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September 27 - October 1, 2004
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Monday, Sept. 27, 2004 |
Racial learning gap defies easy solution
Any way you look at it, students of color aren't doing as well in school as their white classmates. The academic disparities among racial groups are known collectively as "the achievement gap." Each round of test scores puts the problem in sharp focus. It's a persistent, national problem. But recent reports have shown an especially wide gap in Minnesota. There's no single cause or a clear solution. Still, schools are under increased pressure to close the divide. All this week, Minnesota Public Radio is examining the issue. Reporter Tim Pugmire begins our series, "The Education Achievement Gap: Minnesota's Embarrassment," with this overview.
Undecided voter still weighing presidential candidates
For most American voters, there's little question which candidate they will be supporting in the presidential election. Most people made up their minds a long time ago. With the nation so evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats, political observers say the major party faithful will basically cancel each other out at the polls in November. They say power to decide the election ultimately belongs to undecided so-called "swing" voters, roughly 10% of eligible voters. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik tracked down an undecided voter to talk about the presidential race.
Kerry causing stir in Wisconsin small town
Democratic Presidential candidate John Kerry is in Spring Green, Wisconsin this morning, preparing for Thursday's debate with President Bush. Kerry's decision to do his debate prep at the House on the Rock resort is creating quite a stir in the small Wisconsin town. One of the people most excited about the arrival of the Kerry camp is Todd Miller, a Democrat running for the Wisconsin State Assembly, and the co-owner of the Spring Green General Store.
Many factors involved in potential Vikings sale
A sold-out crowd at the Metrodome saw the Minnesota Vikings defeat the Chicago Bears 27-22 yesterday. But fans have also been watching off the field, and behind-the-scenes action of Vikings management. Speculation is flying about a potential sale of the team. There are few details available yet about the potential bid, but Mainstreet Radio's Bob Reha reports, there are a lot of factors which could come into play if a sale goes forward. It will also involve a lot of money.
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Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2004 |
Supreme Court allows Independence Party candidates to stay on ballot
Two dozen Independence Party candidates for the U.S. Congress and the state House of Representatives have been cleared to appear on the ballot this November. The state Supreme Court ruled yesterday that a little-known election law could not be used to block the candidates from appearing in the general election even though they failed to meet a minimum threshold of voter support outlined in the law. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
The cost of Minnesota's education achievement gap
All this week on Minnesota Public Radio, we are examining the racial achievement gap in education. Minnesota's achievement gap is wide and persistent. By junior high, nearly half of this state's minority students are testing well below their white counterparts in reading, writing and math. Poverty, experts say, is one of the most reliable indicators of who will fall into the achievement gap, and minorities are disproportionately represented among the state's poor. They and society pay a high cost for their not doing well in school. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson has the next report in our series, "The Education Achievement Gap: Minnesota's Embarassment."
A "True Story" from a soldier in Iraq
Here's a "True Story" obtained by one of our reporters who often get recordings of good stories that do not fit in the reporter's stories. Today, we meet David Lavelle is an Army medic, and he spent a year in Iraq. He recorded his thoughts into a tape recorder. He says Iraqi civilians were ready to believe the worst of American troops. He made this recording in December of 2003.
The last men's suit seller in Marshall is Mister Cool
Mister Cool's Clothing is the last men's clothing store in the town of Marshall, Minnesota. There used to be four men's stores on Main Street. After the mall opened, one by one clothing stores either closed or followed the crowd to the mall. But one man kept his business on Main Street. His store is the only place for about 80 miles where men can buy a suit. Mainstreet Radio's Cara Hetland has the story of Mister Cool's Clothing. It is part of our occasional series called, "The Independents."
Giving confidence to those who get fired
The economy is growing, but employment numbers continue to lag behind that growth. Harvey MacKay, the chairman of the MacKay Envelope Company, and author of a new book called "We Got Fired!" says his new book is intended to instill confidence in anyone who has recently been fired. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spoke with him about the book.
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Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2004 |
Voter registration cards in short supply
Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer says unusually high demand for voter registration cards has forced her office to ration out a a dwindling supply of the forms. Several activist groups have complained the lack of cards is hurting their efforts to register new voters. But Kiffmeyer says a quarter million new forms will arrive by early next week -- and that voters should not worry about a lack of supplies. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
Can early education close the achievement gap?
Minnesota's achievement gap between students of color and their white peers is a persistent and troubling problem. Tests consistently show that African American students in particular perform much lower than their white classmates in reading and math, no matter what the grade level. Closing the gap is a top priority for educators and state officials. Ideas are plentiful. But lately, one suggestion has won over more than just educators. Scientists and economists are on board too. In the next installment of our series, "The Education Achievement Gap: Minnesota's Embarrassment," Minnesota Public Radio's Lorna Benson looks at the arguments for educating kids long before kindergarten.
Hennepin Co. building security a year after shooting
A year ago today, a woman opened fire on the 17th floor of the Hennepin County Government Center in Minneapolis. The shooting outside a courtroom killed one person and wounded another. It also began a debate that culminated in a decision to install metal detectors and take other security measures in the building to improve security. Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes reports.
