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April 19 - 23, 2004
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Monday, April 19, 2004 |
Bus strike over and ridership expected to drop
After a 44-day-long-strike, Metro area buses began running at 1 a.m. this morning. Metro Transit officials say many riders are telling them they're happy the strike is over. But they say they also know that such a long strike means a number of riders may have found other transportation, and may never return to riding the bus. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.
Riders are back on buses
The buses are on the road again in the Twin Cities, after a six-week strike. Late last week, union workers voted to approve a contract with the Metropolitan Council. They will operate a full schedule today, with more than 700 buses on 135 routes. Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes has been covering the story, and is riding a bus in Minneapolis this morning. He joins us now.
Former U.S. Attorney Lillehaug on Sjodin case
Thomas Heffelfinger, the U.S. Attorney for Minnesota, is not commenting about the possibility of federal charges in the case against Alfonso Rodriguez. Rodriguez has been charged in the kidnapping of Dru Sjodin. Sjodin's body was found Saturday near Crookston, five months after she was last seen leaving a Grand Forks, North Dakota, shopping mall. Because Sjodin's body was found in Minnesota, she may have been taken across state lines. David Lillehaug is a former U.S. Attorney for Minnesota. He says the case appears to qualify for federal charges.
Revisiting the Red River floods of 1997
Today marks the 7th anniversary of the devastating Red River Flood. In 1997, nearly 50,000 people had to flee their homes as the Red River overflowed its banks, burst through dikes, and did billions of dollars in damage. Residents of Grand Forks, North Dakota and East Grand Forks, Minnesota have spent years rebuilding their communities. There is a new book about the flood, the events that led to it, and what happened in its aftermath. Ashley Shelby is the author of "Red River Rising: The Anatomy of a Flood and the Survival of an American City." She joins us now.
Session 2004 has just one month to go
Minnesota lawmakers are constitutionally mandated to adjourn the legislative session four weeks from today -- so if they want to avoid a special session, they will need to work quickly. The House and Senate will have to reconcile very different plans for fixing a projected shortfall of $160 million, and neither body has passed a bonding bill to fund capitol projects around the state. Meanwhile, the Senate has been busy deciding whether to confirm Gov. Tim Pawlenty's commissioners. Joining us now is Laura McCallum, Minnesota Public Radio's Capitol Bureau Chief.
Timberwolves open playoffs with win
The Minnesota Timberwolves took the first step towards shedding the first-round playoff jinx by beating the Denver Nuggets 106 to 92 at the Target Center Sunday night. The team has a streak of seven straight losses in the opening round of the NBA playoffs. This year fans are hoping that not only will the Wolves take the best of seven game series, but they'll make it all the way to the finals for the first time in team history. Minnesota Public Radio's Brandt Williams reports.
MPR's Chris Farrell's Monday Market comments
Minnesota Public Radio's Chief Economics Correspondent discusses developments in the economy and the coming week on Wall Street.
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Tuesday, April 20, 2004 |
Stanek resignation unlikely to affect other confirmations
Senate DFL leaders say last week's resignation of Public Safety Commissioner Rich Stanek will not affect the pending confirmations of other Pawlenty cabinet members. They say they will continue to scrutinize the governor's commissioners. Many DFL Senators say they are particularly concerned about Education Commissioner Cheri Pierson Yecke, whose confirmation vote by the Senate Education Committee is scheduled for one week from today. Republicans say DFLers are playing politics with qualified gubernatorial appointees. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
Roger Moe saw many confirmations in Senate
Former DFL Senate Majority Leader Roger Moe has seen many commissioner confirmations during his 32 years in the Senate. He spoke with Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer about the confirmation process.
Microsoft settles Minnesota suit
Bill Gates will not be coming to Minnesota after all -- at least not to testify on his company's behalf. Yesterday, lawyers for Microsoft and for Minnesota consumers announced a settlement in the class action suit against the company. The settlement prematurely ends the first trial ever to result from a class action suit against the software maker. Minnesota Public Radio's Jeff Horwich reports.
Medieval history comes to life in Augsburg class
An interdisciplinary class on medieval history at Augsburg College is creating a memorable learning experience for a new class of freshmen. Forget stodgy lectures; think time travel. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.
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Wednesday, April 21, 2004 |
Nader campaigns in Rochester
Presidential candidate and consumer safety advocate Ralph Nader was in Rochester yesterday to discuss corporate responsibility. It has been nearly 40 years since Nader's book "Unsafe At Any Speed" prompted reforms in the auto industry. Since then Nader's moved into politics. In 2000, he was the Green Party's presidential candidate and gained more than two percent of the popular vote. Now despite an outcry from both major parties, Nader's decided to run again for the White House again. Minnesota Public Radio's Erin Galbally reports.
Bus routes changing because of light rail
The first light rail service in Minneapolis will start as early as mid-June. The April 3rd start was delayed by the Metro Transit bus drivers strike. The anticipated June Hiawatha line startup ushers in a major bus route realignment. Officials say the bus changes affect south Minneapolis, Edina, Richfield and Bloomington. The routes are being modified to bring passengers to light rail stations. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports.
The inside politics of bonding projects
A House committee starts debate today on a Republican sponsored bill that calls for about $683 million in state borrowing for various public works and land improvement projects. The bonding bill in the House is a bit smaller than the one offered by Gov. Tim Pawlenty. The Senate has yet to release its bonding bill. There are a number of transportation projects in the House bonding bill including $37 million for the Northstar Commuter Rail Line, as well as for roads and bridges. And $4 million for something called Personal Rapid Transit. One project that lost state money, the Northwest busway. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spoke with the legislative sponsor of the busway, Kurt Zellers, a Republican from Maple Grove and Republican Representative Mark Olson from Big Lake.
