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January 24 - 28, 2005
[ Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday ]
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Monday, Jan. 24, 2005 |
State faces national hurdles in seeking increased ethanol use
Last week, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty said he wants more ethanol used in the state. A push in the state legislature to do that is only the first step in the process. The federal government could block the plan. In the past, carmakers have said using higher ethanol blends could void warranties on their vehicles. Currently nearly all gas sold in the state contains 10% ethanol. A bill in the legislature could boost that figure to 20%. Mainstreet Radio's Mark Steil reports.
St. Joseph has another young mayor
Richard Carlbom is settling into his new position as mayor of the small central Minnesota town of St. Joseph. Carlbom is getting up to speed on local issues, while laying out a vision for his time in office. He says St. Joseph can count on him to be a dedicated and energetic leader, something he credits to his age. He's 23. But this isn't the first time the residents of St. Joseph have picked a young mayor. Mainstreet Radio's Tim Post explains.
Gov. Pawlenty to release his budget proposal
On Tuesday, Gov. Tim Pawlenty will release his budget proposal. The state has a projected $700 million deficit over the next two-year budget cycle. The governor has pledged to close the gap without raising taxes. Minnesota Public Radio Capitol Bureau Chief Laura McCallum talked with Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer about the week ahead at the Minnesota Legislature.
St. Paul Winter Carnival treasure hunt is underway
By the end of this week, St. Paul may have more nightlife in its parks than in its bars and restaurants. The St. Paul Winter Carnival's treasure hunt is underway, and that means seekers of a little round token worth up to $10,000 are beginning to scour the city's parks. Hunters are guided by increasingly specific clues published each morning in the St. Paul Pioneer Press. The most dedicated wait up for the newspaper's earliest edition to put the fresh clue to use long before sunrise. This sub-culture of rabid medallion seekers is coming to life again this winter, and this year it's even been captured in a documentary movie. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen has more.
Monday Markets
Minnesota Public Radio's Chief Economics Correspondent Chris Farrell discusses the latest economic news.
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Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2005 |
Nearly billion-dollar borrowing bill clears Senate
The Minnesota Senate on Monday approved a public works bill that funds just over a billion dollars in building projects around the state. The measure passed on a strong bipartisan vote of 57-7. The bill is roughly $200 million richer than what Gov. Tim Pawlenty has recommended and what the GOP-controlled House is expected to offer. But all three sides say they're interested in a quick accord that gets construction projects started by the spring thaw. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports.
Oakdale's water contaminated; old 3M waste suspected source
Two potentially toxic compounds have been found in a Twin Cities suburb's municipal water supply. The City of Oakdale, just east of St. Paul, says five of its wells have low doses of perfluorochemicals. The compounds were used for many years by Minnesota-based 3M and other companies to make nonstick cookware and stain resistant fabrics. Minnesota Public Radio's Lorna Benson reports.
Health care program may be a target in Pawlenty's budget
When Gov. Tim Pawlenty releases his budget for the next two years, his goal is to erase the state's projected $700 million deficit while increasing funding for education. Perhaps the prime target for cuts is subsidized health care. Pawlenty says those programs are growing too fast and should be considered as a place to save taxpayers money. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
Minnesota Medical Association releases plan for reforming state's health care
The Minnesota Medical Association has released a plan for reforming the state's health care system. The group represents more than 9000 physicians in the state. It released its proposal after a year's work by a 21-member task force make up primarily of doctors. The plan calls for establishing health insurance for everyone and improving the quality of care, while at the same time maintaining affordability. Dr. Judith Shank, who chaired the task force, talked with Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer.
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Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2005 |
Pawlenty's budget plan relies on $200 million from new casino
Gov. Tim Pawlenty released a proposed two-year budget Tuesday that depends on money from a new casino to help erase a projected $700 million deficit. Pawlenty's budget wouldn't raise state taxes, but relies on a mix of spending cuts and revenue increases to balance the budget. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
Tribes split over Pawlenty's casino plan
Gov. Tim Pawlenty is banking on casino money as a way to balance the state's finances. His budget plan, introduced Tuesday, includes a proposed Twin Cities casino that would be run jointly by the state and interested northern Indian tribes. Those northern tribes are pleased with his proposal, but tribes closer to the Twin Cities oppose it. Mainstreet Radio's Tom Robertson reports.
Governor's budget gets mixed reviews in higher ed community
Gov. Tim Pawlenty's budget recommendations for the state's public colleges and universities are getting a mixed reaction from the state's higher education community. The University of Minnesota says it got what it wanted, mostly. But officials and students with the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system say the governor is underfunding the system and shortchanging the daily needs of students. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.