Campaign 2004: Health care
Health care is a top issue in the presidential campaign. Both President Bush and Democratic challenger John Kerry have laid out their plans. On Midmorning today, host Kerri Miller and her guests and callers dissect the issue and lay out the choices. It is part of a series of weekly Midmorning programs about issues important in the election called "Slicing the Spin." Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Minnesota Public Radio reporter Mark Zdechlik who outlines the health care issue.
Commentator: Reimporting drugs from Canada
The Presidential candidates have differing ideas on the merits of reimporting prescription drugs from Canada. Commentator Irving Lerner is the Medical Director for Oncology at United Hospital in St. Paul. He has his own ideas on that subject.
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Thursday, Sept. 30, 2004 |
Minnesota's minority population growing rapidly
New numbers from the U.S. Census bureau show a growing racial divide in Minnesota's population. The new estimates show the population of younger Minnesotans from minority groups is booming. For example in Hennepin County, the number of Hispanic kids under five years old is growing 15 times faster than the rate for white kids. Meanwhile, the state's population of retired people remains overwhelmingly white. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spoke with State Demographer Tom Gillaspy.
Roots of gap based in race, class, cultural differences
In Minnesota, there is a wide gap in educational achievement of white and black students. This achievement gap is particularly frustrating for black parents and students. But low performance by African American students is not new. There have always been educational barriers for African Americans. You need only look back at generations of school segregation and racial discrimination. But others say some of the barriers are often imposed by the students themselves. MPRs Brandt Williams has the latest report in our series, "The Education Achievement Gap: Minnesota's Embarrassment."
Darfur refugees in Minnesota watching their homeland
The situation in the Darfur region of western Sudan continues to deteriorate. The United Nation's estimates more than 50,000 people are dead as a result of ethnic strife, and roughly 1.5 million people are now refugees. Here in Minnesota, a small population of refugees from Darfur is watching in horror as the conflict claims relatives and friends thousands of miles away. Mainstreet Radio's Erin Galbally has this report.
Truckers to get training on identifying terrorism
Commercial truck drivers will be trained on how to identify potential terroristic threats through a new program called "Highway Watch." The first training sessions will be held today in Bloomington. The program is sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security and local trucking associations. Joining us now is John Hausladen of the Minnesota Trucking Association.
Robert Smith: "The Rest of the Iceberg"
Daunte Culpepper. Kevin Garnett. The names instantly evoke athletic glory in the minds of sports fans. But the image of sports celebrity is only an image according to former Minnesota Vikings running back Robert Smith. Smith retired from pro football in 2001 at the age of 28. He left the game at the height of his career with millions of dollars waiting for him in his next contract. Smith has been tight-lipped about why he retired. He answers that question... and discusses the darker side of celebrity and celebrity-worship in a new book called "The Rest of the Iceberg." Smith... who had many injuries as a player... says he wanted to walk away from football early rather than limp away late.
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Friday, Oct. 1, 2004 |
Northwest Airlines CEO Richard Anderson resigns
Northwest Airlines CEO Richard Anderson is stepping down. Anderson is expected to take a position as an executive with United Health Group. Northwest is elevating company president Doug Steenland to replace Anderson immediately. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Joel Denney, an airline analyst with investment firm Piper Jaffray.
Undecided voter still undecided after first presidential debate
Many undecided voters watched President George W. Bush and Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry at last night's presidential debate. Polls suggest undecided voters make up roughly ten percent of the voting public, and could tip the election in many battleground states like Minnesota. Earlier this week, Morning Edition aired a story about Joe Raasch and undecided voter from Shakopee. In the story, he said he was looking forward to the debates to help him make up his mind. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Raasch who says the debate last night was not enough to get him to commit.
Don Hewitt watches debate in South Dakota
The director of the first televised presidential debate watched last night's debate in South Dakota. Don Hewitt was at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion. He was the recipient of the 2004 Al Neuharth award for Excellence in Journalism. Hewitt is the creator of the CBS news program "60 Minutes" and he produced the 1960 debate between John Kennedy and Richard Nixon. Mainstreet Radio's Cara Hetland reports.
Political muralist opens art show
The work of artist Mike Alewitz is currently on display in an unusual place: an art gallery. His wall sized murals are intended for more public-- and often more dangerous-- spaces. He is painted murals on buildings along the Israeli Palestinian border and on the bombed streets of Baghdad. And here in Minnesota, one of his murals provided a backdrop to the Hormel strike in 1986. A show of Alewitz's work at St. Cloud State's Kiehle gallery gives an overview of the career of one of the country's most prolific political muralists. Mainstreet Radio's Annie Baxter met up with Alewitz before the show's opening yesterday.
Best Buy to launch store selling health and wellness
Electronics retailer Best Buy is launching a new effort to sell health and wellness products like home spas. The big box retailer known for selling items like computers and DVDs is targeting the new effort at women between the ages of 45 and 65. To start the company is opening a model store in the Twin Cities next year. If it is successful, Best Buy could launch a new chain of health and wellness stores. Joining us on the line is reporter Sam Black who wrote about this story in this week's edition of "The Business Journal."
Mark Seeley's weather comments
University of Minnesota Climatologist Mark Seeley talks about the number of tornados in the U.S. this year is high because of the many hurricanes that have hit the country. He also says the temperatures in Minnesota in September were much higher than normal.
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