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November 3 - 7, 2003
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Monday, Nov. 3, 2003 |
"Supportive housing" building opens in Minneapolis
Later today, tenants will begin moving into a new housing development in Minneapolis designed for people who have recently become homeless. Lydia Apartments, on Franklin and LaSalle, will provide what is known as "supportive housing" for its residents, many of whom have disabilities. The Plymouth Church Neighborhood Foundation, which converted a nursing home into the apartments, received over 200 applications for 40 spots. The project has been opposed by some neighbors and business owners, who say that the area is already over-concentrated with similar housing. One group is fighting the project in court. Morning Edition substitute host Perry Finelli spoke with Lee Blons, the executive director of the Plymouth Church Neighborhood Foundation.
Duluth to choose new mayor in over a decade
Duluth residents will be picking that city's first new mayor in 12 years. Three-term incumbent Gary Doty is not seeking reelection. The choice for voters comes down to a businessman who has never held political office, and a current Duluth council member who has also been the mayor of nearby Superior, Wisconsin. Mainstreet Radio's Bob Kelleher reports.
Business influence on democracy
This week, on Minnesota Public Radio you will be hearing a series of stories from reporters here in Minnesota and all over the country about the health of America's democracy. We will look at the ideas that inspired our founding fathers and how they have held up over time. When you look at the documents that created this democracy you do not see the word "business" very often. But few would deny that business interests have come to play a big role in the democratic system -- some say too big. As we kick off our series "Whose Democracy Is It?" Minnesota Public Radio's Jeff Horwich traces the role of business in shaping one recent Minnesota issue: predatory lending.
Citizens using internet in new ways to affect politics
2004 might be the year that voters use the internet like never before to help elect a president. Already, Democrat Howard Dean of Vermont has used his Web site to raise millions from small donors. As our series "Whose Democracy Is It?" continues, John Dillon of Vermont Public Radio looks at whether the internet is reinvigorating the democratic process, or if it is only the newest medium for raising campaign cash and organizing volunteers.
Vikings lose to Packers at the Metrodome
Playing with a broken thumb on his throwing hand, Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre passed for 194 yards and three touchdowns, leading the Packers to a 30 to 27 victory over the Vikings last night at the Metrodome. Minnesota's defense allowed 450 total yards as the Vikings lost for the second week in a row, dropping to 6 and 2 for the season. The Packers are now 4 and 4, just two games behind Minnesota in the NFC North. Joining us now is Sean Jensen who covers the Vikings for the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
MPR's Chris Farrell on the financial markets
This week, Minnesota Public Radio's Chief Economics Correspondent Chris Farrell discusses record economic growth and the potential for adding jobs to the economy.
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Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2003 |
What to do when children commit adult crimes?
A Ramsey County judge holds a hearing today on whether a 14-year-old girl should stand trial as an adult on charges she strangled her newborn baby to death. Such motions to try juveniles as adults are on the rise in Minnesota. Prosecutors say adult certification is a useful public safety tool, but critics say it should be used sparingly. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports.
Mondale and Boschwitz on next year's election
The presidential election is just a year away, and Democrats and Republicans are saying that Minnesota is up for grabs. Former Vice President Walter Mondale says he thinks Americans are becoming increasingly dissatisfied with the Republican leadership in Washington. Former Republican Senator Rudy Boschwitz says President Bush is vulnerable now, but Boschwitz says a year is a long time and he is predicting the issues will break in Bush's favor. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports.
"Whose Vote Counts?" documentary excerpt
The 2000 presidential election shook Americans' confidence in our electoral process. About 6 million votes were not counted because of antiquated voting machines and other problems at the polls. In 2002, Congress passed a major bill to overhaul America's voting system, the Help America Vote Act. As part of our examination of the health of America's democracy this week, American RadioWorks looks at the attempts to fix what went wrong in 2000. The hour-long special called "Whose Vote Counts?" will be broadcast later today on Midday. In this excerpt, correspondent Michael Montgomery looks at high-tech solutions to America's voting problems, and the new problems they may create.
Immigrants and our "Whose Democracy is it?" series
The U.S. Constitution guarantees certain rights to all Americans -- it says you cannot be deprived of your liberty without due process of law, for example. But under a legal doctrine that goes back more than a hundred years, the U.S. Supreme Court has consistantly ruled that constitutional rights do not neccessarily apply to non-citizens. As part of our series "Whose Democracy Is It?" Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Losure looks at the Immigration Courts ---the system faced by the millions of non-citizens who live in this country.
