|
September 20 - 24, 2004
[ Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday ]
|
Monday, Sept. 20, 2004 |
Independence Party trying to get candidates back on the ballot
The future of the Minnesota Independence Party could be determined in the courts in the next few days instead of in elections this November. That's because Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer, a Republican, said late last week that none of the Independence Party candidates would make the ballot because they didn't get enough votes in last week's primary election which saw record low turnout. DFL attorney General Mike Hatch agreed with Kiffmeyer in a legal opinion, but says the Independence Party may have a case to make at the state Supreme Court. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Independence Party chairman Jim Moore who's expected to make that case for his party.
Daschle and Thune debate on "Meet the Press"
The race for the U.S. Senate in South Dakota is one of the closest watched in the country. Former Republican Congressman John Thune is challenging Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle. The race is symbolic for both Republicans and Democrats. President Bush would like the Republican candidate to win as a vote for his agenda. Democrats want their leader to win as a vote against the president. Thune and Daschle debated yesterday before a national audience on NBC's "Meet the Press." Mainstreet Radio's Cara Hetland watched the debate with a dozen first time voters and she has this report.
Republicans face uphill battle against Peterson
In Minnesota's 7th Congressional District, Republicans face an uphill struggle as they try to unseat incumbent Democrat Collin Peterson. Peterson is seeking his 8th term in the U.S. House. He is challenged by political science professor David Sturrock of Marshall. Political observers say it appears Republicans will mount little more than token opposition. Mainstreet Radio's Dan Gunderson reports.
Newspaper finds success as independent
There's a lot of teeth-gnashing about media ownership these days. Some people wonder if TV and radio stations can be truly independent when they belong to big companies. And they worry that newspaper companies have gotten too big. In Minnesota all the major dailies are owned by big chains. It is getting harder to find an independently-owned newspaper. But you can still find them in small towns. Today we look at one called the Timberjay. This is part of our occasional series called "The Independents." Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Julin has the story.
Twins close in on division title. Santana on Cy Young
The Minnesota Twins can wrap up their third straight Central Division title with a victory over the White Sox in Chicago tonight. The Twins suffered lopsided losses to the Baltimore Orioles on Friday and Saturday, but bounced back yesterday winning 5-1, as pitching star Johan Santana tied a team record by winning his twelfth game in a row. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen has this report.
|
|
Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2004 |
Twins win third division title in a row
The Minnesota Twins won the American League Central Division for the third year in a row with an 8-2 win over the Chicago White Sox. The victory clinches a playoff spot for the Twins. It is the first time in the team's 44 year history they have won their division three years in a row. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Twins General Manager Terry Ryan who was with the team in Chicago.
Green Party presidential candidate visits Minnesota
The Wisconsin Elections Board meets today to consider whether independent presidential candidate Ralph Nadar should appear on the Wisconsin ballot this fall. Democrats have filed complaints about Nadar's nomination papers. Meanwhile, another presidential candidate, Green Party nominee David Cobb campaigns today in Iowa. Cobb, who was in Minnesota yesterday, acknowledges that he does not have the support necessary to win the race, but he says by laying the foundation for a growing third-party movement, his efforts will pay off in the long run. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
Public TV documentary on black history in Minnesota
Much has been written about Minnesota's early pioneers, but most of those stories center on white men.
Tomorrow night, you will learn more about Minnesota's African-American history. Twin Cities Public Television has spent several years creating a two-hour long documentary called "Northstar: Minnesota's Black Pioneers." The producer of this documentary is Minneapolis native, Dan Bergin. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Bergin, who says there are several stories you will see, one of which deals with Lena Smith, the state's first black female lawyer.
|
|
Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2004 |
MPR Poll: Iraq invasion worsens U.S. standing
The war in Iraq has taken center stage in the presidential election this week. Yesterday, during a speech to the U.N. General Assembly, President George W. Bush defended his decision to invade the country. The message came as Democratic challenger John Kerry has stepped up his criticism of the president's war planning. A new poll sponsored by Minnesota Public Radio and the St. Paul Pioneer Press suggests that most Minnesotans share Kerry's misgivings about certain aspects of the war and its aftermath -- but as Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports, a majority still says the president is better prepared to manage the situation.
Pawlenty and NWA unveil new airport plan
Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Eagan-based Northwest Airlines have unveiled their vision for a much larger Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. The plan presented to the media yesterday shows an airport ready to handle 60 percent more travelers by the year 2020. Officials with the state and the airline say they intend to make the Twin Cities the dominant air travel hub in the Midwest. Minnesota Public Radio's Jeff Horwich reports.
Profit in political passions
Usually businesses like to stay as far away from politics as possible. In a swing state like Minnesota, publicly casting your lot with one party or the other could turn off half your customers. But where most businesses see danger, a few see opportunity. Minnesota Public Radio's Jeff Horwich stopped by one store finding money to be made in the bitter political climate.
Cement prices affecting Minnesota
One of the basic building blocks of construction, cement, is in short supply across the U.S. That is causing higher prices and construction delays in many parts of the country. Here in Minnesota, the price of cement has gone up this summer faster than the rate of inflation, pushing up the costs of building everything from driveways to downtown office buildings. Joining us on the line is Fred Corrigan, Executive Director of the Aggregate Ready Mix Association of Minnesota.
