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November 14 - 18, 2005
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Monday, Nov. 14, 2005 |
Rising cost of college requires more work, more debt
The rising cost for a college education has students working more and building up more debt. Earning money for classes also often requires students to take time off from school to earn money to pay tuition and other costs. While governments and institutions are shifting more money to financial aid, it's not enough to offset significant increases in what students and their families are expected to pay for a degree. As part of an occasional series on paying for college, Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes has a look at how students and families are coping with the costs of education.
Member of Gov. Pawlenty's trade mission describes her experience
Gov. Pawlenty is in Beijing today, along with more than 200 Minnesotans. The governor is leading a trade mission designed to help Minnesota businesses and entrepreneurs take advantage of China's rapidly growing economy. The group arrived on Saturday, and will be in the country all week. China is Minnesota's 4th-largest trading partner, and the world's most populous nation. Throughout the week, we'll be checking in with a few people on the delegation, to hear what it's like to be there, and what kind of progress the group is making. Lynn Gordon owns the French Meadow Bakery in Minneapolis. She joins us now from her hotel in Beijing.
6th annual Seward Arts Festival emphasizes community
This past weekend marked the 6th annual Seward Arts Festival. Like most art festivals, it's an opportunity for artists to show and sell their work. But in Seward, the emphasis is placed more on community and on creativity than on craft. Minnesota Public Radio's Marianne Combs reports.
Vikings defeat New York Giants in unusual game
In sports news, the Minnesota Vikings beat the first-place New York Giants, 24-21, yesterday on a field goal in the closing seconds. It was Minnesota's first road win of the season. The Timberwolves lost to the Nuggets, 102-91, in Denver last night. The Wolves are still winless on the road. And the University of Minnesota Women's Basketball team crushed St. Cloud State by a score of 82-42 at Williams Arena. Joining us now with more on the local sports scene is Steve Rudolph. You may have read Steve's writing in the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Last year, he won that paper's Average Joe Sports Columnist contest. He also picks the music you hear in the arena for several teams including the Wild and the Vikings.
Monday Markets
Minnesota Public Radio's Chief Economics Correspondent Chris Farrell discusses the latest economic news.
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Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2005 |
Gov. Pawlenty in Shanghai with trade delegation
Gov. Tim Pawlenty and his 218-member trade delegation is in Shanghai today. They were in Beijing, China yesterday. The focus of the trip is to create stronger relations between Minnesota and China. Joining us on the phone is Gov. Tim Pawlenty.
Medicare drug plan enrollment begins amid confusion and questions
Seniors can now register for Medicare's new prescription drug plan. President Bush says the benefit is the greatest advance in health care for seniors since the creation of Medicare 40 years ago. The government estimates that on average, the Medicare drug program will save beneficiaries about 50 percent on their prescription drugs. To enroll, seniors must choose a private insurance plan to cover a portion of their prescription drug costs. In Minnesota there are 41 individual drug plans available. In addition, there are more than 20 other drug options that piggyback on existing Medicare health coverage. For many seniors, the choices are confusing and frustrating. Minnesota Public Radio's Lorna Benson reports.
Hennepin County Board considers changes to smoking ban law
The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners will hear testimony Tuesday about the future of the county's smoking ban ordinance. The board is considering relaxing its total ban on smoking in bars and restaurants to allow smoking in bars and private clubs. Some members of the hospitality industry say they favor a law that allows these exemptions. They say the county's current law has created an uneven playing field for business. However, some say if this new proposal passes it will make it harder for legislators to agree on a statewide ban. Minnesota Public Radio's Brandt Williams reports.
Member of governor's trade mission aims to help Minnesota entrepreneurs
Gov. Pawlenty is in Shanghai today. The governor is leading a trade mission designed to help Minnesota take advantage of China's rapidly-growing economy. The group started in Beijing, and most participants will visit Hong Kong before leaving later this week. One of the people on the trip who's especially interested in Shanghai is Dan Carr. Dan is the president of The Collaborative, an organization geared toward helping entrepreneurs in Minnesota.
Knight Ridder will consider selling company
The newspaper publisher Knight Ridder says it will consider selling the company to boost its value for its shareholders. At least two major shareholders have been pressuring the publisher to sell. Knight Ridder is the second largest newspaper chain in the U.S. It publishes 32 daily newspapers, including the Saint Paul Pioneer Press, the Duluth News Tribune, and the Grand Forks Herald. Joining us now for more on the subject is Rick Edmonds, a reporter and writer on the newspaper business for the Poynter Institute.
