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December 15 - 19, 2003
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Monday, Dec. 15, 2003 |
Pawlenty in Bosnia, reacts to Hussein capture
Gov. Tim Pawlenty is in Bosnia visiting Minnesota National Guard troops stationed there. He released a statement saying the news that Saddam Hussein had been captured brought a sense of exuberance to barracks and mess halls where 1000 Minnesotans are serving. The Republican governor says he and his wife Mary were pleased to be able to share such a significant time with the soldiers. Today, Pawlenty will visit Srebrenica, site of a 1995 massacre of Bosnian Muslims by Serbian nationalists. Pawlenty is spending time with Minnesota Guard troops stationed in Bosnia to enforce the 1995 Dayton Peace Accords. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo is in Bosnia and filed this report.
Former U.S. security officials speak at Mondale lecture series
The Mondale Lectures on Public Service brought several former high-ranking U.S. security officials to the Twin Cities to offer their perspectives on U.S. foreign policy. William Perry, the secretary of defense under President Clinton, and President Carter's national security advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski were the featured speakers Friday at the lecture at Macalester College in St. Paul. Perry told the audience that in order to prevent a serious terrorist attack, the U.S. must control nuclear proliferation. Zbigniew Brzezinski said that what he called President Bush's "you're with us or against us" policy on terrorism represents a distorted and narrow definition of the problem facing the U.S.
Revised social studies standards to be released this week
The committees writing the proposed social studies standards are required to finish their work by the end of the day today. They are revising the original version of the standards, which was released in September and drew strong criticism. Some teachers, parents, and others said the first draft was politically biased, included too many names and facts, and contained age inappropriate standards. Dr. Todd Flanders is the chair of the committee that is writing the U.S. history standards, and he joins us now.
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Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2003 |
Minnesotans patroling Bosnia
Gov. Tim Pawlenty is on his way home this morning after a brief trip to Bosnia. More than a thousand Minnesota National Guard soldiers are not quite as lucky. The Guardsmen and women are part of a multinational deployment assigned to enforce the 1995 Dayton Peace Accords that ended Bosnia's bloody civil war. As part of their regular routine, Minnesota troops patrol the mountains along the former front lines, looking for illegal weapons and reassuring a doubtful population. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports from Bosnia.
Iraqis in Minnesota react to the capture of Hussein
The 2000 U. S. Census shows 468 Minnesotan's claim Iraqi heritage. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson talked briefly with three of them to get their reaction to the capture of Saddam Hussein.
A Minnesota military mom reacts to Hussein capture
The capture of former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein was an important moment for the U.S. soldiers there, and their families here at home. Brenna Linn of Richmond, Minnesota, just west of St. Cloud, has a son in the Army Reserves who is in Iraq and she joins us on the line.
Minneapolis teachers reach tentative contract agreement
The Minneapolis school district has reached a tentative contract agreement with its teachers. The agreement would increase the total cost of compensation by 6.1 percent over two years. It would also retroactively restore pay increases based on education and experience, which the district has withheld from teachers since the start of the school year.
Many school districts behind on contract negotiations
More than two-thirds of the state's school districts are still without a contract for this school year, and are working under last year's contracts. Joining us now are two guests, John Sylvester from the Minnesota School Boards Association, and Judy Schaubach from Education Minnesota, a union that represents about 70,000 educators throughout the state.
Senate DFLers plans on health care
Senate DFLers are the latest group at the state Capitol to propose a plan to reduce the growth in health care costs. The proposal would restore some of the cuts to state subsidized health insurance programs, would cap health care premium increases and would invest more money in education for health care professionals. The rising cost of health care is likely to be a hot issue in the upcoming legislative session. House Republicans have proposed a dramatically different plan and a task force appointed by the governor is also working on the issue. I'm Tom Scheck, Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
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Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2003 |
Man held as terror witness may end up in New York
It appears a Minnesota man being held as a crucial witness in a terrorism-related case -- possibly that of September 11th suspect Zacharias Moussaoui-- will be transferred to New York. Officials arrested Mohammed Warsame, a Canadian citizen of Somali descent last week. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports.
House GOP wants tougher sentencing for sex offenders
The Minnesota House Republican caucus is proposing legislation that would create tougher sentences for violent sex offenders. The announcement comes two weeks after convicted sex offender Alfonso Rodriguez Junior was charged with kidnapping Dru Sjodin. Rodriguez was released from prison in May after serving 23 years for assault, kidnapping and other convictions of attempted rape and aggravated rape. House Republicans say the incident highlights the need for tougher sentences. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
Changing nature of National Guard duty
Gov. Tim Pawlenty is back in Minnesota today after a two-day visit with National Guard troops keeping the peace in Bosnia. The 1,100 Minnesotans stationed there are the largest Minnesota deployment since the Second World War -- and are part of a new emphasis on using Guardsmen and women to shoulder the country's growing military obligations. That new reality has left some wondering if they can afford to make the sacrifice. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports from Tuzla, Bosnia.