Superior trail extended in Duluth
A small group of volunteers is taking advantage of late summer weather in Duluth, to build a new hiking trail. They are extending the Superior Hiking Trail from the North Shore right through the City of Duluth. Bob Kelleher caught up with the trail crew on a wooded hillside near Duluth's Spirit Mountain.
|
|
Thursday, Sept. 23, 2004 |
MPR poll: immigrants cost more than they contribute
Immigrants face a variety of challenges trying to assimilate in a new land. In Minnesota, that would include convincing many of their new neighbors that they are capable of contributing to the community. A new Minnesota Public Radio - St. Paul Pioneer Press poll shows that many state residents believe that the cost of helping immigrants get established here outweighs their contribution. Minnesota Public Radio's Toni Randolph reports.
Business groups making proposals on transportation
Two high powered business groups are developing proposals to spend billions of dollars to address transportation woes in the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota. The Itasca Project and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce are both considering increases in the gas tax and other funding proposals. But their ideas face an uncertain political future. Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Catlin reports.
New American Indian museum has Minnesota influence
Interior Secretary Gale Norton honors Native American artists during a reception today in Washington, D.C. This is one of many events scheduled this week to celebrate the opening of the new National Museum of the American Indian. The museum is on the National Mall, just blocks from the U.S. Capitol, and is made mostly out of limestone from Minnesota. Dwight Gourneau, a resident of Rochester, Minnesota, is the museum's board chairman. He is in Washington for the opening ceremonies and says the building looks much different than the others on the mall.
They count hawks, don't they?
People who watch birds get excited about Hawk Mountain in Pennsylvania. Each fall, about 20,000 raptors fly past Hawk Mountain on their way south. But there's an even bigger concentration of hawks and eagles in northern Minnesota where 30,000 raptors flew past Hawk Ridge in Duluth last week -- and that was in one day. It was a busy day, but it was not a record. Last year, 100,000 raptors flew past Hawk Ridge in a single day. We can tell you how many birds flew by because a couple of guys counted them. Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Julin has more from Duluth.
|
|
Friday, Sept. 24, 2004 |
Rocori school shooting one year later
School officials at Rocori High School in Cold Spring will mark an anniversary today. It was one year ago that a student opened fire on schoolmates Aaron Rollins and Seth Bartell. Both boys died. Sixteen year old Jason McLaughlin is charged with the shootings. His case is awaiting trial. After a year of intense media focus, school officials will commemorate the shooting with both private and public ceremonies. Minnesota Public Radio's Annie Baxter has covered this story over the last year. She has this look at the affects of the media's extensive coverage.
F. Scott Fitzgerald's birthplace made literary landmark
On his 108th birthday, St. Paul novelist F. Scott Fitzgerald is getting the local respect he did not get during his lifetime. A group of Minnesota book lovers will dedicate his St. Paul birthplace today as a National Literary Landmark. Critics have called Fitzgerald one of the greatest novelists of the 20th century. He is perhaps best known for his 1925 novel "The Great Gatsby" which embodies the spirit of the Jazz Age. While he was living in St. Paul, Fitzgerald earned a reputation for hard drinking and for living a life as colorful as his fictional characters. Minnesota Public Radio's Greta Cunningham went for a tour of the building where he was born.
Walking guide to F. Scott Fitzgerald's St. Paul
After the ceremony at Fitzgerald's birthplace making it a National Literary Landmark, a group of fans and admirers will embark on a guided tour of some of the other sites he saw during his time in Minnesota. One of the guides is author John Koblas who wrote "F. Scott Fitzgerald's St. Paul" a travel book full of stories about Fitzgerald's life mostly in the city, but also in White Bear Lake where he lived and partied in his 20s. Koblas says interest in Fitzgerald is still strong.
B-3 organ player exciting audiences
If it is Tuesday night at the Artists Quarter in St. Paul, It's "B3 Organ Night." For the last nine years Billy Holloman has been exciting audiences with the rich, soulful growl of his Hammond B3 organ. Now, Holloman is releasing a CD. It is called "This is Organ Night." Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Roberts reports.
Weather comments from Mark Seeley
University of Minnesota climatologist Mark Seeley discusses the effect of hurricanes on the Weather Channel cable TV channel. Seeley also tells listeners when fall colors are best seen and where.
Olde's journey to becoming a Minnesota Lynx star
The Minnesota Lynx of the WNBA begin a best of three playoff series tomorrow against Seattle. Most observers thought the Lynx did not have a chance to make the playoffs after their leading scorer, Katie Smith, went down with an injury during the Olympics. A big reason the Lynx have been able to win without Smith is the impressive performance of rookie center Nicole Ohlde. It has been quite a year for Ohlde. She was drafted by the Lynx after the team was unable to trade for the rights to former Gopher star Lindsay Whalen. And at the time of the draft, most local basketball fans had only seen Ohlde play once, when her Kansas State team was routed by the Gophers at Williams Arena in the NCAA tournament. In that game, Ohlde was outplayed by Gophers center Janel McCarville. Morning Edition's Jim Bickal stopped by practice this week to talk with Ohlde who says what she remembers most about the game against Minnesota was the noise.
|
| Morning Edition Archive |
|
|
|
© 2024 | Home : Terms of Use : Your Privacy Rights