|
March 15 - 19, 2004
[ Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday ]
|
Monday, March 15, 2004 |
Northwest pilots offer some concessions
Union leaders for Northwest Airlines pilots have voted to offer $200 million a year in labor cost cuts to the airline. That's about half of the $440 million a year that management says it needs from the pilots to be competitive with other airlines. The two sides have been discussing a contract since last year. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Joel Denney, airline analyst with Piper Jaffray in Minneapolis.
Schools going "Beyond Bake Sales" for money
Raising money has been a part of going to school for a long time. Most adults remember selling candy and other items to help finance school extras like field trips or language camps. But as financial pressures strain education budgets, many schools are turning to fundraisers to pay for basic programs --- even classroom supplies. As part of our series "Beyond Bake Sales," Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik has a look at the growing school fundraising industry and how some teachers, school administrators and parents think there's too much selling in public education.
Prince inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
There will be a party tonight in New York City when Prince Rogers Nelson becomes the first graduate of the Minneapolis Public Schools to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The artist, once again known as Prince, is the only one of this year's inductees to be elected in his first year of eligibility. Critically acclaimed, and at times enormously popular, Prince has produced and performed an impressive body of work over the last 25 years. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spoke with composer and author Bill Banfield, who serves as the Director of Cultural Studies at the University of St. Thomas. He has followed Prince's career closely and says the Twin Cities-based performer is an obvious choice for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Lawmakers hitting committee deadlines at Capitol
Minnesota lawmakers will be back at the Capitol this morning to continue the work of the 2004 legislative session. Their main job this year is to agree on a bonding bill to fund capital projects around the state, but lawmakers have spent much of their time this session talking about social issues and the budget. The state faces a projected $160 million shortfall between now and mid-2005. Laura McCallum is Minnesota Public Radio's Capitol Bureau Chief. She joins us now for a look at the week ahead.
New development hard adjustment in Stearns Co.
Some farmers in Stearns County are upset with a neighbor's plans for his land. A dairy farmer north of Melrose wants permission to do something unusual. He'd like to plant a crop of houses where corn and soybeans would usually grow. The landowner says it's the best way to make money from his dairy farm. His neighbors say houses don't belong in a farm field in the middle of prime dairy country. The issue is forcing Stearns county officials to plan for future development. Mainstreet Radio's Tim Post has the story.
|
|
Tuesday, March 16, 2004 |
Pawlenty announces stadium plan
Gov. Tim Pawlenty has entered the state's stadium debate, proposing to build two new facilities for the Minnesota Twins and Vikings at a cost that is likely to exceed $1 billion. The governor's plan would split the costs in an unspecified way between the teams, local host communities, and the state. Stadium supporters cheered Pawlenty's suggestions, but critics say the governor has reneged on his promise not to use state dollars for ballparks. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
Nation's first class-action trial against Microsoft underway
Microsoft's lawyers are busy these days. This morning, lawyers in Minneapolis begin the second day of opening statements in "Gordon versus Microsoft." The class-action lawsuit is the first in the country to go to trial. Yesterday lawyers suing Microsoft began making their case that anti-competitive behavior by the software maker cost Minnesota consumers hundreds of millions of dollars. Minnesota Public Radio's Jeff Horwich reports.
Education funding task force finishes work
Gov. Tim Pawlenty's task force on education finance reform wants to give local school officials more discretion over how to spend state aid, as long as their students are succeeding in the classroom. Panel members are recommending the state provide block grants to school districts that would come with fewer strings attached than the current system. The task force held its final meeting Monday, completing a proposal that's been seven months in the making. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
Donations now pay teachers' salaries
Public schools have long sought donations to pay for various extras that enhance the educational experience. But in the last few years, non-profit groups in a few Minnesota school districts have begun raising money for teacher salaries and other basic classroom costs. Some local fund-raisers do not like the new trend. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire has the latest report in our series "Beyond Bake Sales."
Observers consider Pawlenty's stadium proposal
Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Jay Weiner, MPR sports commentator and a writer for the Star Tribune, to analyze the governor's stadium proposal.
|
|
Wednesday, March 17, 2004 |
DNR evaluating new ideas to stop Asian carp
Minnesota officials are turning to new weapons in their fight to keep the bighead and other asian carp out of the Upper Mississippi. The Department of Natural Resources is considering a wall of bubbles and noise to keep the carp from migrating up the river. The bubble and noise barrier could be installed near locks and dams along the river, including one in southeastern Minnesota. The DNR is rejecting an earlier idea of using an electric fence because it's expensive. The asian carp can grow to more than a hundred pounds, and some species are dangerous to people because they fly out of the water when disturbed. They also affect native species of fish because they eat much of the food in the river. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Lee Pfannmuller, the DNR's Director of Ecological Service.
DFL attacks Pawlenty on sex offenders
The state DFL party is running a television ad which accuses Gov. Tim Pawlenty of standing by while his administration released sex offenders. The hard-hitting ad is unusual, because Gov. Pawlenty is not up for re-election for another two-and-a-half years. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum looks at the ad and its claims.
Microsoft continues opening statements
Lawyers for Microsoft continue their opening statements today in Minneapolis, in a case seeking more than $400 million for Minnesota consumers. The class action suit against the software maker is the only one of more than 30 such cases around the country to go to trial. Plaintiffs say Microsoft's illegal monopoly in computer operating systems and certain software allowed it to charge high prices to individuals and businesses. Minnesota Public Radio's Jeff Horwich reports Microsoft's lawyers are eager to defend the company.
