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May 9 - 13, 2005
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Monday, May 9, 2005 |
Previewing the last two weeks of Session 2005
Two weeks from today, the Minnesota Legislature is scheduled to adjourn. Lawmakers have many big issues to resolve before then -- foremost, how to balance the state's budget in the face of a projected deficit. They also need to decide what to do with the governor's gambling proposal, a Twins stadium bill, and a proposed gay marriage amendment. MPR's Perry Finelli spoke with Laura McCallum, Minnesota Public Radio's Capitol Bureau Chief.
Preservation group highlights items it wants saved
The Preservation Alliance of Minnesota has released its list of the state's "ten most endangered historic properties." Among the sites on this year's list -- the Jacob Schmidt Brewery in St. Paul, a natural port on Lake Superior, and farm in Benton County. The Preservation Alliance is a nonprofit organization that works to protect Minnesota's historic resources. MPR's Perry Finelli spoke with Roger Randall, the organization's board chairman.
Mining controversy near Minnesota River
A fight is on in the Minnesota River valley over mining. Some counties want to expand mining of the valley's abundant hard rock and granite formations. The material is used in construction, especially road building. The best deposits are along a 60 mile stretch of the river, roughly from Montevideo to Redwood Falls. That same area is part of the state's wild and scenic river program, which bans this kind of mining. Mainstreet Radio's Mark Steil reports.
New exhibit on brochurs, business cards
Photographers make photographs. They also make a lot of other stuff: press releases, brochures, business cards, things that are not meant to last. But if they do survive, they can provide insight about individual photographers and the history of photography. Minnesota Public Radio's Marianne Combs has this report on a new exhibit at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. It's called "Fabulous Photographic Ephemera."
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Tuesday, May 10, 2005 |
Twin Cities gas prices were lowest in nation, now on the rise
If you drive in the Twin Cities and didn't fill up your gas tank in the last few days, it looks like you missed out on a deal. Gas prices are creeping up again. Some stations are at $2.15 a gallon this morning. The increase comes after Twin Cities gas prices fell below $2.00 a gallon, the cheapest in the country according to one survey. Minnesota Public Radio's Toni Randolph reports.
State lawmakers start working out differences in higher ed bills
Tough negotiations are beginning at the state capitol, as lawmakers begin working out differences in the House and Senate budget bills. There are less than two weeks remaining before the end of the legislative session. The higher education conference committee will meet for the first time this afternoon. Two years after cutting 15 percent from the state's higher education budget, both the House and Senate are proposing spending increases for Minnesota's colleges and universities. Joining us now are the chairs of the two higher education committees, DFL Sen. Sandy Pappas and Republican Rep. Bud Nornes.
Spring planting ahead of average
Minnesota farmers are making rapid progress on their spring planting, though recent rains have temporarily stopped work in the field. With most of the corn and wheat seeded, many farmers are turning their attention to soybeans. The progress of a planter through a field is easy to track; less certain is whether farmers will earn a profit from the crops. Mainstreet Radio's Mark Steil reports.
NFL to announce change in group that wants to buy Vikings
The NFL is expected to announce this week that Reggie Fowler is no longer the lead partner in a group that wants to buy the Minnesota Vikings, and real estate developer Zygmunt Wilf has taken his place. Fowler has been unable to come up with enough money to satisfy the NFL, which requires that a lead partner own 30 percent of the team. Fowler would likely remain a minority partner in the deal, which NFL officials are expected to vote on later this month. Jay Weiner is a Star Tribune writer and a policy fellow at the Humphrey Institute. He's been following the story, and he joins us now.
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Wednesday, May 11, 2005 |
St. Paul honors Jerry Vick
The funeral for St. Paul Police Sgt. Jerry Vick is being held Wednesday. Vick was killed in the line of duty last Friday while working undercover outside a bar on the city's East Side. On Tuesday afternoon and evening, a long line of mourners and well wishers snaked several city blocks outside a Rice Street funeral home to pay their respects and show support for Vick's family. Minnesota Public Radio's Phil Picardi reports.
Committee gives life to Twins stadium deal at Minnesota Capitol
The stadium debate has been relaunched at the Capitol with fewer than two weeks left to go in the legislative session. Late Tuesday night, a plan to increase the Hennepin County sales tax to pay for the bulk of a new downtown Minneapolis ballpark cleared its first legislative hurdle on a lopsided 17-to-5 bipartisan vote. Supporters say the plan is attractive because it avoids state dollars. Detractors say it denies county residents a say in whether the tax is imposed or not. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports.
New study calculates cost of smoking
A study Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota is releasing today says smoking was responsible for almost two billion dollars in medical costs in 2002. The insurer's Center for Tobacco Reduction and Health Improvement also blames smoking for 5,689 deaths that year. The report is prompting calls for an increase in cigarette taxes to reduce smoking rates in the state. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
Better than coal?
