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October 3 - 7, 2005
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Monday, Oct. 3, 2005 |
DFLer Bud Philbrook formally enters race for governor
DFLer Bud Philbrook has formally announced his candidacy for governor. Philbook is the head of a Minnesota-based global volunteer organization. Even though the election is still about a year away, he is the fourth DFLer to enter the race. Philbrook is a Minnesota native with little political experience. But he is hoping his status as an outsider will give him a competitive edge. Minnesota Public Radio's Annie Baxter has more.
Property taxes due to rise in many communities
Many Minnesota homeowners could be in for a big surprise when they get their truth-in-taxation statements this fall. Property taxes are expected to rise by double-digits in many communities. The reasons range from rising costs for local governments to decisions made by the state Legislature. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
August Wilson dies at 60
Pulitzer prize willing playwrite August Wilson has died. Wilson moved to St. Paul in 1978 where he got his first paying job as a writer, composing educational scripts for the Science Museum of Minnesota. He lived here until 1990 and it was during that time that he began writing the set of plays that would make him famous. In 1991, Minnesota Public Radio aired a documentary about the playwright and his work. It is called "August Wilson's Sacred Book." Here is an excerpt narrated by Beth Friend.
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Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2005 |
Judge rules priest 'probably' committed Hudson murders
A Wisconsin judge's ruling closes the book on the case of a priest who, according to the ruling, probably killed two people in a funeral home in 2002. The priest, Ryan Erickson, killed himself last year. The case has been a wrenching episode for the small town of Hudson, Wisconsin. Minnesota Public Radio News' Toni Randolph reports.
Infant polio infection, no public threat
The investigation into how an infant in Central Minnesota became infected with the polio virus continues. The infant is hospitalized but does not have symptoms of the disease. This is the first case of a polio infection in the United States since American doctors stopped using the live virus vaccine in 2000. The Minnesota Department of Health is stressing that this case does not pose a health threat to the general public. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Kris Ehresmann, Chief of the Vaccine Preventable Disease and Tuberculosis Unit at the Minnesota Department of Health to get an explanation of the situation.
Firewood sales heating up
The search to stay warm affordably this winter has more Minnesotans turning to an old stand-by, firewood. Some firewood dealers are scrambling to find enough wood for their new customers, and like everything else, the price of firewood has been creeping up. The move to burn more wood for heat seems like a sensible alternative, but in the eyes of environmental officials, wood heat may not be the best choice. Minnesota Public Radio News' Bob Kelleher reports.
Hockey returns to the "state of hockey"
The Minnesota Wild starts its regular season Wednesday with a home game against Calgary. Wild games have not been played in St. Paul for the past 18 months. The hockey season was cancelled last year, because of a contract dispute between the National Hockey League's players and owners. Now that the Wild are about to take the ice again, St. Paul bar and restaurant owners have something to celebrate too. Minnesota Public Radio News' Marisa Helms reports.
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Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2005 |
Heavy rain causes flooding, colder weather on the way
Parts of Minnesota are still experiencing heavy rain, flooding, and mudslides caused by storms continuing from Tuesday evening, and winter weather from North Dakota may be next. Until then, significant parts of the state are still under flood warnings and more rain is on the way. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer speaks with Rich Naistat from the Chanhassen office of the National Weather Service.
Johnson rejects governor's special session menu
Gov. Tim Pawlenty wants to meet with legislative leaders Thursday to discuss the possibility of calling a special session later this fall. The meeting will come after legislative leaders declined to respond to a menu of special session options that the governor outlined to them in a letter. Pawlenty says he is still willing to call a special session if leaders can agree on the agenda beforehand. Minnesota Public Radio News' Laura McCallum reports.
Special session update: expert analysis
Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty is inviting legislative leaders to his office to discuss a possible special session. The governor offered to meet with top DFL and Republican lawmakers after his initial attempt to organize the session failed. Pawlenty says he will only call a special session if there is prior agreement between top legislators on the agenda. Lori Studevant is a longtime capitol reporter and now an editorial writer for the Star Tribune, she joins Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer.
State Supreme Court to decide child pornography sentencing
Minnesota's Supreme Court is now considering the arguments it has heard for a child pornography case that could radically affect the amount of prison time offenders are sentenced with for possessing child porn. The court will decide whether each downloaded image represents a separate crime or whether downloading child pornography is one illegal act. The court heard arguments in a case Tuesday that involves a Macalaster student who pleaded guilty to 19 counts of possessing and disseminating child porn. Minnesota Public Radio News Elizabeth Stawicki reports.
Kelly unveils tax protection plan, Coleman dismisses politics
St. Paul Mayor Randy Kelly is calling for changes to the city's charter so that increases of property taxes and fees would require a two-thirds majority vote. Kelly also proposes to limit the growth of city spending so it does not exceed the rate of inflation. Kelly says his plan, unveiled yesterday, would protect city residents from significant property tax increases. Mayoral candidate, Chris Coleman, and some of his supporters on the city council, dismiss Kelly's plan as election-year politics. Minnesota Public Radio News' Marisa Helms reports.
Northwest continues to struggle with on-time performance
Government statistics released this week show that Northwest Airlines had dismal on-time performance in August, which included the start of a strike by its mechanics' union. Industry experts said the airline would need to improve or risk losing customers. So Minnesota Public Radio researched privately compiled statistics for the month of September, and found Northwest did improve. But it still remains the worst performer among major airlines. Minnesota Public Radio News Jeff Horwich reports.
