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November 1 - 5, 2004
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Monday, Nov. 1, 2004 |
Last few days confirms Minnesota a battleground state
It won't be long now until all the ads, rallies and other signs of an election year go back into hibernation. But Campaign 2004 is going out in a blaze. And Minnesota's status as a battleground state means residents here have been treated to -- or subjected to -- an up-close view of the frantic pace of presidential political campaigns. That was the case this weekend, as campaign appearances, get-out-the-vote rallies, and new polls all contributed to the election hubub. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen reports.
GOP and DFL chairmen get message out on election eve
On Tuesday, Americans across the country will go to the polls to elect a president. Minnesotans will also be deciding who to send to the U.S. Congress and to the state House in St. Paul. Both the Republican and DFL parties have been working hard to convince Minnesotans to get out and vote for their respective candidates. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spoke with are the state leaders of those two parties -- Republican Ron Eibensteiner and DFLer Mike Erlandson.
Voting basics for Tuesday
The campaigning is nearly over. The candidates have made their pitches. It is now time for voters to make their choices. Tomorrow is Election Day. Experienced voters know where to go and what to do. Others will enter the voting booth for the first time and may be unsure about what it takes to exercise their democratic right. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire has this look at the basic rules for voting.
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Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2004 |
Polls are open for election 2004
The polls in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and South Dakota have been open for about 50 minutes already. In addition to choosing a president, voters are also deciding which candidates to send to the U.S. Congress and, in Minnesota, to the state House in St. Paul. We sent two of our reporters out this morning to see how things are going. Bob Kelleher is at a polling place in Duluth, and Art Hughes is watching voters cast their ballots in Minneapolis.
Poll watchers likely to challenge some voters
Most Minnesotans will vote today without a hitch. However, it's almost certain that hundreds will be challenged on their right to cast a ballot. The close election, memories of Florida's voting irregularities and partisan passions will cause challengers from both major parties to scrutinize what happens at the polling place. Minnesota law allows each major party to have one challenger at each polling place. But election officials say they've trained election judges to make sure the challengers behave themselves. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports.
MPR Poll: Majority want tribes to share gambling revenues
A new Minnesota poll shows a majority of Minnesotans favor a gaming proposal from Gov. Tim Pawlenty. The governor wants Indian tribes to share some of their gambling revenue with the state. The poll, conducted last week for Minnesota Public Radio and the St. Paul Pioneer Press, also shows most Minnesotans are opposed to an expansion of gambling in the state. Mainstreet Radio's Tom Robertson reports.
Minnesota farmers see bumper corn crop
Farmers are finding just about every extreme possible in their crops during the harvest this year. In some areas work has stopped because fields are too muddy. In many areas, soybeans are a disappointment. One crop, however, is surpassing all predictions: Corn. Mainstreet Radio's Mark Steil reports.
Minnesotan reviews National Museum of the American Indian in D.C.
Up next, some opinions about developments in Washington, D.C. that have nothing to do with presidential politics. Architectural critic Bette Hammel has just returned from our nation's capitol where she got to see the National Museum of the American Indian for the first time. Hammel stopped by the studio to give us her impressions of the latest addition to the National Mall. She says the building itself is stunning, thanks in part to Minnesota materials.
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Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2004 |
Kerry takes Minnesota
While we are still waiting for the final results in the presidential race, we do know that John Kerry will get Minnesota's 10 electoral votes. Minnesota, labeled for the first time in decades a presidential battleground state, voted for the Democrat, as it has for nearly three decades. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports.
Democrats win big in Minnesota House races
DFLers have made significant gains in the Minnesota House. Although we're still waiting on some results, it's possible that the House may be tired 67-67 after a number of Republican incumbents lost last night, some by thin margins. Joining us now is Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo.
Minnesota members of Congress return to Washington
Minnesota is sending all of the state's incumbents back to Congress. Republican Mark Kennedy defeated DFL challenger Patty Wetterling in the race that garnered most of the attention. Kennedy received 54 percent of the vote in Minnesota's 6th District to Wetterling's 46 percent of the vote. Kennedy's victory means that Minnesota's congressional delegation will be split with four Republicans and four Democrats. Members of both parties say they hope to put the recent partisan rhetoric behind them when they go back to Washington. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
Daschle goes down to defeat in South Dakota
Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle has been defeated by former South Dakota Congressman John Thune by about 6000 votes. Joining us now with more on that race is Minnesota Public Radio's Cara Hetland, who is in Sioux Falls.
