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December 19 - 23, 2005
[ Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday ]
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Monday, Dec. 19, 2005 |
Duluth coming to grips with health costs
Duluth's City Council considers a plan tonight intended to plug a $280 million gap between the projected costs of retiree health care and what's been set aside to pay it. For 20 years, Duluth employees have been given full coverage health benefits - for themselves and their dependants - for life. But some say the difference between what the city's put away and the eventual cost could push the city into bankruptcy. Minnesota Public Radio's Bob Kelleher reports.
Bell-ringing means a job for many in need
Most people who pass a Salvation Army bell ringer are aware of the charitable connection: Money from the red kettles supports the group's mission to house, feed, and minister to people in need. What's not so well known is how bell ringing functions as an employment program. Minnesota Public Radio's Jeff Horwich reports.
Vikings having a rough time
A run of good luck appears to have run out for the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikes were beaten 18-3 by the Pittsburgh Steelers yesterday at the Metrodome. That loss breaks the team's six-game winning streak. And it comes just a few days after misdemeanor charges were filed against four players in the now infamous October boat cruise on Lake Minnetonka. Joining us now is Sean Jensen who covers the Vikings for the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
Monday Markets
Minnesota Public Radio's Chief Economics Correspondent Chris Farrell discusses the latest economic news.
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Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2005 |
Wrecks on the road
As many as 2,800 Minnesota drivers have unknowingly bought wrecks. State Farm Insurance, the country's largest vehicle insurer, admits it totaled vehicles involved in crashes, but didn't change their titles to show they were wrecked or salvage cars. Many of the vehicles were repaired and sold to unsuspecting buyers. The buyers believed the clean titles meant they were purchasing legitimate used cars. State Farm is offering compensation, but for much less than what buyers paid. Consumer advocates say State Farm's settlement is inadequate. The episode offers a glimpse into this country's vast and lucrative wrecked or salvage vehicle business. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports.
TCF could get naming rights on Gopher stadium
The University of Minnesota is close to extending a deal with TCF Bank that would give the financial institution naming rights for a new Gopher football stadium in exchange for a $35 million contribution. The offer is due to expire at the end of this year. The University is positioning itself for another push at the state legislature next year to get state funding for a football stadium. Joining us now is Richard Pfutzenreuter, vice president and chief financial officer at the University of Minnesota.
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Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2005 |
Judge torpedoes cigarette tax
The 75-cents-a-pack cigarette tax approved by the Legislature last summer has been struck down. A Ramsey County judge says the tax flies in the face of a settlement reached with tobacco companies in 1998. That agreement exacted billions of dollars from the tobacco industry to cover costs incurred upon government health programs because of smoking. The settlement also banned the state from making future claims on tobacco companies. Legislators approved the cigarette tax over the summer to help solve the state's budget crisis, estimating it would generate $400 million over the next two years. Lawmakers are now speculating on what the loss of that revenue cushion could do to the state's current budget surplus. Minnesota Public Radio's Annie Baxter reports.
Lawmakers react to news about cigarette tax
Lawmakers are now speculating on what the loss of that revenue cushion could do to the state's current budget surplus. Joining us now are two lawmakers, DFL Senate Majority Leader Dean Johnson and Republican Speaker of the House Steve Sviggum.
Professor discusses the spiritual and cultural roots of Christmas
The holiday rush is nearing a frenzy. People are trying to buy gifts, cook, attend parties, and get ready for guests. Amid the festivities, some say the spiritual and cultural aspects of Christmas tend to get overlooked in all the hoopla. This year, there's been much talk about whether some elements of society are detaching Christmas from its Christian roots and turning the holidays into something more inclusive, which others say is not appropriate. One person who's thought a lot about Christmas, its spiritual and cultural themes, is Dr. Bruce Forbes. He's a professor of religious studies at Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa. He's writing a book about the history of Christmas.
Keepin' time with the Jack Brass Band
New Orleans brass band music has a special poignancy in the wake of hurricane Katrina. One of the few such bands in the upper midwest, the Twin Cities-based "Jack Brass Band" is releasing its second cd entitled, "You Don't Know Me." The band has also made a special effort to reach out to New Orleans musicians battered by Katrina. Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Roberts has the story.
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Thursday, Dec. 22, 2005 |
Privacy to be Hatch's legislative focus in 2006 session
Minnesota Attorney General Mike Hatch has announced a series of legislative proposals to help Minnesotans guard against identity theft. The so-called 2006 Consumer Privacy Protection Package aims to close loopholes in the state's privacy laws. The measures seek to protect telephone and cell phone records and also allows Minnesota consumers to freeze access to their credit information. Minnesota Public Radio's Greta Cunningham has more.
Minnesotans giving animals to strangers for Christmas
Stores will be crowded today with just a few shopping days before Christmas. But for some people, it's just that type of consumerism that ruins the holidays. The frenzied quest for the perfect present, the nagging doubt about buying iPods when others can't even afford food. Ultimately, many people want to buy something useful for someone who really needs it. That's just one of the sentiments about the holidays that comes through in an hour-long program called "The Loop," which we will air later today. In this excerpt of the show, producer Julie Siple found some people who were able to find some of those meaningful gifts, and others who were grateful to receive them.
2005 a big year in the local theater world
2005 has been an eventful year in the local theater world. From the turf battles over touring Broadway shows, to Theater de la Jeune Lune's Tony Award, and a new stage at the Children's Theater. Joining us now to sort through it all is Dominic Papatola, Minnesota Public Radio arts commentator and St. Paul Pioneer Press theater critic.
Mother of Minnesota National Guard member to meet with governor
The mother of a Minnesota guard member will get a chance to share her concerns with Gov. Tim Pawlenty later this morning. Joan Najbar is upset that her son had to leave college to train for possible deployment to Iraq. After talking with Gov. Pawlenty, she plans to protest, by herself, on the Capitol steps. Joan Najbar joins us now.
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Friday, Dec. 23, 2005 |
Did Dickens invent Christmas?
Christmas is only two days away, and people are going through their annual traditions: buying gifts, picking up a turkey for the big family feast, making those year-end donations to charity, maybe taking in one of the many productions of "A Christmas Carol." For a lot of people, the holiday just wouldn't be the same without Charles Dickens' famous story of Christmastime redemption. Actually, as Minnesota Public Radio's Curtis Gilbert explains, our modern conception of Christmas owes a lot to Charles Dickens.
Rookie coach has Wolves on top of their division
The Minnesota Timberwolves go for their 14th win of the season under rookie head coach Dwane Casey tonight. They face the Portland Trailblazers at the Target Center. Casey has led the Timberwolves to a 13-10 record, which is tops in the Northwest Division of the NBA's Western Conference. Casey is the seventh head coach in Timberwolves history. He replaced the team's most successful coach to date, Flip Saunders. Minnesota Public Radio's Brandt Williams has this profile.
Truckers report biodiesel is causing mechanical problems
The Minnesota trucking industry is asking Gov. Pawlenty to temporarily suspend a two-month-old mandate that requires diesel fuel sold in the state to contain two percent biodiesel. Truckers say they are experiencing more mechanical problems, and they suspect that the fuel made from soybeans is to blame. John Hausladen, president of the Minnesota Trucking Association, says many of his members are pretty upset right now.
Weather with Mark Seeley
University of Minnesota Climatologist Mark Seeley gives a Christmas forecast.
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