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March 29 - April 2, 2004
[ Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday ]
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Monday, March 29, 2004 |
Years after 9/11, screening system still grounded
When the public learned this year that Northwest Airlines once gave passenger data to a government agency, it added heat to the national debate over a new airline passenger screening system. Testing and implementing the system is shaping up as one of the great homeland security challenges. In the first of a two-part series, Minnesota Public Radio's Jeff Horwich looks at why -- more than two years after 9/11 -- passenger screening has barely pulled away from the gate.
Previewing the week at the State Capitol
After a week largely dominated by the question of same-sex marriage, Minnesota lawmakers will be back at the Capitol this morning to continue the work of the 2004 legislative session. The main job this year is to agree on a bonding bill to fund capital projects around the state, but so far that process has been overshadowed by the budget and social issues. Laura McCallum is Minnesota Public Radio's Capitol Bureau Chief. She's on the line now.
MPR's Chris Farrell on Monday Markets
Minnesota Public Radio's Chief Economics Correspondent discusses the economy and markets with substitute host Perry Finelli. Friday's unemployment report is the most important government information coming out this week. Farrell also predicts that there will be an inflation scare in the coming months.
U of M womens basketball team advance in NCAAs
The University of Minnesota Gopher women's basketball team advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament. They beat Boston College yesterday 76-63 in Norfolk, Virginia. Gopher center Janel McCarville led the way scoring 25 points and grabbing 15 rebounds. The Gophers now play Duke in the next round of the tournament on Tuesday night. Minnesota Public Radio producer Jayne Solinger is at the games in Norfolk and joins us on the line this morning.
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Tuesday, March 30, 2004 |
Civil liberties groups fear "surveillance"
Development is well behind schedule for a new national system to screen airplane passengers, known as "CAPPS II." The acronym stands for "Computer Assisted Passenger Pre-Screening." Homeland security officials say it is a critical tool to prevent a repeat of 9/11. But airlines are reluctant to even help test it, citing concern about passenger privacy. Some experts see an emerging battle between security and civil liberties that can only be settled in the courts. Minnesota Public Radio's Jeff Horwich has the second in our two-part look at the stalled attempt to get CAPPS II off the ground.
Pawlenty stadium bill passes second house panel
A plan to build two new stadiums for the Minnesota Twins and Vikings has taken another step forward. The bill advanced fairly easily out of the House Government Operations Committee last night without the lengthy debate that has often accompanied stadium discussions. The plan remains a work-in-progress, but critics contend it is not receiving the full scrutiny it deserves. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
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Wednesday, March 31, 2004 |
Gopher women heading to final four
The University of Minnesota Gopher women's basketball team is headed to the Final Four for the first time in school history. The Gophers earned the trip with an 82-75 win over Duke, the number one team in the country. Center Janel McCarville starred in the game as she has all tournament, scoring 20 points, and getting 18 rebounds. Minnesota Public Radio producer Jayne Solinger was with the team in Norfolk, Virginia, and she joins us on the line now.
Hundreds of Gopher fans cheer at Riverview
Hundreds of fans who could not make it to the game cheered at the Riverview Theater in Minneapolis, which showed the game on their big screen. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports that the event brought an excitement that came close to matching a live Gophers game on campus.
Yecke fans, foes prepare for confirmation hearing
Friends and foes of Minnesota Education Commissioner Cheri Pierson Yecke are ready to share their opinions with state lawmakers. The Senate Education Committee will hold the first of two hearings tomorrow on Yecke's confirmation as commissioner. Even though she's been on the job over a year, her approval is by no means certain. Yecke has led the Department of Education with often polarizing results. Her fans say she's the type of commissioner the state has long needed. But critics claim she's done more to harm public education than help it. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
Committee rejects Molnau as Transportation Commissioner
A committee in the Minnesota Senate has voted to remove Lt. Gov. Carol Molnau from her job as commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Transportation. The recommendation now moves onto the full Senate which will make the final decision on Molnau's future. Molnau serves in the unique position of holding both the lieutenant governor and transportation commissioner titles. Critics say Molnau doesn't have a balanced plan to improve Minnesota's roads, bridges and transportation needs. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
Mayor Kelly on the state of St. Paul
St. Paul Mayor Randy Kelly says the city of St. Paul is safe, affordable, and livable. The mayor presented his plans for the city in a public address at the Minnesota History Center last night. Joining us now to talk more about those plans is Mayor Kelly.
