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December 13 - 17, 2004
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Monday, Dec. 13, 2004 |
Guidant could fill niche for Johnson and Johnson
Johnson & Johnson, the health products giant, is expected to announce as early as Monday that it will buy Indianapolis-based Guidant. The medical device firm has about 3,000 employees in Minnesota, which is also home to the company's fast-growing cardiac rhythm management business. As Bill Catlin reports, Guidant is a major player in a rapidly-growing area of using hardware, instead of drugs, to treat heart disease.
Study shows Minnesota attitudes on immigration
Minnesotans attitudes about the role of government, community and immigration are changing for the worse, say the authors of a report due to be released tomorrow. The Minnesota Community Project - a group founded by former vice president Walter Mondale - commissioned the study. The majority of the people involved in the study expressed favorable attitudes toward immigration. However, the authors say they are particularly dismayed over data showing a streak of hostility toward immigrants - especially by people living in the outer ring suburbs. The study's authors say those attitudes go against Minnesota's tradition of tolerance and acceptance of newcomers. MPR's Brandt Williams reports.
Flu nurse says she didn't do anything wrong
The nurse whose impromptu flu shot clinics at Augsburg College have caused a stir is insisting anew that she did nothing wrong. Michelle Torgerson says she did not dilute or otherwise tamper with the flu vaccine left over from her employer's previous clinic. Torgerson also said yesterday that she received permission from a college administrator to sell the vaccinations for a charitable cause. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen reports.
The Owls arrive
The owls are here. Every few years, owls that usually live in the far north pour into Minnesota during the wintertime. But this has been a record-breaking year for owls. Boreal Owls are here. Northern Hawk Owls, and Great Gray Owls are here too. People call the Great Grays, "ghosts of the forest." They're charcoal gray, and they stand more than two feet tall. Their wingspan can stretch five feet. MPR's Chris Julin went on an owl-watching trip with Dave Benson. He's a naturalist in Duluth.
Commemorating Santa Lucia Day
Today is Santa Lucia Day, the Swedish Festival of Lights. The holiday is celebrated at dawn on December 13 throughout Sweden. It is a day that commentator Nanci Olesen's family looks forward to for months.
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Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2004 |
Counties unveil transportation plan
A stream of recent studies have indicated a need for drastic new investments in the state's transportation infrastructure. A new proposal by the Association of Minnesota Counties outlines a menu of mostly tax and fee increases to infuse an extra $1 billion a year into roads and transit. The centerpiece is a 10 cents-a-gallon gas tax increase -- a move Gov. Tim Pawlenty has repeatedly ruled out. Yet the tide may be turning: even Pawlenty's Republican allies are warming to the idea. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
Rally for troops at Capitol
Veterans and supporters of Minnesota troops in Iraq hold a rally today at the State Capitol to push for more armored vehicles for troops on the ground. The rally comes just a week after Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld said that vehicles in Iraq were being armed as quickly as physically possible. Rumsfeld's answers did not sit well with the group "Operation Truth" which organized today's rally. MPR's Perry Finelli spoke with Andrew Borene, an advisor for the group and a Marine who recently served in Iraq.
Food shelves fall short because of Rainbow decision
This month, food shelves around the Twin Cities find themselves short thousands of pounds of fruits, vegetables, and bread they had expected. Rainbow Foods, one of the state's largest grocery chains, abruptly stopped donating its leftover produce and day-old baked goods to food shelves. The chain's corporate owner, Roundy's, is reportedly concerned about the legal liability of donating food that is slightly past its prime. Minnesota Public Radio's Jeff Horwich reports.
State tries to recoup nursing home costs
Last year, a new Minnesota law went into effect making it easier for the state to recoup expenses for nursing home care. Before the law, the state had a hard time collecting for those nursing home stays. That was especially true if an elderly person transferred their assets to a relative before entering a nursing home. The new law allows the state to collect money even if it was transferred to a relative years before their nursing home stay, something that was off limits before. Now the state is being sued because of the new law. Mainstreet Radio's Tim Post has details in this report.
Commentator: December's just another month
The holidays, for some, are a time of reaffirming beliefs, a time to strengthen religious roots. But, for writer Geoff Herbach the holidays have always been a bit confusing. What should you do when your parents are of different religious faiths, and you were brought up believing December was just another month on the calendar?
