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December 1 - 5, 2003
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Monday, Dec. 1, 2003 |
Information on abortion is controversial
The Minnesota Health Department has been posting information about abortion on its website for two months now. The information was required by the so-called Women's Right to Know law passed by the 2003 Legislature. Some doctors and abortion providers say the materials are unnecessary, and in some cases offensive. Supporters say the law will ensure that women have consistent information on pregnancy and abortion. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
Janklow manslaughter trial set to begin
Jury selection in the manslaughter trial of South Dakota Congressman Bill Janklow begins today in Flandreau, South Dakota. Janklow's accused of second degree manslaughter, reckless driving, speeding, and running a stop sign, stemming from an accident that killed motorcyclist Randy Scott on August 16th. Minnesota Public Radio's Cara Hetland will be covering the trial and she joins us now with a preview.
Guthrie taking Othello on the road
Starting in January, the Guthrie Theater will take Shakespeare's Othello on the road. The cross country tour is part of the National Endowment for the Arts' initiative to bring Shakespeare to communities across America. Minnesota Public Radio's Marianne Combs reports.
MPR's Chris Farrell on Monday Markets
Minnesota Public Radio's Chief Economics Correspondent Chris Farrell discusses the financial markets and the economy. Today, he talks about the kickoff of the holiday retail season this past weekend, and financial reports coming this week that could tell us more about the state of the economy.
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Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2003 |
Janklow trial begins
Nine women and four men will decide the guilt or innocence in the felony manslaughter trial of South Dakota Congressman Bill Janklow. Janklow is charged with second-degree manslaughter, speeding, running a stop sign and reckless driving in the August collision that killed Randy Scott of Hardwick, Minnesota. The jury was seated yesterday afternoon and immediately heard opening statements. Today, the prosecution begins calling witnesses. Mainstreet Radio's Cara Hetland reports.
More ideas on security at Rocori High School
It has been two months since two students were killed in a school shooting in Cold Spring. Now officials at Rocori High School are asking the community for ideas on how to prevent future violence. A group of Rocori school district residents got together last night to discuss the issue. They say the key to school safety is not increased security, but increased involvement by parents and teachers in the lives of students. Mainstreet Radio's Tim Post reports.
Crime victim advocates unhappy about cuts
Minnesota programs for crime victims are learning how they will be affected by state budget cuts. The programs help battered women and abused children. They provide a variety of services from emergency shelter to help navigating the judicial system. Some service providers and state lawmakers say rural areas were unfairly targeted for cuts. But a state official says the money should go to the metro area, where it is most needed. Mainstreet Radios Dan Gunderson reports.
Citizens to give input on Stillwater bridge controversy
Later today, citizens are invited to weigh in on six solutions to the Stillwater bridge controversy. The years-old question of what to do about the historic bridge has received increasing attention as Wisconsin's St. Croix County has grown, increasing traffic problems on the bridge. Opposing groups have not been able to reach agreement in the past, but this time representatives from all interested parties are involved in the decision making. That includes federal, state and local officials, environmentalists and preservationists. Morning Edition substitute host Perry Finelli spoke with Mike Hughes, a senior mediator for RESOLVE, a group that is working with interested parties to find a solution.
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Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2003 |
Man arrested in Sjodin case
A 50-year-old Crookston man has been charged with kidnapping in connection with the disappearance of Dru Sjodin. The 22-year-old college student missing since November 22nd. But police say the arrest allows them to focus completely on trying to find Sjodin. Mainstreet radio's Bob Reha reports.
Governor pushes death penalty in response to Sjodin case
Gov. Tim Pawlenty today said he'll push for a Minnesota death penalty next year as part of a program to combat sex crimes. Pawlenty's statement comes a day after a recently released sex offender was arrested in Crookston in connection with the disappearance last month of 22-year-old Dru Sjodin. Minnesota hasn't had a death penalty case in more than 100 years -- and opponents say they'll fight to keep it that way. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
Sex offender lawyer weighs in on Sjodin developments
The case of Dru Sjodin, and the arrest of level 3 sex offender Alfonso Rodriguez, has prompted Gov. Tim Pawlenty to call for the death penalty in Minnesota, one of 12 states without capital punishment. The governor wants the legislature to allow juries to impose the death penalty when sex assaults are coupled with a murder, or an attempted murder, and for other crimes. It is not the first time in his first year as governor that Pawlenty has waded into the issue of how to handle sex offenders. This summer, he issued an executive order saying the Department of Human Services should not release any civilly committed sex offenders unless required by law or ordered to do so by a court. Civilly committed offenders have finished serving their criminal sentences, but are still being detained for being too dangerous to release. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Eric Janus, professor at William Mitchell College of Law, who has sued Gov. Pawlenty over issuing that executive order.
Nine witnesses take the stand in Janklow trial
Prosecutors in South Dakota Congressman Bill Janklow's trial put nine witnesses on the stand Tuesday. They intended to show Janklow was not confused after an accident that killed Randy Scott of Hardwick, Minnesota. Janklow is charged with second degree manslaughter, reckless driving, speeding and running a stop sign. Jurors saw an hour long videotape from a highway patrol troopers car where Janklow can be heard talking about the accident. Mainstreet Radio's Cara Hetland was in the courtroom and has this report.
