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August 15 - 19, 2005
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Monday, Aug. 15, 2005 |
Negotiations resume between Northwest and mechanics
Negotiators for Northwest Airlines and its mechanics union will be back at the bargaining table today for another round of contract talks. Northwest's mechanics can legally walkout at 11:01 p.m. Central Daylight Time on Friday if a contract agreement isn't reached by then. Today's negotiations are taking place in Washington, D.C. at the headquarters of the National Mediation Board. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports.
Designing the state's World War II memorial
Ground has been broken for a new memorial on the State Capitol Mall that will honor Minnesota's World War II veterans. When it is completed, the memorial will be inside the Mall's rose garden. At its center there will be a map of Minnesota, surrounded by bronze stars honoring Minnesota heroes of the war. There will also be ten etched glass panels set in granite that will combine pictures and text which highlight Minnesota's contribution to the war effort. Andrea Myklebust of the Mylkebust-Sears public art design firm has been helping determine the content of those panels and she joins us now.
Teacher performance pay on the horizon
Minnesota school districts will soon decide if they are ready to change the way they pay teachers. State lawmakers included $86 million in this year's education finance bill to help a limited number of districts switch to a new performance-pay system, called Q-Comp. The state department of education will begin allocating the money to approved school districts this fall. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
Ancestor of abolitionist recalls recent family reunion
American history buffs may remember William Lloyd Garrison. Garrison pushed for an immediate end to slavery at a time when even northern politicians favored a more gradual approach to emancipation. He published the radical anti-slavery newspaper "The Liberator" from 1831 until his vision became a reality at the end of the Civil War. Earlier this month, 150 of Garrison's descendents converged on suburban Boston to mark the two-hundredth anniversary of his birth. It was the culmination of the Garrison family's long-running obsession with their most famous ancestor. Garrison's great-great-great-grandson Curtis Gilbert was there.
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Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2005 |
Legislative leaders push for fall special session
State legislative leaders are encouraging Governor Tim Pawlenty to call a special session this fall to pass stadiums bills for the Minnesota Twins and the University of Minnesota Gopher football program. Senate Majority Leader Dean Johnson, DFL-Willmar, told a home-town radio station recently that he would support a special session, and Republican House Speaker Steve Sviggum says he would also support one, if public hearings are held on proposed bills and if agreements are reached before convening a session. Governor Pawlenty's spokesman says the governor wants to wait until after Labor Day to talk about a special session. Joining us this morning are two lawmakers, Representative Steve Simon, DFL-St. Louis Park, and Representative Connie Ruth, R-Owatonna.
Bloomington stands behind smoking ban
The Bloomington City Council has adopted a resolution that strengthens its support for the city's smoking ban ordinance. The vote came last night after city staff presented a report that found no conclusive evidence the ban had an impact on bars and restaurants. Some businesses did experience decreases in liquor sales during the first three months of the ban, but city staff members say there may be several different causes for the drop in sales. Minnesota Public Radio's Brandt Williams reports.
Impact of new bankruptcy laws on NWA uncertain
A new, more restrictive bankruptcy law that takes effect in October could lead Northwest Airlines to file for Chapter 11 before the middle of that month. Since 2001, the airline has lost about $2.5 billion, and it is facing a growing number of pressures. NWA just resumed negotiating with its mechanics union yesterday and faces a Friday deadline to come to an agreement, or the mechanics can go on strike. Neither side is talking about the negotiations. Jet fuel prices have been rising, and the airline is facing huge payments to its pension funds. The airline's financial pressures are raising the possibility of filing for bankruptcy. Minnesota Public Radio's Annie Baxter has a look at the changes in bankruptcy law, and how they could affect Northwest.
Case tests attorney general's power over non-profits
A Hennepin County judge could rule as early as this week, on a case that is expected to affect how much power state Attorney General Mike Hatch has over non-profit groups. Judge Lloyd Zimmerman must decide whether Hatch may replace Medica's board of directors for the second time in four years. Hatch contends the HMO's new board members abused their non-profit status, held sham elections, and gave themselves lavish raises. Medica says its board took a broken company and brought it back to financial health. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports.
Cage fighting gets some restriction in Sioux Falls
The city of Sioux Falls, South Dakota is among the first to restrict an unusual sport that is gaining popularity around the Midwest. The sport is called Cage Fighting. Two adults get into a padded chain link cage and engage in what some call old-fashioned street fighting, and what others insist is a legitimate sport. Minnesota Public Radio's Cara Hetland reports.
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Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2005 |
State senator joins Sheehan's anti-war protest
DFL State Senator Becky Lourey, whose son, Matt, was killed in Iraq earlier this year - is going to Crawford, Texas, to join Cindy Sheehan's protest outside President Bush's ranch. Sheehan, whose son, Casey, also died in Iraq, has been leading a vigil for the past 11 days. She is asking to speak with President Bush about her son's death. Senator Lourey says she decided to join Sheehan's vigil during a public appearance over the weekend.
Guard prepares for largest Minnesota deployment since WWII
About 2,600 Minnesota National Guard soldiers will be preparing to deploy to the Middle East. The 34th Infantry Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team will train for six months in Mississippi and Louisiana, and will then be deployed overseas as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. It is the largest overseas deployment of Minnesota National Guard soldiers since World War II. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
Some drivers pay less for gas in St. Cloud
If filling up your gas tank these days makes you cringe, consider this - some drivers in St. Cloud are filling up for $1.40 per gallon, or less. That's because they bought gas in bulk before prices shot up recently. It is an option offered by First Fuel Banks in St. Cloud, which says it is the only operation of its kind in the nation. Jim Fineis, the owner spoke with Minnesota Public Radio News.