The public gets a look at a plan to generate electrical power from wood this week. Municipal Utilities in Hibbing and Virginia are planning to convert two old coal-fired power plants. They say the project will be good for the Iron Range economy and good for the environment. But others say there are still environmental costs to harvesting and burning wood. Mainstreet Radio's Bob Kelleher reports.
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Thursday, May 12, 2005 |
House-Senate gulf widens at the Capitol
With less than two weeks left in the legislative session, Gov. Tim Pawlenty is urging legislative leaders to reach a budget deal. The call came as the House was passing a vastly different tax bill than the one that passed the Senate last week. And taxes are not the only issue on which the House and Senate are far apart. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
House passes gas tax in defiance of the governor
In open defiance of Gov. Tim Pawlenty's no-new-tax pledge, a group of moderate House Republicans has joined with Democrats to endorse a dime per gallon increase in the state gas tax over the next three years. Shortly after midnight this morning, the House incorporated the tax hike into a transportation funding bill and then adjourned before a final vote on the total package. The tax hike is nonetheless a rebuke to Pawlenty and GOP leaders who have resisted any general tax increases. But the action is likely to be short-lived. House Republican leaders are already vowing to remove the provision when the transportation debate resumes later today. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports.
Waconia schools closed due to threats
Parents of students in the Waconia school district are being urged to talk with their children and, if necessary, check their computers because of recent school threats. That advice came from the Carver County Sheriff last night at a meeting with about 2,000 people at the high school gym. MPR's Cathy Wurzer spoke with Jerry Kjergaard, the Waconia superintendent.
Ft. McCoy potentially on list of base closing
Officials in Tomah, Wisconsin are waiting to hear which military bases the Pentagon wants to close. On Friday morning, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is expected to announce the list. It is part of a long-term transformation of the military which Rumsfeld says could save billions of dollars annually. Rumsfeld's recommendations will go to on to a base-closing commission, and eventually to President Bush. In Tomah, officials are worried about Fort McCoy, a 60,000 acre base in west central Wisconsin used to train and mobilize troops. Chuck Ludeking is the mayor of Tomah, and he joins us now.
For minorities, depression more than a case of the "blues"
Some mental health professionals say depression in African Americans is likely at the core of many other problems that disproportionately affect black communities. Later today, mental health professionals from around the country will meet in Minneapolis to discuss how to combat suicide and depression in African American youth and other youth of color. Minnesota Public Radio's Brandt Williams reports.
Changing Shakespeare's lack of roles for women
William Shakespeare is the most popular - and most staged - playwright in the English language. Unfortunately his plays do not offer many roles for women. Minnesota Public Radio's Marianne Combs reports a Minneapolis theater company is working to change that.
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Friday, May 13, 2005 |
No-tax pledge faces major test
For the first time in more than a decade, the Minnesota House has voted to raise the state's gas tax. Ten Republicans joined with most Democrats yesterday to pass a $7.7 billion transportation package. It is also the first time the House has passed a tax increase since Gov. Pawlenty was elected, which could put his "no new taxes" stance to the test. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
Pentagon to release list of bases it wants to close
Later this morning, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is expected to announce the list of military bases that the Pentagon wants to close. It's part of a long-term transformation of the military which Rumsfeld says could save billions of dollars annually. The list will go on to a base-closing committee, and eventually to President Bush. Communities around the country are waiting for Rumsfeld's announcement, anxious to hear what could happen to the bases in their area. North and South Dakota could both be affected, as both have a number of military bases. Minnesota Public Radio's Cara Hetland has been following the story, and she joins us now.
Illusion Theater plays against stereotypes
The United States has been called a big melting pot because of its rich immigrant history. But things are often difficult for people who have recently arrived in the U.S. The Illusion Theater in downtown Minneapolis explores the mixed reception immigrants and other minorities have received in its latest production "Undesirable Elements: Ten Years Later." Minnesota Public Radio's Toni Randolph reports.
Lake Street businesses preparing for street's makeover
Lake Street is scheduled to get a makeover starting later this month. The $25 million reconstruction will be the first for the busy Minneapolis street since 1954. Lake Street is known for its wide range of ethnic businesses, and those businesses will remain open during the project. In fact, some of them have hired an advertising agency to help generate business during the reconstruction and in the years to come. Nicole Garrison-Sprenger covered the story for this week's edition of The Business Journal. She's come by the studio this morning.
U of M Climatologist Mark Seeley encounters nature
Usually at this time, University of Minnesota Climatologist Mark Seeley joins us in the studio with his weekly weather commentary. Mark is out of the country this week, but he left us some thoughts about an unexpected encounter with nature.
Minnesota DNR fights overfishing
Thousands of anglers will head out tomorrow for Minnesota's fishing opener. While most people who fish play by the rules, no doubt some will try to catch and keep more than they should. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has some serious law enforcement tools to combat overfishing. Honest anglers say they welcome the crackdown on poachers. Mainstreet Radio's Tim Post reports.
Weather with WCCO meteorologist Paul Douglas
It seems more like March than May today. WCCO meteorologist Paul Douglas joins us now for an explanation of what is happening out there.
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