|
December 20 - 24, 2004
[ Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday ]
|
Monday, Dec. 20, 2004 |
Time's "Blog of the Year" is from Twin Cities
A Twin Cities based web blog is the recipient of Time magazine's "Blog of the Year." Powerlineblog-dot-com was one of the first blogs to debunk the story on 60 Minutes that questioned President George W. Bush's National Guard service. It is the first time the magazine has named a "Blog of the Year." Blogs are online journals with commentary and links to other sites. Readers contribute to the running commentary on blogs. A pair of Twin Cities' lawyers started Powerline-dot-org in 2002 with a friend that lives in Washington, D.C. Scott Johnson is one of the co-founders. He now works at TCF bank.
Erdahl to monitor Ukrainian repeat election
A former Minnesota congressman leaves for Ukraine tomorrow, where he will help monitor that country's repeat presidential election. Arlen Erdahl is making the trip as part of a bipartisan delegation of former congressmen. He will act as an election observer when opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko takes on Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych for the second time, the first runoff ended in allegations of widespread fraud. MPR's Cathy Wurzer spoke with Arlen Erdahl, a Republican who formerly represented southeastern Minnesota in the U.S. House, and served as Minnesota's Secretary of State.
Former criminal teaches that crime doesn't pay
There are many organizations in Minnesota designed to alleviate socio-economic factors that some blame for the prevalence of crime in black communities. And there are people like Winfred Payne. He uses his life experiences to set an example to young African Americans. He says making bad choices can lead to big trouble. For Winfred Payne, his choices led him to spend nearly half his life behind bars. Minnesota Public Radio's Brandt Williams reports.
Celebrating the State Capitol's 100th birthday
State officials are planning a year of celebrations to mark the 100th birthday of the Minnesota State Capitol. The Capitol 2005 Commission announces plans on Monday, December 20. The Capitol opened in January of 1905, and was designed by Minnesota architect Cass Gilbert. Brian Horrigan, from the Minnesota Historical Society, is the curator of an exhibit about the Capitol. He says the original building was in another location closer to downtown St. Paul.
Bob Christiansen's holiday music picks
If you set foot in any store this weekend chances are you heard some Christmas music. Some of it is good, some of it is bad--and some of it is just plain ugly. Minnesota Public Radio's Greta Cunningham spoke to classical music host Bob Christiansen to get some of his meaningful music picks.
|
|
Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2004 |
Very few minorities hold leadership posts in Twin Cities law firms
There are more than 1,200 legal partners at the major law firms in the Twin Cities. A recent survey shows that little more than two percent of those partners are minorities. The firms say achieving diversity has been a problem, but it's a problem they've been trying to solve. Minnesota Public Radio's Toni Randolph reports.
Twins reach contract agreements with five players
The Minnesota Twins have reached one-year contract agreements with five players including a $5 million deal with Jacque Jones. Yesterday was a key deadline for the team to sign players or agree to salary arbitration. The Twins offered arbitration to four other players, including Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana. Cathy Wurzer talked with Twins General Manager Terry Ryan.
It's a Merry Christmas at Marvin Windows and Doors
It should to be a very Merry Christmas for employees of Marvin Windows and Doors, based in Warroad. The company handed out profit-sharing checks to workers that were double last year's checks. About 3,500 workers split almost $8 million this past weekend. That works out to about $2300 each. Joining us on the line is Susan Marvin, president of the company.
|
|
Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2004 |
State regulators hit national Dem group with heavy fine
The state Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board has levied the largest civil penalty in its history against a national Democratic political group. The board found probable cause that 21st Century Democrats broke Minnesota campaign finance laws. It fined the group a total of more than $300,000. The fines are not related to a Republican complaint against DFL House Minority Leader Matt Entenza, who contributed $300,000 to 21st Century Democrats during the campaign. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
Minnesota plan on Canadian drug imports may be in jeopardy
A U.S. government report could jeopardize Minnesota's experiment with importing cheaper prescription drugs from Canada. A Health and Human Services Department task force issued a report yesterday saying it found significant safety problems with some prescription medicines brought illegally into the United States. The task force also said it would be difficult and expensive to monitor the safety of unapproved imported drugs. Those findings essentially nullify a law passed by Congress that would allow prescription drug importation. Minnesota Public Radio's Lorna Benson reports.