Mother of soldier who's tour was extended
Army Specialist Eric Francis was supposed to leave Baghdad, Iraq this week on a trip that would have brought him back to Minnesota. But the welcome home parties are on hold because Francis is one of the 21,000 soldiers who's time in Iraq has been extended by the Bush administration. Francis has been in Iraq since last last July. He was due to return to his base in Germany and then hop on a plane for home on a 30 day leave. His tour has been extended for at least 3 months which hasn't settled well with his mother. Joining us on the line is Eric Francis' mom Karen Santiano-Francis.
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Thursday, April 22, 2004 |
Pawlenty goes to Pfizer shareholder's meeting
Gov. Tim Pawlenty heads to St. Louis today in the hopes of using the state's shareholder power to force the world's largest drug company to lower prescription drug prices for Americans. The governor intends to support a shareholder proposal that would limit how much Pfizer can charge for its drugs. Minnesota owns less than one percent of Pfizer's total value, but Pawlenty hopes his visit will get the ball rolling on a shareholder initiative to lower prescription drug prices. Critics say any proposal to change pricing is unlikely to pass because it would harm Pfizer's stock price. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
Some ready to give Stanek another chance
A committee charged with improving relations between the Minneapolis Police Department and communities of color met to discuss the return of Rich Stanek to the police force. Stanek resigned his post as the state's public safety commissioner last Friday after a 1992 deposition resurfaced in which Stanek admitted that he used racial slurs to describe people of color. The committee didn't take a formal position last night. Some members say Stanek could be forgiven for his remarks but should first make amends to the communities he offended. Minnesota public radio's Brandt Williams reports.
Cable companies reject mediation offer to resolve Twins dispute
Gov. Tim Pawlenty is offering a plan to return Minnesota Twins games to television. Nearly two-thirds of the team's games are being televised this year by Victory Sports One, a start-up cable channel owned by the team. But the new channel isn't carried by the state's largest cable and satellite providers. Pawlenty is worried the blackout will sour Minnesotans on a proposed new ballpark for the team. So he's now asking the state Bureau of Mediation Services to help the parties craft a deal that puts the games back on TV. While Victory Sports One is welcoming Pawlenty's involvement, the state's two largest cable companies say the proposal misses the mark. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
Report rekindles snowplowing debate
The snow has melted, but the debate over last winter's snowplowing continues. State transportation officials on Wednesday released a report showing the state Department of Transportation met its snowplowing goals over the winter. But they say it took longer to remove snow and ice from the roads because this winter was snowier than the year before. DFL legislative leaders who criticized MnDOT all winter say the agency is putting a positive spin on its poor plowing performance. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
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Friday, April 23, 2004 |
Pfizer shareholders reject Pawlenty's plea
Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty is back in Minnesota this morning after traveling to a St. Louis suburb to attend Pfizer's annual shareholder meeting. Shareholders strongly rejected Pawlenty's attempt to force Pfizer to lower drug prices in the U.S. While Pawlenty's efforts with Pfizer and his plans to import drugs from other countries are getting plenty of attention, some argue there are more effective ways to lower drug prices. They say Pawlenty and others need to look to Washington to come up with a viable solution. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
Closing corporate tax loopholes
State tax officials have recently noticed a curious trend: corporate profits are up, but corporate tax payments are down. Democrats in the Minnesota Senate say there's a simple reason. Minnesota businesses, they argue, are exploiting loopholes to duck paying their fair share of taxes. But Republicans and the business community say one person's loophole is another one's legitimate tax deduction. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has this look at the alleged loophole, how it's used and sometimes abused.
South Dakota company moves into JOBZ area
What Gov. Tim Pawlenty calls the "mother of all economic incentives" has landed its first big out-of-state prize for rural Minnesota. A South Dakota company says Minnesota's "Job Opportunity Building Zones" or JOB - zee program, played an important role in its decision to expand to Luverne. But despite Pawlenty's enthusiasm, officials with Total Card, Inc. say JOB-zee was not the most important factor. Pawlenty will be in southwest Minnesota today to welcome Total Card to Luverne. It's a sweet catch for Pawlenty, who says he's sick and tired of seeing Minnesota companies move west. Mainstreet Radio's Mark Steil reports.
Region mourns Dru Sjodin
Friends and family of Dru Sjodin will attend a wake this afternoon at the Lutheran Church in Cross Lake. Searchers found Sjodin's body last Saturday in a ravine near Crookston, Minnesota. The Sjodin case has captivated the state and much of the nation for the last five months. Some of those who knew her say, finding her body will help them mourn. Mainstreet Radio's Bob Reha reports.
Medtronic stock flat-lining
The price of Medtronic's stock hasn't risen much over the past three years, and that has analysts talking. Medtronic's stock has generally been fast-growing, and the Fridley-based company has actually split its stock ten times since 1960 to keep the shares affordable. And Medtronic continues to grow in earnings and sales -- something that has analysts speculating that the stock might be undervalued. Sam Black covered the story for this week's edition of The Business Journal. He's come by the studio this morning.
Climatologist Mark Seeley on TV weather news
University of Minnesota Climatologist Mark Seeley discusses recent news coverage of severe weather, and says the rains we received were needed in most parts of the state.
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