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November 29 - December 3, 2004
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Monday, Nov. 29, 2004 |
Vang assembles defense team in hunter shootings case
Formal charges may come today for the St. Paul man accused of killing six hunters and wounding two others in Wisconsin last weekend. Yesterday in Milwaukee, Chai Vang's defense lawyers talked about their hope for a fair trial. They also brought forward Vang's eldest daughter to talk about her father. Chuck Quirmbach of Wisconsin Public Radio reports.
Funerals continue for hunters killed in Wisconsin woods
Funeral services will be held in the Rice Lake area today for Dennis Drew and Jessica Willers, two of the six deer hunters who were killed in last week's shooting in northwestern Wisconsin. Over the holiday weekend, residents of the area paid their respects to the other victims of the shooting: Mark Roidt, Robert and Joseph Crotteau, and Allan Laski. Those services capped a difficult week for residents of Barron County, some of whom spoke with Minnesota Public Radio as they left Saturday's funerals.
Demand for help with heating bills already strong this winter
State officials and community service organizations are urging people who think they may need help paying their heating bills this winter to apply for heating assistance as soon as possible. Demand for assistance is expected to be strong this year. The cost of natural gas and oil is projected to be up by as much as 1/3 over last year and many people are still trying to pay off last winter's heating bills. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports.
Wisconsin's nine-day deer hunting season ends
Wisconsin's nine-day deer hunting season came to a close this weekend. The season was marred by tragedy, when six hunters were killed and two wounded in the Wisconsin woods. 36-year-old Chai Vang is accused of shooting the hunters, after a confrontation over trespassing. Mike Bartz is warden supervisor for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources' northern region. He spoke with Morning Edition's Cathy Wurzer.
Monday Markets
Minnesota Public Radio's chief economics correspondent Chris Farrell discusses the latest economic news.
New book looks at wrestling in Minnesota
There's word that pro wrestling fans may soon have a 24-hour fix for their passion. There could soon be a pro wrestling channel on cable television. In the recent past, fans got to see their favorite wrestlers at places like the old St.Paul Civic Center and the Minneapolis Auditorium. In fact, Minnesota was a hot place for wrestling, with names like Hulk Hogan, Mad Dog Vachon, and Jesse Ventura coming out of the former AWA wrestling promotion. These wrestlers, and many others with Minnesota ties, are all in a new book about wrestling in the state. Author Ross Bernstein grew up in southern Minnesota and remembers going as a kid to some of the independent wrestling shows that came through town.
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Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2004 |
Pawlenty administration forges health care alliance
When it comes to health care, Gov. Pawlenty thinks there's strength in numbers. So much so that he's formed an informal alliance of state government, large employers and labor groups. Pawlenty hopes the large group can initiate changes in the health care marketplace that will lower costs and improve quality. He also plans on eliminating some required paperwork for providers and wants improvements to medical technology. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
Health care expert discusses Gov. Pawlenty's alliance
The Pawlenty administration has announced a new plan designed to pursue a better deal on health care. The governor announced yesterday that state government will team up with business groups, labor interests, and others to combine the purchasing power of potentially 3.5 million Minnesota health care users. While each group would still buy their own insurance, they would negotiate with health plans using common parameters and goals. Officials say this approach should provide leverage to help contain rapidly rising medical costs. Stephen Parente is a health care economics expert and assistant professor at the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management. He spoke with Morning Edition's Cathy Wurzer.
Vang charged with six counts of murder
A St. Paul man accused of gunning down deer hunters in the Wisconsin woods has been charged with six counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder. 36-year-old Chai Vang allegedly opened fire after some of the other hunters confronted him about trespassing. He has since told investigators that he was shot on first, after the hunters called him racial slurs. Vang will be defended by three Wisconsin attorneys, who have said they'll look into all aspects of a defense, including mental health and mental responsibility defenses. For some help understanding what that means, we called Mark Gherty, an attorney in Hudson, Wisconsin and past president of the Wisconsin Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
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Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2004 |
State revenue forecast to be released
Minnesota finance officials release a new state revenue forecast today that's expected to show yet another deficit. The last forecast in February projected a $441 million budget deficit for the two-year budget cycle that begins next July. Today's forecast will indicate whether the situation has become better or worse. Today's number - and the reaction to it -- will provide a clue as to how contentious the upcoming legislative session will be. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
Prayer service packed for six killed hunters
About 900 people packed a prayer service in Rice Lake, Wisconsin last night to remember six deer hunters killed in a northwoods shooting. A St. Paul man, Chai Vang, has been charged in the case. Vang made an initial court appearance yesterday. The hearing occurred in a makeshift courtroom in the basement of the Sawyer County Wisconsin Law Enforcement Center. Mainstreet Radio's Bob Kelleher reports.
