MPR: Morning Edition: Archive for 4/4/2005

April 4 - 8, 2005
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Monday, April 4, 2005

Minnesotans reflect on death of pope
Public viewing of Pope John Paul II begins today, another step in mourning his death. His passing may be especially poignant for those who worshipped in the presence of the pope. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen spoke with three Minnesota men who attended events at which the pope presided, and he has this report.

Video slots good for bottom line but costly for compulsive gamblers
Minnesota lawmakers are debating whether the state should allow 3,000 video lottery terminals at Canterbury Park in Shakopee or a new casino in partnership with three northern Minnesota Indian tribes that would have 4,000 slot machines. So far, six states have turned to video slots over the past 15 years, and they've made billions doing it. Why are slot machines so popular with gamblers, and what problems might more slots create? Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports.

An attempt at healing on the Red Lake Reservation
A private ceremony was held Saturday on the Red Lake Indian Reservation for Dewayne Lewis, 15, of Ponemah. Lewis's funeral marks the last of 10 funerals held on the reservation since the March 21 shootings. Now, Red Lake band members are moving from a period of mourning, to one of recovery. The Red Cross and other agencies are offering counseling services for those who want them. But many people are instead turning to tribal elders and spiritual leaders for help. Mainstreet Radio's Tom Robertson reports.

Busy week ahead at the State Capitol
Passing the nearly $1 billion bonding bill is just one of the main events expected to take place at the State Capitol this week. The bill, which funds building projects across the state, was worked out in negotiations between Gov. Tim Pawlenty and legislative leaders last week. The bill should come up for a vote on the House and Senate floors on Wednesday. Minnesota Public Radio's Capitol Bureau Chief Laura McCallum spoke with Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer.

Minnesotans remember pope, consider his legacy
The Cathedral of St. Paul is holding memorial prayer services for Pope John Paul II daily at noon this week. Also this week, the College of St. Catherine is due to hold events that are still being worked out. Sister Andrea Lee, who leads the college, spoke with Morning Edition's Cathy Wurzer.

Twins open season in Seattle
The Minnesota Twins open their 2005 season today against the Seattle Mariners with high expectations. The Twins have won three American League Central Division titles in a row, and they've survived off-season budget issues with their pitching staff intact. The big question now is the health of catcher Joe Mauer, who's still recovering from a knee injury from last year. Joining us on the line from Seattle is La Velle Neal, who covers the Twins for the Star Tribune.

Cloquet teens examine 'When a Country Goes to War'
A student film project at the Cloquet High School is getting high praise from a small town touched by the war in Iraq. The film is called "When a Country Goes to War." It's a personal look at Cloquet's young people serving in the Iraq war. The film has generated new conversations across the small town. It's also given a group of at-risk students a chance to succeed. Mainstreet Radio's Bob Kelleher reports.

Tuesday, April 5, 2005

Senate deals blow to gambling plans
Plans to expand gambling options in Minnesota have hit a snag in the Senate. Monday night, a Senate committee voted down a proposal to open a state-run casino in partnership with three northern Ojibwe tribes. The same committee also rejected a separate plan to authorize slot machines at the Canterbury Park Racetrack in Shakopee. In each case, the opposition was bipartisan. Supporters of the bills, however, say they remain alive in the House -- but even that front looks shaky. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.

Teachers return to Red Lake High School
Teachers and staff returned to Red Lake High School on Monday. For many it was the first time they had been in the building since the March 21 shootings. They gathered personal belongings like plants and grade books. It's uncertain whether students will resume classes there or elsewhere. Mainstreet Radio's Tom Robertson reports.

Explorer Ann Bancroft headed home after calling off expedition
Minnesota explorer Ann Bancroft is coming home later this week, after her latest expedition was cut short. Bancroft and Norwegian explorer Liv Arnesen were trying to become the first women to cross the Arctic Ocean. They were on the shifting ice, less than a month into their trip, when Russian helicopters came to evacuate them. The expedition ended suddenly not because of bad weather or anyone's physical condition, but because two logistics companies that run air service near the North Pole are feuding, and the explorers got caught in the middle. We called Ann Bancroft in Siberia to ask her what happened.

Wednesday, April 6, 2005

Red Lake classes could resume Monday
Most Red Lake high school teachers and staff say they want to resume classes in their high school building and are expected to make their wishes known to the school board today. The group of teachers also wants to start classes as early as Monday. School has been out since March 21st, when a teenage gunman killed seven people at the school before taking his own life. School officials in the Cold Spring school district recently had to make a similar decision, after two students were killed at Rocori High School. Scott Staska is the superintendent of that district, and he joins us now.

Daschle makes first public appearance since Senate defeat
Former Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle made his first public appearances in South Dakota this week since losing his re-election bid to Sen. John Thune. Daschle has been speaking around the state and meeting with Native American leaders. Tuesday night, he spoke at the University of South Dakota. Several dignitaries paid tribute to Daschle's 26 years in public office. Mainstreet Radio's Cara Hetland reports.

Minneapolis nears approval of theater management deal
The Minneapolis City Council is one step away from handing off the city's three historic theaters: The State, the Pantages, and the Orpheum. On Tuesday, two committees reviewed a deal negotiated between city staff and a three-part team dominated by entertainment conglomerate Clear Channel. Many council members say the deal is a solid financial and cultural proposal. Critics fear Minneapolis is about to turn control of community assets over to a giant, out-of-state company. Minnesota Public Radio's Jeff Horwich reports.

Donovan to perform at Xcel Energy Center
Donovan is one of those artists whose name may not leap to the lips of people under the age of 40, but hum one of his songs, and it usually brings a smile of recognition. Forty years into his career, Donovan is still recording and performing. He'll play at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul Wednesday evening. Minnesota Public Radio's Euan Kerr reports.

