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August 16 - 20, 2004
[ Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday ]
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Monday, Aug. 16, 2004 |
State House up for grabs in November
All eyes may be on the race for the White House, but Minnesota has a full slate of other races to watch this year. The state's eight congressional seats are up -- as are all 134 spots in the state House of Representatives. Republicans currently enjoy a substantial 28 seat majority in that body. That is the biggest edge the GOP has ever held in the House, since partisan elections were introduced in 1972. But Democrats say that is no reason the advantage cannot be flipped in November. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
Why companies buy back their ow stock
When hot companies like Google issue stock it can get a lot of attention. But after selling stock to the public, companies sometimes buy some of it back. When it sold the Marshall Field's chain in June, Target Corporation announced it would spend up to $3 billion to buy its own stock. We wondered why companies sometimes want their shares back. Here's Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Catlin.
Excerpt of global warming documentary "Climate of Uncertainty"
You may have seen this year's Hollywood film "The Day After Tomorrow" showing New York City crumbling under the next ice age. It may seem far-fetched, but some scientists say global warming might actually trigger a phenomenon they call "abrupt climate change." In this excerpt from a new American RadioWorks documentary, independent producer Daniel Grossman finds that cores of ice drilled from deep within the Earth show that, long ago, the world's climate changed suddenly and dramatically.
Art from pinhole camera pictures sent from around the world
Derrick Burbul is a pretty high-tech guy. He is a photographer, and he uses digital cameras. But he also loves pinhole cameras, and they are about as low-tech as you can get. Lately he has been sending pinhole cameras around the world in the mail and asking people to take pictures for him. The results went on display in Duluth over the weekend. Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Julin has the story.
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Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2004 |
Local doctors may have made a baby breakthrough
A rare disease makes it extremely risky for some women to have a child of their own. The condition is called Phenylketonuria (PKU). Women with the disease are missing an enzyme that's essential to metabolize protein. Most can live a normal life if they follow a strict diet. But there has not been much hope for female PKU patients who want their own healthy, biological child. Now two Minnesota doctors say they have figured out a way around that problem. They successfully facilitated the first in vitro fertilization birth using an egg from a woman with PKU. Minnesota Public Radio's Lorna Benson reports.
Pedestrian-train accidents puzzle officials
Over the last four years, ten people have died at railroad crossing accidents in Fargo-Moorhead. All ten were pedestrians. Some of the victims were elderly. One was a teenager. None of the accidents happened at crossings thought to be especially dangerous, and none of the deaths appear to be suicides. The accidents have local officials shaking their heads and looking for answers. Mainstreet Radio's Bob Reha reports.
Catching up with Minnesotans at the Olympics
Minnesotans competing at the Olympics in Athens, Greece have seen mixed results so far. Synchronized diving competitor Sara Hildebrand and her partner came in seventh out of 8 teams after her partner hit her foot on the diving platform on their first attempt. But, swimmer Tom Malchow did manage to reach the 200 meter butterfly finals even though he has an injured shoulder. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Morning Edition Sports Commentator and Star Tribune reporter Jay Weiner.
Twins open big homestand versus Yankees and Indians
The Minnesota Twins open a big homestand today with three games against the New York Yankees and then three games against their new division rival the Cleveland Indians. The Twins lead the American League Central Division by 2 1/2 games, but have been leaking a little oil recently. Looming large in their rear view mirror, the young up-and-coming Indians who took two of three games from the Twins over the past weekend in Cleveland. Joining us on the line is La Velle Neal who covers the Twins for the Star Tribune.
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Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2004 |
Bush to visit western Wisconsin and St. Paul
President George W. Bush is due back in the region today for more campaign appearances. Mr. Bush will be in Hudson, Wisconsin this afternoon for an "Ask President Bush" question and answer session. Later the president will be at the Xcel Center in downtown St. Paul for a rally. This latest presidential visit comes less than two weeks after Bush made campaign stops in southern Minnesota. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports.
Presidential politics in western Wisconsin
President George W. Bush's campaign visit to Hudson, Wisconsin, in the western part of the state, is a nod to that area's population growth. But, even though it is in Wisconsin, the area is considered part of the Twin Cities media market. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spoke with professor Tracy Gladstone-Sovell, a political scientist at the University of Wisconsin -- River Falls, about the presidential politics of that part of the state.
Campaigns go high tech to get out the vote
The tight race for president is forcing each political party to rely on grass roots campaigning to turn out every vote they can this fall. It is common for activists to campaign door to door, but this year they are armed with some new technological tools. They are using the internet and palm pilots to identify likely voters. They are also asking people for money and other support. As part of an occasional series "every vote counts," Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
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Thursday, Aug. 19, 2004 |
Bush campaigns in Hudson and St. Paul
President George W. Bush is in Crawford, Texas, today -- resting after a bus tour that took him through Wisconsin and Minnesota. The president made a campaign stop yesterday just across the St. Croix River in Hudson, Wisconsin, followed by a rally at the Xcel Energy Center in downtown St. Paul. He repeated many of the campaign's familiar themes on the economy and the war in Iraq. But he also opened the dialogue slightly by inviting audience members to pepper him with questions. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
Stakes are high in South Dakota Senate race
U.S. Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle is in a tough fight for re-election. Daschle, a Democrat from South Dakota, is in his closest race since first being elected to the Senate in 1986. His opponent is Republican John Thune, a former congressman who narrowly lost his first race for Senate two years ago. A major focus of the campaign is Daschle's leadership position, and what it means for South Dakota. Daschle and Thune debated each other for the first time Wednesday, on the subject of farm policy.
Job-z program gets good early grades
State officials say Minnesota's Job-z program is exceeding some early expectations, but it has also been hit and miss among more than 300 Job-z sub-zones in rural Minnesota. That from a six month report on the economic program. Preliminary results were released in Hibbing Wednesday. Mainstreet Radio's Bob Kelleher reports.
Revenues for light rail higher than forecast
Another indication that the Hiawatha light rail line is succeeding. Fares collected in the line's first month are higher than expected. Joining us on the line is Mark Fuhrmann, acting General Manager of the Hiawatha line.
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Friday, Aug. 20, 2004 |
Recall effort of St. Paul Mayor Randy Kelly to be launched
The effort to recall St. Paul Mayor Randy Kelly is expected to kickoff on Saturday. Organizers of the effort say they are upset over the DFL mayor's endorsement of Republican President George W. Bush, and unhappy with Kelly's appearance with Bush at a campaign rally at Xcel Energy Center. Organizers must collect 11,972 signatures on a petition. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spoke with David Duddingston who is one of the leaders of the recall effort.
Weather comments from Mark Seeley
University of Minnesota climatologist Mark Seeley discusses the cool summer weather, the fall climate outlook, and his weather quiz at the coming State Fair.
Creating the Avis or Hertz of boat rentals
Having a family boat on the lake can be expensive. First you have to buy the boat, then you have to store it. And, of course, there is insurance. But what if you could enjoy a day at the lake by renting a boat? That is the idea behind a new business for Minnesota-based Genmar Holdings, the nation's biggest recreational boatmaker. Joining us on the line is Sam Black, who wrote about Genmar's new program in this week's edition of "The Business Journal."
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