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March 8 - 12, 2004
[ Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday ]
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Monday, March 8, 2004 |
Metro Transit Bus strike has some on the high road
Workers continue to walk picket lines and no talks are in sight as the Twin Cities Metro Transit bus strike enters its first full work week. Many commuters are settling into alternate travel routines with no promise buses will return to their routes any time soon. While many commuters simply drive their own cars to work, Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes found others who are taking the high road.
What's coming at the Capitol this week
Republicans in the Minnesota House will release their plan this week for balancing the budget. The latest state revenue forecast shows a projected $160 million deficit. Last week, Gov. Tim Pawlenty proposed a package of spending cuts and one-time money to plug the gap. Joining us now for a look at the week ahead at the Legislature is Minnesota Public Radio's Capitol Bureau Chief Laura McCallum.
Commentator says .08 is a must
The Minnesota Legislature is yet again considering a bill that would lower our the legal blood alcohol level while driving from 1.0 percent to .08 percent. It has passed the Senate, but House Speaker Steve Sviggum would like to delay the change until 2007. Commentator Craig Bowron, who is a practicing physician in the Twin Cities and a columnist for Minnesota Monthly magazine, says this is a change in the law that should be made as soon as possible.
Monday Markets with Chris Farrell
Minnesota Public Radio's Chief Economics correspondent discusses the lackluster job market, and why it seems to be stalled.
Unique love story playing at St. Paul theater
In The Last Five Years, now playing at Loading Dock Theater in St. Paul, a love story is given a unique twist. Minnesota Public Radio's Marianne Combs reports, it's all in the timing.
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Tuesday, March 9, 2004 |
Constitutional gay marriage ban gets first hearing
A proposed constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage in Minnesota will receive its first hearing today in the Minnesota House. Supporters of the proposal say the amendment is necessary to ensure that the courts will not recognize the marriage of same sex couples. Opponents say the amendment is discriminatory and has no place in Minnesota's constitution. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
Officials trying to keep sex offender civilly commited
Minnesota lawmakers are considering several proposals to toughen penalties for the state's most severe sex offenders - indeterminate sentencing, life without parole and even the death penalty in cases involving murder. But even if they make it harder for some offenders to get out of prison, the changes won't affect sex offenders scheduled for possible release under current sentencing laws. Attorneys for the state will be in a Faribault County courtroom this morning to try to keep one such level three sex offender locked up. The attorney general's office and the Faribault County attorney are asking a judge to civilly commit 47-year-old Randy Siem of Winnebago. Siem has several convictions for molesting young girls. He is one of dozens of sex offenders coming under scrutiny after the arrest of level three sex offender Alfonso Rodriguez Junior in the kidnapping of a missing college student. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
Cheney campaigns in South Dakota
It looks like South Dakota will be a popular destination this year for prominent Republicans. Vice President Dick Cheney was in Sioux Falls yesterday to campaign for Republican Senate Candidate John Thune. In addition to helping Thune in his run against incumbent Democratic minority leader Tom Daschle, Cheney used the appearance to get in a few digs against Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry. Mainstreet Radio's Cara Hetland reports.
International Multifoods sold to Smucker's
As the company's tag line goes: "With a name like Smucker's, it has to be good." But is it a good DEAL? Well, it depends on whose stock you own. The share price of J. M. Smucker fell 5 percent yesterday after the company announced it was buying Minnetonka-based International MultiFoods. Multifoods' stock soared 26 percent. The deal adds Multifoods' Pillsbury baking mixes and Hungry Jack pancake mix to a Smucker product list that includes its namesake jams, Jif peanut butter and Crisco. But the sale also marks the end of one of Minnesota's oldest companies. Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Catlin reports.
New website to help cash-strapped schools
New software will help budget strapped schools get what they wished for. This morning, at St. Paul's Mississippi Creative Arts Magnet School, St. Paul based Lawson Software will demonstrate its new website, ImpactSchools.org. The site allows schools in the district to list specific projects like music programs, art classes, or even teacher supplies as areas in need of funding. Potential donors can go the site and give money for that particular need. Joining on the line this morning is Winston Hewitt, Director of Community Relations with Lawson Software.
Ventura's Harvard study group popular on campus
This evening, a group of students enrolled in Harvard University's Institute of Politics will gather for a study group session titled "Campaign Finance Reform: a.k.a. Public Bribery." The session will led by former governor Jesse Ventura who is a visiting fellow at Harvard this spring. Ventura's guest speaker tonight will be the man he appointed to the U.S. Senate, Dean Barkley. Eric Fish is a graduate of Edina High School and a first-year student at Harvard. He's part of Gov. Ventura's study group and he joins us on the line this morning.
