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August 1 - 5, 2005
[ Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday ]
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Monday, Aug. 1, 2005 |
The politics behind the fetal pain law
A Minnesota law that takes effect Monday requires doctors who perform abortions to offer anesthesia for late-term fetuses. Minnesota is the second state to enact the requirement, following Arkansas. As Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports, the fetal pain measure passed with little opposition.
A dollar for me, a dollar for you?
Some Minnesotans will get a raise Monday. The state's minimum wage for most employers increases by $1, to $6.15 an hour. It's the first increase in Minnesota in seven years. About two percent of workers statewide earn the minimum wage. But the change will probably benefit even more people. Minnesota Public Radio's Bianca Vazquez Toness reports.
New law protects great horned owl
It's a good day for great horned owls. As of today, the bird is a protected species in Minnesota. To find out what effect that will have, we've called Karla Kinstler at the Houston Nature Center in Houston, Minnesota. Karla fought for the change at the Minnesota legislature.
Monday Markets
Minnesota Public Radio's Chief Economics Correspondent Chris Farrell discusses the latest economic news.
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Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2005 |
Too wet in some areas; too dry in others
Minnesotans love to talk about the extremes in our weather. This year it's those extremes that have some farmers celebrating while others are left wondering if they can survive another year. Last week farmers in southern Minnesota received a good soaking rain. But for many it may have come too late. Minnesota Public Radio's Cara Hetland reports.
Discovery astronauts to test Alliant Techsystem's repair kit
The dangling ceramic fabric on the shuttle shows that the unexpected does happen. NASA is trying to prepare itself for such occasions, and they'll do so on this mission with the help of Edina-based Alliant Techsystems. Astronauts are expected to test part of a repair kit designed by the company. The kit is supposed to be able to repair damage to the shuttle's wing. Joining us on the line is Bryce Hallowell, a spokesperson for the company.
Churches challenge handgun law again
It looks like Minnesota's conceal-carry gun law will be tested in court again. Attorneys, representing two Twin Cities churches, have filed suit claiming the law infringes on the rights of religious institutions. After the law went into effect in 2003, it was successfully challenged on the grounds that it was attached to an unrelated bill. The 2005 Legislature re-passed the bill with minor revisions and Gov. Pawlenty signed it into law. Attorney David Lillehaug is representing Edina Community Lutheran Church, and he joins us now.
Painting with sound
What do you do if one day you realize the job you've loved all your life simply isn't cutting it anymore? If you're in a company you might shop your resume around. But what if you're an artist? Here's the story of a man who changed his art, and how the art changed the man. Minnesota Public Radio's Marianne Combs reports.
Open Ears: Rajasekar
For the last several weeks, local musicians have been leading us on a musical excursion. The series is called "Open Ears." We're asking musicians to talk about music that moves them, but comes from a genre other than their own. Nirmala Rajasekar has been performing ancient South Indian classical music for most of her life. She's an accomplished player of the traditional Indian stringed instrument called the Veena. But Rajasekar also happens to be a huge fan of the American musical.
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Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2005 |
Court strikes down restrictions on judicial candidates
A new federal appeals court ruling opens the door for judicial candidates in Minnesota to participate in political party activities. The sweeping ruling issued yesterday strikes down Minnesota's rules against such activities and stems from a challenge by Golden Valley attorney Greg Wersal who successfully challenged an earlier Minnesota rule against judicial candidates speaking on political and legal issues. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports.
Ag Secretary Johanns likely to face land price questions at FarmFest
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns will be at FarmFest today near Redwood Falls for a listening session on the next federal farm bill. The legislation controls a host of government agricultural programs and payments. One topic sure to be discussed is land prices. Some farmers say generous government crop subsidies are helping big farmers buy land at the expense of small farmers. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Steil examined land sale records in three southwest Minnesota counties. He found the top subsidy recipients buy a disproportionate amount of the land.
