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September 29 - October 3, 2003
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Monday, Sept. 29, 2003 |
State worker unions set to announce contract vote
State employees could edge closer to a strike later today, if workers reject contract offers made by the state last month. The state's two largest unions will announce the results of balloting later this afternoon. Although state officials characterized the offers as their last and best, union officials urged members to reject the proposals, saying they unfairly transfer rising health care costs onto the backs of state employees. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
Gov. Tim Pawlenty's first trade mission begins in Canada
Gov. Tim Pawlenty arrived in Montreal last night for his first trade mission, a two-day trip designed to promote Minnesota's biosciences and medical industries. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum is traveling with the Minnesota business delegation, and joins me now from Montreal.
Minnesota wind farms lead wind power industry
Humans have harnessed the wind for thousands of years since the time of the ancient Egyptians. Wind has powered sailboats, ground grain, pumped water and most recently generated electricity. Now, Minnesota has emerged as a national wind leader. In the first story in a Mainstreet Radio wind power series Erin Galbally reports on the state's rise from windmills to wind farms.
Chris Farrell's Monday Market commentary
Minnesota Public Radio's Chief Economics Correspondent Chris Farrell discusses growth in the economy, but with a twist: little sign of job growth.
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Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2003 |
One victim is dead in wake of Hennepin County shooting
The Hennepin County Government Center will be open for business as usual today, one day after a woman was shot and killed and her attorney was seriously wounded while awaiting a court hearing on the 17th floor of the complex. The alleged shooter was scheduled to appear in court with the victims. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports.
Government Center shooting prompts security debate
The Hennepin County Government Center will be open for business as usual today, one day after a woman was shot and killed and her attorney was seriously wounded while awaiting a court hearing on the 17th floor of the complex. The alleged shooter was scheduled to appear in court with the victims. People who enter the Government Center do not have to pass through metal detectors. Many have criticized this policy for years, including Kevin Burke, the chief judge of the Hennepin County Court. Burke says it's time to improve security in the facility.
State workers vote down contract proposals, authorize strike
The largest state workers unions have overwhelmingly voted to reject contract offers characterized by state negotiators as their last, best proposals. The votes authorize the workers to strike, but union leaders say they'll postpone setting a strike date in order to attempt another round of negotiating. State officials say they're also eager to return to the table, but they say they simply can't offer any more money for compensation. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
Cold Spring mourns after fatal school shooting
It hasn't even been a week, but for the people of Cold Spring, everything is different. They've already mourned and buried one of their own, and still grieve over another. After last Wednesday's school shooting at Rocori High School, 17-year-old Aaron Rollins is dead and 14-year-old Seth Bartell is still in critical condition at St. Cloud Hospital. As Mainstreet Radio's Annie Baxter reports, children and adults are grasping for ways to communicate their feelings.
Pawlenty may propose tax incentives for biotech
Gov. Tim Pawlenty says he may seek tax incentives for biotech research and investment in Minnesota. The governor is promoting Minnesota's biosciences and medical industries during his first trade mission in Montreal. The governor says the Canadian government offers much more generous tax breaks to the biotech industry. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports from Montreal.
Twins take on Yankees in first round of playoffs
It's been more than 30 years since the Minnesota Twins last made back-to-back appearances in the post season. But today the Central Division champion Twins begin playoff action for the second time in as many years when they take the field in New York against the Eastern Division champion Yankees. It caps a season that saw the Twins go from high hopes to utter disappointment and back again. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen has more.
From windmills to wind farms
One of the newest and most promising segments of the local economy in southwest Minnesota is wind power. Farmers, manufacturing companies and workers are earning money from the growing industry. But out of state corporations still make most of the profits. In the second part of Mainstreet Radio's Wind Power series, Mark Steil reports that some people are looking for ways to keep more of the money in Minnesota.
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Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2003 |
Hennepin county shooter displayed erratic behavior
Prosecutors have until noon today to charge Susan Berkovitz for shooting two people on Monday at the Hennepin County Government Center. Berkovitz was arrested after fatally shooting her cousin, Shelley Joseph-Kordell and wounding attorney, Richard Hendrickson. The three were involved in a legal dispute over the estate of Berkovitz's father. Several people who came into contact with Berkovitz before Monday's incident say she displayed erratic behavior and harassed neighbors. Others say she has a history of filing frivolous and unnecessary lawsuits. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
Minneapolis superintendent choice under fire
Critics of the decision to hire David Jennings as Minneapolis school superintendent took their complaints to last night's school board meeting. They say the decision came too quickly and Jennings doesn't have sufficient experience to lead the state's largest school district. But the school board and Jennings are standing firm. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
Gov. Pawlenty's trade mission to Canada ends
Gov. Tim Pawlenty wrapped up his first trade mission by calling for greater cooperation between Minnesota and Montreal. The governor returned from the two-day trip yesterday. He says there are opportunities for business and research partnerships between the two regions in the area of biotechnology. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
Potential Iron Range plant puts Sen. Coleman on spot
Iron Rangers are excited about the prospects of a new multi-billion dollar power plant, proposed for Hoyt Lakes. The proposal is part of a controversial energy bill which includes a provision allowing arctic oil exploration. Minnesota's Republican U.S. Senator, Norm Coleman, says he is tempted by the bill because it has many good things for Minnesota. Supporters say the project will create badly needed electricity for Minnesota and even more badly needed jobs for the Iron Range. The project has been quietly making headway since it was first proposed about two years ago. Mainstreet Radio's Bob Kelleher reports from Duluth.