Sen. Coleman calls for Annan's resignation at U.N.
Minnesota U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman is calling for the resignation of United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan. Coleman is the chairman of the Senate's Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations and that body has been investigating the United Nation's oil- for-food program. That program allowed Iraq to trade oil for food, medicines and other necessities. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Coleman, who says the investigation has found widespread fraud in that program.
Minneapolis plans to close 17 schools
The Minneapolis school board has approved a plan to close 17 schools over the next two years. The plan has raised concerns from parents, teachers, and students who want to keep their schools open. But district officials say the down-sizing is necessary in the face of declining enrollment. Judy Farmer was first elected to the Minneapolis School Board in 1979, and has seen city schools close before.
Minnesota native develops plan to end child abuse
Since the National Child Protection Training Center opened last year at Winona State University, it has drawn people from around the country. Detectives, social workers, and students visit to improve their skills at identifying and preventing child abuse. The center is the creation of Minnesota native Victor Vieth. His goal is nothing less than eradicating child abuse in the United States. Mainstreet Radio's Erin Galbally has this report.
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Thursday, Dec. 2, 2004 |
Governor urged to drop no-tax-increase pledge
Minnesota is headed into a fourth straight year of budget deficits. State officials Wednesday projected a $700 million shortfall during the upcoming two-year budget cycle. That's more than had been anticipated -- and doubles if inflation is included in the calculation. The budget news has led to a chorus of interest groups calling for tax increases of some sort to plug the leak. But Gov. Tim Pawlenty says he'll hold fast to his pledge not to raise taxes -- and says the fiscal ship can be righted by stemming the growth in state spending. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports.
Life after war
National Guard troops play a critical role in the Iraq war. Several thousand soldiers from around the region have been called to active duty in the past three years. In Minnesota, 6,380 troops have been deployed to Iraq or Bosnia. South Dakota has contributed 1,600 troops to the war in Iraq, and 940 North Dakota troops have been called to active duty. These citizen soldiers return to a hero's welcome, but often find resuming a "normal life" isn't easy. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Gunderson reports.
University of Minnesota women's volleyball team at NCAA tournament
Despite being a number one seed, the University of Minnesota Gopher women's volleyball team is on the road for the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament. Number one seeds usually play at home, but the NCAA sent the Gophers to New Haven, Connecticut to open the tournament against Long Island University later today. The Gophers have had a successful regular season, going 28-4. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer talked with Mike Hebert, head coach of the Gopher women's volleyball team.
Parking rates falling in downtown Minneapolis
Something unusual is happening in downtown Minneapolis: Monthly parking rates are going down. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer talked with Mike Sachi, parking and skyway system engineer for the city of Minneapolis. He oversees downtown parking meters and about 20 city parking ramps and lots.
New book documents landmarks on Minnesota highways
A new picture book documents the landmarks on the drive between the Twin Cities and Minnesota's lake country. The book is called "Brainerd Bound." It's full of images and historical information about many of the sights along the highways on the trip north. Mark Utter is one of the authors of the book. He says, like many Minnesotans, the people who wrote and photographed this book travel regularly between the Twin Cities and their cabins in the Brainerd area.
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Friday, Dec. 3, 2004 |
Weather with Mark Seeley
University of Minnesota Meteorologist Mark Seeley discusses Minnesota weather history and looks ahead to the weekend forecast.
Mirror on Morality: St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral
In the weeks since the November election, we've checked in with congregations around Minnesota to find out what parishioners were thinking as they cast their ballots. We've asked them to reflect back on the presidential campaign and its aftermath. The congregations represent all places on the political spectrum. As part of our series, "Mirror on Morality," Minnesota Public Radio's Lorna Benson met up recently with four members of St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral in Minneapolis.
LRT's last leg expected to boost ridership
Metro Transit officially opens the final part of the Hiawatha Light Rail line to the airport and the Mall of America tomorrow. The extension adds four miles to the line that opened in June from downtown to Fort Snelling. Metro Transit officials expect the already promising ridership numbers to increase with the addition of two key destinations. However, as Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes reports, no one has a clear idea of just who the new riders will be.
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