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June 6 - 10, 2005
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Monday, June 6, 2005 |
Real estate developer running for Senate
A political newcomer who calls himself a centrist Democrat has entered the race for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Mark Dayton. Twin Cities real estate developer Kelly Doran announced his candidacy this weekend at a construction site in Oakdale, where his company is building a shopping center. Doran says officials in Washington have been fiscally immoral by saddling future generations with mountains of debt. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen reports.
Looming layoff notices to pressure budget negotiators
Minnesota lawmakers are in special session trying to agree on several budget bills. This is a key week for negotiators because state union contracts require that layoff notices go out beginning Thursday for agencies that do not have a budget yet. MPR's Cathy Wurzer spoke with Bill Salisbury, a longtime reporter at the Capitol for the St. Paul Pioneer Press. (Audio)
Several Minneapolis schools closing
The end of the school year later this week marks the official closing of ten Minneapolis schools. The financially-troubled school district is responding to its shrinking enrollment and excess of classroom space. District officials are combining some of the affected schools and reorganizing others into new grade configurations. When the dust settles this summer, seven school buildings will stand empty. School leaders will then decide on possible new uses. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
The art of making a guitar
If you want to learn how to make a guitar or repair a violin, then head to Red Wing. The city is home to the nation's most comprehensive program focused on building string instruments. And over the years, students from as far away as Mozambique and Thailand have flocked here to learn the art of instrument making. Mainstreet Radio's Erin Galbally has this report.
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Tuesday, June 7, 2005 |
Progress reported in budget talks
Some progress is reported after Gov. Tim Pawlenty and legislative leaders met privately to discuss a budget deal. Pawlenty and the leaders met privately for nearly two hours yesterday. If a new budget isn't approved by the end of the month, state officials are preparing to mothball entire sections of state government. If a new budget isn't in place by July 1, as many as 1 in 3 state workers could face a temporary loss of work that would evolve into layoffs by mid-July. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
Postal service leaving St. Paul riverfront
St. Paul officials are hailing the U.S. Postal Service decision to leave its facility in the city's downtown and move the operation to the suburbs. The Postal Service relocation to Eagan is expected to take a few years, but St. Paul officials already have firm ideas about how to redevelop the area and turn the city into a regional transportation hub. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.
Photo cop to start in Minneapolis
A new program to discourage running red lights gets underway today in Minneapolis. Officials will begin testing a system in which cameras will take pictures of cars as they pass through intersection while their light is red. Tickets will then be sent in the mail to vehicle owners. The program will start at just one intersection in north Minneapolis, and for the first month, violators will only get a warning in the mail. Eventually, cameras will be placed at 12 intersections, and tickets will cost $130. Mary Ellen Heng is an assistant city attorney for Minneapolis. She joins us now.
Cirrus Design looks west for expansion
A Duluth airplane manufacturer is quickly out-growing its current digs. Cirrus Design already builds the world's best selling airplane. Demand is so strong the company is planning a major expansion. But the land they want in Duluth is polluted, and under lease to the military. If Cirrus can't break ground this fall, company officials say, new production and new jobs may have to go to another state. Mainstreet Radio's Bob Kelleher reports.
Smalll Towns and high speed internet
For the next two days, the University of Minnesota in Morris is hosting a symposium on small towns. The event, which is co-sponsored by Minnesota Public Radio, will focus on the issues, conditions, and future of rural communities. One of the challenges affecting many small towns is affordable access to high-speed Internet connections. President Bush has said he wants high-speed Internet available to every home in the country by 2007. To see how that's coming along in Minnesota, MPR's Cathy Wurzer spoke with Jack Geller, president of the Center for Rural Policy and Development, a St. Peter-based organization that keeps tabs on internet use in rural areas of the state.
