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September 26 - 30, 2005
[ Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday ]
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Monday, Sept. 26, 2005 |
Wellstone memorial dedicated
About 400 people gathered in the woods outside Eveleth on Sunday. They came to dedicate a memorial to Sen. Paul Wellstone. Wellstone, his wife Sheila, his daughter Marcia Markuson, and three staff members were killed in a plane crash nearby nearly three years ago. Minnesota Public Radio's Stephanie Hemphill reports.
Two new awards celebrate Twin Cities theater, dance
This fall, two important components of the Twin Cities art world will be rolling out the red carpet to celebrate their achievements. Both the theater scene, and for the first time the dance scene, will be holding extravagant awards events within two weeks of each other. Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Roberts reports.
Thousands of Twin Cities residents still without power
Over 11,000 homes in the Twin Cities metropolitan area are still without power, six days after a series of severe thunderstorms and tornados damaged power lines. Xcel Energy spokesman Ed Legge says customers who are still without power may need to bring in an electrician before their power can be restored.
Monday Markets
Minnesota Public Radio's Chief Economics Correspondent Chris Farrell discusses the latest economic news.
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Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2005 |
Pawlenty pumps ethanol
Gov. Tim Pawlenty is challenging other states to boost their ethanol consumption. At a meeting of the Governors' Ethanol Coalition yesterday, Pawlenty said that the corn-based fuel will reduce the nation's dependence on foreign oil. The group consists of 31states and five countries that support ethanol. But unlike Minnesota, few of them mandate ethanol use. Minnesota Public Radio News' Laura McCallum reports.
Hurricane survivors receive corporate surplus
Proceeds from some popular fast food restaurants will help provide food and other necessities to victims of Hurricane Katrina. Border Foods, which is the franchise for restaurants including Taco Bell and Kentucky Fried Chicken, donated 10 percent of all sales at its 160 locations yesterday. The money went to Hope for the City, a local relief organization that has been sending semi-trucks full of supplies down south. Megan Doyle, the founder of Hope for the City joins Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer.
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Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2005 |
Leaders not too thrilled about special session invitation
Gov. Tim Pawlenty has come up with an unusual set of conditions that need to be met before he will call a special session this fall to deal with stadiums and other issues. First, he is asking legislative leaders to check off which initiatives on an 11-item menu they believe their caucus will approve. Only items with all four votes will be considered. Pawlenty is also requiring that the session only deal with bills that have been agreed on previously and have sufficient votes to pass. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Senate Minority Leader Dick Day.
Special terms for special session
Gov. Pawlenty says he will make a decision next month on whether he will call a special session to deal with stadium issues and several other items. Pawlenty says that he wants legislative leaders to agree on the agenda in advance, by looking at a list of potential issues. Then, he wants leaders to guarantee that those items will pass. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Senate Majority Leader Dean Johnson about the possibility of a special session.
MPR's Jon Gordon in Katrina recovery zone
Even as congressional hearings shed some light on what happened to disaster response, communities in the Gulf are still struggling to recover from the storm's devastation. Minnesota Public Radio's Jon Gordon is in Jackson, MS, helping a public radio station in that area cover the story. He tells Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer about his experiences there.
Coleman and Kennedy pressed to block drilling in Arctic reserve
Congress is expected to vote soon on a federal budget reconciliation bill that could allow oil drilling in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). Tuesday, a coalition of environmental groups asked Sen. Norm Coleman and Rep. Mark Kennedy to reject the bill if it contains a drilling provision as expected. Coleman and Kennedy, who are both Republicans, are considered important swing votes because they have voted against drilling in the ANWR in the past. Minnesota Public Radio News' Lorna Benson reports.
The 'bright stars' of arts in Minnesota
Many small town populations are declining, and some would say their future is bleak. But, a number of communities have found an alternative, according to a new McKnight Foundation report released today. It is called "Bright Stars" and it looks at how the arts are helping some towns across Minnesota to succeed against the odds. Minnesota Public Radio News' Marianne Combs reports.
St. Cloud musician puts "Pet Sounds" on stage
Jeff Engholm is a man obsessed. For the last year, he has been listening almost incessantly to the Beach Boys' 1966 concept album, "Pet Sounds".
Now the St. Cloud area musician has turned his fascination into a live performance. Minnesota Public Radio News' Tim Post reports.
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Thursday, Sept. 29, 2005 |
Biodiesel mandate takes effect
Starting Thursday, nearly all diesel fuel sold in Minnesota must contain at least 2 percent biodiesel, which is an oil made from soybeans. It is the biggest step forward yet for the state's biodiesel industry. About 16 million gallons of biodiesel are needed over the next year to meet the legislative mandate. The state's three biodiesel plants produce far more than that. Minnesota Public Radio News' Mark Steil reports the industry is looking for new markets to sell their product.
