|
October 24 - 28, 2005
[ Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday ]
|
Monday, Oct. 24, 2005 |
Hatch campaign doesn't faze other DFL candidates
Attorney General Mike Hatch is officially entering the governor's race. Hatch could be a formidable candidate, having won statewide office twice. But he also ran unsuccessfully for governor twice in the 1990s, and there's no guarantee he will get the DFL endorsement. Several DFLers are already running for governor, and they say Hatch joining the race doesn't discourage them at all. They say they can beat him and Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
Vikings pull out last-minute win against Packers
Minnesota Vikings kicker Paul Edinger hit the longest field goal in team history in the final seconds against the Green Bay Packers, giving the Vikes a 23-20 victory at the Metrodome. The 56-yard kick capped off a second-half comeback for the Vikes, after falling behind 17-0. The win yesterday puts the team at just 2-4 on the year. But it can only help lift the cloud caused by the team's recent dismal performances and the allegations that some Vikings players engaged in lewd behavior aboard charter boats on Lake Minnetonka. Minnesota Public Radio's Annie Baxter has a look at what the team's track record on and off the field is doing to its public image.
Finding Home: Fifty Years of International Adoption
In the past decade, the number of foreign children adopted by Americans has nearly tripled to more than 20,000 a year. But international adoption first started exploding half a century ago. A new documentary by American RadioWorks, "Finding Home," explores how adoption has changed over the last 50 years.
St. Paul effort meets adoption's challenges
About 2000 children are adopted by Minnesota families every year. For the past four years, the St. Paul Public Schools have been providing classes that allow families with adopted children to meet and learn from each other. Minnesota Public Radio's Toni Randolph reports.
|
|
Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2005 |
Bus, rail or what between St. Paul and Minneapolis?
Long before the Hiawatha light rail line was even a gleam in the eye of Twin Cities transit lovers, there was a more promising route, the Central Corridor. The Central Corridor runs along University and Washington avenues between downtown St. Paul and Minneapolis. Twenty-five years ago, planners said that route would supply more riders. But Hiawatha was built first because the right-of-way was already in government hands. Now attention is swinging back to the Central Corridor with questions about what should be built there -- bus or rail. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports.
Mayoral candidates propose spending despite uncertain budgets
The mayoral candidates in both Minneapolis and St. Paul are making a lot of promises about creating new programs and hiring new city employees. But some argue they should be thinking about protecting the programs and employees already in place. They say both the federal and state governments are strapped for cash, and that means the Minnesota's two largest cities will likely have less money --not more-- in their budgets over the next few years. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
Governor's race: Hatch in
Minnesota Attorney General Mike Hatch officially entered the race for governor on Monday, kicking off his third run for the state's highest office. Hatch made his announcement at the annual convention of the Minnesota Nurses Association, which has endorsed him. Republicans are already attacking Hatch, calling him the "fatal attraction candidate." Joining us now with more on the governor's race is longtime DFLer Wy Spano who directs the Center for Advocacy and Political Leadership at the University of Minnesota Duluth.
|
|
Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2005 |
MPCA scientist tells lawmakers her research on 3M chemicals was blocked
A Minnesota Pollution Control Agency research scientist told a Senate environment committee Tuesday her bosses have repeatedly blocked her work studying chemicals once manufactured by 3M. The chemicals have been found widely in the blood of humans and animals, and were recently discovered in wells in the east metro area. MPCA officials denied they are hampering the research. But committee members were skeptical, and angry the MPCA's commissioner did not attend the hearing. Minnesota Public Radio's Lorna Benson reports.
Musicland hopes "Graze"-ing customers will revive music sales
Few businesses have had a harder time in recent years than the music store. The rise of online shopping, music download sites, and competition from big stores like Wal-Mart have made it tough to turn a profit selling CDs the traditional way. One of the nation's biggest chains, Minneapolis-based Sam Goody, hopes to change its fortunes by encouraging people to just...hang out. Minnesota Public Radio's Jeff Horwich reports.
New book suggests Americans could learn from French eating habits
What did you have for breakfast this morning? Did you eat a bowl of Froot Loops or did you grab a donut on your way out the door? The author of "French Women Don't Get Fat" would frown on both choices -- because of the taste. French native Mireille Guiliano says Americans could learn a lot from the French way of eating. She's is not prescribing a diet of lettuce and celery. After all, she is the CEO of the champagne company Veuve Clicquot. Minnesota Public Radio's Greta Cunningham spoke to Guiliano to find out what we can learn from the French.