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Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2003 |
Medica to give premium reduction in December
The HMO Medica plans to give employers and individuals a premium reduction in December. The company says health care costs did not increase as much as the the company projected in 2003. All told, Medica expects to give back $80 million in premiums. Officials with the other HMOs say the plan is a public relations stunt. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
Most school levies pass
More than three fourths of the Minnesota school districts with a levy referendum on yesterday's ballot won approval from local voters. School officials say the tax increases will bring some financial stability to many cash-strapped districts. Budget cuts and teacher layoffs are the likely outcome in districts where voters defeated levy requests. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
Bergson elected new mayor of Duluth
The former mayor of Superior, Wisconsin, Herb Bergson, will soon be the Mayor of Duluth. He was elected in yesterday's balloting. Minnesota Public Radio's Bob Kelleher reports.
U of M and clerical workers reach tentative agreement
The University of Minnesota and its clerical workers have reached a tentative contract agreement that ends a 15-day walkout. About 700 members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Local 3800 went on strike over pay and benefits. Yesterday's tentative agreement follows two days of negotiations to break the impasse. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.
Gov. Pawlenty starts effort to find stadium solution
Gov. Tim Pawlenty says he will lead an effort to see if there is a solution to the stadium question. Pawlenty will appoint a screening committee to review stadium proposals from interested communities, teams and others. He says the group may or may not come up with a stadium proposal. Stadium critics say the debate has not changed, and the public does not want public financing of sports stadiums. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
Superfund cleanup plan is on hold
A plan to remove contaminated soil from a Superfund site on the Leech Lake Indian Reservation is on hold. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had proposed that soil be excavated from the St. Regis site this fall. The soil is polluted with cancer-causing chemicals left behind by a wood treatment plant that operated in Cass Lake for 30 years. But recent winter weather put a halt to the plan. And EPA officials now say there's another snag. The EPA has been unable to reach consensus with local governments on a soil removal strategy. That could delay soil excavation for up to two years. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Robertson reports.
Can one person still stand up in politics?
The story of one person fighting for a cause is grassroots democracy in its purest form. Julie Jansen is an example of one individual who is fighting for something she believes in. She took on a large hog company near her central Minnesota home. The year's long fight has impacted everyday life in Renville County. But are the days nearly over when ordinary citizens can rise up and change things? Some people worry that money and the media are squeezing out the individual. Mainstreet Radio's Mark Steil reports has the latest installment in our series, "Whose Democracy Is It?"
Arab Americans and democracy
When President George W. Bush wanted to speak publicly last summer about building democracy in Iraq, he traveled to southeast Michigan. It has one of the largest concentrations of Arab-Americans in the country. For many émigrés from Arab lands, democracy can be a challenging concept - just as it is for Iraqis. But it would be a mistake to assume that all Arab immigrants struggle to learn democratic principles. Michigan Radio's Michael Leland has the next installment in our series, "Whose Democracy Is It?"
Minnesota Orchestra celebrates 100 years
On November 5, 1903, one of Minnesota's premier musical groups held its first performance. Three thousand people showed up in their finest attire, the women with feather boas around their necks. They were there to see the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra. It is now known as the Minnesota Orchestra. Tonight, the Minnesota Orchestra will celebrate that first concert exactly one hundred years ago by recreating it. Brian Newhouse is the host of MPR's Minnesota Orchestra broadcast. He is just finished a documentary about the ensemble, called A Century in Sound: The Minnesota Orchestra Turns 100. He spoke with Morning Edition substitute host Perry Finelli. Newhouse says the orchestra was founded by a flamboyant, but stranded, Bavarian immigrant.
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Thursday, Nov. 6, 2003 |
Some child care money restored in 3 counties
Three Minnesota counties will receive an emergency injection of money to help families who lost state child care subsidies in recent months. Ramsey, Dakota, and Clay counties will get a total of about $300,000. Officials say the money will partly make up for the unintended consequences of state cuts to child care this spring. Minnesota Public Radio's Jeff Horwich reports.
Device could help drivers turn red lights green
Radar detectors have helped drivers get away with speeding for years, now there's a new device that drivers could use to turn red lights green. It is called the mobile infrared transmitter, or MIRT, and it uses the same technology that changes lights for emergency vehicles. The maker of the device is based in Minnesota. He says his company will not sell to anyone but authorized emergency departments around the country. Joining us on the line to talk about the potential implications of the MIRT is Major Al Smith of the Minnesota State Patrol.
The future for St. Paul Police Chief Finney
St. Paul police chief William Finney is expected to announce today that he will step down after his second term expires next year. Finney, who was appointed to the job in 1992, is the state's first black police chief. He has been credited with changing the makeup of the St. Paul department, in part by hiring more minority and female officers, and with actively addressing racial profiling. Today's expected announcement is raising speculation that Finney could run for mayor of St. Paul in 2005, or seek a statewide office. Joining us now is the man who appointed Finney as chief, former St. Paul mayor Jim Scheibel.