U of M womens basketball team takes on #1 LSU
The University of Minnesota women's basketball team, ranked 13th in the country, faces its toughest challenge of the season tonight when it hosts the top-ranked LSU Tigers. Both teams made it to the Final Four last year and this year each team has a player of the year candidate. Minnesota is led by senior center Janel McCarville, while LSU's top player is junior guard Seimone Augustus. A big crowd is expected and the game will be televised nationally on ESPN2. Michael Rand covers the Gophers for the Star Tribune.
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Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2004 |
Sviggum optimistic on Gophers and Twins stadiums
The debate over sports stadiums is alive again at the Minnesota Capitol. Republican House Speaker Steve Sviggum predicted yesterday that the 2005 Legislature will approve funding for new stadiums for the University of Minnesota football team and the Minnesota Twins. Other state officials are not nearly as confident, but they say the issue will likely be debated again next year. Minnesota Public Radio's Phil Picardi reports.
Hamline students vote to ban military recruiters from campus
Hamline University students have voted to ban military recruiters from campus. Yesterday's vote was prompted by a recent circuit court ruling in Pennsylvania saying colleges could deny recruiters access to campus without fear of losing federal funding. University officials say if the circuit court ruling expands nationally, it will take the student's resolution under consideration. But, for now, Hamline's doors remain open to recruiters. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.
Report: Kyoto treaty rejection hurts U.S. businesses
Representatives of nearly 200 countries are meeting this week in Argentina to decide on the next steps in dealing with climate change. Seven years ago, many nations agreed to reduce fossil fuel emissions and greenhouse gases. The U.S. did not. Now a report from the National Environmental Trust says that decision is hurting American business. Mainstreet Radio's Stephanie Hemphill reports.
U of M womens basketball loses to #1 LSU
The Minnesota Gophers women's basketball team lost to LSU 75-67 last night at Williams Arena. The game against the number one ranked team in the nation was probably the team's biggest test so far this season. The Gopher women are coming off last year's Final Four appearance and the graduation of the team's all-time leading scorer Lindsey Whalen. Despite the loss of Whalen and the game to LSU, some say the Gophers are a more complete team this year. Minnesota Public Radio's Brandt Williams reports.
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Thursday, Dec. 16, 2004 |
Listings not yet available.
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Friday, Dec. 17, 2004 |
Teachers union calls for more spending
The union representing Minnesota teachers has joined the call for increasing state spending on schools. Education Minnesota outlined its 2005 legislative agenda yesterday. The union leaders want a boost in K-12 education funding next year, as well as a long term overhaul of the school financing system. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
North Dakota has a surplus
Minnesota lawmakers face a $700 million shortfall when they convene in St. Paul next month. It is a situation shared by many states. In North Dakota, lawmakers will also be arguing over money. But they won't fight over fixing a deficit. North Dakota lawmakers will be arguing what to do with a budget surplus. Mainstreet Radio's Bob Reha reports.
Whooping cough cases going up
Whooping cough is on the rise in Minnesota. Almost 650 cases of the respiratory infection have been reported in the state so far this year, the highest number since 1955. MPR's Cathy Wurzer spoke with Kris Ehresmann, chief of the Vaccine Preventable Disease and Tuberculosis unit at the Minnesota Department of Health.
Legal questions in NHL lockout
No talks are scheduled in the National Hockey League lockout, which is now in its 93rd day. The NHL rejected a proposal from the players' association this week, then watched as the players' rejected their counter-offer. Meanwhile, fans are waiting to see what will happen to this year's hockey season. Clarke Griffith is chair of the Sports Law Division of the American Bar Association. He's on the line now.
Target emphasizing office furniture in new store
Target may be branching out into the office furniture industry. According to an article in this week's edition of "The Business Journal," the company plans to use its reputation as an affordable brand to position itself as a prominent Twin Cities retailer for things like desks, cabinets, and conference tables. Ellen Gabler covered the story for The Business Journal. She's come by the studio this morning.
Climatologist Mark Seeley's weekly weather comments
University of Minnesota climatologist Mark Seeley discusses the early forecast for Santa's very special trip next weekend. He also has the early climate outlook for the first three months of 2005. It looks like it will be warmer than usual. As far as the short-term forecast, the coming days will be cold for most areas of the state.
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