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November 10 - 14, 2003
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Monday, Nov. 10, 2003 |
Frequent flyers struggle with full planes
Over the last few months, Northwest and other major airlines have seen some positive signs: a rebounding economy and modest profits. Airlines have scaled back the number of seats in the air and become more efficient. As a result, flights are as full as they have been in years. But what is good for the bottom-line could be frustrating one group of travelers: people trying to use frequent flier miles. Minnesota Public Radio's Jeff Horwich explains.
Split Rock Lighthouse commemorates Edmund Fitzgerald
There will be a special ceremony today at the Split Rock Lighthouse on the north shore of Lake Superior to honor the 29 crew members who died when the Edmund Fitzgerald went down during a storm on this day in 1975. The lighthouse will be open from noon to 6 p.m. and the beacon will be lit at around 4:45. Lee Radzak is the historic site manager for the Split Rock Lighthouse. He says this a rare opportunity for visitors to see the beacon illuminated.
Goodwill sells treasures on the internet
Old fashioned benevolence is teaming up with cyberspace at your local Goodwill store. Tons of clothes, applicances and household goods are donated each year to Goodwill. Most of it sells for bargain prices. But occasionally something really valuable comes in. When that happens, Goodwill uses the Internet and other options to get top dollar. Mainstreet Radio's Mark Steil reports.
N. Dakota clean air dispute continues
Over the past four years the Environmental Protection Agency and North Dakota's Health Department have debated whether the state's air is clean enough. Regulators can not agree on whose monitoring methods are most accurate. The delay has frustrated some citizens. They have filed a lawsuit against the EPA saying the agency should enforce the law. Minnesota Public radio's Bob Reha reports.
Veterans History project marks Veterans Day
Minnesota Veterans and youth groups are gathering later today at the Mall of America to celebrate Veterans day. They are working with the AARP of Minnesota to have younger people record the experiences of war veterans. It is part of a national project to collect their stories. According to the U.S. Veterans Affairs Department, about 1,700 vets die every day. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Don Tomsche, a volunteer with the project that's bringing youth groups and vets together. He is also veteran himself, having served in Korea.
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Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2003 |
Complaints against Gov. Pawlenty dismissed
Prosecutors in three Minnesota counties say they found no evidence that Gov. Tim Pawlenty violated the law when he earned consult ing income while running for governor. Pawlenty received $4,000 a month from a pay-phone company run by a political ally. Meanwhile, a Florida-based insurance company and two of its principal officers have been indicted by a Minnesota grand jury for allegedly making illegal corporate campaign contributions in last year's gubernatorial contest. The indictments follow charges brought against state Republican Party chair Ron Eibensteiner for collaborating in the donations. The defendants, however, say the charges are baseless and are seeking to have the indictments invalidated. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
Minneapolis superintendent search off to rough start
The Minneapolis school district's effort to involve the public in the search for a new superintendent is off to a rough start. School board members held a community forum at North High School last night to gather input on the process and the skills needed in a new district leader. Attendance was low, and much of what the board heard were lingering complaints about their earlier choice for superintendent. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
Cattle prices continue to soar
Weather is always a big challenge out on the plains. For seven years, ranchers in cattle country have struggled to survive a drought. Some ranchers can't afford feed. They have culled their herds. Others have gone out of business. But those who have managed to survive are cashing in. Minnesota Public Radio's Bob Reha reports.
Vietnam Vet honored with Bronze Star
Today is Veterans Day, a day to honor and remember veterans all across the country. Sen. Mark Dayton and Gov. Tim Pawlenty are marking the day with visits to the Minnesota Veterans Home in Minneapolis. Yesterday, at the State Capitol, Vietnam veteran Bill Shiebler was honored with the Bronze Medal of Valor for his combat duty back in 1965 and 1966. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Bill Shiebler.
GMO soybeans from Brazil affects Minnesota farmers
This year for the first time Brazil will export more soybeans than the United States. The country has maintained a longstanding ban on genetically-modified soybeans. But industry experts say as much as a quarter of Brazil's crop is produced from illegal GMO seed. Mainstreet Radio's Erin Galbally reports that the situation has caused frustration among American producers.
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Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2003 |
Gov. Pawlenty in Canada talking prescription drugs
Gov. Tim Pawlenty is headed to Winnipeg this morning to meet with Manitoba's premier and to inspect an Internet pharmacy. Officials with several internet pharmacies have extended invitations to Pawlenty and other governors who want to help their citizens buy drugs from Canada, where the government controls prescription prices. Pawlenty is pushing a plan to make it easier for Minnesotans to purchase prescriptions from across the border because drugs in Canada cost less than what the same drugs cost in the U.S. Several Canadian groups, however, are voicing concern that their health system will suffer if more Americans buy their drugs from Canada. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
New energy plant may burn turkey manure
Minnesota will soon be home to a new kind of alternative energy plant. A British company called Fibrowatt plans to build a power plant near the central Minnesota town of Benson. The facility will burn a mix of turkey manure and wood chips to make electricity. The plant will provide Xcel Energy with a third of the renewable energy its required to buy every year. But some opposed to the project say burning turkey manure for power is a waste of a good resource. Mainstreet Radio's Tim Post reports.