Parents enroll in online class to reduce binge drinking at University of Minnesota
There has been a lot of attention paid lately, to excessive drinking among college students. The University of Minnesota is trying to reduce high-risk drinking among students by convincing parents to take an online class. The effort comes on the heels of an alcohol-related death at a different university last week, and the results of a recent survey showing that 45 percent of U of M undergraduates engage in binge drinking. Marjorie Savage is the Parent Program director at the University of Minnesota and one of the developers of the online class for parents, she joins Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer.
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Thursday, Oct. 6, 2005 |
Minneapolis mayoral candidates debate
The first debate between Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak and Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin since the September primary featured discussion over city spending, public transportation, and crime. The candidates also fielded questions from residents of the high-rises along Cedar Avenue where the debate took place last night. Minnesota Public Radio News' Tom Scheck reports.
Former candidate may affect St. Paul mayoral race
Elizabeth Dickinson is not running for mayor of St. Paul anymore, but she still hopes to have an impact on the race. The former Green Party candidate was defeated in the primary, but she is helping form a new group that will raise some left-leaning issues in the mayoral race. The group is calling itself Sustainable St. Paul, and it is made up of members of the Green Party, the DFL, and some independents. Elizabeth Dickinson joins Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer to talk about Sustainable St. Paul.
More allegations made against Hudson priest
The St. Paul Pioneer Press is reporting that police in Hudson, WI, have received a phone call from a 15-year-old boy who says Rev. Ryan Erickson tried to sexually abuse him several years ago. Yesterday, authorities released recordings of a police interview with the priest believed to have killed two people at a Wisconsin funeral home in 2002. The interview, conducted nearly a year ago, led police to believe that Ryan Erickson was involved in the murders. Minnesota Public Radio News' Toni Randolph reports.
Ten ways to save money on your energy bill this winter
Colder temperatures have many furnaces and boilers kicking on for the first time this fall. It is another reminder for homeowners across the region, who are bracing themselves for a winter with energy costs that could be more than 50 percent higher than they were a year ago. Rising natural gas prices have increased the demand for home energy audits. In an audit, an expert inspects your house and offers suggestions on how to conserve energy. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer recently joined an energy auditor during the inspection of a St. Paul bungalow built in 1916. After a quick look around, energy auditor Mike Childs set up a device inside the front door of the house. It is called a blower-door.
Wild return to the ice with a flair
The Minnesota Wild welcomed fans back to the National Hockey League with a 6-3 win over the Calgary Flames. A record crowd of more than 19,000 fans squeezed into the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul Wednesday night to see the Wild's first regular season game in 18 months. A labor dispute between league owners and players cancelled last season. Minnesota Public Radio News' Wiliam Wilcoxen reports.
Officials trying to stop off-campus drinking
The Moorhead City Council is considering a proposal that would prohibit alcohol in area fraternity houses. The idea is being discussed as Moorhead police continue to investigate the death of 19-year-old Patrick Kycia. He was a student at the Minnesota State University, Moorhead. Kycia drowned in the Red River last week, and authorities suspect that alcohol was involved. His death is the second in 18 months linked to a campus fraternity. Last March, a 21-year-old Fargo man was found dead at the same fraternity house. He died of alcohol poisoning. Patrick Kycia's death has revived calls to address the problem of binge drinking. Minnesota Public Radio News' Bob Reha reports.
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Friday, Oct. 7, 2005 |
Momentum for Gophers stadium picks up
An agreement for a fall special session of the state legislature appears to be near. Gov. Tim Pawlenty and legislative leaders emerged from a meeting Thursday and said they had reached a consensus on a proposed University of Minnesota football stadium. Stadium plans for the Minnesota Twins and Vikings may get left behind. Minnesota Public Radio News' Tim Pugmire reports.
Debate continues over ATV laws in state forests
The effects of a new state regulation on All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) are beginning to take hold. Some observers say the regulations put forests in northern Minnesota at risk of environmental damage. During the last legislative session, Minnesota lawmakers made a controversial change to laws regulating ATVs on state land. The new rule divides the state into two. People riding in state forests south of Highway 2 are confined to trails designated for their sport. But, in state forests north of Highway 2, which includes the northern quarter of the state, all trails are open to ATVs, except those that are posted closed. Minnesota Public Radio News' Tom Robertson visited the Beltrami Island State Forest in the northwest part of the state to see what people think about the change.
The Business Journal: NHL's lost season, fans
The Minnesota Wild are back on the ice. The Wild won their first game of the season this week, and will take on the Phoenix Coyotes on the road tomorrow (Saturday) night. These are the first regular-season games for the Wild since the National Hockey League lost an entire season to a labor dispute. That lost time has many teams concerned about winning back fans. John Vomhof covered the story for this week's edition of The Business Journal. He joins Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer today.
Record bass recuperation
Most fish live out their lives in quiet anonymity, but there's one fish, currently living in Brainerd, that is becoming a bit of a celebrity. Earlier this week, Twin Cities angler Mark Raveling landed what appears to be the biggest largemouth bass ever caught in Minnesota. Instead of taking it to a taxidermist, he decided to keep his big bass alive. The fish, which initially weighed in at 8 pounds, 15 ounces, is now being kept in an aquarium in Brainerd. The bass is female, and she is being nursed back to health by aquarium owner and Minnesota fishing authority Ron Lindner, he joins Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer.
Climatologist Mark Seeley's weather comments
University of Minnesota Climatologist Mark Seeley discusses this past week's highs, lows, and the record rainfall in between. Weekend outlook: Pleasant, fall-like weekend with near-normal temperatures and a plenty of sun.
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