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February 23 - 27, 2004
[ Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday ]
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Monday, Feb. 23, 2004 |
European chains set sights on Minnesota consumers
Retail experts say most Minnesotans are comfortable in their shopping habits -- the weekly trips to Target, the "I Love My Cub" decals on our cars, the familiar chains of home furniture stores. But in coming months some retailers from Europe promise to shake things up. The IKEA and Aldi chains are already generating consumer buzz for their approaches to home furnishings and food. Minnesota Public Radio's Jeff Horwich reports.
State's February budget forecast expected Friday
Lawmakers will be back at the Capitol this morning to continue the work of the legislative session. After struggling with a $4.5 billion projected deficit last session, their main job this time around is to agree on a bonding bill to fund capital projects around the state. Their work may be affected by a budget forecast due out at the end of this week. Joining us now is Minnesota Public Radio's Capitol Bureau Chief, Laura McCallum.
Farmers question temple plan
The changing population of rural Minnesota brings new groups together for the first time. Sometimes there's a conflict. The latest example is farmers and Laotian Buddhists in the Worthington area. Each side respects the other, but differ on the best use for an old farmhouse. Mainstreet Radio's Mark Steil reports.
Pictures of the Floating World
Photographer Colleen Mullins wants to take people into a secret world. It's a place where the enormously wealthy go to play. For two years, Mullins aimed her camera at passengers on luxury cruise ships. The result is "Pictures of the Floating World," on display at Creative Electric Studios in Minneapolis. Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Roberts has more.
Monday Markets
Minnesota Public Radio's Chief Economics Correspondent Chris Farrell discusses the latest economic news.
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Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2004 |
Vice President Cheney campaigns in St. Paul
Vice President Dick Cheney ended his Minnesota trip yesterday with a visit to St. Paul's El Burrito Mercado, where he picked up a jar of salsa, a pinata, and perhaps a few votes. Hispanics are now the largest minority group in the nation -- and a tempting bloc of voters during this year's presidential contest. Cheney toured the Mexican market and restaurant and touted the administration's economic record. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports.
Health care task force calls for more tobacco taxes
Gov. Tim Pawlenty's health care task force is calling for $1 a pack tobacco tax in its final recommendations on improving health care quality and reducing costs. The panel, led by former U.S. Sen. Dave Durenberger, says individual consumers need to have a better idea of the cost of health care. Panel members also want a website that would inform consumers how doctors and HMOs are performing. Critics say the plan does not offer any specifics and the tobacco tax is not likely to pass. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
Army Corps. plans for Upper Mississippi
Later this morning the Army Corps of Engineers will present its preferences for how to manage the Upper Mississippi River for the next fifty years. It is the culmination of 10 years of study and $60 million in planning and research. The Army Corps Navigation Study has long been a source of controversy amidst allegations of skewed numbers and bias. As Minnesota Public Radio's Erin Galbally reports critics say they are gearing up for another long fight.
Negotiators resume talks to avoid bus strike
Negotiators for Twin Cities bus drivers and the Metropolitan Council are expected to return to the negotiating table before a March 2nd strike deadline. The Amalgamated Transit Union's nearly 2,200 drivers overwhelmingly rejected an offer last week. Benefits are a key issue in the dispute. Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Catlin has this look at the rejected contract proposal and how it compares to other recent public employee settlements.
Making Dylan's "Blood on the Tracks"
Thirty years ago, at a time when his marriage was falling apart, Bob Dylan recorded "Blood on the Tracks," considered by many critics as one of the great break-up albums of all-time. Rolling Stone Magazine ranks it as one of the top twenty albums of the rock era. A new book explores the creation of that record, including the story of a group of unknown Minneapolis musicians who helped shape its sound. Dylan originally recorded the album's tracks at a studio in New York City in September of 1974, but when he came back to his farm in Minnesota a few months later and listened to the tapes, he was unsatisfied with how some of the songs turned out. One of the New York recordings he didn't like was "Idiot Wind." So Dylan asked his brother to assemble a group of musicians to help him re-record some of the tracks. In December of 1974, they got together at Studio 80 in South Minneapolis and recorded five new tracks for the album including a re-energized version of "Idiot Wind." Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spok with Kevin Odegard, who played guitar on the Minneapolis sessions and is the co-author of a new book titled "A Simple Twist of Fate: Bob Dylan and the Making of Blood on the Tracks."