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Wednesday, March 10, 2004 |
Gay marriage ban passes House panel
A proposed constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriage and any legal equivalent in Minnesota has cleared its first legislative hurdle. The House Civil Law Committee voted 8 to 4 yesterday on a strict party line vote to move the proposal onto another committee. Supporters of the Republican-sponsored proposal say it is necessary to protect the definition of marriage. Opponents say it is discriminatory and divides Minnesotans. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
Hopkins schools serving healthy meals
The school lunch line - that home to mystery meat casserole and other unique delicacies - has gotten a radical makeover in the Hopkins school district. Lunch rooms there are starting to look more like mall food courts, with a variety of options for hungry students. And those options are not just more appetizing, they are designed to be healthier, made largely from scratch with all-natural ingredients. District officials in Hopkins are also turning the revamped food service operation into a money-making enterprise. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
New game instills core values
A Minneapolis inventor has created a board game which he hopes will help people learn and discuss societal values. The game is targeted at Africans and African Americans, but the game's creator says the values apply to everyone. Minnesota Public Radio's Brandt Williams reports.
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Thursday, March 11, 2004 |
Marshall Field's and Mervyn's up for sale
Marshall Field's and Mervyn's are up for sale. Target Corporation officials say they are exploring alternatives for the two department store chains, including their possible sale to other retailers. Industry analysts say the decision is not a surprise. Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Catlin reports.
Bill on life sentences for sex offenders advances
The Minnesota House Judiciary Committee has approved a bill to lock up violent sex offenders for life. Only one person showed up to testify at a hearing on the measure last night: a man who opposes the bill. Some lawmakers on the committee also object to the tougher sentence, saying it goes too far. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
Boucha remembers hockey violence that ended career
The Minnesota Wild skated to a 1-1 tie with Vancouver last night wrapping up a five game road trip. Before the game got underway, Vancouver's star forward, Todd Bertuzzi, apologized for attacking an opposing player during a game earlier this week. Bertuzzi punched Colorado rookie Steve Moore, leaving Moore with a concussion, and a broken neck. Vancouver police are investigating the incident and Bertuzzi will be suspended for the rest of the season, including the playoffs. The attack has prompted a debate on how far violence in hockey should allowed to go. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Henry Boucha, a former NHL player from Warroad who is down in the Twin Cities for the boy's high school hockey tournament.
Artists creates surrealistic images with computer
If you have ever messed around with one of those graphics programs on your computer, that allows you to distort and reshape a digital picture, you will have an insight into a new exhibition at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. The show is so bold and attention grabbing it almost seems out of sync with the MIA's more sedate, educational mission. Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Roberts has more.
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Friday, March 12, 2004 |
Lawmakers cool to Pawlenty budget
Lawmakers have had a week now to digest Gov. Tim Pawlenty's $160 million deficit-reduction plan -- but few seem inclined to endorse it. Republican and Democratic lawmakers are finding it difficult to accept the governor's reductions in health care spending and both sides of the aisle are floating alternative proposals. But Pawlenty, in turn, is unlikely to approve of what is percolating at the Legislature. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
Marshall Field's part of Minnesota culture
Minneapolis-based Target Corporation says it is only exploring its options, but many analysts believe it is just a matter of time before it sells off its Mervyn's and Marshall Field's department store chains. For Minnesotans, Marshall Field's -- or Dayton's, as many shoppers still refer to it -- is more than just another place to shop. Minnesota Public Radio's Jeff Horwich looks at the retailer whose history and image go hand-in-hand with Minnesota's.
Nursing home inspections under microscope
A Minnesota House committee will consider a bill today that would change the state's nursing home inspection system. While the nursing home industry is pleased with the bill, the nurses who carry out the inspections have some concerns. Minnesota Public Radio's Toni Randolph reports.
New store sells just generic drugs to uninsured
Amid an ongoing debate about prescription drug prices, two drugstore entrepreneurs think they can make a profit with a new kind of pharmacy in Minnesota. The pair recently opened MedSave Discount Pharmacy in New Hope. It's a store designed to sell discounted generic drugs to people without health insurance. Scott Smith covered the story for this week's edition of The Business Journal. He's come by the studio this morning.
Mark Seeley's weather commentary
This week, University of Minnesota meteorolgist Mark Seeley explains the quick and severe snow storm that hit the Twin Cities earlier this week, causing many car accidents. In addition, he tells us about a March blizzard that changed weather forecasting in Minnesota. The blizzard took place in 1941, and killed 32 people. The storm prompted the creation of a weather forecasting center in Minnesota. The state's forecast was previously handled in Chicago.
The Owls' music creating buzz
One of the more quiet, unassuming pop bands in the Twin Cities will perform at the normally noisy Turf Club in St. Paul tomorrow night. The Owls are celebrating the release of their new CD titled "Our Hope and Dreams." Despite their low key, almost shy demeanor on and off the stage, The Owls' music is starting to get attention around the country. Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Roberts reports.
Japanese wedding kimonos in Wabasha
Richard Fuller owns the world's largest collection of Japanese wedding kimonos. There are about 2,000 in all. The collection is not in Tokyo or even Kyoto -- the center of the Kimono industry -- but Wabasha, Minnesota. Recently, Fuller opened up a storefront gallery in downtown Wabasha to showcase the brightly colored robes. Already, it has made the sleepy river town a destination for quilters, crafts people, and visitors from Japan. Mainstreet Radio's Erin Galbally reports.
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