|
June 13 - 17, 2005
[ Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday ]
|
Monday, June 13, 2005 |
Lawmakers begin fourth week of special session
If lawmakers at the state capitol fail to reach a budget agreement soon, a number of state government services could shut down less than three weeks from today. The legislature is in special session, and despite a number of back-and-forth offers, lawmakers don't seem to be making much progress. They need to agree on the rest of the budget by June 30th in order to avoid a partial shutdown. Minnesota Public Radio's Capitol Bureau Chief Laura McCallum has been watching the developments. She joins us now.
Final 212 link will speed commute and growth
Work begins this summer on the last link of one of Minnesota's longest running and most controversial road building sagas. There's been a half century of back and forth over completing a Twin Cities section of Highway 212 through the fast growing southwest suburbs of Chaska, Chanhassen and Eden Prairie. When it's complete in 2008 the new 212 link will mean a quicker commute, faster population growth and, for some, higher property taxes. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports.
Texas-based firm wants condos near proposed Twins ballpark
The effort to develop the part of Minneapolis where a proposed Twins stadium would go has new leadership. Texas-based Hines International, already the biggest private landlord downtown, is taking over development of a proposed 16-acre project just west of the Target Center. Hines says they want to develop 1,000 condos in the area if there's a Twins ballpark built, 3,000 if there isn't. Joining us on the line to talk about the real estate market in that area is Mary Bujold, president of Maxfield Research.
Hot tamales by the thousands
Tamales are an ancient Mexican food dating back to the time of the Aztecs. You've probably tried tamales wrapped in corn husks, but the Aztecs wrapped the first tamales in banana leaves. They still make them like that in Oaxaca, a state in southern Mexico thought to be the birthplace of corn. But you don't have to go to Oaxaca to get these traditional tamales. A young couple in Minneapolis is using new technology and old methods to mass produce a very traditional food. Minnesota Public Radio's Bianca Vazquez Toness reports.
Monday Markets with Chris Farrell
Minnesota Public Radio's Chief Economics Correspondent Chris Farrell discusses the latest economic news.
Cooperation bests competition in Great American Think-Off
Cooperation benefits society more than competition. That's the argument that won this year's Great American Think-Off in New York Mills, Minnesota. The annual contest is something of a philosophy competition for ordinary people. Blaine Rada, a training consultant from Brookfield, Illinois, beat out three other finalists this past weekend with his thoughts on whether cooperation or competition benefits society more. Each year, hundreds of contestants submit essays to argue their points, and the audience chooses a winner from among the finalists. Blaine Rada joins us now.
|
|
Tuesday, June 14, 2005 |
Minneapolis superintendent under scrutiny
The Minneapolis School Board will discuss the future of Superintendent Thandiwe Peebles again today. Board members met behind closed doors for two hours yesterday to discuss the superintendent's job performance and her contract, but recessed without making a decision. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
U of M opens new building seeking cures
The University of Minnesota today celebrates the opening of a new laboratory building that officials hope will lead to more breakthrough therapies for conditions like malaria, HIV, or spinal cord injuries. The $37 million McGuire Translational Research Facility will house researchers from several different disciplines. The goal is to bridge the gap that often exists between basic science research and the development of treatments or cures. MPR's Perry Finelli spoke with Frank Cerra, the senior vice president for health sciences at the U of M.
Giving Twins fans an alternative program for each game
The Twins begin a three game series with the San Francisco Giants tonight at the Metrodome. Many fans, who go to the game, will learn more about the players by purchasing and reading a program. But unlike other big league cities, fans here have a choice. In addition to the official program, published by the Twins, there is another independently-produced option with a very different editorial perspective. Despite a distinct marketing disadvantage, the publishers of "Gameday" have cultivated a loyal customer base. Minnesota Public Radio's Jim Bickal reports.
|
|
Wednesday, June 15, 2005 |
Medica suing two former employees
Medica Health Plans is accusing two former employees of stealing sensitive and confidential data from the company. Medica obtained court orders in April demanding that the two reveal what happened to the data, and to have their personal computers turned over for inspection. The former employees say they did not violate Medica's policies, and they have not been charged with any crimes. Medica has 1.2 million members and its computers hold personal information like social security numbers. Joining us on the line is Medica's Director of Communications Larry Bussey.
