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May 10 - 14, 2004
[ Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday ]
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Monday, May 10, 2004 |
Special Minneapolis school opens new building
A private north Minneapolis school which educates some of the city's most difficult children has a new building. The Plymouth Christian Youth Center's grand opening is today. The school traces it's roots 50 years back to white seminarians who wanted to help young people in north Minneapolis. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports.
Fishing for stories
It's been said some of the best fishing takes place not on the water, but in stories. It might be a favorite piece of gear or the famous "big one that got away." It might be a story of spiritual renewal on a trout stream. To mark the opening of another fishing season, we asked Minnesota Public Radio reporters Dan Gunderson and Chris Julin to collect some good fish stories. You'll hear those stories all week on Morning Edition. Also, we want to read your stories. We'll tell you how to submit yours, after we hear this story of a son's first fish. Doug Leier is a biologist with the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.
Endless Summer hydrangeas are in bloom
Many gardeners are talking this spring about something new. Every year there's a new plant for the garden, but this year the buzz is big about a new hydrangea. It's called Endless Summer, and it was discovered in Cottage Grove, Minnesota. Minnesota gardeners like it because it's hardy -- and unusual. It blooms blue or pink, depending on the soil conditions. Vern Black, vice president of production at Bailey Nurseries in Cottage Grove, discovered the plant some 20 years ago. I paid him a visit to see some of the plants.
Minnesota's catch-and-release rule turns 20
The fishing opener is this coming Saturday, May 15th. Thousands of anglers will make their way to lakes and streams to try and catch that elusive trophy-size fish. Officials at the Department of Natural Resources believe that landing the big one is still a strong possibility, largely because of a catch-and-release rule passed some 20 years ago. The rule, which requires that fish of a certain size be released after they're caught, has kept fish populations healthy in many lakes and streams. Joining us on the line now is Ron Payer, chief of fisheries at the Department of Natural Resources.
Legislature begins final week
This is the final week of the 2004 legislative session, but there's no clear end in sight. Minnesota lawmakers are constitutionally mandated to adjourn one week from today, but they're having trouble reaching an agreement on a number of issues. That has lawmakers talking about what happens if they don't finish in time. Joining us now for the latest is from the Capitol is Laura McCallum, Minnesota Public Radio's Capitol Bureau Chief.
Monday Markets
Minnesota Public Radio's Chief Economics Correspondent Chris Farrell discusses the latest economic news.
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Tuesday, May 11, 2004 |
Agreement on social studies standards tough challenge
House and Senate negotiators will try to reach a compromise this week on one of the session's biggest education controversies -- social studies standards for Minnesota public schools. Conference committee members met for the first time yesterday to begin hammering out the broader education policy bill that will include the standards. Their challenge is finding common ground between two dramatically different approaches to teaching civics, economics, geography and history. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
Wetterling to announce candidacy for Congress
Patty Wetterling has scheduled a news conference for later today to formally enter the race for Congress in Minnesota's sixth district. Wetterling will seek the Democratic endorsement, and if she gets it will run against Republican incumbent Mark Kennedy. Since the abduction of her son Jacob in 1989, Wetterling has a built a national following for her work to protect children. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports.
Hatch wins round against drug companies
Minnesota Attorney General Mike Hatch is celebrating a ruling that forces the drug company GlaxoSmithKline to produce all documents related to the importation of prescription drugs. Hatch says the documents will show whether Glaxo and other major pharmaceutical companies are conspiring to block the importation of prescription drugs from Canada in retaliation for cross border drug sales. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
New book profiles state's first governor
In 1858, Minnesota became a state. Henry Hastings Sibley was its first govenor. He led the state during a time of big changes, when tensions were rising between European settlers and Native Americans. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Rhoda Gilman, the author of "Henry Hastings Sibley: Divided Heart." She says Sibley, who was born in Detroit, came to the Minnesota area when he was offered a new job with the American Fur Company.
Fish story that inolves a bird
Those who fly fish usually pursue trout. But sometimes, fly fishers catch the unexpected. All this week on Morning Edition, to mark the general fishing opener this Saturday, we're bringing you a collection of fish stories gathered by reporters Dan Gunderson and Chris Julin. Today, we hear this tale from fly fisherman Ron Miller.