St. Olaf musicians touring Norway
One hundred years ago today, June 7, 1905, Norway peacefully dissolved its union with Sweden, making Norway a fully independent nation. Norwegians are marking the centennial, and so are hundreds of student musicians from St. Olaf College. The school's band, orchestra, and choir are touring the country this month. The Northfield, Minnesota college was founded by Norwegian immigrants. Karen Hansen is Executive Director of St. Olaf's Center for Life Long Learning, and has been attending the concerts, and she joins us on the line.
U of M to test vaccine for cervical cancer
The University of Minnesota will soon begin a clinical trial for a vaccine that could help prevent cervical cancer. The U is just one site for the study, which has enrolled thousands of women worldwide. Reseachers will test a vaccine for human papillomavirius or HPV, a sexually transmitted infection that can cause cervical cancer. They hope that by preventing HPV, cervical cancer rates will also decline. Dr. Levi Downs is the local principal investigator on the trial and an assistant professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School. He joins us now.
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Wednesday, June 8, 2005 |
Northwest mechanics prepare for strike
Mechanics union leaders at Northwest Airlines say they don't want any work slowdowns that could disrupt the airline's flight schedule. Leaders of the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association say that is a key message at strike preparation meetings Tuesday for thousands of Twin Cities-based mechanics, custodians and cleaners. With the busy summer travel season at hand, tensions between Northwest and the mechanics are rising. Northwest says it is preparing for a possible strike or job actions that analysts say neither the airline nor its workers can afford. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports.
St. Paul is falling short on hiring minority contractors
The city of St. Paul has had a law on the books for more than a decade to encourage minority and women-owned businesses to work on city-financed projects. Some minority businesses say they aren't getting fair access to lucrative city contracts, and the numbers seem to bear that out. The City Council may vote Wednesday on whether to study the issue. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.
Program smooths the path to college for some urban students
It's the season for caps and gowns, Pomp and Circumstance, and, ultimately, diplomas for more than 60,000 Minnesota high school seniors. About 65 percent of the graduates will pursue some sort of post-secondary education, but those rates vary from district to district. Last month, the Citizens League singled out St. Paul as one district that could do a better job pushing high school graduates toward post-secondary education, especially students of color. Admission Possible is a non-profit organization that's been tackling that specific problem for five years. Its after-school program helps disadvantaged students in St. Paul and Minneapolis get into college. This year, 100 percent of the program's 246 seniors are headed for higher education. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire met this week with five "Admission Possible" participants to learn about their future plans.
Twins stadium plan still stalled at the Capitol
The latest plan for a new Twins stadium is stalled at the Capitol, and it's unclear whether it will be revived. Lawmakers are in special session but have put aside legislation that doesn't have to do with the state's budget. The ballpark plan calls for a 478 million dollar stadium with team owner Carl Pohlad paying about a quarter of the cost and Hennepin County paying the rest with a point-one-five percent sales tax increase. The catch is that the county can't raise the tax without the state's approval. Hennepin County commissioner Mike Opat led the plan through the county board. He joins us now.
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Thursday, June 9, 2005 |
Judge allows confession in Vang trial
Chai Vang's murder trial will be held in Hayward, Wisconsin. Vang is the Twin Cities man charged in the shooting deaths of six Wisconsin deer hunters last November, and the wounding of two others. A Sawyer County judge heard pre-trial motions Wednesday, setting the stage for the September trial. Mainstreet Radio's Bob Kelleher reports.
MinnesotaCare enrollees wait for Legislature, and worry
Senate DFLers say they'll present a significant counter proposal on Thursday when legislative leadership and Gov. Pawlenty meet to talk about the state budget. Lawmakers are in the third week of a special session to resolve their differences on many issues including health care, education and taxes. The failure to pass a budget so close to the end of the fiscal year is causing concern for many people, including those who rely on state-subsidized health care. People who rely on the state's MinnesotaCare insurance and those who treat them say they don't know how to plan for their care beyond July 1. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
Syphilis cases up in Minnesota
The number of syphilis cases in Minnesota is climbing, and state health officials are urging more testing for the disease. After a drop in cases last year, a preliminary review of 2005 data shows infectious syphilis cases have nearly doubled compared to 2004. Over 90 percent of this year's cases are among gay and bisexual men. Kip Beardsley is the State STD director at the Minnesota Department of Health. He joins us now.