Small glitches, but no major meltdowns at Minnesota polls
Minnesota's reputation for clean elections didn't stop political parties and other interest groups from watching closely Tuesday for signs of voter fraud or other possible problems at the polls. Voter turnout was heavy throughout the state. There were scattered reports of broken scanning machines, and there was confusion over registration requirements. Also, some precincts ran out of ballots. However, the closest thing to a controversy centered on the presence of political activists near the polls. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
DFLers' success in state House races could affect session
Democrats won big in Minnesota House races last night, and at least one race is still undecided. That means the House could be tied, with 67 Republicans and 67 Democrats. The last time that happened was in the late 1970s. What happened? Gustavus Adolphus Political Science Professor Chris Gilbert joins us now.
Speaker Sviggum watching as state House races unfold
Close margins are shaping up in the Minnesota House. As we speak, Republicans are still in the majority, but by just one member. Democrats picked up a substantial number of seats last night, and now there are 67 Republicans and 66 DFLers. However, there are several close races that may go to a recount, and there is one race still being tallied this morning. House Speaker Steve Sviggum is in Mora right now, at the home of Republican incumbent Judy Soderstrom. She is leading her DFL challenger, Tim Faust, but not by much.
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Thursday, Nov. 4, 2004 |
DFL influence grows at the State Capitol
Republicans in the Minnesota Senate will meet today to select a new minority leader. Meanwhile, Republicans in the Minnesota House narrowly maintained their majority in Tuesday's election, squeaking through with a one-vote margin. Democrats picked up 13 seats, including five held by Republican committee chairs. The close headcount in the House could lead to more bipartisan cooperation - or greater gridlock. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
Rochester area suprises by sending DFLers to St. Paul
DFLers made some surprising gains around the state on election night -- especially in the Rochester area. The community has long been known as a GOP stronghold. But that changed significantly when voters unseated two Republican incumbents. Now, for the first time in more than 30 years, the city will have DFL representation at the Capitol. Minnesota Public Radio's Erin Galbally reports.
Loss puts Wetterling's political future in the air
Democrat Patty Wetterling lost her bid for Congress by 30,000 votes this week. But political observers say Wetterling, as a first time candidate, made a good showing against incumbent Mark Kennedy. Now many wonder about Wetterling's political future. Mainstreet Radio's Tim Post has more in this report.
Business community eyes legislative surprise
Despite all the attention given to a presidential election, for many in the business community state legislative races are of greater interest. On that front, this week's election yielded a major surprise. At least 13 seats in Minnesota's House of Representatives will shift from Republican to DFL control. The once solid Republican majority is now hair-thin. What's a state economy to make of this? Minnesota Public Radio's Jeff Horwich reports.
Timberwolves off to good start in new season
The Minnesota Timberwolves's began the N-B-A season on the right foot with a 99 to 93 win last night over the New York Knicks. The Wolves are coming off their best season ever last year when they made it all the way to the Western Conference Finals. The league's Most Valuable Player Kevin Garnett returns along with almost every key member of last year's team. That puts the Timberwolves in position for a run at the NBA Championship. Joining us on the line is Brit Robson who covers the Timberwolves for The City Pages.
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Friday, Nov. 5, 2004 |
Training is key for state's "challenged" job market
Economists are still looking for signs the job market is healthy again. But for those who are not healthy themselves, even looking for a job is a major challenge -- in good times and bad. More than 20 percent of working-age Minnesotans have a disability of some sort. Others are recovering from addiction that sent their working lives off the rails. Minnesota Public Radio's Jeff Horwich reports.
Duluth theater changes hands
The NorShor Theatre in downtown Duluth is under new management again. The theatre has already gone through several incarnations. It started in 1910 as a theatre for plays and vaudeville acts. In the 1940s it was remodeled into a movie theatre. When that closed, it became a funky bar, featuring local musicians. Now it has a new identity, and the guys in charge say it also has a new mission. Mainstreet Radio's Stephanie Hemphill reports.
Weather with Mark Seeley
University of Minnesota Meteorologist Mark Seeley discusses Minnesota weather history and looks ahead to the weekend forecast.
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