Some legislators want another special session for stadium plans
Minnesota's legislative leaders are encouraging Governor Tim Pawlenty to call yet another special session - to deal, in part, with stadium bills for the Minnesota Twins and the University of Minnesota Gopher football program. Yesterday, we heard from two lawmakers who support a special session for stadium issues. Today we have called two opponents; State Senator John Marty, DFL-Roseville, and John Knight, who heads a group called "Citizens for a Stadium Tax Referendum.
Native American run raises awareness of youth issues
The "Honor the Youth Spiritual Run" kicks off with a celebration in Minneapolis this afternoon. Minnesota's Native American community will use the 260-mile run from Minneapolis to the Red Lake Indian Reservation to raise awareness of suicide, violence, and substance abuse among Native American kids. As Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Robertson reports, organizers are also unveiling a new Native Youth Crisis Hotline.
Broadway musical in Maple Grove backyard
Since its premiere on Broadway in 1957, "The Music Man" has been staged by countless schools, community theatres, and companies around the world. Tonight and tomorrow this musical story of a con man selling band instruments in River City, Iowa is being staged in a backyard in the Twin Cities suburb of Maple Grove. However, this is not something thrown together by a few kids, but a fully-staged production that will attract hundreds. Minnesota Public Radio's Karl Gehrke reports.
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Thursday, Aug. 18, 2005 |
Northwest prepares for CHAOS
Northwest Airlines and its mechanics union continue to negotiate on a new contract as a strike deadline looms tomorrow. Northwest and the Airline Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) exchanged proposals yesterday, but both sides say they are still far apart. Mechanics could go on strike, or the airline could lock-out the mechanics tomorrow at 11:00 p.m. Although news headlines about Northwest are focused on its mechanics union, there are other unions at the airline voting this week on whether to support a potential mechanics strike. Northwest maintains it could fly through a mechanics strike, but it is not clear what will happen if other company unions walkout in solidarity with the mechanics.0 According to a Northwest Airlines contingency plan, company executives are concerned flight attendants may strike in sympathy. They fear the union would use a non-traditional strategy called CHAOS, that would make it hard to predict where to send replacement workers. Minnesota Public Radio's Bianca Vazquez Toness reports.
NWA Unions
Negotiations continue in Washington D.C., between Northwest Airlines and its mechanics union. If the two sides fail to reach a contract agreement, a strike or lockout could begin as soon as 11:00 tomorrow night. The mechanics are one of four major unions at Northwest, and how the other unions respond in the event of work stoppage could be a key factor in the dispute. Minnesota Public Radio's Jeff Horwich has been covering the story.
Open Ears
Open Ears is an ongoing series of audio features that explores how contemporary musicians' listening habits shape their music-making. Williams, 86, has been a fixture in the Twin Cities jazz scene for more than 50 years. His favorite classical piece comes from a composer known in jazz circles for his jazz sensibilities. "Open Ears" is produced by Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Roberts.
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Friday, Aug. 19, 2005 |
Northwest Airlines managers weigh in on potential cuts
Northwest Airline's mechanics union is weighing what the airline calls its last, best offer on a new contract. Talks are expected to resume at 9:00 a.m., today, as the two sides try to hammer out an agreement before tonight's 11 o'clock deadline - when mechanics can strike, or the airline can lock them out. One of the key issues is the company's plans to cut the number of mechanics. The union says previous Northwest proposals would have laid off half its membership. Northwest says it has tried to spread the cuts around the company, including among its managers. Minnesota Public Radio's Annie Baxter has a look at how those management reductions have been perceived.
Northwest's Duluth mechanics prepare to walk
Far away from the negotiations in Washington, D.C., hundreds of Northwest Airline mechanics are ready to walk off the job in Duluth. Northwest's Duluth maintenance base services the airline's fleet of Airbus airplanes. In the event of a strike, Northwest is expected to close the base; but, that could violate an agreement between the airline, the state, and the city of Duluth. Minnesota Public Radio's Bob Kelleher reports.
NWA strike deadline hours away as talks resume
Time is running out for Northwest Airlines and its mechanics union. Negotiations are still underway in Washington, D.C., but if the two sides fail to reach a contract agreement, a strike or lockout could begin as early as 11:00 p.m. Thousands of travelers are planning to fly Northwest in the next few days. For a sense of what they might expect, we turn to Minnesota Public Radio's Jeff Horwich, who has been covering the story.
Judge criticizes Hatch in Medica suit
A Hennepin County Judge has rebuked Minnesota Attorney General Mike Hatch's attempt to remove a non-profit health care's board of directors. Judge Lloyd Zimmerman ruled yesterday that Hatch's allegations against Medica were, "completely unproven." Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports.
Legislators say other states struggled with budget too
More than a dozen Minnesota legislators are in Seattle this week to meet with other lawmakers from around the country. They are among about 6,000 attendees at the annual convention of the National Conference of State Legislatures. Some of the Minnesotans at the meeting say the state is still viewed as a leader in many areas, despite this year's grueling special session and partial government shutdown. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports from Seattle.
Wakota Bridge being fixed during construction
Construction workers are making repairs to the unfinished I-494 Wakota Bridge in the southeast metro after engineers found flaws in their design. When completed, the $58 million project will carry traffic over the Mississippi River on two five-lane spans. The bridges were expected to last up to 100 years, but after an inspector found stress-cracks in September, some engineers say the hairline fissures could affect the first bridge's durability. State bridge engineer Dan Dorgan joins Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer this morning.
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