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Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2005 |
Hennepin County weighs smoking ban changes
The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners got an earful from bar owners who want changes to the county's smoking ban. Bar owners laid out the bulk of the testimony at a public hearing yesterday as the board considers changing the county's total ban on smoking in bars and restaurants. It's weighing whether to relax the ban and allow smoking in the bars and in private clubs. Health care professionals called on the board to resist any changes, and over a dozen public officials from other areas also urged the county to maintain its ban. They said that's the best way to get a statewide ban passed at the legislature. Minnesota Public Radio's Brandt Williams reports.
Eibensteiner acquitted
It took an Olmsted County jury just three hours to acquit former Minnesota Republican Party Chair Ron Eibensteiner. Prosecutors accused Eibensteiner of facilitating an illegal corporate campaign contribution. After the trial Eibensteiner said the case was politically motivated.
Jerome Hill's legacy supports emerging artists
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Jerome Hill, grandson of St. Paul railroad baron James J. Hill. Jerome Hill is the namesake and founder of the Jerome Foundation, an organization that has supported hundreds of emerging and experimental artists since its inception in 1964. The foundation is using the centenary to paint a fuller picture of Hill's legacy, as a philanthropist and an artist. Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Roberts reports.
Television stations lure viewers during sweeps season
You can always tell when it's television sweeps season. All the stations roll out special investigative stories or reports on issues that may make you think you should watch. That's exactly what the stations are hoping you do. The November sweeps period is one of the most important of the year. This year, we're seeing more aggressive reporting being done by some stations. We've called a media professor to talk about some of what we're seeing. Jane Kirtley is the Director of the Silha Center for the Study of Media Ethics and Law at the University of Minnesota.
Schwarzenegger trade mission comes right behind Minnesota mission
Gov. Pawlenty is flying to Hong Kong today, the final destination of his trade mission to China. Pawlenty is leading a delegation of more than 200 Minnesotans. He hopes to help Minnesota take advantage of China's fast-growing economy. But Pawlenty is not the only one on a trade mission in China right now. California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is also there. You may remember Rob Schmitz, who was once a reporter here at Minnesota Public Radio. Now he's in China covering the Schwarzenegger trip, and he joins us now.
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Thursday, Nov. 17, 2005 |
Northwest operated safely, FAA says
The Federal Aviation Administration says Northwest Airlines operated safely in the early days of the mechanics' union strike that began in August. That's the agency's finding after investigating an FAA inspector's concerns about safety at Northwest. The inspector cited a number of mistakes by the airline's replacement workers and managers, who have been filling in for striking mechanics. Sen. Mark Dayton requested an FAA investigation into the complaints in September. The FAA says Northwest's operations are safe, though the investigation identified some problems. Minnesota Public Radio's Annie Baxter has more.
State taking a look at its disaster preparation
A group of emergency personnel, law enforcement and non-profit organizations told a legislative hearing they're equipped to handle a man-made or natural disaster in Minnesota, but they say they can always be better prepared. Four state senate committees held a joint meeting yesterday to discuss what would happen if a massive natural or man-made disaster occurred in Minnesota. The panel held the hearing in the wake of the destruction along the Gulf Coast caused by Hurricane Katrina and the poor response by emergency personnel. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
Taking wing: The MIA expands
The grand dame of Minneapolis art museums showed a little leg Wednesday, by giving a sneak peak of its new building. The Minneapolis Institute of Arts also announced it's already raised three-fourths of its $100 million capital campaign goal. Minnesota Public Radio's Euan Kerr reports.
Gov. Pawlenty wrapping up trade mission
Gov. Tim Pawlenty says a high-ranking Chinese official wants to lead an investment mission to Minnesota. He told a St. Cloud Times reporter that the trip would reciprocate the governor's current trade mission. Pawlenty's trade delegation is wrapping up its week-long trip to China. More than 200 people accompanied the governor on the trade mission, hoping to develop closer ties with China's rapidly-growing economy. Before the trip, we talked with Charlie Cole, director of International Sales for American Polywater Corporation, which is based in Stillwater. Cole says he went on the trip because his company makes products that are in demand in China right now.
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Friday, Nov. 18, 2005 |
The origin of Floyd of Rosedale
This Saturday is the 70th anniversary of the creation of one of college football's most famous trophies. Floyd of Rosedale goes each November to the winner of the Minnesota-Iowa game. On one level, the bronze pig is just another collegiate prize. But few people know it had its origins in a 1934 game with racial overtones. It was a time of discrimination. African Americans were banned from the NFL. The University of Minnesota enrolled blacks but enforced segregationist policies. The key player behind the Floyd trophy was an African American who refused to yield to discrimination. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Steil reports.
Bakken the saddle for a new season
Of the dozen or so classical music chamber ensembles working in the Twin Cities, the Bakken Trio is among the oldest. The dedication and commitment it takes to keep chamber groups going means they come and go rather steadily. The Bakken Trio, however, has survived for more than 15 seasons with only a few personnel changes. Minnesota Public Radio's Karl Gehrke 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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