U of M unions vote, may authorize strike
The University of Minnesota's clerical union could be headed for a strike. Negotiations between the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Local 38 hundred, and University officials broke down in early September. Union members vote today and tomorrow on whether to take the advice of union leadership and reject the university's offer and authorize a strike. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.
Wind energy industry still has obstacles
In recent years, federal and state governments have passed laws to encourage more wind development. Despite the help, wind experts say developing the resource remains a tricky prospect. That is largely because the country's transmission grid is built for energy from more manageable and predictable resources like coal, hydropower, and natural gas. In the third part of our series on Wind, Mainstreet Radio's Rob Schmitz reports on the main challenges facing wind energy development.
Twins take 1-0 lead in ALDS with Yankees
The Minnesota Twins used strong pitching and good fielding to take the first game of their playoff series with the New York Yankees yesterday. The Twins' 3 to 1 victory in New York this afternoon was their first victory over the Yankees in more than two years -- and it got them off to a good start in their best-of-five first round series. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen joins us with more.
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Thursday, Oct. 2, 2003 |
Gun show allegedly source of weapon in shooting
Family members say the lawyer who was wounded in Monday's shooting at the Hennepin County Government Center is making a "miraculous" recovery. Attorney Richard Hendrickson was shot in the neck. Fifty-two-year-old Susan Berkovitz is accused of shooting him and fatally shooting his client. Berkovitz was charged yesterday with first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder. According to the criminal complaint, Berkovitz told authorities she bought the gun she allegedly used at a gun show. There are several federal and state laws that regulate gun shows in Minnesota but some say the rules need to be strengthened. Others say the laws are adequate, but say law enforcement and health professionals need to do a better job of protecting the public. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
Top European boys choir sings this weekend
One of Europe's top boy choirs performs Saturday in Elk River. Actually it is a 60-voice boys and mens choir from Trondheim, Norway, but the director says they're all really boys at heart. The group was invited to Minnesota by one of the state's top youth choirs. They both reflect a centuries old youth choral tradition that is still strong even though rehearsals are long and there are plenty of distractions. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports.
Timberwolves sign Kevin Garnett to extension
The Minnesota Timberwolves and Kevin Garnett have come to an agreement on a five-year contract extension for the All-Star forward. The team will not say how much the deal will cost the team. However, Garnett's current contract is paying him on average over $20 million a year, and the new deal is expected to be at least as lucrative on an annual basis. Garnett says he is just glad to get the contract negotiations out the way so he can concentrate on playing basketball. Minnesota Public Radio's Brandt Williams reports.
Twins prepare for ALDS game 2 with Yankees
The Minnesota Twins are hoping to start a winning streak against the New York Yankees later today, in game 2 of their American League Division Series. The Twins ended a 13 game losing streak to the Yanks when they won the first game of the series on Tuesday. They will start righthander Brad Radke, who has pitched well in the second half of the season, against Yankee left-hander Andy Pettitte, who won 21 games this year. Joining us on the line from New York is La Velle Neal, who covers the Twins for the Star Tribune.
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Friday, Oct. 3, 2003 |
Twins lose 4-1 to Yankees in game 2
The Minnesota Twins' first round playoff series with the New York Yankees is even at one game apiece as the teams head to the Twin Cities for two games this weekend. New York evened the series last night by pulling out a 4-1 victory at Yankee Stadium. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen has this report.
Manufacturing executives take concerns to Gov. Pawlenty
Executives from Minnesota's manufacturing industry gave Gov. Tim Pawlenty their wish-list for state government during three separate roundtable discussions. The governor was looking for ideas yesterday on how to shore up an important part of Minnesota's economy. The high-paying sector has lost nearly 48,000 jobs since the start of a recession in 2001. Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Catlin reports.
Budget problems, labor woes cast shadow over U of M
University of Minnesota President Robert Bruininks says the institution is robust and poised to become even greater despite its current budget crisis. At his State of the University address on Thursday Bruininks outlined recent university successes and new priorities for the coming year. Following the speech, Bruininks was put on the defensive by union workers and their supporters who are critical of the university's policy on salaries.
Minnesota National Guard puts another 150 members on alert
The Minnesota National Guard is putting another 150 members on alert that they could be activated, and become participants in Operation Iraqi Freedom. If they are deployed, the Minnesota Guard will have about 3000 members on active duty overseas or in training for duty overseas. The Minnesota National Guard's Colonel Denny Shields says the 150 members put on alert are currently based in Monticello, and the next step for them would be to train extensively to carry out their duties.
Minneapolis NAACP has new president
The Minneapolis branch of the NAACP has a new president. 31-year-old Brett Buckner took over as head of the organization this week after the resignation of Rev. Albert Gallmon. Gallmon was the second person to leave the volunteer office within a year. The 500-member organization has had five presidents within the last seven years, and the turnover is largely attributed to internal strife that plagues the group. Joining us now to talk about the Minneapolis NAACP and his new job is President Brett Buckner.
Weather with Mark Seeley
University of Minnesota Meteorologist Mark Seeley discusses the chilly start to fall and looks ahead to the weekend forecast.
Word of Mouth
Minnesota Public Radio's Marianne Combs provides the scoop this week on art and artists around the state.
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