U.S. in New York in 1999, and showed up Minnesota for the first time last summer. Dr. Patrick Redig is the director of the U of M Raptor Center, and he's on the line now.
Task force says HCMC should be nonprofit
A task force studying ways to reduce deficits at Hennepin County Medical Center says the county board should create a separate governing body for the hospital. The task force also recommends spending $30 million to update HCMC's technology to make it more competitive. The group did not recommend creating a county hospital tax to try offset HCMC's growing uncompensated care bill. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports.
Schools prepare for new academic standards
Minnesota's 1,800 public schools will spend this school year retooling their academic standards and graduation requirements. Teachers are implementing new reading and math standards, after state lawmakers repealed the former standards in the Profile of Learning. But elements of the show-what-you-know profile system could linger as schools make the transition. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
Efforts to unionize Jennie-O workers in Willmar
Union membership rates have been on the decline in Minnesota and nationwide. But Minnesota still remains one of the most unionized states in the country. And efforts to unionize continue. In Willmar, the Jennie-O Turkey Store employs a growing number of immigrant workers. And union organizers say those workers need help protecting their rights. Minnesota Public Radio's Annie Baxter has this report.
Enthusiast: The tiger beetle expert
It seems like some endangered species get all the attention. Lots of people get excited about wolves and bald eagles, but who cares about tiger beetles? Ron Huber does. He lives in Bloomington, but scientists from around the world consult him about tiger beetles. The surprise is, Ron Huber is self-taught. He's an amateur, but he's a top-notch field biologist. We talked with him for this week's installment of our series, "The Enthusiasts."
Big Urban Game underway in Twin Cities
In the Twin Cities, beginning today, you might see people carrying around some things that look like pieces from a gigantic board game. The 25-foot-tall, inflatable pieces are part of what's being called the "Big Urban Game," or BUG. It was organized by the University of Minnesota Design Institute and created by a team of designers based in New York. Katie Salen is one of those designers, and she's on the line now.
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Thursday, Sept. 4, 2003 |
Mayo study shows fathers may get anxiety with new baby
A new Mayo Clinic study finds fathers as well as mothers suffer from disturbing anxieties after the birth of a baby. The study is published in the current issue of the Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings. Researchers sent surveys to 300 sets of parents. Those parents were asked to report distressing thoughts, such as "My baby is going to die of SIDS," and "What if I drown my baby while bathing her?" Close to 70 percent of mothers and 58 percent of fathers reported having those kinds of thoughts. Dr. Jon Abramowitz is a psychologist at the Mayo Clinic, and he's one of the authors of the study. He joins us now.
St. Paul schools to recite Pledge
St. Paul public schools will follow a new statewide Pledge of Allegiance mandate. School board members met in special session last night to consider waiving the requirement this year. But the board quickly adjourned without taking action. The move means individual St. Paul schools will no longer have the choice to not recite the pledge. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
Pressure on for schools that are falling behind
The start of the new school year has brought added pressure to the Minnesota schools that are falling below performance goals. State officials identified 144 schools last month that are not making the adequate yearly progress required under the federal No Child Left Behind law. They say the designation will push schools to improve. Educators at one Minneapolis school say they accept the challenge, but they also resent the label. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
Lack of rain is causing damage to crops
State and federal agriculture officials estimate that the late summer drought has caused more than one billion dollars in damage to Minnesota crops. They say most of the state has been affected by the dry weather. State agriculture department officials say they will ask Gov. Tim Pawlenty to request a federal disaster declaration, and farmers aren't the only ones wondering when it will rain. Mainstreet Radio's Mark Steil reports.
Conference business down for state resorts
The summer season is over for resorts in Minnesota. In the fall, some large resorts make money by hosting conferences, often put on by state organizations. But resort owners say the conference business they've relied on for years has disappeared. Some state officials say they're afraid to hold conferences at resorts because of the perception that they're expensive, even if they're not. Mainstreet Radio's Tim Post reports.
Barns celebrated in western Wisconsin
An icon of midwestern farm life is being celebrated in Osceola, Wisconsin, just across the St. Croix river. The Art Barn is a community run project there that includes a refurbished barn, a theater, and, for the next 3 weeks, a traveling Smithsonian exhibit. Joining us to talk about all the activities at Art Barn is program director Neil Johnson.
Minnesota Twins in first place: a fan's perspective
The Minnesota Twins find themselves in a tie for first place in the American League Central this morning after a remarkable victory yesterday afternoon at the Metrodome. The Twins beat the Anaheim Angels 6-5 on the strength of a wild play in the bottom of the ninth inning. Minnesota Public Radio's Jim Bickal was at the game and he's in studio this morning.
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Friday, Sept. 5, 2003 |
JOBZ application deadine nears
Building or rebuilding a healthy economy is a tough job, especially in rural Minnesota. This year, small towns across the state are hoping to use a new tool for economic development, provided by the legislature. Minnesota's new Job Opportunity Building Zones or JOBZ, allows cities to offer lucrative incentives to developing businesses in the designated areas. Mainstreet Radio's Bob Reha reports.
Minneapolis is training citizens for emergencies
In the near future, the first responders to a disaster in Minneapolis who are trained to handle emergency response may not be fire fighters or police officers, but citizens in the neighborhood. The City's Office of Emergency Preparedness is launching a program that would train citizens across the city to be able to respond to disasters like tornados, fires, and even terror attacks. It's called the Community Emergency Response Team. Richard Turner is Director of Emergency Preparedness for the city of Minneapolis. He says that the program originated with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Bar association head leads on funding legal aid
The president of the Minnesota Bar Association, James Baillie, faces an immediate crisis: finding more money for low-income people who can't afford legal representation. The 60-year-old Minneapolis attorney became the bar's top elected official in July. He's known for his dedication to legal aid, and his experience on the issue is likely to come in handy, as legal aid faces its worst funding crisis in more than 20 years. John Share covered the story for this week's edition of The Business Journal. He says that Baillie has built a national reputation in this area.
Meteorologist Mark Seeley's weather commentary
University of Minnesota meteorologist Mark Seeley discusses a disturbing discovery: frost already seen in some parts of Minnesota.
Twins attendance: Where is everyone?
Playoff tickets for the Twins postseason have gone on sale. The Twins are in a close pennant race with two other teams in the American League Central Division. On Wednesday, they moved into tie for first place in the division after a dramatic ninth inning comeback win. But some baseball insiders are wondering where the fans are. Attendance at the Metrodome is behind last years, and TV ratings are down significantly. Team officials say they're not worried about the numbers and say they expect crowds to increase as the season draws to a close. Minnesota Public Radio's Brandt Williams reports.
Vikings to begin season in Green Bay
The Minnesota pro-sports scene is about to get new a jolt of energy. The Vikings begin their NFL season in Green Bay on Sunday. It will be the first regular season game played in the refurbished Lambeau Field, where almost 300 million dollars was spent to update the legendary stadium. After an off-season of refurbishing the team, Vikings head coach Mike Tice is optimistic they could win the division and go to the playoffs. Joining us on the line is Sean Jensen, who covers the Vikings for the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
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