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Wednesday, May 12, 2004 |
Kline on Iraqi prisoner abuse
Today, members of the Senate Armed Services Committee will see more pictures and video of American soldiers abusing Iraqi prisoners. The Pentagon will make the material available for viewing in a high-security room in the Capitol. The viewing comes a day after the beheading of an American citizen was shown on an Islamic Website. The video said the killing of Nick Berg was to avenge the abuse of Iraqis by American soldiers. Minnesota Second District Congressman Republican John Kline is on the House Armed Services committee. He says it is unclear when the new images of prisoner abuse will be made public.
Capitol negotiations tough to settle
Gov. Tim Pawlenty flew around the state yesterday in an attempt to pressure lawmakers to finish their work. With less than a week left in the session, all of the major issues are still unresolved. House and Senate leaders continue to wrangle over how to bring an orderly end to the session, and time is running out. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
Caesars gets rude welcoming at Capitol
Las Vegas-based Caesar's Entertainment has finally shown its Minnesota hand. After months of quiet lobbying, the company made a public pitch to lawmakers yesterday for a new, private casino. Caesar's officials have their eyes on a site next to the Mall of America in Bloomington -- but legislators from that area are bristling at the idea of a major gambling venue in their backyard. The package is one of several gambling options that are making the rounds at the Capitol in the final week of the regular session. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
Minneapolis police announce summer plans
In an ambitious attempt to reduce crime, the Minneapolis Police Department will focus law enforcement energy on high crime areas of the city. Project Safe Summer aims to cut violent crimes ten percent by putting officers where officials say they're needed most. The plan requires temporarily pulling inspectors and others from office work and moving them to street patrols. It also moves community officers into the targeted precinct. Some city council members worry about an increase in crime in areas losing law enforcement officers. Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes reports.
New ways of warning black men about STDs
Numbers released this week by the Minnesota Department of Health show sexually transmitted diseases are on the rise in Minnesota. Since 2002, new diagnoses of chlamydia have risen 5 percent, and gonorrhea is up 6 percent. Most of the increase is among people 15 to 24 years old. In Minneapolis, rates are particularly high among young African-American men. Now, with the help of a federal grant, health officials are trying new methods to reduce the spread of STDs among the young black men who are the hardest to reach. Minnesota Public Radio's Julie Siple reports.
Fish stories about fishing equipment
All this week, in honor of the general fishing opener on Saturday, we are bringing you some fish stories. Anglers can get pretty crazy about equipment. Be it a rod or boat or a lure. And have you ever seen some of the hats fly anglers wear? Today's story from Ron Miller's is about his love of a fishing reel.
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Thursday, May 13, 2004 |
Roseau preparing for flood
Residents of Roseau, Minnesota continue to prepare the town for what could be a major flood. Hundreds of residents have been sandbagging and building clay dykes all night along key parts of the Roseau river. The area around Roseau has seen up to six inches of rain since Monday. The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning and the National Guard is on standby to help if necessary. Roseau is still recovering from a flood two years ago that caused $120 million in damage. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Roseau Mayor Jeff Pelowski.
Rodriguez charged in Sjodin case
Convicted sex offender Alfonso Rodriguez Junior has pleaded not guilty to a federal charge in the kidnapping and death of Dru Sjodin. Rodriguez appeared in federal court in Fargo yesterday. He has been charged with kidnapping resulting in death. If he is convicted, the 51-year-old Rodriguez of Crookston, Minnesota, could face the death penalty. Mainstreet Radio's Bob Reha reports.
Stalemate drags on at Capitol
Minnesota lawmakers have less than a week before they are constitutionally mandated to adjourn the legislative session -- and all of the major issues are still unresolved. That includes a plan for balancing a state budget, and a bonding bill, which would borrow money to fund capital projects around the state. House and Senate leaders are still trying to figure out how to get things done, and what happens if they do not finish in time. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Minnesota Public Radio's Capitol Bureau Chief Laura McCallum, who has been keeping up with the negotiations.
Anti-smoking campaign gone; teen smoking up
Recently, the federal government published the results of a Minnesota study that shows teens are becoming more susceptible to smoking. The findings suggests the legislature's decision to cut anti-smoking money last year is to blame. The survey of 1,000 teenagers found that 53 percent consider themselves more likely to start smoking. That is up 10 percent from previous surveys. As Minnesota Public Radio's Lorna Benson reports, anti-smoking groups say the findings reaffirm that lawmakers made a mistake in gutting a key tobacco endowment.