Thursday, April 7, 2005

Bonding bill passes both chambers at the Capitol
The House and Senate have voted overwhelmingly to approve almost $1 billion worth of building and maintenance projects. The capital improvements bill is the most significant piece of legislation to pass both bodies in the 2005 session. It comes almost a year after lawmakers hit an impasse during a similar debate in the last legislative session. Gov. Tim Pawlenty could sign the bill as early as tomorrow. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.

Crosby-Ironton teacher strike resolved
Teachers and their students head back to class this morning in the Crosby-Ironton school district. Yesterday marked the end of a two month long strike by 87 teachers. Negotiators on both sides agreed on a new system of health benefits for retired teachers, a major road block in the dispute. Students say they are excited to have their old teachers back, and parents say they are relieved their children can head back to school. But everyone in the community knows it will take a long time before things get back to normal. Mainstreet Radio's Tim Post reports.

Classes to resume in Red Lake on Monday
Classes will resume in Red Lake on Monday. The school board made its decision yesterday, following the recommendation of teachers and staff members. It will be three weeks since 16-year-old Jeff Weise killed five students, a teacher and a security guard at the high school. School officials say many kids are ready to get back to school, but others are too frightened to return. Mainstreet Radio's Dan Gunderson reports.

Gambling and taxes at Capitol
Gov. Tim Pawlenty says prospects do not look good for his plans to use casino revenue to fill out the state budget. And he says legislative attempts to bury the proposal are a backdoor push for new state tax increases by Senate Democrats. DFLers have not released their own budget blueprint yet -- but there is a growing consensus at the Capitol that the Democrats plan will ultimately rely on raising taxes. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.

Rome campus puts St. Thomas students close to Pope events
The funeral for Pope John Paul II is expected to draw millions of pilgrims and dozens of monarchs, presidents, and prime ministers. A group of Minnesota students has been in Rome watching all the developments related to the Pope. They are on a study abroad program through the University of St. Thomas, which has a campus in Rome. Thanos Zyngas is the director of that campus, and he spoke with MPR's Cathy Wurzer.

U of M prepared for potential Frozen Four riots
The University of Minnesota men's hockey team plays North Dakota tonight in the Frozen Four NCAA tournament. You might remember that after the Gophers won the national championship in 2002 and again in 2003, riots broke out in the Dinkytown area near campus. Damage was done to businesses, several people were arrested. The U of M and nearby businesses have a plan in case trouble breaks out again. Greg Hestness is the Chief of the University of Minnesota police department. He says they've been working on setting up a joint operation center.

The stories behind Betty Crocker
A new book by a Minneapolis author looks behind the veil of one of America's most famous women. She's 84 years old now. And she has had it all, a career with a Fortune 500 company, and an image of being the ideal homemaker. She even hosted a radio program starting in the 1920s. Her name is Betty Crocker, who's radio show sponsored by General Mills was on the air for almost 30 years. She has also promoted Minnesota-based General Mills products on TV and in print. Her public image is still one of the most successful marketing campaigns in business. But it is the private side of Betty Crocker that interested Minneapolis author Susan Marks, who's written a new book called "Finding Betty Crocker: The Secret Life of America's First Lady of Food." Marks was a tour guide for the Minnesota Historical Society, and became interested in Betty Crocker because people came to life when she talked about her. Marks stopped by the studio to talk about her new book. She says, at first, General Mills was cautious about the project.

Friday, April 8, 2005

Authorities search for gun at Red Lake High School
Red Lake school district officials have postponed the opening of the high school. The FBI says it got a tip that there may be a gun hidden somewhere in the building. The announcement Thursday also led school officials to postpone a healing ceremony planned for Friday. Mainstreet Radio's Dan Gunderson reports.

Pawlenty for president or vice president?
Karl Rove, the man considered to be the political mastermind of the Bush White House, will be in Minnesota Friday night to raise money for Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty. Pawlenty is up for re-election next year. Some powerful Republicans also view Pawlenty as a potential presidential or vice presidential candidate in 2008. Most agree though that Pawlenty's prospects for national politics hinge on his ability to maintain his "no new taxes" pledge and to get re-elected in what could be a tough campaign. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports.

Twins hoping to bring more fans to the dome this year
The Minnesota Twins play their first home game of the 2005 season Friday night against the Chicago White Sox. The game will be the Twins' fourth straight opening day sell-out. The Twins are the odds-on favorites to repeat as the American League Central Division champs. Some sportswriters even predict the team will make it all the way to the World Series this year. However, up until now, the Twins' on-field success hasn't translated into bigger attendance numbers. Minnesota Public Radio's Brandt Williams reports.

Singing "The Grapes of Wrath"
John Steinbeck's classic novel of depression-era America, "The Grapes of Wrath," has been adapted for the stage and film. Now the Minnesota Opera is in the process of turning the Pulitzer Prize-winning book into a full-scale opera. Recently the composer and librettist for the project were in the Twin Cities for a workshop run-through of the first act. They say they've undertaken a rather daunting task. Minnesota Public Radio's Karl Gehrke has more.

Most community banks in metro area faring well
A number of community banks began popping up around the Twin Cities about six years ago. Ever since, naysayers have been waiting for the bust. However, most of the banks seem to be doing fairly well. Nicole Garrison-Sprenger took a look at them for the latest edition of The Business Journal.

Weather with Mark Seeley
University of Minnesota Climatologist Mark Seeley talks about Minnesota weather history and looks ahead to the weekend forecast.

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