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January 12 - 16, 2004
[ Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday ]
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Monday, Jan. 12, 2004 |
Mesaba Airlines returning to normal
Mesaba Airlines returns to business today. The airline and its pilots narrowly averted the first strike at a U.S. air carrier since 2001. A final marathon negotiating session this weekend yielded a pilot's contract both sides say they are happy with. Travelers and leaders in greater Minnesota are breathing a sigh of relief that air service from Mesaba will continue. Nonetheless, the industry realities that brought the dispute to a head remain. Minnesota Public Radio's Jeff Horwich reports.
Presidental candidate Wesley Clark visits Superior
Democratic presidential candidate Wesley Clark stopped in Superior, Wisconsin over the weekend. The retired general has been gaining in the polls against front-runner Howard Dean in the last couple of weeks. Mainstreet Radio's Stephanie Hemphill went to the Clark rally in Superior.
DFL Senate meeting before session
The DFLers in the Minnesota Senate will meet tomorrow to discuss their agenda for the upcoming legislative session. Last year, faced with a Republican House and a Republican governor, the group failed to get many of its initiatives passed. After the session, a couple of DFLers voiced their frustration with the party and its inability to blunt budget cuts. Joining us now to discuss the upcoming session is Senate Majority Leader John Hottinger.
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Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2004 |
Abortion info on state website to change
Minnesota's Commissioner of Health says that the agency will change some language on its website that links breast cancer to abortion. The controversial language is part of the "Woman's Right to Know" section of the Health Department's Website. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.
DFLers grill Corrections Dept. on sex offenders
The state's corrections commissioner faced a barrage of questions over the state's program for dealing with sex offenders at a Senate hearing. The program has come under scrutiny after a level 3 sex offender living in northeastern Minnesota was arrested in the case of a missing college student. Senate DFLers grilled Corrections Commissioner Joan Fabian yesterday about the process for seeking civil commitments of sex offenders, but they say they are not satisfied with her answers. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
Health survey shows attitudes on system
A state forum led by former U.S. Senator Dave Durenberger says that Minnesotans want changes in the health care system that would both lower costs and allow everyone to get care. The 18-member forum, which was appointed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty, released its findings yesterday. The conclusions come from a series of town hall meetings and a statewide survey. The group is expected to provide recommendations to the governor in early February. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Sen. Durenberger.
Pawlenty proposes ag, zoo, environment bonding
Gov. Tim Pawlenty today laid out more details of his 2004 state bonding request. The governor expanded his list of projects by pledging $25 million to the Minnesota Zoo, $18 million to agricultural loans, and $147 million to a basket of environmental initiatives. Today's announcements bring the governor's wish-list to just under $400 million. But some say that is still not enough. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
Security recommendations on Henn. Co. building
Worries over cost and reduced public access prevented a panel looking into security for the Hennepin County Government Center from reaching consensus. A majority of the appointed task force concluded the building needs security screening at elevator entrances to keep weapons out. But they delayed making a recommendation to flesh out details. Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes reports.
St. Paul Police get trained using tasers
St. Paul police officers are expected to begin training today to use a new tool-- a taser. The device, which looks like a small gun, can be used to temporarily immobilize a person, and officials hope it will give officers the option of using something less lethal than a gun. A federal grant will allow about 100 officers with beats throughout St. Paul to receive training on how, and when, to use the tasers. The Orlando Police Department has been using tasers for almost a year. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Officer David Haddock, who is the lead taser instructor for the department.
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Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2004 |
Senate DFLers replace their leader
Senate DFLers have made a critical change in their leadership team only weeks before the start of the 2004 legislative session. Just one year after assuming the mantle of majority leader, John Hottinger of St. Peter has been voted out of that position and replaced by Dean Johnson of Willmar. DFLers say the move reflects a new unified front as they face a Republican governor and a Republican controlled-House. Observers say the switch highlights the difficult position Democrats face. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports.
Hennepin County approves tentative stadium plan
Hennepin County Commissioners will submit a cursory Minneapolis ballpark financing plan to the governor's Stadium Screening Committee before tomorrow's deadline. The plan, which was approved yesterday, requires the county to pay more than $300 million toward the estimated $535 million project cost. Most of the rest of the money would come from the state and the team. Supporters of the plan on the board admit it is incomplete. But opponents from different sides of the political debate say this is no time to impose taxes for a ballpark. Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes reports.
Minneapolis schools want help finding new superintendent
The Minneapolis school board is poised to bring in outside help in its search for a new superintendent. The board is considering proposals from two companies that want to help find a replacement for Carol Johnson. Representatives from the prospective search firms made their pitches to the board Tuesday. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
U of M opens 2004 Elections Project
The University of Minnesota today is kicking off a new project designed to provide nonpartisan information about the 2004 elections with a focus on the Upper Midwest. The project will be sponsored by the Humphrey Institute's Center for the Study of Politics. Experts will offer analysis about national issues in the upcoming elections and track public opinion. They will pay closest attention to Upper Midwestern states, including Minnesota, which have become a battleground in the 2004 campaign. University of Minnesota Professor Larry Jacobs will direct the project. He's on the line now.
Pawlenty now supports Northstar Commuter Rail
Gov. Tim Pawlenty reversed years of opposition to a northwest metro commuter rail line linking Minneapolis to Big Lake. Pawlenty offered yesterday nearly $40 million in state funds to jump-start the Northstar Commuter Rail line. The governor says a new cost-benefit analysis helped convince him that the project deserves support. But the change of heart has left many of Pawlenty's former legislative colleagues upset and disappointed. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
Cub store opens in neglected neighborhood
For most Twin Cities residents, finding a Cub, Rainbow or other large grocery store close to home is not difficult. But for some residents of North Minneapolis a trip to buy groceries means a long bus ride or drive outside the city. Recently, Cub Foods announced it will open a store on West Broadway avenue. Residents say it is about time, and they hope the store is a sign of better times to come. Minnesota Public Radio's Brandt Williams reports.