Politics becoming a rich persons game
There are at least 40 millionaires in the United States Senate. Political watchdogs say they expect that number to increase because the national political parties are recruiting candidates who are wealthy and willing to spend millions of dollars of their own money to run for office. So-called 'Self-financed" candidates say campaigning with their own money makes them more independent of special interests. But critics worry the trend will make political campaigns more expensive and put public office out of reach for average Americans. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
Do we live up to the ideal of the Rockwell town meeting
The New England town meeting is often seen as the purest expression of American democracy. Norman Rockwell captured that feeling in his painting "Freedom of Speech," which shows a rough-hewn commoner standing and giving his opinion, while wealthier townspeople look on respectfully. But how close does modern small town government come to that ideal? New Hampshire Public Radio's Trish Anderton has the next story in our series "Whose Democracy Is It?"
American RadioWorks Presidential Tapes excerpts
America's democracy is built, in part, on the power of persuasion. Using words to change minds is how politicians get elected. It is how laws get passed. A new American RadioWorks documentary lets Americans eavesdrop on some of the most powerful persuaders in history: Presidents John F. Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson and Richard Nixon. "The President Calling" is based on secretly-recorded White House phone calls. Most Americans have never heard these recordings, which reveal how three of the country's most colorful presidents worked the phones to shape history. In this excerpt, ARW's Stephen Smith shows how President Johnson used the phone nearly around the clock, and kept the tape recorder rolling.
Cigar club at UMD meets every Thursday
It's Thursday, so they'll be out there, somewhere in the city of Duluth. The Cigar Club at the University of Minnesota in Duluth convenes as usual tonight. They ca not smoke inside on campus, so they take their meetings on the road. Each week, they choose a different outdoor spot to light up, and just hang around. The club is an official student organization. But the rules are few, and the meetings are mellow. Chris Julin caught up with the club at last week's meeting. He has this Mainstreet Radio report.
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Friday, Nov. 7, 2003 |
State authorizes groups to tutor students
State education officials have authorized 24 organizations to give tutoring help to disadvantaged students in struggling schools. The federal No Child Left Behind Act requires designated schools to pay for outside math and reading instruction. The list of approved providers includes public schools, for-profit companies, private foundations and some religious groups. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
Activism alive and well in 2003
When we think about student activism, many of us think of the protests that shook college campuses during the Vietnam War. But experts say activism is alive and well in the year 2003. College students are more active than they have been in over ten years. Observers are watching closely, because these students could shape mainstream politics decades after graduation. In the next report in our series "Whose Democracy Is It?" Michigan Radio's Tracy Samilton investigates the current state of activism at the University of Michigan.
Running for office an education in democracy
Running for office can be an education in American democracy. Charlene Briner, a suburban mother of three, ran for the Minnesota State Legislature in 2002. It was her first foray into politics. Our series "Whose Democracy is it?" continues with her story. As Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports, Briner has no regrets about her unsuccessful run for office, but she's not sure if she'll ever do it again.
Football coach Mike Grant talks about John Gagliardi
Tomorrow, St. John's football coach John Gagliardi could become the winningest coach in college football history. Last week, Gagliardi tied the current record, held by Grambling coach Eddie Robinson, when he got his 408th career win. The 8-0 Johnnies take on Bethel at home tomorrow afternoon. Gagliardi has become known in the college football world for his unique approach to coaching-- no whistles, no yelling, no spring practice, and no compulsory weightlifting programs. Mike Grant, son of former Vikings coach Bud Grant, played for Gagliardi when he was at St. John's and now coaches at Eden Prairie High School. He says Gagliardi throws out the idea that coaching football is a military enterprise.
Former players tell their Gagliardi stories
We asked some people who have known the coach over the years, including past and present St. John's players, to share their favorite stories about Gagliardi.
Film maker Frederick Wiseman retrospective at Walker
When you think of the greatest living American film-makers the names Scorsese, Altman and maybe even Tarantino, for those who don't mind a little violence. Most Americans would not conjure the name Frederick Wiseman, but the New York Times has suggested Wiseman deserves to be in that group. Wiseman makes documentaries examining everyday Americans living their lives. The Walker Art Center is presenting a Wiseman retrospective this month, which culminates in a visit from the director. Minnesota Public Radio's Stephanie Curtis reports.
Patents granted to Minnesota companies up
The number of patents granted to the biggest companies in the Twin Cities rose almost 40% in 2002, the last year for which complete figures are available. The Twin Cities' top 25 companies received almost 1,500 patents. Morning Edition substitute host Perry Finelli spoke with Sam Black, who wrote an article about patents in this week's edition of The Business Journal.
U of M Climatologist Mark Seeley
University of Minnesota Climatologist Mark Seeley on cold weather, and he answers the question: What are the chances of having a white Thanksgiving and safe lake ice for fishing?
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