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May 30 - June 3, 2005
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Monday, May 30, 2005 |
At the Minneapolis VA hospital, vets help vets
Every day volunteers help patients navigate the miles of hallways and the maze of offices at the sprawling Minneapolis Veterans Hospital. The volunteers are called escorts, and they're from all age groups. Some see the donation of their time as a way of giving back for help given them. Others view it as a way to honor the contribution of friends or family serving in the military. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports.
Oakland Cemetery home to Minnesota's Civil War history
For the past nine years, amateur historian Pat Hill has been giving guided tours of Oakland Cemetery in St. Paul, focusing on the approximately 1,500 Civil War veterans who are buried there. Those veterans include six Minnesota governors. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer went on a tour with Hill.
The moment before the storm
Seven years ago, a tornado hit the small town of Spencer, South Dakota. Five people died, and the F-5 tornado inspired many television weather documentaries. Now, one artist has captured an image no one saw: The moment before the storm. Mainstreet Radio's Cara Hetland reports.
Lorna Landvik leaves Minnesota in new novel
Popular Twin Cities author Lorna Landvik is trying something new in her latest novel, "Oh My Stars." For the first time, she's set a story outside of Minnesota and in a period before she was born. It's the depression-era story of Violet Mathers, an 18-year-old Kentucky girl who's been beaten down by life. Just as she reaches her lowest point, she winds up traveling the midwest with a trio of musicians. Minnesota Public Radio's Karl Gehrke has more.
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Tuesday, May 31, 2005 |
Boating deaths highlight need for safety
Five people died in boating accidents in Minnesota over the Memorial Day weekend. MPR's Cathy Wurzer spoke with Kim Elverum, coordinator of the Department of Natural Resources boat and water safety program.
Army recruiters face tough sell
You have probably heard news stories about military recruiters who have been disciplined breaking rules in their efforts to sign-up new soldiers. There's no disputing the U.S. military is under great pressure to bring in more troops. Observers say fears about being killed in places like Iraq, coupled with the improving economy are likely to blame for recruiting shortfalls. Military officials acknowledge, parents' concerns about the safety of their kids have made enlisting young people harder than it used to be. Nevertheless Department of Defense officials predict they will be able to turn around the slump in Army enlistments as early as next month. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports.
Minnesota farms prepare for soybean rust
Agriculture experts have been watching a disease called soybean rust hop around the globe for decades. It was first discovered in Asia in the early 1900s. Then it made its way to Africa, then to South America. Finally last fall it arrived in the U.S. If it goes unchecked, soybean rust can devastate a farmer's crops. But most Minnesota farmers say they are prepared to deal with the disease if it shows up in their fields. Mainstreet Radio's Tim Post reports.
Dodgeball movie sparks interest in the game
Can a movie bring out the child-like side of adults? It depends on the movie -- and the adults. Last summer's blockbuster film Dodgeball reignited interest in the game -- a game, many have not played since childhood. Some started playing dodgeball again last summer and haven't stopped yet. Minnesota Public Radio's Toni Randolph reports.
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Wednesday, June 1, 2005 |
United Airlines labor deals may affect Northwest
United Airlines has reached contract agreements with two of its major unions, resolving conflicts that could have led to strikes. United is the third largest airline serving the Twin Cities airport and a major competitor of Twin Cities-based Northwest Airlines. United's mechanics union yesterday agreed to a nearly 4 percent cut in pay and benefits. It's expected to save United $96 million a year. The airline also announced an agreement with its machinists union, although the two sides are still working out details. Officials at Northwest Airlines are surely watching the developments. Northwest has been seeking to cut its mechanics' pay by around 25 percent. The airline recently said talks are at an impasse and has asked to be released from negotiations. Daryl Jenkins is a professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and former director of The Aviation Institute at George Washington University. He joins us now.
Ethanol's effect on cars
U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton is traveling around southern Minnesota this week in his ethanol-powered Ford Explorer, continuing his push for alternative fuels. He recently introduced legislation that would require all new vehicles sold in the country to have flexible-fuel engines, which can run on either E85 or regular gasoline. MPR's Cathy Wurzer spoke with Paul Brand, an automotive expert for KSTP radio.
Earth Harp playing in St. Paul
Minnesota is home to the world's largest hockey stick and the world's largest ball of twine. This week it will become the temporary home of the world's largest string instrument. Today the "Earth Harp" was assembled in downtown St. Paul as part of the Flint Hills International Children's Festival. Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Roberts has more.
