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October 13 - 17, 2003
[ Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday ]
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Monday, Oct. 13, 2003 |
State union leaders agree on tentative agreement
State workers will have an opportunity this week to examine details of tentative two-year contract offers hammered out over the weekend between union officials and state negotiators. Union officials say they will recommend that their members accept the offers, despite concerns that the proposals will increase the out-of-pocket health care costs of employees. Pawlenty administration officials, however, say the plans are fair and balanced -- and they say the agreements avoid the possibility of a state workers strike. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
Farmers in key time for harvest
Harvest equipment is rolling through the region's farm fields. It is a critical time for farmers. Their income is dependent on this time of year. Farmers hope market conditions are ripe for a good price. So far this year in the Red River valley harvest has been going smoothly and it appears the price may be right. Mainstreet Radio's Bob Reha reports.
MPR's Chris Farrell's comments on the economy
Minnesota Public Radio's Chief Economics Correspondent Chris Farrell talks about the week in the financial markets and in the economy.
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Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2003 |
Rocori school board talks about safety
A Grand Jury will reconvene today in Stearns County to consider evidence against 15-year-old Jason McLaughlin, who is charged with shooting two students last month at Rocori High School in Cold Spring. A funeral for one of the victims, Seth Bartell, will take place on Thursday. Last night, the Rocori school board met to talk about the usual things like budgets and contracts - and they also pondered what's next for the school in response to the shooting. Mainstreet Radio's Annie Baxter reports.
Task force to examine security in Hennepin County Government Center
In Hennepin County, a new task force will examine security issues at the Government Center in downtown Minneapolis. Hennepin County Board Chair Mike Opat named the group yesterday. The move comes in response to a fatal shooting, in which a woman was killed and her attorney injured when someone opened fire on the 17th floor of the building. A grand jury has indicted Susan Berkovitz in the shootings. Former Hennepin County Commissioner John Derus is a member of the new task force, and he's on the line now.
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Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2003 |
Minneapolis police officers accused of assault
Federal officials are investigating allegations that two Minneapolis police officers were involved in the assault of a suspect earlier this week while serving a search warrant. Police officials revealed late yesterday the FBI is looking into the suspect's allegations. The two officers have been suspended with pay while the investigation proceeds. An attorney representing one of the officers says his client denies the accusations. Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes reports.
Kucinich rallys Minnesota forces
Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich brought his presidential campaign kick-off tour to Minneapolis last night. About 2,000 supporters gathered at Roosevelt High School, one of 12 campaign stops Kucinich scheduled over three days. Kucinich supporters say their candidate is the only presidential contender who truly represents a change from George W. Bush. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.
U of M hosts talk on homophobia in sports
Coaches, athletes, and academics will gather at the University of Minnesota today to discuss homophobia in sports. The panel discussion is sponsored by the school's Tucker Center for Research on Girls and Women in Sport. Three speakers will address the challenges they have faced as gays and lesbians in the sports world, and suggest strategies for a more inclusive system. Mary Jo Kane is the director of the Tucker Center. She's on the line now.
25th anniversary of heart transplant at U of M
The University of Minnesota this week is marking the 25th anniversary of its first human heart transplant. A number of people who have received new hearts at the hands of university surgeons will gather to mark the anniversary, including the university's longest-surviving heart transplant recipient. The first human heart transplant was done in South Africa in 1967. Since the U of M began doing the procedure 11 years after that, university surgeons have performed almost 500 heart transplants, including 28 so far this year. The recipients have ranged from 6 months to 70 years old. Dr. Leslie Miller is the director of the University's heart transplant program. He joins us now.
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Thursday, Oct. 16, 2003 |
Public defenders say budget cuts hurting program
A group of Minnesota's public defenders say that state budget cuts have pushed their system into a crisis. The board says it's down 20 attorneys at a time when caseloads are soaring. They made their case to the Minnesota Supreme Court yesterday and asked the justices for emergency relief ranging from delaying some criminal cases to limiting the number of public defenders handling child protection cases. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports.
Met Council adopts new plan to manage growth
The Metropolitan Council has adopted a new draft plan to guide growth and development in the Twin Cities for the next few decades. The new plan changes a previous initiative approved last December, called Blueprint 2030, when most of the council members were appointed by then-Gov. Jesse Ventura. Gov. Tim Pawlenty was sworn-in the next month, and appointed a new chairman and new members. Met Council officials say the latest plan is not a blueprint, but a framework for growth. Joining us on the line is Peter Bell, chairman of the Met Council.
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Friday, Oct. 17, 2003 |
Pawlenty releases plan for lower-priced prescription drugs
Gov. Pawlenty has announced a plan that would make it easier for Minnesotans to buy lower-priced prescription drugs from Canada. Pawlenty wants the state to create a website that lists Canadian pharmacies that meet state standards for safety. He's also asking state officials to look at importing foreign-made, government-approved drugs for Minnesotans. Critics say the plan isn't safe for consumers and could endanger the economic health of pharmacies across Minnesota. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
Word of Mouth
Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Roberts provides the scoop on art and artists around the state this week.
Weather with Mark Seeley
University of Minnesota Meteorologist Mark Seeley discusses Minnesota weather history and looks ahead to the weekend forecast.
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