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December 8 - 12, 2003
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Monday, Dec. 8, 2003 |
New global competition could hamper manufacturers
Manufacturing was one of the bright spots in Minnesota's economy during the 1990s, but employment in the high-paying industry has fallen dramatically. Minnesota has lost nearly 52,000 factory jobs since 2000. In the last few months the manufacturing sector in Minnesota has begun a slow rebound, but experts say global competition and higher productivity mean many factory jobs are gone for good. Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Catlin has the first report in a two-part series.
Rochester struggles over power vs. pollution
Some people in Rochester are concerned about the possibility of increased pollution from the local power plant. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued a permit to Rochester Public Utilities to build a steamline. The addition could increase the utility's coal consumption by 55 percent. The permit came with a request for an economic analysis on what it would take to step up power production without increasing emissions. The utility will present its findings to the MPCA next week. Some in Rochester are concerned the MPCA will not require the utility to carry out measures in the study. The citizens who are concerned about the possible health effects of the increased coal burning are troubled that the extra power is for the Mayo Clinic. Mainstreet Radio's Rob Schmitz reports.
Rep. Janklow took stand over weekend
Closing arguments in the manslaughter trail of South Dakota Congressman Bill Janklow are scheduled to begin today in Flandreau. Over the weekend, Janklow testified in his own defense and the prosecution presented rebuttal witnesses. Minnesota Public Radio's Cara Hetland has been cover the trial and and she joins us this morning.
MPR's Chris Farrell on Monday Markets
Minnesota Public Radio's Chief Economics Correspondent Chris Farrell discusses the week in the financial markets and the economy.
Vikings defeat Seattle Seahawks
The Minnesota Vikings appear to be back on track toward the NFL playoffs with a win over the Seattle Seahawks 34-7. The team is also expected to announce this week where they will hold their training camp next year. Mankato, Duluth, Fargo-Morehead, and Sioux Falls are vying for the camp. Joining us on the line is Sean Jensen who covers the Vikings for the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
Twins offseason changing the team
The Minnesota Twins have signed outfielder Shannon Stewart to a 3 year, $18 million contract. In addition, closer Eddie Guardado has been offered salary arbitration, which means the team can continue to negotiate with him. The Twins had to make some kind of a deal with both of those players before 11 o'clock last night or lose the chance to continue negotiating. That is just one of the factors Twins General Manager has to deal with as he puts together a team for next season. Another key constraint is owner Carl Pohlad's decision to keep the payroll the same as it was last year.
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Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2003 |
Janklow guilty of second-degree manslaughter
South Dakota Congressman Bill Janklow has released a letter that he is sending to House Speaker Dennis Hastert which says he will resign effective January 20th. That is the day he is scheduled to be sentenced. Janklow was convicted yesterday of four charges, including second degree manslaughter, for causing the traffic accident that killed motorcyclist Randy Scott in August. Mainstreet Radio's Cara Hetland has been covering the trial and has this report.
Janklow resignation causes political scramble
A jury has found South Dakota Congressman Bill Janklow guilty of second-degree manslaughter and three other charges, and Janklow says he will resign his seat in House of Representatives. Janklow was charged in the August collision that killed Randy Scott of Hardwick, Minnesota. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Bill Richardson, chair of the University of South Dakota Political Science department, about the political consequences of the verdict.
New drug copay making life difficult for the poor
Several advocates for the poor say some Minnesota pharmacies are violating federal law. They say the pharmacists are refusing to provide drugs to low income people who can not afford a new drug copay required by the state. Federal law says pharmacies are required to give medicine to people who say they can not afford it. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
Manufacturing recession hits Rochester hard
The manufacturing boom of the 1990s brought thousands of high-paying jobs to communities around Minnesota. But since the recession began in 2001 many of those jobs have disappeared. The technology sector has been one of the hardest hit. And Rochester, home to a massive IBM plant and more than four dozen technology companies, lost one fifth of its manufacturing jobs. Minnesota Public Radio's Erin Galbally has the second report in our series on manufacturing.