Fish story from a youngster
All this week, we are marking the opening of the general fishing season on Saturday with a series of fish stories. Today, a big fish story. A real big fish story. Eamon Mackinaw is only six years old, but he has already caught the fish of a lifetime.
Wolves lose game 4 to Kings
The Minnesota Timberwolves lost to the Sacramento Kings 87-81 last night in game four of their NBA Western Conference semifinal series. The series is tied two games each, and returns to the Target Center on Friday night. The Kings played tenacious defense, forcing the Wolves into 24 turnovers. Joining us now is Brit Robson, who covers the team for the City Pages.
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Friday, May 14, 2004 |
More gambling appears dead at Capitol
The push to generate new state gambling revenues appears over for the year after a Senate committee last night rejected or passed over the major casino initiatives. The Senate Taxes committee, however, did approve a plan calling for the governor to discuss an off-reservation casino with any of the state's eleven Indian communities that express an interest. But with only days left in the legislative session, that proposal seems certain to stall. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports.
Effects of smoking bans in other cities
Both Minneapolis and St. Paul are debating proposals to ban smoking in all bars and restaurants. The Minneapolis proposal will be introduced today. Other major cities already have smoking bans, notably, Boston and New York. There's little debate about the hazards of second hand smoke, which is blamed for tens of thousands of deaths each year in the U.S. But debate about the economic effects of smoking bans rages on. Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Catlin reports.
Tuition expected to go up 14 percent at U of M
University of Minnesota undergraduates will likely pay 14 percent more for tuition next fall. Later this morning, University President Robert Bruininks will propose the increase and other budget measures to the board of regents. Bruininks will also announce a new scholarship program. Officials are calling it the largest effort in university history to raise scholarship support for students. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.
Roseau residents relieved to see river crest
People in the northwest Minnesota town of Roseau are catching their breath this morning. Residents spent several days preparing for what experts said could have been major flooding of the Roseau River, but the river has crested and the town has been spared from any major damage. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Mainstreet Radio reporter Tom Robertson who is in Roseau.
Some anglers say cormorants eating too many fish
All over Minnesota, people are getting ready for the general fishing opener tomorrow. Everyone wants to catch the big one. But they have competition. It comes in the form of the double-crested cormorant. The big black birds with long necks are fish eaters. Just like bald eagles, they were nearly wiped out by DDT in the 1970s. But now cormorants are back. Some anglers say there are too many cormorants, and they are eating too many fish. Mainstreet Radio's Stephanie Hemphill reports.
Duluth couple tells big fish stories through photos
For most Minnesota anglers, tomorrow's general fishing opener officially marks the start of the fishing season. But Brad and Julie Mackinaw have already been out fishing on the Rainy River along the Canadian border. They like big fish -- sturgeon, and muskies. At their house in Duluth, the basement wall is full of pictures of fish. This is their story.
Fishing is a social activity for commentator
Commentator Craig Bowron will not be wetting a line during tomorrow's opener, but he has in the past. He says he enjoys fishing more as social activity than as a sport. He has this perspective on the pursuit of the elusive Walleye.
Stopping people from dumping their goldfish
That little goldfish in the aquarium can be hazardous -- if you set it free. Workers in Duluth have temporarily sucked all the water out of a pond to kill all the pet fish people had released there. This is the first step in a national campaign to get people to quit releasing fish and plants from their aquariums and backyard ponds. Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Julin has more.
Political ads crowding out other advertisers on TV
There's been a wave of national political ads on Twin Cities television this spring-- and that's taking up airtime, and pushing up prices for businesses and organizations that regularly advertise on Twin Cities stations. Some of those advertisers are being forced out of broadcast television, and on to cable TV and radio. Nicole Garrison-Sprenger covered the story for the week's edition of "The Business Journal." She says TV executives did not anticipate so many political ads this early.
Wild Weather Week
University of Minnesota Climatologist Mark Seeley's weather comments include a discussion about wind damage, record high temperatures, thunderstorms, and then snowstorms in our region, all in one week's time.
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