"The God of Hell" raises political questions
The War in Iraq, the Patriot Act and other political strategies of the Bush administration have spurred an artistic backlash in theaters across the United States. One play makes its regional premiere in the Twin Cities this weekend. The God of Hell, by Sam Shepard, looks at what could happen if those in power became a little too comfortable. Minnesota Public Radio's Marianne Combs reports.
Relief organizations racing winter to help earthquake victims in Pakistan
The Pakistani government and international aid organizations are worried about winter. They're especially worried about providing help to remote parts of the country cut off by the Oct. 8th earthquake. The quake has already killed an estimated 79,000 people. One of the organizations providing aid for survivors is the Minneapolis-based American Refugee Committee. The ARC has been working in Pakistan for several years, but has extended its operations to help earthquake victims. ARC's Security Manager Alex Erolin is heading the relief effort on the ground. He joins us now on the phone from Islamabad.
That's no bear - that's a pig!
Wisconsin has declared war on wild pigs. Feral hogs are running free in 29 counties - wreaking havoc with wildlife, farm fields, and lawns. In Wisconsin's Douglas County there might be 100 pigs spread out near Lake Superior's south shore. Experts didn't think they'd survive the region's harsh winters, but in fact they've thrived. Minnesota Public Radio's Bob Kelleher reports.
|
|
Thursday, Oct. 27, 2005 |
MSP opens new runway as nation's air system edges toward gridlock
There's a new runway open for takeoffs and landings at the Minneapolis St. Paul (MSP) airport. Even with this expansion and the addition of runways at other airports, experts say we're approaching air travel gridlock in this country because the system isn't growing fast enough. They predict U. S. airports will be at capacity in less than 10 years and the problems created will affect the entire system including the Twin Cities. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports.
|
|
Friday, Oct. 28, 2005 |
Rybak and McLaughlin debate crime, smoking bans and finances
With less than two weeks before the Nov. 8th election, the two candidates running for mayor of Minneapolis are having some heated exchanges over who's better prepared to lead the city. Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak and Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin sparred in a debate sponsored by Minnesota Public Radio last night. They also discussed issues like crime, city finances, and smoking bans. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
Poll: Challenger far ahead of St. Paul mayor
A new poll in the race for St. Paul mayor shows that challenger Chris Coleman holds a 61 to 28 percent lead over incumbent mayor Randy Kelly. Almost 60 percent of those surveyed in the St. Paul Pioneer Press poll said the mayor's endorsement of President Bush in last year's election makes them less likely to vote for Kelly. The mayor has been trying to gain traction in the race by asking voters to look at his performance in office. He says one of the biggest accomplishments in his first term is a recently completed goal to create 5,000 new housing units in the city. Kelly's detractors say he's taking too much credit. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.
Miers withdraws Supreme Court nomination
President Bush is promising that he'll pick a replacement for Harriet Miers in a timely manner. Miers was the president's Supreme Court nominee for 25 days, until she withdrew her name under attack from conservatives. Now Democrats are accusing the president of bowing to what they call the radical right wing of the Republican Party. John Hinderaker is a local blogger who writes for the conservative site, Powerlineblog.com. He joins us now.
Minnesota polio cases raise awareness of immunization
State health officials continue their investigation into five cases of polio that turned up recently in a central Minnesota Amish community. The outbreak has focused national attention on immunization rates for polio and other diseases. Health experts say the Minnesota polio infections should be a wakeup call for parents of children who haven't been immunized. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Post reports.
Toronto professor sparks discussion about athlete pay
Many professional athletes bring home multi-million dollar contracts, and that leads plenty of people to complain about how much those players get paid. But now a professor in Toronto is arguing that these elite athletes may in fact be getting less than they're worth. John Vomhof Jr. covered the story for this week's edition of The Business Journal. He joins us now.
Weather with Mark Seeley
University of Minnesota Climatologist Mark Seeley discusses Minnesota weather history and looks ahead to the weekend forecast.
|
| Morning Edition Archive |
|
|
|
© 2024 | Home : Terms of Use : Your Privacy Rights