Stadium Steering Committee meets today for first time
Gov. Tim Pawlenty's Stadium Steering Committee meets for the first time later today. The governor formed the committee to evaluate stadium proposals for the Minnesota Twins and Vikings. He's called on cities, team owners, and anyone else to send in their ideas. He's named his finance commissioner, Dan McElroy to be chairman, along with 18 other members. The University of Minnesota is also looking for a new stadium for the Gopher football team, and just released a feasibility study on where their stadium may be built. Joining us on the line to give us a comprehensive view on stadiums is Jay Weiner, Minnesota Public Radio sports commentator, and a writer for the Star Tribune.
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Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2003 |
Pessimism about missing student's fate as evidence trickles out
National Guard troops from Minnesota and North Dakota will help search for Dru Sjodin later this week. Some law enforcement officials now say they doubt the 22-year old college student will be found alive. New details about the case against the man accused of kidnapping Sjodin have been released by a North Dakota judge. Mainstreet Radios Dan Gunderson reports.
Bloomington Avenue rising amid blight
There's a renaissance underway along one of south Minneapolis' most rundown, crime-infested thoroughfares. A new hardware store and dozens of units of new housing are going up on a blighted stretch of Bloomington Avenue. But signs of renewal haven't stopped drug sellers and prostitutes from doing business there. Neighbors say they are frustrated with a justice system that doesn't deal with the criminals on their sidewalks. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports.
Rybak to announce finalists for police chief job
There are reportedly seven finalists for the job of Minneapolis Police Chief. Mayor R.T. Rybak plans to release a short list of the finalists today. In the next few weeks, Rybak is expected to appoint a successor to current Chief Robert Olson, whose contract is up in January. The mayor has said he won't renew Olson's contract, and has made finding a new chief a priority. Joining us now to discuss the situation is former Minneapolis Police Chief Tony Bouza.
Several factors involved in Janklow sentencing
The sentencing phase in the trial of South Dakota Congressman Bill Janklow begins with questions about whether he will face any time in jail or prison. Judge Rodney Steele has ordered a report to be completed before he hands down a sentence on Jan. 20. That day, according to Janklow, will also be the day he resigns his seat in the U.S. House. Janklow was found guilty earlier this week of second-degree manslaughter, speeding, and running a stop sign in the August collision that killed motorcyclist Randy Scott. The manslaughter conviction alone carries with it up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Joining us to discuss the factors involved in sentencing is Dave Nelson, Minnehaha County's State Attorney.
Local political leaders selecting presidential favorites
The 2004 presidential election is still 11 months away, but the presidential campaign is well underway in Minnesota. Three Democratic candidates recently kicked off their Minnesota campaigns, and some are mobilizing Minnesotans to travel to Iowa in advance of next month's caucuses. Meantime, Republicans are working to sign up a record number of Minnesota volunteers for President George W. Bush's re-election campaign. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
Family band plays Christmas music for Salvation Army
Bob Greenberg and his sons all play horns. They play as a quartet around Duluth and Superior. They like classical music and jazz. They play Latin music, and they're working up some klezmer tunes. At home, they celebrate Hanukkah. But this time of year, they play Christmas music. And they play it for the Salvation Army. Chris Julin has this Mainstreet Radio report.
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Thursday, Dec. 11, 2003 |
Archdiocese says Twin Cities priests abused 69 children
The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis has released a report stating it has credible evidence that 33 priests working in the diocese sexually abused a total of 69 children over the last 50 years. According to the diocese, the most recent incident happened in 1988. The numbers are part of a national survey which will be released in February. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer talked with Gary Schoener, an expert on clergy sex abuse who works with the Walk-In Counseling Center in Minneapolis.
Six finalists named for Minneapolis police chief
Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak has released a list of six finalists to replace outgoing Police Chief Robert Olson. Rybak, a panel of community members and a Seattle-area search firm have narrowed the list from more than two-dozen applicants nationwide. The list includes two internal candidates, both women, who remain favorites among many city council members. Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes reports.
Trying to reduce towing of parked cars after snow
There is still a snow emergency in effect in Minneapolis. Starting at 8:00 a.m. this morning parking is prohibited on the even side of residential streets until that side of the street is fully plowed. Many Minneapolis residents found out about yesterday's parking regulations the hard way. Hundreds of cars were towed to the city's impound lot. A group of city employees gathered at the impound lot to talk to the people who showed up to retrieve their cars. They want to know why so many people have their cars towed and what the city can do to better inform them about snow emergencies. Minnesota Public Radio's Brandt Williams reports.