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Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2004 |
Minneapolis School Board won't close schools
The Minneapolis School Board has scrapped a plan to close or reorganize dozens of schools later this year. Instead, board members will spend the coming months gathering public input on ways to deal with the district's declining enrollment and financial problems. School closings are still a possibility, but no sooner than the 2005-06 school year. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
"The Passion" opens and stirs controversy
Movies rarely open on a Wednesday --- unless, like today, it is Ash Wednesday -- and the movie is "The Passion of the Christ." Mel Gibson's film about the crucifixion of Jesus opens in 64 theaters across Minnesota. Christian and Jewish leaders are preparing for intense dialogue, though the things they want to talk about are very different. Minnesota Public Radio's Jeff Horwich talked with some of those getting ready for the movie -- and then went himself to see why the release of "The Passion" is unlikely to quell the controversy.
Ethiopian refugees fear genocide of their tribe
A group of Ethiopian refugees is calling for an international investigation into recent violence against their tribe back in Africa. The Anuak people live in the Gambella region of western Ethiopia. It's known for its fertile soil and rich deposits of gold and oil. Anuak in Minnesota say since late last year more than 400 members of the tribe have been murdered, and they blame the Ethiopian government. Minnesota Public Radio's Erin Galbally reports.
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Thursday, Feb. 26, 2004 |
Kerry rallies Democratic faithful in St. Paul
When Minnesota's presidential caucuses rolled around four years ago, both parties' nominations had already been secured. Not so this time. Just days before Minnesota joins nine other states for the Super Tuesday contests, the state is playing host to all of the major campaigns. On Wednesday night, Democratic front-runner John Kerry stopped at Macalester College in St. Paul seeking support next Tuesday and predicting victory in November. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports.
Minnesota gay couple talks about getting married
This week the debate over gay marriage intensified when President Bush announced he would support a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages. Bush is responding to a ruling in Massachusetts legalizing gay marriage, followed by San Francisco's decision to grant marriage licenses to gay couples. The issue is also brewing in at least 35 legislatures, including Minnesota. Critics of gay marriage are expected to introduce a bill soon that would place a consitutional amendment on the state's 2004 ballot banning same sex marriages. The backlash is particularly surprising to one Minnesota couple who recently married in San Francisco. Minnesota Public Radio's Lorna Benson reports.
Few couples willing to donate embryos
There's a lot of debate about human embryos these days. Embryos have stem cells -- almost magical cells that can become any tissue in the human body. Researchers say stem cells might one day be used to save adult lives. This month, the University of Minnesota announced it will expand its stem cell research to include donated human embryos. Few couples are willing to donate embryos to research, or even to other couples that want to have a baby. We found one who did. Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Julin has this report.
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Friday, Feb. 27, 2004 |
Kelly delegation leaves for Thailand
A delegation from St. Paul is leaving for Thailand today to visit a camp just north of Bangkok where thousands of Hmong refugees have been living for more than a decade. Many of those refugees are expected to begin emigrating to the Twin Cities soon. The delegation includes St. Paul Mayor Randy Kelly and other government officials, as well as representatives from human services agencies and the St. Paul Public Schools. Minnesota Public Radio's Toni Randolph reports.
College students racking up higher credit card debt
As tuition increases at the University of Minnesota have hit double digits in the last three years, some financial counselors say students are looking to credit cards to help pay the larger bills. But some students who use credit cards to stay in school end up quitting in order to pay off mounting debt. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports.
U of M women's basketball team still drawing big crowds
Nearly 10,000 fans attended the University of Minnesota's final home game of the women's basketball season last night. Just a few years ago, that would have been an attendance record for a women's game at the U of M. But these days it's just about average for the Gopher women. University officials are optimistic the recent popularity of the women's team will continue into next season -- even as the Gophers say goodbye to the woman who is largely responsible for drawing those big crowds, senior guard Lindsay Whalen. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen has more.
Weather with Mark Seeley
University of Minnesota Meteorologist Mark Seeley talks about the recent warmup.
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