PCA board vote is setback for Preston tire burning plant
In an unexpected move, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's Citizen Board overwhelmingly voted last night to require additional environmental testing for a controversial tire burning proposal. The decision came after hours of testimony from residents of southern Minnesota as well as those from neighboring states. All of the speakers voiced concerns about the Heartland Energy tire burning facility which would be located on the outskirts of Preston. Mainstreet Radio's Erin Galbally has this report.
St. Paul makes appearance on The Daily Show
The city of St. Paul got some national media attention last night when The Daily Show on Comedy Central aired a segment about the Rice Park sculpture controversy. As you may recall, there is a group that thinks the big bronze Peanuts characters in the park clash with the historic buildings and the bronze statue of F. Scott Fitzgerald. The Daily Show takes real news stories and has some fun with them. St. Paul City Council member Dave Thune was featured in the segment. He talked with Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer about the experience.
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Thursday, Jan. 27, 2005 |
Pawlenty scholarship plan -- a back door to school vouchers?
Gov. Tim Pawlenty has proposed a tax credit that he says will help close the achievement gap between white and minority students. Under the plan he first mentioned in this week's budget proposal, businesses would get the credit for funding scholarships that would allow at-risk students in the K-12 public school system to attend private schools. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.
All-day kindergarten growth rests on state funding
Legislation introduced this year in the Minnesota House and Senate would help expand all-day kindergarten options throughout the state. Researchers say participants are often better prepared for first grade than students who went through a traditional half-day kindergarten. But state funding only covers half-day attendance. That means a financial challenge for the 189 school districts that have tried to embraced the concept. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire looks at one suburban school district's struggle.
Tobias Wolff opens second half of Talking Volumes season
Thursday night, Talking Volumes opens the second half of its season with author Tobias Wolff. You may remember his memoir, "This Boy's Life," which was made into a movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio. Wolff's newest work is a novel called Old School. He says it's a tribute to the craft of writing and the culmination of a lifetime spent pursuing that craft. Minnesota Public Radio's Kerri Miller reports.
Rolling the dice on gambling revenue
For more than a year now, Gov. Tim Pawlenty has been laying the groundwork for creating new state gambling revenues. In his budget address this week, he gave his clearest indication yet about the direction he's chosen. But the gambling debate cuts across party loyalties, making it a tricky issue to negotiate. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
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Friday, Jan. 28, 2005 |
Scaled-down smoking ban clears first committee
Smokers would not be able to light up in Minnesota restaurants under a bill moving through the state Legislature. The House Health Policy and Finance Committee approved the bill yesterday, but backed off a broader ban that would have included bars and private clubs that sell more alcohol than food. Both supporters and opponents of a statewide smoking ban say they have reason to celebrate the move. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
Fog hits Bong bridge causes accident death
Two women are still hospitalized in critical condition after being injured in a freak accident on the Bong Bridge between Duluth and Superior. The accident, which involved 19 vehicles, occurred yesterday morning during dense fog. Eight people were injured - three critically - The youngest victim has died. Mainstreet Radio's Bob Kelleher reports.
Minnesotans heading to Sri Lanka
About thirty Minnesotans are headed to Sri Lanka on Saturday to help victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami. They are teachers, builders, and nurses -- all are donating their time and paying their own way. They plan to stay for about a month. The group was organized by Evan Balasuriya, a Sri Lankan businessman and former restaurant owner who's been living and working in Minneapolis for over 30 years. His homeland was particularly hard-hit by the tsunami disaster. About 31,000 people died in Sri Lanka because of the tsunami, and another one million were displaced. MPR Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Mr. Balasuriya about his project.
Group setting
Just about anybody with a camera has been a group photographer, at picnics, reunions, any gathering of people. Usually the idea is to commemorate an event, not create a work of art. There's a handful of artists who take group photography very seriously and have received international recognition for their work. Some of their pictures make up a new exhibition at the Weinstein Gallery in Minneapolis called "Rite of Assembly." Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Roberts reports.
Climatologist Mark Seeley's weather comments
University of Minnesota Climatologist Mark Seeley discusses the National Weather Service's display at the Annual Government on Display Expo at the Mall of America. Their booth will feature a mini Doppler Radar, and a tornado simulator. Seeley also tells us that snow cover is stabilizing soil temperatures around the state and then summarized the weather in January.
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