High demand increasing natural gas prices
In one of the final steps in the approval process, the Public Utilities Commission heard from Xcel Energy on their plan to build new natural gas burning electricity plants in the Twin Cities. Analysts say the move is part of a national trend that's contributing to more demand, and higher prices for natural gas. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Phil Flynn, Vice President and Senior Marketing Analyst of Alaron Trading Corporation in Chicago about the factors that affect natural gas prices.
Listening House homeless shelter celebrates 20 years
Twenty years ago this month a nun and a lay volunteer who had been working with the homeless opened a small drop-in center on a busy downtown St. Paul street corner. The opening went unnoticed by most St. Paulites, but among the city's homeless population, word spread fast. The buzz was fueled by rumors that homeless guests could relax for hours at a time, enjoy a hot cup of coffee and even play the guitar. The new facility was called Listening House. Over the years, Listening House has moved a couple times, not always by choice, and it has grown considerably. This morning, St. Paul city leaders, past and present, will celebrate Listening House's 20th anniversary at the St. Paul Hotel. The event is also a fundraiser. Minnesota Public Radio's Lorna Benson reports.
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Thursday, Dec. 18, 2003 |
Thousands of new Hmong could come to Twin Cities
The State Department has reached an agreement with the government of Thailand which could bring thousands of new Hmong refugees to the Twin Cities. 14,000 Hmong people, living in the last refugee camp of its kind in Thailand, will be allowed to seek asylum in the United States. Many of those refugees have relatives living in the Twin Cities. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Mee Moua, who represents a Minnesota Senate district in St. Paul which has a large Hmong population.
Pawlenty to announce where tax-free zones will be
Gov. Tim Pawlenty will travel around the state today to announce the locations of new tax-free enterprise zones. Starting next month, new development on thousands of parcels of land in Greater Minnesota will be free from property, income, and sales taxes. Economically stressed rural communities are waiting to see if this will spark the turn-around they need. Critics say Minnesota is about to land the latest blow in a battle nobody wins. Minnesota Public Radio's Jeff Horwich reports.
Blandin Foundation settles suit
A Ramsey County judge has approved an order resolving the complaint about how much money the Grand Rapids-based Blandin Foundation should give to its home community. Minnesota Public Radio's Toni Randolph reports.
Minneapolis homeless advocates march
Minneapolis advocates will march tonight in an annual memorial for homeless people in Minnesota. They say 120 people without permanent shelter died in the past year. Ninety-five people were memorialized last year. Organizers of the event this year are calling attention to homeless youth, who are losing safe places to stay because of funding cuts. Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes reports.
Gopher women's volleyball team in Final Four
The University of Minnesota women's volleyball team opens the NCAA Final Four later today with a match against the undefeated USC Trojans. The Gophers are hoping to continue a hot streak that has carried them along the road to the Final Four for the first time in team history. The Gophers are underdogs against the Trojans, who are number one in the country. Joining us on the line from Dallas, site of this year's Final Four, is Pam Schmid, who's covering the team for the Star Tribune.
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Friday, Dec. 19, 2003 |
Rybak narrows police chief choice to outsiders
Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak has officially narrowed his list of candidates for the next police chief to Charles Moose, the former chief in Maryland's Montgomergy County and Dayton, Ohio police chief William McManus. The decision cut from consideration two respected deputy chiefs currently in the department - Lucy Gerold and Sharon Lubinski. While the mayor has supporters for the finalists, there are signals that the outsiders will be a tough and divisive sell. Barbara Johnson, who represents the city's 4th Ward, says she's disappointed that Gerold and Lubinski did not make the final cut.
Minneapolis schools make more cuts
Minneapolis school district officials say mid-year budget cuts will result in the loss of 17 jobs, including as many as five teachers. Administrators will present a detailed plan for their $4.5 million districtwide budget fix today during a special school board meeting. The schools themselves will absorb about a quarter of the cuts. But principals say after three years of budget reductions, they have no fat left to cut. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
Three childrens hospitals may consolidate into one
Three children's hospitals in the Twin Cities may consolidate into one world-class facility, if officials at the three organizations can work out a deal. Joining us in the studio is Scott Smith, a reporter who wrote about this story in this week's edition of "The Business Journal."
New Seasonal Climate Outlooks
University of Minnesota meteorologist Mark Seeley's weather commentary. This week, Mark discusses the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center releasing an updated winter outlook on Thursday of this week. Based on trends of recent years, they forecast the January through March period in Minnesota to be warmer than normal. Over the same period, they see equal chances for precipitation to be above or below normal. And, Mark tells us that, so far this month, Minnesota has reported the coldest temperature in the 48 contiguous states six separate times.
St. John's plays Mount Union for national championship
The undefeated St. John's college football team is hoping to add a national championship tomorrow to a storybook season. Earlier this year, the team's coach John Gagliardi became the winningest head coach in college football history. The Johnnies rolled through their schedule, and through the N-C-double-A Division 3 playoffs, but now face their biggest challenge, the Mount Union Raiders. The Raiders have won 55 straight games, and are three-time defending champions. Joining us on the line is Brandon Stewart, who does play-by-play for WRMU, Mount Union college's radio station. He's in Salem, Virginia, where the championship game will be held.
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