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Thursday, April 1, 2004 |
House passes bill to lower drunken driving limit
House lawmakers have agreed to toughen the state's drunk driving laws, but they've also delayed the change until 2007. The bill represents a compromise between those who support a lower threshold for driving-while-intoxicated and those who worry the new standard could swamp city and county law enforcement officers. The measure must now be reconciled with a Senate plan that calls for a tougher DWI law by the end of this year. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
House education bill shifts integration aid from city schools
The Minnesota House has approved legislation that takes money used for school desegregation programs away from urban districts and shares it with schools statewide.
Lawmakers approved the controversial funding shift last night as part of a broader education finance package. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
New Web site aims to show Minnesota isn't for whites only
Members of minority bar associations, area law schools and law firms will launch a Web site today that they hope will dispel some of the myths about Minnesota; myths that they say discourage people of color from moving here. The site will feature profiles of noted legal professionals of color and offer information about such things as where to live and shop. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports.
House approves life terms for most violent sex crimes
The Minnesota House has voted overwhelmingly for a bill that would lock up the most violent sex offenders for life. The judiciary finance bill would also create tougher penalties for making methamphetamine, and merge the state's Gang Strike Force with regional drug task forces. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
Transit workers lose benefits
The Twin Cities transit strike is four weeks old today, and that marker brings a new challenge for striking workers. As of today, they lose their health care benefits.
Metro Transit bus drivers walked off their jobs March fourth over a contract dispute with the Metropolitan Council. Since then, they've been going without their regular pay check, but have had health insurance.
Michelle Sommers is vice president of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1005. She says the workers have some options for continuing insurance, such as Cobra benefits, a state health plan, and getting a policy through an insurance broker, but they all come with high monthly premiums. Sommers says workers have a limited time to decide whether to use the Cobra option.
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Friday, April 2, 2004 |
Family Council to run ads in districts of senators who wouldn't let gay marriage ban go to floor
The Minnesota Family Council says it will begin running several hundred radio ads this week to put pressure on members of the Minnesota Senate to vote for a constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriage. A Senate committee defeated the proposal last week and replaced it with a proposal that would allow only the Legislature to define marriage. The Family Council says it hopes the ads will increase public support for the amendment that would define marriage between one man and one woman. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
Lawmakers hear divided opinions on Yecke confirmation
Minnesota Education Commissioner Cheri Pierson Yecke is trying to convince lawmakers that she's been an effective leader for public education the past year and deserves to keep her title.
Several supporters offered similar assessments last night during the first of two Senate committee hearings on Yecke's confirmation. But critics lined up to portray the commissioner as a divisive force who should be removed from the job. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
Somalis try to unite
Somali leaders appeared at the state Capitol to announce the formation of a statewide Somali leadership council. Somalis and government officials touted the new council yesterday as a way to bridge communication gaps between Somalis and the broader community. Minnesota Public Radio's Brandt Williams reports.
No LRT until 2005?
Metro Transit is asking the federal government if it can delay the opening of the Hiawatha Light Rail Line until a year from now. Partial rail service was scheduled to begin tomorrow, but has been delayed by the Metro Transit bus strike. Light rail train drivers are members of the bus drivers union. Metropolitan Council chairman Peter Bell joins us this morning to explain the action.
Gen X tries to reclaim identity
People born between 1965 and 1975 are known as Generation X. In the past, they've been described as aimless, cynical "slackers." Members of Generation X are now in their 30s and many are starting families, but to some extent, the stereotype still lingers. One "Gen X" choreographer in Minneapolis has created a dance piece she hopes will help her generation reclaim its identity. Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Roberts reports.
Spring takes root
Usually at this time, we talk with University of Minnesota climatologist Mark Seeley. Mark is on vacation this week, but if he were here, he'd be telling us what plants and wildlife are already telling us -- it's spring.
On the Carver Park Reserve near Victoria, there are many signs of the coming warm weather. Mary Vanderford is an interpretive naturalist at the Lowry Nature Center at Carver Park. She joins us now.
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