Painting governor's portrait is complicated job
The official portrait of former Gov. Jesse Ventura will be unveiled tomorrow at the State Capitol. The Minnesota Historical Society is keeping quiet about the picture, but artist Steve Cepello says it's dignified and displays the former governor in an outdoor setting. Cepello was a tag-team partner of Ventura's in the late 1970s when the former governor was a pro wrestler. The Ventura portrait will take its place among those of 36 other governors, including Rudy Perpich. Perpich's portrait was somewhat controversial because it includes his wife Lola. Minneapolis artist Mark Balma painted that portrait. He says he had to juggle concerns from several different groups.
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Thursday, Nov. 13, 2003 |
Court upholds most of state campaign finance laws
A federal judge has upheld most of the Minnesota campaign finance laws challenged by Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life. The MCCL -- which opposes legalized abortion - asked the judge to overturn the laws, saying they restrict free speech. Judge Richard Kyle upheld restrictions on campaign contributions and disclosure requirements. But he threw out a law requiring disclaimers on campaign literature. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
Governor may take anti-trust action against drug companies
Gov. Tim Pawlenty says he's spoken with his attorneys to see if Minnesota can bring anti-trust action against any pharmaceutical companies that limit drugs to Canada. Concerns about the Canadian drug supply arose as Pawlenty toured an internet and mail order pharmacy in Winnipeg, Canada. Pawlenty wants to make it easier for Minnesotans to buy Canadian drugs, which because of price controls are cheaper than American prescriptions. As part of his plan, Pawlenty wants to establish a website that lists those Canadian pharmacies that meet Minnesota's safety standards. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
The politics behind Canadian drugs
Gov. Tim Pawlenty is back in Minnesota this morning after a trip to Winnipeg. While there, he met with Manitoba's premier and inspected an internet pharmacy. The trip was part of Pawlenty's plan to make it easier for Minnesotans to purchase prescription drugs from across the border because drugs in Canada cost less than the same drugs in the U.S. He is one of a handful of governors, mostly democrats from northern states, who are supporting such plans. Joining us now are two longtime Minnesota Public Radio political analysts Republican Tom Horner and Democrat Bob Meek.
Gubernatorial Chief of Staff Charlie Weaver resigns
Gov. Tim Pawlenty's chief of staff, Charlie Weaver, is resigning at the end of the week, and will become the head of the Minnesota Business Partnership. Weaver has had a long career in public service having also served as a state legislator... and as Public Safety Commissioner for Governor Jesse Ventura. Weaver will replace Duane Benson at the Minnesota Business Partnership, an organization of CEOs of the state's biggest companies. Joining us on the line is Charlie Weaver.
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Friday, Nov. 14, 2003 |
Minnesota 8th graders leading national math scores
National test scores show Minnesota's eighth graders were the top math performers in the country last year, and fourth graders did nearly as well. In addition, results of the National Assessment of Educational Progress rank Minnesota students well above the national average in reading scores for both grade levels. But the scores also provide more evidence that the performance of minority and low income students still lag behind that of their peers. State education officials are trying to find ways to tackle the lingering achievement gap this week at a conference in Minneapolis. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
Hennepin Co. social workers protest cuts
Hennepin County officials expect another overflow crowd today for a hearing on funding cuts to many social service providers. It is the third such hearing as the county wrestles with budget cuts brought on by reductions from the state. The cuts in Hennepin's Human Services division is also taking its toll on county employees. Officials have already eliminated hundreds of positions and expect to lay off up to 350 more employees in January. Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes reports on one small group of Hennepin County social workers that have stopped taking new clients because of their work load.
Crime stats down, worries up in downtown Minneapolis
Police statistics show most crime in downtown Minneapolis is decreasing. Even so, a growing number of people who live and work downtown are concerned about public safety. They say nuisance crimes are increasing and hurting downtown's image as a safe place. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports.
Minnesotan shaking up Heisman Trophy race
This year, the spectacular plays, and inspired performances of a Minnesotan is changing the race for college football's top award, the Heisman Trophy. Larry Fitzgerald Junior is playing wide receiver so well at the University of Pittsburgh, that those who vote for the Heisman simply can't ignore him. Anyone watching can see that the sophomore belongs with the quarterbacks and running back who usually get the most attention for the award. Three years ago, the only people watching Fitzgerald Junior's games at Holy Angels high school in Minneapolis were his family, friends. Cheering at those games was his father, Larry Fitzgerald Senior, who is a local sports writer and radio host, and his wife Carol. Both stressed education to Larry Junior and his younger brother Marcus. In April, Carol died after battling breast cancer for years. Larry Junior's inspired play this year has him riding a 15 game streak of scoring at least one touchdown, a college football record he hopes to extend tomorrow against West Virginia. His dad never misses a game, but did take a few minutes with me before leaving town. Larry Senior says Carol's death has affected their son in many ways.
Little Crow's historic rifle for sale
Auctioneers will sell a relic from Minnesota's past tomorrow in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. It is a rifle that some believe was once owned by Dakota Indian chief Little Crow. He was a central figure in the Dakota Conflict of 1862. The rifle is one of the few items belonging to Little Crow that have been preserved. Mainstreet Radio's Mark Steil reports.
Weather commentary from Mark Seeley
University of Minnesota climatologist Mark Seeley says that, despite recent mild weather, the month of November has been 6-7 degrees cooler than normal. And a listener asks whether November is the windiest month of the year.
More public companies moving to go private
An increasing number of publicly traded companies in Minnesota are taking steps to pull back from public stock trading markets, and become private companies. The move to go private is a reversal from the past few years, especially during the dot-com boom, when many companies went public during the bull market. John Share wrote about Minnesota companies that are taking steps go go private in an article in this week's edition of The Business Journal, and he joins us in the studio.
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