New regulations on Mississippi causes uproar
There are a lot of angry people along the Upper Mississippi River. Last night, over 400 folks gathered in Winona to voice concerns about new regulations proposed for the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is responsible for the 261 miles of river and surrounding area that make up the refuge. Agency officials have decided it's time to revisit some rules that have been on the books for decades. Mainstreet Radio's Erin Galbally reports not everyone thinks its time for a change.
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Thursday, June 2, 2005 |
DFL State Sen. Steve Kelley to run for governor
DFL State Sen. Steve Kelley says he's in the race for governor next year. The Hopkins resident says his campaign will focus on his bread and butter issue, education. He says the state is drifting toward mediocrity under Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty and needs a change. But Republicans says he's not the one to bring that change. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
Schools budgeting with uncertain funding from the state
School district leaders are relying a lot on guesswork this year as they prepare their annual operating budgets. They still don't know how much state funding is headed their way. State law requires school boards to adopt local budgets by June 30th. But state lawmakers have yet to pass an education finance bill, and their special session could drag on for weeks. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
Changes on 394 result in longer commutes for some
Officials with the Minnesota Department of Transportation say they knew traffic could get worse on some parts of Highway 394 after opening up the high occupancy lanes to solo drivers who were willing to pay a toll. As part of the new program launched last month, the department decided to reserve the lanes 24 hours a day for high occupancy vehicles, and those single drivers willing to pay. But that closed off the lanes during off-peak times when they used to be open to all drivers. Joining us on the line is Kevin Gutknecht, a spokesman for the department.
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Friday, June 3, 2005 |
Pawlenty, Hatch feud as state shutdown nears
Gov. Tim Pawlenty is asking Attorney General Mike Hatch to consider stepping aside in the event a budget impasse requires a court order to keep critical state services running. Lawmakers and the governor remain at odds over how much the state can afford for health care and public schools. If a compromise budget isn't in place by the end of the month, funding for those programs and others could run dry without a court order to keep essential services operating. But Pawlenty -- a Republican -- is suggesting that Hatch -- a Democrat -- has political ambitions that should perhaps disqualify him from participating in any court petitions. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
State government narrowly escaped shutdown in 2001
A senior advisor to Gov. Pawlenty says the administration has begun early planning for a partial state government shutdown. A shutdown could occur if lawmakers don't finish the budget by the end of the month. The legislature has yet to pass several funding bills, including those that pay for state health care programs and K-12 education. State officials haven't yet determined which services would be cut off in a shutdown and which would be deemed essential. Back in 2001, the state avoided a partial shutdown by mere hours, when then-Gov. Ventura signed several bills into law just before the midnight deadline. The state had prepared for a shutdown, and Ventura spokesman John Wodele was involved in those preparations. He joins us now.
Bankruptcy question a cloud over Northwest
Northwest Airlines is heading into the summer with the threat of bankruptcy looming and mounting tensions with its mechanics union. Some mechanics union leaders are now saying a strike looks inevitable. Wall Street analysts say the question facing Northwest is whether the airline will reach cost-cutting agreements with its unions in time to head off bankruptcy. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports.
New report says suburbs creating their own arts scenes
Approximately 2.6 million people live in the Twin Cities. Of those, more than two million live in the suburbs. A new report says these communities are creating their own vibrant arts scene. Minnesota Public Radio's Marianne Combs has the story.
Minneapolis Lakers Great George Mikan dies
Minneapolis Lakers great George Mikan has died. He was 80 years old. Mikan was the NBA's first dominant big man, leading the Minneapolis Lakers to a series of NBA championships in the 1940s and 1950s. Six-foot-ten with thick glasses, Mikan was so effective as a center at DePaul that he forced the NCAA to adopt the goaltending rule. In recent years, he had been suffering from diabetes and kidney failure. Mikan is honored with a statue at the Target Center in Minneapolis. The man behind that statue is Dennis Schulstad, a former member of the Minneapolis City Council. He joins us now.
The Business Journal considers business potential of North Minneapolis
After a double homicide in north Minneapolis in March, mayor RT Rybak pledged to revitalize the North Side, a part of the city that's known for its poverty and crime. Many city leaders believe business investment is key to that revitalization. In this week's edition of The Business Journal, a team of reporters took a look at North Minneapolis and its business potential. Joining us now to discuss the series is reporter Sarah McKenzie.
Weather with Mark Seeley
University of Minnesota Meteorologist Mark Seeley discusses Minnesota weather history and looks ahead to the weekend forecast.
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