Teen suicide topic of Senate Indian affairs hearing
This week, the U.S. Senate Indian Affairs Committee holds a hearing on teen suicide. Experts say teen suicide is an epidemic on Indian reservations across the country. Some of the highest teen suicide rates are on Indian reservations in the upper midwest. Mainstreet Radio's Dan Gunderson has the story of a teen whose experience reflects reality in Indian Country.
Minnesota town struggles as its school and hospital closes
One of the biggest fears for small town residents is the loss of a community institution like a school or a major employer. The folks in Starbuck Minnesota took a double hit this month when the town of 1,400 saw both its elementary school and hospital close - in the same week. Mainstreet Radio's Tim Post reports.
|
|
Thursday, June 16, 2005 |
State government shutdown plans in full swing
Minnesota could stop issuing new drivers licenses, lock-up parks and highway rest stops, and possibly lay off thousands of state workers if a new budget isn't complete by the end of the month. Gov. Tim Pawlenty yesterday outlined preparations for a partial government shutdown and lashed out at Senate Democrats, who he says are purposefully aiming for paralysis. Democrats rebutted by offering a limited budget plan to keep government running. But there was more progress in preparing for a shutdown than there was in averting one. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
EPA plan tackles cleanup in Cass Lake
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says household dust samples from homes within the St. Regis Superfund site in Cass Lake contain dangerous levels of dioxin and arsenic. Those were chemicals used for decades at a wood treatment plant in the neighborhood. Now, the EPA is taking public comment on a plan to clean up dust in some 40 homes within the Superfund site. As Mainstreet Radio's Tom Robertson reports, many people in Cass Lake say the plan doesn't go far enough.
New dance company creates its own personality
What is dance? Ballet? Modern? Jazz? Ethnic? A new dance company in the Twin Cities is attempting to bring together the best of all these forms. Minnesota Public Radio's Marianne Combs has this report on TU Dance.
|
|
Friday, June 17, 2005 |
Bush to promote Medicare drug benefit in Maple Grove
President George W. Bush will be in Minnesota today for his first visit since last year's campaign. Bush will hold what is being billed as a "Conversation on Medicare" at the Maple Grove Community Center. Only ticket-holding, invited guests will be allowed to hear from the president. The White House will not tell Minnesota Public Radio whether today's Minnesota event, is off limits to people who disagree with the President. Critics say many of the president's appearances are open only to supporters. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports.
Bush talks Medicare with Medicaid in trouble
President Bush will visit the Maple Grove Community Center today to talk about Medicare, the federal health insurance program for the elderly. The President's visit includes a roundtable discussion with about a dozen senior citizens, followed by a speech to some 500 invited guests. The White House has not disclosed specifics on the talk, but in other appearances, President Bush has touted Medicare's new prescription drug plan. That benefit goes into effect next January to the delight of some seniors who haven't been able to afford high out-of-pocket drug costs. But the President's visit comes at a time when an even bigger government health care program is on the chopping block and that's got a lot of people in Minnesota concerned. Minnesota Public Radio's Lorna Benson reports.
Music under the radar
For some people, underground music means anything that's not played on the radio. For others, the definition goes a little deeper. Tonight and tomorrow, some of the most subterranean music in the Twin Cities will surface at Franklin Art Works in Minneapolis. It's part of the underground music festival, Heliotrope. Minnesota Public Radio Chris Roberts has more.
Climatologist Mark Seeley's weather comments
University of Minnesota Climatologist Mark Seeley discusses the severe weather that hit Minnesota earlier this week, and takes a look at the conditions for marathoners in Grandma's Marathon in Duluth.
|
| Morning Edition Archive |
|
|
|
© 2024 | Home : Terms of Use : Your Privacy Rights