Wet weather causing problems for some Minnesota farmers
The National Weather Service is predicting more wet weather for some areas of the state, at least for the next few days. Another wave of heavy rain is possible in the Red River valley this evening and into tomorrow morning. All the rain is causing problems for some Minnesota farmers, including those in west central Minnesota. Doug Holen is a regional extension educator at the University of Minnesota extension office in Fergus Falls. He watches crop production, and he joins us now.
Blue Earth River heavily polluted
Some of Minnesota's most polluted water is found in the rivers of southern Minnesota. Farm runoff and outdated septic systems send a hazardous mix of sediment, chemicals and bacteria into the streams. The Blue Earth River is one of the worst. On most days it may be unhealthy to swim there. There's no single villain; the pollution comes from multiple sources. Efforts to clean up the river are being made, but money is tight. Mainstreet Radio's Mark Steil took a canoe trip on the Blue Earth for an up-close look.
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Friday, June 10, 2005 |
Court ruling to reduce state revenues
Officials with Gov. Tim Pawlenty's administration are studying the implications of a Minnesota Supreme Court ruling that could worsen the state's budget deficit. The court ruled Thursday in favor of a company, Hutchinson Technology, which was seeking to avoid paying corporate taxes on income generated by its foreign subsidiaries. MPR's Cathy Wurzer spoke with State Finance Commissioner Peggy Ingison.
DFL budget offer underwhelms GOP
DFL legislative leaders say they will support a 55-cent a pack cigarette tax increase, if the money goes to health care. The governor has proposed a 75-cent a pack increase, but wants to cut health programs. The DFL proposal was part of a much-anticipated budget offer intended to resolve the impasse at the Capitol. But Republican leaders immediately rejected the offer, saying it does little to avoid a potential government shutdown. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
U of M Regents to decide on reorganization plan
The University of Minnesota Board of Regents is scheduled to vote today on a reorganization plan. Many vocal critics have hammered the proposal by University President Robert Bruininks to close the General College saying it limits access to the institution by minority students and others who face education obstacles. Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes reports, Bruininks' changes to some other colleges are also receiving mixed reviews among those closest to the changes.
Top conservators visit northern Minnesota history museum
About 700 art and history conservators from around the world are in Minneapolis this week for the 33rd annual meeting of the American Institute for Historic and Artistic Works. Earlier this week, about a dozen members of the institute traveled to the Clearwater County Historical Museum in northern Minnesota. The visit was part of a volunteer program called the Angels Project. The idea is to share the expertise of some of the nation's top conservators with smaller institutions that otherwise couldn't afford their services. Mainstreet Radio's Tom Robertson reports.
Music box fans seek a new generation
Mechanical music boxes are like time machines. When you put a coin into a machine from the 1800s, like a Nickelodeon, you hear the exact same tune that was heard over a hundred years ago. Not a reproduction, but the exact music from the exact instrument. A group of local collectors hope a new film about mechanical music boxes will generate more enthusiasm for the hobby. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.
Bioblitz: 24 hours to find as many species as possible
Curators at the Bell Museum of Natural History will be exploring the Minnesota Valley Wildlife Refuge today, and they want you to help them. They're trying to find out how many living species they can identify in the refuge in just 24 hours. They're calling it Bioblitz 2005 and it begins at the refuge in Bloomington at 5 p.m. Joining us on the line is Susan Weller, a curator at the Bell Museum who's co-organizing the event.
Weather comments with Mark Seeley
University of Minnesota Climatologist Mark Seeley discusses the heavy thunderstorms that blew through the Twin Cities earlier this week, and tells us about the first tropical storm to enter the Gulf of Mexico.
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