Documentary maker Moss is back
Documentary maker Rob Moss has been taking some old friends on a trip through time. In 1978, he filmed 17 river guides paddling the Colorado River. Two decades later he caught up with five of them and made another film showing what happened to them. Minnesota Public Radio's Euan Kerr reports.
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Thursday, Jan. 15, 2004 |
DFL Senator reacts to Gov. bonding bill proposal
Gov. Tim Pawlenty will propose a $760 million bonding bill in the upcoming legislative session. Pawlenty announced the last of his bonding proposals yesterday. The overall price was higher than what some of his former House Republican colleagues expected. But Pawlenty said he was aiming for a number between what the GOP-led House and the DFL-controlled Senate would propose. The bill focuses on a variety of areas, including construction at colleges and universities, state prison expansion and environmental projects. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spoke with DFL Sen. Keith Langseth, who is the bonding committee chair in the Senate.
Lone Council holdout in McManus vote undecided
The Minneapolis City Council is expected to vote tomorrow on whether to hire William McManus as the city's new police chief. McManus, who is currently the police chief in Dayton, Ohio, is Mayor R.T. Rybak's choice to replace outgoing Chief Robert Olson. But observers say tomorrow's vote in the council is likely to be close, and the outcome could come down to one vote. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Council member Scott Benson, who is still undecided about how he'll vote.
St. Paul approves initial stadium plan
Today, the city of Saint Paul will apply to become the new home of the Minnesota Twins. City officials are submitting a proposal to the Governor's Stadium Steering Committee, which plans to make recommendations to Gov. Tim Pawlenty and the Legislature early next month. Yesterday, city council members who had considered putting limits on Saint Paul's bid backed off that idea -- at least for the time being -- and ballpark backers celebrated the capital city's unanimous decision to move forward with a plan. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen reports.
Stadium opponents not fighting yet
While St. Paul stadium supporters, and Minnesota's pro sports teams have been pushing their ideas hard, opposition groups have not been quite as forceful, at least not yet. But one group, Progressive Minnesota is waiting for the right time to weigh into the debate. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Ben Goldfarb, executive director of Progressive Minnesota.
Minnesotans going to Iowa for caucuses
Minnesota's caucuses won't be held until March Second, and some Democrats think the nomination could already be decided by then. But that doesn't mean Minnesotans are frozen out of the process. Hundreds have crossed the border to help campaign in Iowa for their favorite candidates. Minnesota Public Radio's Erin Galbally caught up with some of them and has this report.
Twin Cities Airport tram not working
A problem-plagued airport tram is still not running, 18 months after being installed. The Twin Cities airport "people mover" will carry passengers nearly a mile along one of the concourses. It has been out of commission for a year and half. The company installing the system is paying hefty penalties for the delay. Airport officials say it will be April before the tram is working. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports.
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Friday, Jan. 16, 2004 |
Local government stadium ideas submitted to governor
More than two dozen cities, counties, and private citizens have pitched their ballpark solutions to Gov. Tim Pawlenty's Stadium Screening Committee. The governor solicited outside input to help him decide what role -- if any -- the state might play in financing new facilities for the Minnesota Twins and Vikings. The plans cover a range of sites across the metropolitan area and offer funding options from local taxes to state dollars to casino revenues. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
Many issues in Iowa common to Minnesota
On Monday, Iowa Democrats will meet in close to two thousand precinct caucuses around the state. It is the first step in choosing a Democratic nominee to challenge President Bush this fall. Because Iowa gets to go first, some political observers say the views of Iowa residents play a disproportionate role in choosing a candidate for president. But as Mainstreet Radio's Erin Galbally found, the issues Iowans are concerned about --the war in Iraq, jobs, and education-- are the same ones on the minds of many Minnesotans and other Americans.
NAACP CEO in Minneapolis for King Holiday
Civil rights leader Kweisi Mfume says people of all races and backgrounds need to "be more and do more." On the eve of the Martin Luther King Junior holiday, the national president of the NAACP spoke last night at the Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.
Low-carb diets affects Minnesota food companies
Diets like the Atkins and the South Beach have people all over the country swearing off high-carb foods, and that has Minnesota food companies taking a look at their products and marketing techniques. The impact of low-carb diets on the local food industry is the subject of an article in this week's edition of The Business Journal. Nicole Garrison-Sprenger wrote the article, and she's come by the studio this morning.
Jevetta Steele stars in "Crowns" at the Guthrie
The Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis presents the regional premiere of Crowns on Jan. 16. The play examines the lives of African-American women through personal stories about their hats. Crowns explores fashion and faith, family, birth and death, and the realities of racism. The show is infused with dance and gospel music. Singer and songwriter Jevetta Steele is one of the cast members in Crowns. She told MPR Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer that hats have long been an important form of self expression for African-American women, especially in church.
Climatologist Mark Seeley's weather commentary
University of Minnesota Climatologist Mark Seeley discusses a Canadian ice sculpture contest in Alberta. Teams have 33 hours to convert a 300 pound block of ice into a work of art, while individual competitors have 11 hours to do so. The art works typically remain on display until the warmth of mid-March melts them away. Seeley also discusses how one oceanographer studies ocean currents by tracking lost cargo from container ships.
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