Minneapolis mayoral candidates campaign at National Night Out
The candidates for mayor of Minneapolis may have some sore legs this morning after hustling from one block party to the next. Thousands of Minnesotans met in informal gatherings last night at block parties and cook outs for the annual National Night Out. It is an effective way for folks to catch up with their neighbors, and for politicians to stump for votes. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
A look at the last two U.S. airline strikes
If Northwest Airlines mechanics go on strike August 19th, it will be the first airline mechanics strike in the U.S. since 1992. That strike at USAir (now US Airways) lasted only five days. But a 1989 mechanics strike at Eastern Airlines set off a two-year chain of events that ended with the airline's demise. Minnesota Public Radio's Jeff Horwich spoke with workers who lived through two strikes with very different outcomes.
Northwest Airlines and mechanics union continue mediation
Mediated talks between Northwest Airlines and its mechanics union continue today in Washington D.C. Union representatives say the talks have clarified what each side wants, but that no counterproposals were offered during the first day. The negotiations are scheduled to continue through Friday.
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Thursday, Aug. 4, 2005 |
U.S. Ag Secretary meets with Minnesota farmers
Farmers are tuned into the debate over the next farm bill. They demonstrated their interest at a public meeting Wednesday near Redwood Falls. Several hundred people endured oppressive heat at Farmfest to tell U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns what should be in the important piece of federal legislation. It's mostly about agriculture, but rural development is also a concern. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Steil reports.
The Fringe Festival takes center stage
The Minnesota Fringe Festival gets underway today in Minneapolis. It's an opportunity to see a myriad of theater, dance and visual art in a matter of days. Minnesota Public Radio's Marianne Combs reports the Fringe Festival has fewer shows this year, but it's expanding in other ways.
World Baton Twirling Championships come to St. Paul
More than 300 batons twirlers from ten different countries are descending on St. Paul this weekend. They're here for the World Baton Twirling Championships, which begin today at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium in downtown St. Paul. If you're picturing clumsy teenage girls practicing tosses in the backyard, think again. These competitors -- men and women, of many ages -- will show off some impressive skills, in carefully choreographed performances. Sandi Wiemers is the president of the United States Twirling Association, and CEO of the World Championships. She joins us now.
State Senator performs in this year's Fringe Festival
If you follow Minnesota politics closely, you may recognize one of the performers in this year's Fringe Festival. State Sen. Sandy Pappas is in "L'an: Four Jewish Characters in Search of Israel's Future." She came by the studio, and I asked her to explain the show.
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Friday, Aug. 5, 2005 |
Ethanol production to double under federal energy bill
Congress passed the first major energy legislation in 13 years before leaving for its summer recess. Ethanol is a big winner in that bill. Many expect production to double. Lawmakers are touring the midwest to talk about the future of ethanol and what it means to local farmers. Minnesota Public Radio's Cara Hetland reports.
Winners and losers assess impact of CAFTA
When President Bush signed the Central American Free Trade Agreement, or CAFTA, this week, it drew very mixed reactions. Supporters say CAFTA will strengthen the nation's economy and improve relations with Central American democracies. Some farmers see the agreement as a way to reach new markets, but others see it as a potential disaster. Minnesota Public Radio's Bob Reha reports.
Twin Cities businesses tapping into podcasting
A wide variety of Twin Cities businesses are tapping into a hot new internet craze: podcasting. Those businesses include ABC Radio Minneapolis, a company that operates KQRS, 93X, and Drive 105. Nicole Garrison-Sprenger covered the story for this week's edition of The Business Journal. She's come by the studio this morning.
Minnesotan recalls London bombings, one month later
London's underground operators this week reopened sections of the subway that had been closed since the July 7th attacks. Police continue to maintain a strong presence throughout the system. Commentator Eve Johnson Blackwell has just returned from a trip to London. She offers these impressions of what it was like in the city before, during, and after the attacks.
Weather with Mark Seeley
University of Minnesota Climatologist Mark Seeley discusses Minnesota weather history and looks ahead to the weekend forecast.
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