Gothic folk band releases "dark" CD
For the most part folk music is happy wholesome stuff. But there is a dark edge to some of it, like the music of a new local band called "Folk Underground." The trio just released its first album, "Buried Things." It features a mixture of traditional songs and the band's own material which they describe as 'happily morbid.' Minnesota Public Radio's Euan Kerr reports.
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Friday, Dec. 12, 2003 |
Blood and hair believed found in Sjodin case
What appears to be blood has been found on the floor of Alfonzo Rodriguez Junior's garage and two strands of "light hair" were discovered in a search of his home. That information came from a search warrant which was released yesterday. Rodriguez is being held in connection with the disappearance of 22-year old Dru Sjodin. National Guard troops join law enforcement officers this morning in the ongoing search for Sjodin. The University of North Dakota College student was allegedly kidnapped from a mall parking lot nearly three weeks ago. Mainstreet Radio's Dan Gunderson reports.
National Guard could help in Sjodin search
About 150 Minnesota National Guard members are expected to enter the search for missing college student Dru Sjodin today. The guard will cover roughly 500 square miles of Polk County in northwestern Minnesota. Sjodin disappeared almost three weeks ago from a Grand Forks shopping mall parking lot. Convicted sex offender Alfonso Rodriguez has been arrested in the case. Authorities say a small amount of blood found in Rodriguez's car matched DNA from Sjodin's toothbrush, and a knife found in his trunk matched a sheath found near Sjodin's car. Still, authorities have not found Sjodin. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Terry Smith, who recently retired from his job as special agent in charge of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension's Bemidji office.
Minneapolis schools to cut $4.5 million more
Minneapolis school district officials say they need to make $4.5 million in budget cuts by the end of the month. The mid-year budget correction comes on top of the $30 million in reductions needed earlier this year to balance the current budget. The new cuts will mostly affect the district's center support services, but individual schools will also take a hit, and more teacher layoffs are a possibility. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
Three coal power plants to be natural gas plants
Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Xcel Energy and two environmental groups say a billion dollar settlement to modernize three Twin Cities-area energy plants will mean dramatically cleaner air in Minnesota. Under the settlement announced yesterday, Xcel will convert the Minneapolis Riverside plant and St. Paul High Bridge plant to natural gas, and also install new pollution control equipment at the Allen King plant on the St Croix river south of Stillwater. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports.
Wind power industry stalled along with Energy bill
The lead Republican negotiator on the energy bill currently stalled in the U.S. Senate predicts Congress will pass the bill early next year. Pete Domenici of New Mexico says Republicans are trying to find a way to win approval for the $31 billion bill in early January. The bill got delayed in part because Democrats and moderate Republicans objected to a provision that would shield oil companies from lawsuits for contaminating water supplies with a gasoline additive. The delay is causing problems for Minnesota's wind-power industry. A tax incentive for wind production, which the bill would extend, will lapse at the end of the year. Mark Reilly wrote about the issue in this week's edition of The Business Journal.
Our Lady of Guadalupe celebrated in Minnesota
Thousands of Mexican Americans in Minnesota will celebrate a Mexican national holiday today. The annual celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe commemorates the day the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to a Mexican peasant nearly five centuries ago. She was called Guadalupe, and her appearance was called a miracle. Hundreds attended a midnight mass last night to honor the Virgin of Guadalupe. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports that for many, celebrating the Mexican holiday in snowy St. Paul is a way to connect with community and heritage.
Climatologist Mark Seeley on record snowfall
A large, slow moving low pressure system spread snow throughout the midwest on Tuesday, December 9th. The Twin Cities set a new snowfall record with 9.5 inches, Sioux Falls, SD a new record with 8.0 inches, and River Falls, WI also reported a new record of 11.0 inches. Several others in the area reported new record amounts for the date as well, including the following: Faribault 7.0", Zumbrota 8.0", Waseca 7.0", Springfield 10.0", Fairmont 6.0", New Ulm 6.3". Seeley also discusses the economic consequences of natural disasters.
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