Gas prices influencing Minnesota drivers, policymakers
High gasoline prices are not just changing driving habits in Minnesota. They are also setting the stage for more debate over state transportation policy. According to the website, minnesotagasprices.com, the average price for gas in the state this morning is $2.68 per gallon. Public transportation advocates say the high prices should point lawmakers to a greater state investment in mass transit. Minnesota Public Radio News' Tim Pugmire reports.
Gas price law may be repealed
Repealing a law that regulates gas prices in Minnesota could be one of the items on the agenda if a legislative special session is held this fall. The law requires that the price of gasoline sold in Minnesota be at least 8 cents a gallon more than the wholesale price, it is designed to keep bigger operators from cutting prices temporarily in an attempt to drive a smaller competitor out of business. Repealing the law, which was enacted in 2001, is one of the 11 items that Governor Pawlenty included in a list of potential special session topics sent to legislative leaders this week. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer speaks with Sen. Chuck Wiger, DFL-North St. Paul, who favors changing the law.
Minneapolis City Council member addresses bribery accusation
Minneapolis City Council member Dean Zimmermann says he did not take any bribes or solicit them. Zimmermann is the target of a federal corruption investigation. He has not been charged, but he has been accused by an FBI agent of accepting several thousand dollars in bribes from a local developer. The agency confiscated Zimmermann's computers and other items used for his reelection campaign, just days before the primary election earlier this month. Zimmermann says the allegations outlined in an affidavit by the FBI agent are not true. He speaks with Minnesota Public Radio News' Brandt Williams to discuss the allegations.
Minnesota trying to contain bovine tuberculosis outbreak
Minnesota officials are trying to contain an outbreak of Bovine Tuberculosis. The disease was first found this spring in a cattle herd in Roseau county, those animals are being slaughtered. There are 18 other cattle herds in Minnesota under quarantine. Despite those precautions, local ranchers and some state officials worry the tuberculosis has spread beyond cattle herds. This fall the DNR will be testing for infected whitetail deer. Minnesota Public Radio News' Dan Gunderson reports.
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Friday, Sept. 30, 2005 |
Kathleen Blatz resigns from Minnesota Supreme Court
Gov. Tim Pawlenty has a new opening to fill on the Minnesota Supreme Court. Chief Justice Kathleen Blatz has announced that she is stepping down. Blatz says eight years leading the court is long enough. Her colleagues say she will be remembered for focusing on child protection issues, work that she plans to continue after leaving the bench. Minnesota Public Radio News' Laura McCallum reports.
Rising heating prices spur a surge in solar projects
State officials say the cost of natural gas this October is expected be 70 percent higher than the same time last year. One official says he has never seen natural gas prices this high in 20 years. Hurricanes Katrina and Rita are the latest reason for the higher prices. Rising energy costs have ignited more interest in alternative forms of energy including solar thermal power, and the advocates of solar power say the timing could not be better for Minnesota's annual Tour of Homes and businesses that use solar energy. The Tour of Homes takes place this weekend. Minnesota Public Radio News' Lorna Benson reports.
Ordway collaborates for Broadway
The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in St. Paul has decided not to go it alone anymore. The Ordway announced it will team up with several other performing arts groups around the country to produce original musical theater productions. As Minnesota Public Radio News' Chris Roberts reports, the move is in response to growing demand for new musicals for regional and Broadway stages.
The Loop: Riding tall bikes for Christ
Friday at 9:00 p.m., Minnesota Public Radio News will air another installment of a new series called "The Loop." Friday's show will explore how the modes of transportation we chose shape our lives. Minnesota Public Radio News' Sam Choo reports on a particularly distinctive way of getting around, which puts the rider at a higher level for a higher calling.
Gophers football season outlook
The University of Minnesota Gopher football team goes on the road to take on the undefeated Penn State Nittany Lions Saturday. The Gophers are on a high after beating Purdue 42-35 in double overtime last weekend, making the team 4-0. Reporter Chip Scoggins covers the team for the Star Tribune, he joins Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer.
Burned ballroom rebuilt in Glenwood
Friday, people in the west-central Minnesota town of Glenwood say hello to a new friend. Residents are preparing to celebrate the grand opening of a community centerpiece, the Lakeside Ballroom. A little over two years ago the original Lakeside Ballroom, which stood on the shores of Lake Minnewaska for 90 years, burned down. Minnesota Public Radio News' Tim Post reports.
Climatologist Mark Seeley's weather comments
University of Minnesota Climatologist Mark Seeley discusses September's summer-like weather, recent storms, and tornadoes spun off from Hurricane Rita. Weekend outlook: dry with above-average temperatures.
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