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February 14 - 18, 2005
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Monday, Feb. 14, 2005 |
Report: Vikings sold to Arizona businessman Reggie Fowler
An announcement is expected Monday afternoon that Arizona businessman Reggie Fowler has reached an agreement with Red McCombs to buy the Minnesota Vikings. The purchase price is reported to be at least $625 million. If the deal is approved by the other owners, Fowler would become the first African American to own a National Football League team. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spoke with MPR Sports Commentator Jay Weiner, who is covering the story for the Star Tribune. He says league approval is not a sure thing.
Timberwolves fire head coach Saunders
The Minnesota Timberwolves are hoping this weekend's coaching change will lead to a change in their won-lost record. But Kevin McHale's coaching career got off to an inauspicious start when the Wolves lost a close one to the Chicago Bulls, 87 - 83 at Target Center yesterday. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen reports on how the Wolves are feeling about the weekend shakeup that saw McHale take over for ousted coach Flip Saunders.
Week ahead at the State Capitol
It's looking like a busy week at the State Capitol, where a bills are moving through the state legislature. Lawmakers' main task this year is agreeing on a budget in the face of a projected $700 million shortfall. Joining us now to discuss the week ahead is Laura McCallum, Minnesota Public Radio's Capitol Bureau Chief.
Bounties on coyotes proposed
Bounties on coyotes in Minnesota, may be on the way back. Members of the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee unanimously approved a bill last week, to allow bounties. The legislation would give county commissioners the authority to put a price tag on coyotes. Mainstreet Radio's Bob Reha reports.
Minneapolis mayoral candidates at same event
The two declared Minneapolis mayoral candidates met in their first public forum over the weekend. Incumbent R.T. Rybak and Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin worked to distinguish themselves from one another even though they did not face off debate-style in the north Minneapolis event. Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes reports.
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Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2005 |
Fowler reaches deal to buy Vikings
Minnesota Vikings owner Red McCombs and Arizona businessman Reggie Fowler have signed a purchase agreement for the sale of the Vikings. The two did not disclose the sale price when they made the announcement yesterday, but it is believed that Fowler will pay over $600 million. NFL owners must still approve the deal. Minnesota Public Radio's Brandt Williams reports.
Little appetite for Vikings stadium at Capitol
Reggie Fowler may have struck a tentative deal to buy the Minnesota Vikings -- but that does not mean he will be so lucky at the State Capitol. The Vikings have been seeking state support to build a $600 million stadium for the past several years. So far those efforts have failed, and lawmakers say a change in ownership is not likely to shift the dynamics. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports.
Who is Reggie Fowler?
The NFL is expected to scrutinize the Vikings deal closely. Of course, league officials will analyze the financial aspects of the deal, but they will also assess the personalities involved, especially Vikings buyer Reggie Fowler. Even though he has made millions as a businessman in Arizona, Fowler has shunned the media spotlight. MPR Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Craig Harris, a reporter with the Arizona Republic.
First-hand account of helping Sri Lankan tsunami victims
A group of volunteers from Minnesota is in Sri Lanka, helping victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami. Sri Lanka was particularly hard hit by the December 26, 2004 disaster. More than 30,000 people died in the country, and another one million were left homeless. The Minnesota group includes nurses, teachers, and builders, and was organized by a local Sri Lankan businessman. The volunteers arrived in Sri Lanka earlier this month, and are working out of a Catholic mission school and farm. One of the volunteers, Lavina Pattee is a retired school teacher who lives in Big Lake, Minnesota. She brought along a tape recorder to document what she is experiencing. The first tape that she sent back describes the group's first trip to one of the heavily affected areas.
Bartering in Duluth
How would you like to come home to a dinner of homemade pasta with a spinach and pesto sauce, with homemade squash soup and homemade applesauce? Without making any of it yourself, of course. In the morning, there could be pancakes made with locally grown wheat flour, ground by hand, and maple syrup lovingly harvested by a friend and neighbor. That is what is on the table for a group of people in Duluth, who get together every so often to trade what they grow and make at home. Mainstreet Radio's Stephanie Hemphill went to their latest gathering.
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Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2005 |
Snoopy's new neighbor a casino?
When Gov. Tim Pawlenty unveiled his vision for a new metropolitan casino, he stressed that no community would be forced to play host without its consent. But that has not stopped eyes from turning to Bloomington, despite the unanimous opposition of that city's legislative delegation to a casino. Now, developers of Bloomington's Mall of America have proposed building a casino in a proposed expansion of the Mall site. But the plan received mixed reactions at community forum last night. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports.
Rowley recommended for anti-terrorism board
Several members of Minnesota's congressional delegation are urging the Bush administration to name former FBI whistleblower Coleen Rowley to the new Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board. Rowley made national headlines when she criticized the FBI's handling of her pleas to aggressively investigate terror suspect Zacarias Moussaoui before the September 11th attacks. The new board is supposed to make sure the government does not infringe on people's rights while fighting terrorism. MPR's Cathy Wurzer spoke with Coleen Rowley.
Coal making a comeback
Coal is making a comeback in the region. Several major projects are being planned including an ethanol plant in southwest Minnesota. Another is a new power plant in South Dakota. Cleaner burning coal technology will hold down pollution, but some people believe coal is a poor energy choice. Mainstreet Radio's Mark Steil reports.
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Thursday, Feb. 17, 2005 |
Wild season cancelled. Who cares?
The National Hockey League has cancelled the season because of a contract dispute. The lockout is painful for some St. Paul businesses. For the regional economy, though, the impact of losing pro hockey is less clear. Jeff Horwich has the story.
Growing number of cities seeking local sales tax option
Minnesota's budget problems have created big challenges for communities. Many cities have cut services or raised local property taxes to make up the difference, but this year, a record number of cities are looking at the possibility of local sales taxes.
School strike forces parents to find new ways to keep their kids busy
Striking teachers continue to walk the picket lines in the Crosby-Ironton school district. It's been a week since they left their classrooms. No new talks are scheduled. Teachers say they've walked off the job mainly to preserve health benefits for retired teachers. School officials says those benefits cost too much, and need to be ramped down in coming years.
In the meantime, parents in the district are trying to keep their children busy while school is shut down. Mainstreet Radio's Tim Post reports.
St. Paul City Hall scandal update
Sia Lo, a senior aide to St. Paul Mayor Randy Kelly, has been placed on a paid leave of absence by the mayor. Lo is under investigation by the FBI for allegedly demanding a bribe from a local businessman. The allegations involve city approval for a new Hmong funeral home. Cathy Wurzer talked with Bob Ingrassia, a reporter with the St. Paul Pioneer Press, who covers City Hall.
House construction plan finds bipartisan backing
With Republicans and Democrats predicting strong backing, House GOP leaders laid out a construction to-do list with hundreds of millions of dollars for new prison cells, college buildings, sewer upgrades and zoo exhibits. Laura McCallum reports.
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Friday, Feb. 18, 2005 |
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