|
October 27 - 31, 2003
[ Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday ]
|
Monday, Oct. 27, 2003 |
Diabetes forecast to rise dramatically
The number of Minnesotans who are at high risk of developing diabetes over the next decade is forecast to rise dramatically -- to more than half a million. The problem is getting so severe that a broad-based coalition of doctors from health organizations like the Minnesota Health Department, and the Mayo Clinic, has formed a steering committee to address the issue. They are launching a formal plan later today that is designed to slow down the increasing rate of diabetes. It is called the Minnesota Diabetes Plan 2010. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Dr. Michael Gonzales-Campoy, chairman of the steering committee.
Two mentors better than one for children
The St. Paul school district has launched a new effort to try to close the achievement gap between students of color and their white classmates. A mentoring project, called Chosen to Achieve, will connect African American adults with struggling black students in three East Side middle schools. Each participating student will have two mentors helping them overcome academic and social challenges. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
Dairy farmers hoping to change fortunes on prices
Over the past few years, most dairy farmers have experienced a life time's worth of bad news. Low milk prices have forced thousands out of business in Minnesota alone. But now dairy producers are fighting back. Led by the country's largest milk cooperatives, farmers are trying to boost prices by themselves, without government help. Dairy leaders say it is an unprecedented move toward farmer independence. The program will have little effect on consumer prices, and some question if farmers will notice anything. Mainstreet Radio's Mark Steil reports.
MPR's Chris Farrell on the economy and markets
Minnesota Public Radio's Chief Economics Correspondent Chris Farrell talks this week about what to expect at the federal reserve meeting this week.
|
|
Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2003 |
Winter weather warning in Arrowhead region
The season's first winter storm warning has been issued for the Arrowhead region of northeastern Minnesota, and parts of northern Wisconsin. Heavy snow and some freezing rain is reported in those regions. There is also a gale warning for any watercraft in the open waters of western Lake Superior. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Craig Sanders at the National Weather Service office in Duluth.
Governor's health care task force holds first meeting
Gov. Tim Pawlenty's task force on addressing rising health care costs held its first meeting yesterday. Pawlenty wants the 18-member group to present ideas to him before the Legislature begins its work in February. The governor and others are concerned Minnesotans will not be able to afford continuing double digit increases in health insurance premiums. The difficulties with Pawlenty's challenge were evident during the committee's first meeting and some in the group worry that they might not meet Governor Pawlenty's January deadline. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
Northwest facing more low-cost competition
Seven so-called "low-cost" airlines, led by Southwest, now carry more than a quarter of U.S. travelers. Their growth comes partly at the expense of traditional giants like Northwest, which has lost more than $1 billion since 2001. As low-cost airlines grow more popular, one local airline -- Twin Cities-based Sun Country -- hopes to ride that wave. Minnesota Public Radio's Jeff Horwich reports.
|
|
Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2003 |
Congresswoman Betty McCollum back from Iraq
Congresswoman Betty McCollum is back in the U.S., after a trip to Iraq. During her visit, a wave of coordinated attacks took place, some targeting the Red Cross headquarters in Baghdad, killing more than 35 people. She also visited Mosul, in northern Iraq, where she and other members of her delegation with the House International Relations committee met with members of the 101st Airborne Division. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Democratic Congresswoman Betty McCollum.
Energy bill including coal gasification plant delayed
A plan for Congress to pass a massive energy bill before it adjourns sometime next month has been delayed. Senate Energy Committee Chairman Pete Domenici of New Mexico has postponed a key meeting scheduled for this week because of an impasse over the bills provisions. Supporters say the bill would give the U.S. a comprehensive energy plan for the first time in years and create jobs. Opponents contend the legislation is full of handouts for the energy industry. Republican Senator Norm Coleman is pushing for a couple of items in the package that he says are important to Minnesota. Chad Pergram reports from Washington.
Restoring voting rights for former felons
The Hennepin County Board has passed a report recommending changes in the way Minnesota restores voting rights for convicted felons. Under state law, felons can vote again after they've served their sentences and completed probation. But the board report suggests that the system is not working as well as it should, and many convicted felons who are eligible to vote again may not know it. Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin pushed for the board to consider this issue and was on the work group that wrote the report. He joins us now.
Missouri's experience on bighead and silver carp
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says it will conduct test netting this fall on Lake Pepin and other parts of the Mississippi River. They'll be looking for Asian Carp after a commercial fisherman pulled a 23 pound bighead carp out of the lake last week, marking the first time the invasive species has been confirmed in Minnesota waters. The bighead is related to the silver carp, which has made news because it can reach 110 pounds and jump several feet into the air when disturbed. Both species have been moving north in the Mississippi and its tributaries since the 1980s, after they were imported by Arkansas fish farmers and were either released or escaped. Duane Chapman is a fisheries biologist for the U.S. Geological Survey in Columbia, Missouri, a state which has been dealing with Asian carp for more than a decade. Mr. Chapman joins us now.