Minnesotan recalls Christmas at the Battle of the Bulge
Sixty years ago, an American commander received an ultimatum from the Germans in the Battle of the Bulge in World War II to surrender. Brigadier General Anthony McAuliffe refused the demand with a now-famous reply: nuts! Minnesotan Fred Gordon fought in that battle. He is back from Belgium, where he attended ceremonies for the 60th anniversary of the battle. He spoke with Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer.
|
|
Thursday, Dec. 23, 2004 |
Health care building boom underway
There's something of a building boom going on with health care facilities around the Twin Cities. HealthPartners, Allina and HealthEast all recently announced major expansion plans. The groups say the construction will help improve care and patient satisfaction. But others worry it will increase health care costs. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
Pawlenty road plan calls for heavy borrowing
Gov. Tim Pawlenty has proposed a ten-year, seven-billion dollar transportation package. He said yesterday that it will accelerate dozens of road and transit projects across the state. The plan would not begin until 2007, and relies heavily on borrowed money. DFL leaders called it a credit card financing scheme. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
Mauer will pay cost of being franchise star
Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer is back home in St. Paul for the holidays after spending the last several months in Florida. He was there rehabilitating his left knee which he injured in the second game of his rookie season last year. The Twins are hoping Mauer, who was named minor league player of the year in 2003, will be their full-time catcher next year. But as Jim Bickal reports, Mauer's knee injury and the position he plays puts him at risk of developing arthritis.
|
|
Friday, Dec. 24, 2004 |
Christmas Eve game poses dilema for some fans
Friday's game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Green Bay Packers is a big deal for football fans. The game could determine which team will be this year's NFC North division champion. But holding the game on Christmas Eve interferes with the plans of many churches that normally hold services on the day before the birth of Jesus. The scheduling has caused some to juggle their Christmas Eve plans in order to accomodate their faith, families and love of football. Minnesota Public Radio's Brandt Williams reports.
Jesus in Islam
This is a holy time of year for Christians. They will flock to churches around the world to celebrate the birth of Jesus. But Christianity is not the only world religion that embraces Jesus as a holy symbol. What many people don't know is that he is also a central figure in Islam. To find out more Mainstreet Radio's Erin Galbally paid a visit to a local mosque.
"A Cup of Christmas Tea" is rereleased
A treasured Christmas classic has been rereleased this year. Minnesota author Tom Hegg wrote "A Cup of Christmas Tea" in 1981. Since then, the story of a young man who reluctantly visits his great-aunt during the holidays has sold over 1.5 million copies and become a popular Christmas gift. The book has been rereleased in a new design, but the words have not changed. Morning Edition's Cathy Wurzer spoke with Tom Hegg, who came by the studio to read a selection for us.
Climatologist Mark Seeley's weather comments
University of Minnesota climatologist Mark Seeley discusses how this Christmas' temperatures compare to Christmas' past. He also tells us that, while most parts of the state lack snow, there is some significant cover in the northern part of the state.
"Million Dollar Idea" reality TV show to go national
A reality TV show taped at the Mall of America is about to go national. The program is called the "Million Dollar Idea," and its creators have signed a deal to syndicate the show to TV stations all across the country. In the show, inventors and entrepreneurs compete to win a chance to get their idea launched, and possibly get their product into a retail store at the Mall. The show has been airing locally on Channel 45 in the Twin Cities for about a year-and-a-half. Morning Edition's Cathy Wurzer spoke with Sam Black who wrote about this story in this week's edition of "The Business Journal."
|
| Morning Edition Archive |
|
|
|
© 2024 | Home : Terms of Use : Your Privacy Rights