A wish list for school supplies
Many schools, struggling with tight budgets, are asking parents to help out by providing classroom materials. Individual student supply lists are nothing new. But what has become more common are pleas to parents for general classroom stocks: books, reams of paper -- even Kleenex. Some teachers say donations cut down on the amount of their own money they need to spend on classroom materials. In the final part of our series, "Beyond Bake Sales" Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik takes us to a St. Paul elementary school which just this year began putting out a wish list for parents.
St. Patrick's in the "Norseland"
It is not easy being green in Duluth. There is a smattering of Irish descendents around Northeast Minnesota, but they are easily lost among the hordes of Finns, Norwegians and Swedes. Duluth dropped its annual St Pat's parade several years ago. But one tradition has served as a touchstone for Duluth's Irish community - a dance that has marked the St. Pat's season for a quarter century. The 2004 dance was last saturday. Mainstreet Radio's Bob Kelleher reports.
|
|
Thursday, March 18, 2004 |
Microsoft ends opening statement in antitrust case
After three days of opening statements in the antitrust case against Microsoft, lawyers suing the software giant are presenting their evidence. The suit accuses the company of overcharging a million Minnesota consumers for Windows and other software. The jury's heads are already filled with more details about the software business than most people would ever want to know. But behind all the minutiae, lawyers want jurors to remember the stories they tell. Minnesota Public Radio's Jeff Horwich reports.
Ellsworth remembers soldier killed in Iraq
In Ellsworth, Wisconsin today, flags are at half staff, schools will be let out early. Several thousand people are expected for the funeral this afternoon of an Army reservist, who was killed recently in Iraq. Twenty-three-year-old Bert Hoyer, was a specialist with the 652nd Engineer Company, based in Ellsworth. Hoyer was building bridges in Iraq when he was killed by a bomb blast.
Nonprofits working to help in bus strike
The Twin Cities transit strike is two weeks old today, and there's no end in sight. The Metro Transit bus drivers walked off their jobs March fourth over a contract dispute with the Metropolitan Council. As many as 75,000 people use the Twin Cities buses each day, and while the strike has not created noticeable traffic jams, it is impacting those who depend on the bus to get around. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Jon Pratt, the director of the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, which will meet today to discuss efforts to serve clients during the strike.
Outstate communities want more highway spending
While that group deals with the problems caused by the Twin Cities bus strike, business owners in outstate Minnesota, say the state is on the verge of another crisis. Industry leaders say the state's highway system has many problems that are not being addressed. They say state lawmakers need to spend more money to maintain highways. Mainstreet Radio's Bob Reha reports.
Spanish language radio airs in Long Prairie
Minnesota boasts about a dozen Spanish language radio programs. Those programs serve the nearly 30,000 Minnesota Latinos who, according to recent census figures, say they do not speak English well or at all. But not many Spanish language programs broadcast in rural towns. That situation has changing in Long Prairie, about 60 miles Northwest of St Cloud. A radio program there is reaching out to the town's burgeoning Hispanic population. Mainstreet Radio's Annie Baxter reports.
|
|
Friday, March 19, 2004 |
House passes science and social studies standards
The Minnesota House has approved legislation establishing new science and social studies standards for public schools. Members of the Republican-controlled body adopted the grade-by-grade requirements last night on a 73-to-55 vote. Meanwhile, Senate Democrats are considering three alternative plans for how schools should teach social studies. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
The peace movement one year after Iraq
A year ago, opponents of war with Iraq took to the streets by the thousands across the country and in Minnesota. In the weeks and months following the invasion, visible opposition to the war dwindled. Now, a year after the conflict began, anti-war activists say they have not given up, but they are changing their strategy. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.
Congressman Kline still supports Iraq war
One year ago, the United States started the war that eventually ousted Saddam Hussein from Iraq. In the time since the bombs first fell, politicians, activists, and citizens have debated the decision to go to war and its consequences. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Republican Congressman John Kline.
Yoko Ono billboard unveiled as part of Walker exhibit
The Walker Art Center recently invited several internationally known artists to use a downtown Minneapolis billboard as their canvas. The Walker's year long Billboard Project kicked off this week with a sign designed by experimental artist and peace activist Yoko Ono. Ono's message is simple. Imagine Peace. Her billboard happens to coincide with the one year anniversary of the war in Iraq. Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Roberts went to find out how the message is being received by people on the street.
Pawlenty using state pensions against Pfizer
The board overseeing Minnesota's $43 billion pension fund is trying to encourage Pfizer, the world's largest drug company, to change its business practices. The state board of investment, led by Minnesota's governor, says it is trying to lower prescription drug prices in the U.S. But critics argue the effort could backfire, harming Pfizer's stock price and lowering the value of the state's retiree pension fund. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
Twins marketing to minorities
While the Minnesota Twins are in Florida for spring training, the front office is working to connect with minority communities in Minnesota, and they hope it will pay off in increased ticket sales. This year, for the first time, the Twins will run ads in publications such as the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, an African American newspaper. The team will also publish its first Spanish-language pocket schedule and staff its ticket lines with a bilingual salesperson. Andrew Tellijohn covered the story for this week's edition of The Business Journal.
Meteorologist Mark Seeley weather commentary
University of Minnesota meteorologist has the long-range forecast for April through June, and tell us about an unusual study about when people in Great Britain crave cold drinks. Seeley says that date is likely much sooner for Minnesotans.
|
| Morning Edition Archive |
|
|
|
© 2024 | Home : Terms of Use : Your Privacy Rights