Blandin Foundation under fire
How much money should the Grand Rapids based Blandin Foundation spend outside its home city? Today, a Ramsey County Probate Judge will consider arguments from some residents that the foundation's giving grants statewide is against its founder's wishes. Mainstreet Radio's Bob Kelleher reports.
Revamped Timberwolves open new season
The uniforms will be the same, but the players will be very different this year for the Minnesota Timberwolves who open their season tonight against the Milwaukee Bucks. Just four players return from last season, when the team lost in the first round of the NBA playoffs for the 7th year in a row. The Wolves did lockup one key player from last year's roster for years to come, All Star Kevin Garnett, who said he was excited to see all the new players around him. Joining us on the line is Brit Robson, who covers the NBA and the Wolves for the City Pages.
|
|
Thursday, Oct. 30, 2003 |
Duluth schools asking for $6 million levy
The Duluth Schools are in trouble. The district is short $6 million dollars for next school year. The district is asking voters to raise property taxes to help close the gap. But even if the tax increase wins at the polls, the district will face a $2 million shortfall. And Duluth is not alone. On Tuesday, seventy-two Minnesota school districts will decide whether to raise their taxes. Two years after the legislature took school funding off the property tax, 80% of districts are taxing themselves anyway. Mainstreet Radio's Stephanie Hemphill reports.
Scrutinizing school levy proposals
Seventy-two school levy referendums are expected to be on ballots around the state this coming Tuesday. Warren Grantham, executive director of the Minnesota Education League, is encouraging voters to scrutinize the details of a referendum before deciding how to vote on it. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Warren Grantham.
Loon is a leading contender for state quarter
Minnesotans have until Saturday to submit their ideas for what should go on the back of the official state quarter. So far, the survey on the state website has received nearly one thousand suggestions, including the Mississippi River, the Star of the North and Paul Bunyan. Lutefisk, Snoopy and tuna hotdish all received a few write-in votes, as did Bob Dylan and Jesse Ventura. The leading candidates so far are the Land of 10,000 Lakes, and the loon. The loon has been the state bird since 1961. Pam Perry keeps track of loons for the Department of Natural Resources where she is a nongame wildlife specialist. Perry says the loon is a fitting symbol because Minnesota is home to more of the birds than almost any other state.
|
|
Friday, Oct. 31, 2003 |
Gov. Pawlenty pushes .08 drinking limit
Gov. Tim Pawlenty said today that he will encourage the Legislature to pass a bill next session that would lower the legal blood alcohol limit from .10 to .08. Pawlenty says lowering the legal limit will reduce the number of drunk drivers on the roads. The state will also receive millions of dollars in federal highway money that was only going to states that have the .08 standard. The Legislature failed to pass the bill in previous sessions. Opponents argue the lower limit could hurt business for bars, restaurants and bowling alleys. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck has this reports.
Who speaks for the African American community in Minneapolis?
A group of outspoken African American leaders will be at the front of an anti-police brutality rally today in downtown Minneapolis. In the last few weeks, the activist's tactics have been criticized by African American and white city officials who question whether they actually speak for the city's black community. Some say the controversy is typical of how race and class complicates the African American struggle for political power. Minnesota Public Radio's Brant Williams reports.
Minnesota Court of Appeals turns 20
Minnesota's Court of Appeals turns 20 years old on Sunday. Ninety-five percent of the time, it is the court that issues the final ruling on a case. And unlike other courts, the 16 judges must rule within 90 days, the shortest deadline of any appellate court in the nation. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports.
Survey finds clues to small business success
Small businesses in Minnesota that started-up in the mid-90s and have survived since then, have common traits, according to a survey done by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. The department surveyed almost 1,700 small businesses that opened their doors in the mid-90s, and have survived since then. These companies have seen the economic growth of the dot-com boom, and the slow-down of the past few years. Their chances of thriving even longer may have improved with the announcement yesterday that the economy grew 7.2 percent in the last quarter. Joining us on the line is Matt Kramer is Commissioner of the Department of Employment and Economic Development.
U of M climatologist Mark Seeley's weather commentary
University of Minnesota climatologist Mark Seeley reviews the month of October, which was an average of 1 to 3 degrees warmer than normal for most communities around the state.
|
| Morning Edition Archive |
|
|
|
© 2024 | Home : Terms of Use : Your Privacy Rights