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September 5 - 9, 2005
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Monday, Sept. 5, 2005 |
Helping Katrina refugees in Baton Rouge is grueling
Four people from the Minneapolis-based American Refugee Committee will leave today for Louisiana. They are going to Baton Rouge, Louisiana to conduct a rapid needs assessment for helping victims of Hurricane Katrina. Meanwhile, about 20 residents of several southern Minnesota communities completed a grueling 1,200 mile, 24-hour drive. They delivered more than 70,000 pounds of supplies for victims of Hurricane Katrina. The aid is going to about 750 victims being housed in a Red Cross shelter. Dan Hoffman is with the St. Paul Red Cross. He is in Baton Rouge. He spoke with MPR's Perry Finelli. He has been there since last week. He says the work is grueling.
orthwest strike symbolizes declining influence of labor
In more than a century since the first labor day, the role of organized labor has changed dramatically. And recent splits in the labor movement raise questions about where labor is headed. In the 17-day old mechanic's strike at Northwest Airlines, no other union at the company is honoring the picket line. And nationally, several unions have split away from the AFL-CIO. Minnesota Public Radio's Annie Baxter has a look at what those examples can tell us about the state of the labor movement.
School year starts with new money, old complaints
Most school districts are resuming classes tomorrow -- and for the first time in three years, they have more state funding to work with. Earlier this summer, state lawmakers approved a four percent increase in the basic per student funding formula for each year of the biennium. But many school leaders say the extra funding still hasn't solve all their budget problems. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
Thirty years since Tommy John surgery, and recovery still hard for today's pitchers
The Minnesota Twins are treading water in their race for the playoffs. They beat the Cleveland Indians at the Metrodome yesterday 7-5, but are still five games behind in the wildcard race. So far, it has been a disappointing season for a team that has won three straight division championships. It is also been disappointing for former starting pitcher Joe Mays. He has been struggling in his first season since he had a major operation on his elbow known as Tommy John surgery. Mays comeback attempt is a road that Tommy John, the pitcher, blazed thirty years ago when he took a whole season off to recuperate from the original operation. That road has gotten more and more crowded over the years, and now includes Mays, and fellow Twins pitcher Grant Balfour. Minnesota Public Radio's Eugene Cha looks back at the first Tommy John operation, and shows us what today's pitchers face in recovery.
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Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2005 |
Getting ready to help
The Minnesota National Guard is ramping up "Operation Northern Comfort" to get ready for Hurricane Katrina victims who could start arriving in the state tomorrow. The Guard is preparing Camp Riply in response to a request from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to accept 3,000 to 5,000 refugees on an interim basis until the state can find them more permanent housing. "Operation Northern Comfort" is a statewide effort to help hurricane victims with food, shelter, and clothing. Minnesota Public Radio News' Elizabeth Stawicki reports.
Roberts nominated as chief justice
Confirmation hearings for President Bush's Supreme Court nominee, John Roberts, were scheduled to start today, but they have been delayed for a few days. The president nominated Roberts to be chief justice following the death of William Rehnquist. There has not been much debate over Roberts in Minnesota, although some Minnesotans are trying to drum up either support or opposition. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
Adopting scrutiny
Minnesotans adopt more children from overseas per capita than any other state in the nation. Some adoption scholars say Minnesotans should take a closer look at national trend. Minnesota Public Radio News' Bianca Vazquez Toness reports.
New smaller suburban high school takes new approach
It is the day after Labor Day and school begins this morning for most students across the state. In the quickly-growing Lakeville school district, students get some much-needed classroom space Tuesday, when it opens a second high school. With a capacity for 1,800 students, Lakeville South is considerably smaller than many suburban high schools. The $60 million project reflects a new approach in classroom design that moves away from the mega-school concept. Minnesota Public Radio News' Tim Pugmire reports.
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Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2005 |
Police officer killed in traffic chase
A Lino Lakes police officer died Tuesday night after trying to stop a suspect in a high speed chase. Officer Shawn Silvera was hit by the suspect's vehicle while he stood in the median of Interstate 35-W. Minnesota Public Radio News' Bianca Vazquez Toness reports.
Camp Ripley to offer 'Northern Comfort'
Minnesota officials are gearing up for what they are calling "Operation Northern Comfort". In the coming weeks, as many as 3,000 survivors of Hurricane Katrina could be brought to Camp Ripley, a huge national guard facility in central Minnesota. The plan is to offer hurricane victims medical care and housing for a few weeks, before they get settled elsewhere. Minnesota Public Radio News' Tim Post has more in this report.
'Right now, Minnesota is our home'
Thousands of Minnesotans are opening their wallets, their pantries, and even their homes to people displaced by Hurricane Katrina. In many cases, it is family ties that have brought victims north. But in others, it is simply a much-needed offer of help from someone they have never met. Minnesota Public Radio News' Lorna Benson reports.
Minnesota schools prepare for evacuated students
State education officials say as many as a third of the people heading to Camp Ripley from the gulf coast region could be children who will need to continue their education. Minnesota Public Radio News' Tim Pugmire reports on how school districts are preparing for their arrival.
Disaster recovery expert relates to hurricane response
People who lost their homes in Hurricane Katrina are now scattered all over the region, and even the country, to places where they can get food and aid. Some officials are working on cleanup, but say it could take months to pump all the water out of New Orleans. Pat Owens has some experience helping people deal with disasters and rebuild in their aftermath. She was the mayor of Grand Forks when the Red River flooded in 1997, and she later worked as a consultant to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. She joins Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer this morning from Florida.