Budget forecast due today
Minnesota finance officials release the state's latest economic forecast today. The last forecast - released in February - showed a projected $4.5 billion deficit, which the Legislature eliminated with spending cuts, one-time money and accounting shifts. Gov. Tim Pawlenty and legislative leaders say they do not expect today's forecast to show a dramatic upturn or downturn. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
Waterpark proposed near Mall of America
A hotel developer wants to build a huge water park near the Mall of America. Jeffrey Wirth, who owns the Grand Hotel in Minneapolis, announced his plan yesterday. The project would include a hotel, a convention center, and a 90,000 square foot water park, with a slide ten stories high. Wirth has a purchase agreement for the site along Interstate 494 in Bloomington, but has said he needs help from the city to build the park. Mr. Wirth joins us now.
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Thursday, Dec. 4, 2003 |
Prosecution rests in Janklow trial
The prosecution has rested its case in the felony manslaughter trial of South Dakota Congressman Bill Janklow. Witnesses testified yesterday that Janklow was coherent after the accident and declined medical attention. Jurors heard about Janklow speeding and running a stop sign a year ago. Mainstreet Radio's Cara Hetland is covering the trial and has this report.
Revised social studies standards might not satisfy critics
The citizens committee working on the proposed social studies standards for Minnesota public schools is facing a Dec. 15 deadline to finish its second draft. The revised document is expected to look much different than the earlier version, which generated widespread criticism. But the pending changes might not be enough to satisfy some critics. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
Sjodin suspect to face charges in North Dakota
The suspect in the disappearance of a University of North Dakota student will face a kidnapping charge in Grand Forks. Alfonso Rodriguez waived extradition to North Dakota yesterday. Rodriguez is accused of abducting 22-year-old Dru Sjodin, who disappeared from a shopping mall parking lot almost two weeks ago. She still has not been found. Joining us now is North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem.
Pawlenty's call for reinstating death penalty drawing criticism
Gov. Tim Pawlenty's call for reinstating the death penalty in Minnesota is encountering stiff criticism from some who say the governor is trading on the publicity surrounding the disappearance of Dru Sjodin. One day after a convicted sex offender was arrested in connection with Sjodin's apparent abduction, Pawlenty said he would support capital punishment in certain murder or attempted murder cases that involve sexual assault. But that plan is likely to face stiff opposition from lawmakers in both parties. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
Survey measures company attitudes toward addiction problems
A new survey finds that 25 percent of corporations believe it's easier in the long run to fire addicted employees than it is to treat them. That information is part of a survey which examines corporate attitudes towards employees with drug and alcohol addiction being released today by the Hazelden Foundation. It is based on responses from more than 200 corporate human resources departments. William Moyers is Hazelden's vice president of external affairs. He says the results of the survey include both good and bad news.
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Friday, Dec. 5, 2003 |
Sen. Daschle testifies in Janklow trial
Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle testified Thursday in the felony manslaughter trial of South Dakota Congressman Bill Janklow. The defense contends Janklow who is an insulin dependent diabetic was having a reaction at the time of an accident that killed Randy Scott. The defense also offered its own version in reconstructing the accident. Mainstreet Radio's Cara Hetland reports.
Challenges face rural charter schools
There are 88 charter schools in Minnesota. About two-thirds of those are in the Twin Cities. But a growing number of charter schools are popping up in greater Minnesota. Supporters say starting charter schools in rural Minnesota is tough. They face resistance from school districts afraid of losing students. Mainstreet Radio's Tom Robertson reports.
Women in the Senate exhibit opens
Thirty-three women have served in the United States Senate in its more than 200 year history. Fourteen of them are in office right now. A new exhibit at the Hubert H Humphrey Institute documents the lives of those women as they negotiate a terrain traditionally ruled by men. It's called "The Changing Face of Power." Minnesota Public Radio's Marianne Combs reports.
Minnesota hospitals part of Medicare pilot program
Six hospitals in Minnesota have signed up to participate in a pilot program with Medicare, that some experts believe could eventually change the entire health care marketplace. It is called the Hospital Quality Incentive Demonstration Project, which would have Medicare pay more for better health care, and less for treatments that do not work as well. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Scott Smith who wrote about this story in this week's edition of The Business Journal.
Role of after-school programs to be studied
University of Minnesota President Robert Bruinicks today is launching a commission to study the role that time outside of school plays in young people's learning and development. Bruinicks has asked the commission to provide recommendations on what Minnesota needs to do to ensure that all 8-to-18-year-olds have engaging opportunities when they are not in school. Susan Hagstrum, who is president Bruinicks' wife and has over two decades of experience in education, will discuss the importance of out-of-school time at today's launch. She's on the line now.
Climatologist Mark Seeley's weather commentary
University of Minnesota Climatologist Mark Seeley discusses the weather, and this story: a scientist and former meteorologist who were studying the language of elephants in the wild, and especially their mating calls. He found that the females emit an extremely low tone (long sound wave) mating call at certain times of the year, but they wait to do so typically until sunset or shortly after. These sounds can be heard by male elephants from as far as 10 miles. He inferred that elephants were using their meteorological knowledge in two respects: (1) sound travels much farther over a landscape when there is a temperature inversion (colder, denser air near the surface) and this is often the case shortly after sunset; (2) surface winds often subside and calm after sunset and therefore permit sound to be detected at greater distances (not having to compete against the aeolian sounds of the wind). In addition, sounds of longer wavelength tend to travel farther in the atmosphere than high pitched (short wavelength) sounds. On the other hand, perhaps elephants are simply in a more romantic mood after the sun goes down.
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