'Normal,' Northwest operations significantly lag industry
The mechanic's strike is now in its third week, and the airline has largely maintained its schedule. But, while Northwest says operations have returned to normal, the airline's on-time performance appears to lag behind the rest of the industry. Minnesota Public Radio's Jeff Horwich reports.
Rybak leads fundraising race in Minneapolis
Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak is the top fundraiser among the city's mayoral candidates. Rybak's campaign reports the mayor raised $245,000 between January 1 and August 30. Rybak's top challenger, Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin raised $211,000 over the same period. Green Party Candidate Farheen Hakeem raised less than $10,000. The fundraising totals were released on the same day the city's police union started a campaign to unseat Rybak. Minnesota Public Radio News' Tom Scheck reports.
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Thursday, Sept. 8, 2005 |
FAA inspector's memo details maintenance concerns at NWA
Minnesota Public Radio News has obtained a Federal Aviation Administration inspector's memorandum detailing safety concerns about Northwest Airlines in the first few days of the strike by the airline's mechanics. The Twin Cities-based inspector has since been reassigned, following the airline's complaint that he acted unprofessionally. Federal authorities are investigating the situation. The inspector's memo cites numerous examples of mistakes on the part of replacement workers and Northwest managers who have been taking care of the airline's fleet in place of union mechanics. Northwest and federal officials say the company's fleet is safe. Minnesota Public Radio News' Mark Zdechlik reports.
Northwest, mechanics to resume talks
Northwest and the mechanics union will resume contract talks later today, but the airline is warning that a tougher financial situation means its negotiating position will be even harsher than when talks broke off last month. The union says it will fight to save as many jobs as possible, and will not sell out some of its most vulnerable members. Minnesota Public Radio News' Jeff Horwich reports.
St. Paul mayoral candidates support tax increases
St. Paul property owners are facing tax increases in the coming years no matter who wins the mayoral election in November. Incumbent Randy Kelly is proposing a property tax increase of three percent. DFL-endorsed candidate Chris Coleman says he would be willing to raise taxes for public safety and schools, and Green Party candidate Elizabeth Dickinson says she would look at raising property and sales taxes. Minnesota Public Radio News' Marisa Helms reports.
Hurricane relief efforts receive local advice
Evacuation camps are springing up across the nation for people who lost their homes in Hurricane Katrina. Now the president of the Minneapolis-based American Refugee Committee (ARC) has been tapped to help with the relief operations. ARC works with displaced people around the world. Hugh Parmer is in Washington, D.C., where he will serve as a temporary senior advisor for the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Hugh Parmer, president of ARC, joins Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer.
Katrina sparks memories of 1997 flood
Flooded streets, destroyed homes, ruined businesses. Everyday people are confronted with new heart-breaking images from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The images hit close to home in Grand Forks, ND, where eight years ago a historic flood ravaged the city. Minnesota Public Radio News' Bob Reha reports.
Part of old Hamm and Stroh brewery burns
St. Paul Fire Chief Douglas Holton is calling the cause of a fire last night on St. Paul's east side "very suspicious." Firefighters were called to a building at the old Hamm and Stroh brewery complex at about 5:30 p.m. It took two hours to bring the fire under control. Stroh's closed the brewery in 1997 and the building was vacant. St. Paul historian Jim Sazevich says the limestone structure was an important part of the city's history.
Minnesota author celebrates kids books
Gwenyth Swain is the author of "Wanda Gag: Storybook Artist," a new biography for children. Swain will sign her book this Saturday, September 10, at the Anderson Center in Red Wing, as part of an annual Celebration of Minnesota Children's Authors and Illustrators.
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Friday, Sept. 9, 2005 |
Economic effects of Katrina reach Minnesota
The economic effects of Hurricane Katrina reach all the way to Minnesota. Several of the state's industries are experiencing at least short-term pain from the results of the storm - including the agriculture and energy industries. Nicole Garrison-Sprenger took a look at what's happening for this week's edition of The Business Journal.
Should Katrina victims be called "refugees"?
President Bush is pledging to make it as "easy and simple as possible" for victims of Hurricane Katrina to collect food stamps and other government benefits. Those who lost their homes and other possessions are now scattered across the country, many in evacuee camps. Since shortly after the disaster, there's been discussion about how the media should describe those people. President Bush joined a number of black leaders when he came out against the use of the word "refugee." Commentator T. Michael Rambo is an actor and singer in the Twin Cities. He also raises questions about that term.
Federal agents search home of Minneapolis Council member
The campaign for Minneapolis City Council member Dean Zimmermann is in disarray after FBI agents took campaign materials and financial records from Zimmermann's home. The FBI and the U.S. Attorney's office said little about the case except that it was part of an ongoing investigation. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
Union says NWA wants more job cuts
Negotiators for Northwest Airlines and its striking mechanics union will face each other again today at a Minneapolis hotel. It's the 21st day of the mechanics strike. Revived contract talks stretched into the evening last night. They ended with a new offer on the table, but neither side is willing to say whether they're making significant progress toward an agreement. Minnesota Public Radio's Jeff Horwich reports.
Sports stadiums a big issue in Minneapolis mayoral race
The primary election for mayor will be held in both Minneapolis and St. Paul next Tuesday. In Minneapolis, funding for sports stadiums is a top issue. Green Party Candidate Farheen Hakeem is encouraging stadium opponents in the city to vote for her because she opposes public funding for a new Minnesota Twins ballpark. That sets her apart from from her two DFL opponents who support a Hennepin County sales-tax increase to help fund the $478 million project. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
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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