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January 9 - 13, 2006
[ Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday ]
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Monday, Jan. 9, 2006 |
Analyzing the tobacco fee or tax case
Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Attorney General Mike Hatch, and state lawmakers are still waiting for word on whether the Minnesota Supreme Court will take up the case of a tobacco fee that was passed last year. Tobacco companies sued and won in a lower court, saying the fee goes back on the terms of a tobacco settlement in 1998 by hiking cigarette prices 75-cents-a-pack. At stake is $400 million in revenue for the state each biennium. Hatch is arguing the case presents a constitutional showdown, and says the fee is really a tax. Other experts say, however, it is just a dispute over the original agreement. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports.
Powell: Middle East peace better off with Sharon
The chances of Middle East peace will be advanced, even if Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon does not fully recover from a massive stroke. That is what former Secretary of State Colin Powell told an audience at the Beth El Synagogue in St. Louis Park last night. Sharon is breathing on his own now, and has reportedly moved one of his hands, as doctors slowly bring him out of an induced coma. Powell said Sharon's survival, even in a reduce capacity, would advance peace in the Middle East. Powell's view on Sharon's situation was part of a generally optimistic speech on world affairs. Minnesota Public Radio's Annie Baxter has more.
Officials launch plan to offer free higher ed tuition
Twin Cities education officials formally launch a new proposal today meant to boost the rates of graduating high school seniors who continue on to higher education. "The Power of You" program aims to build a stash of private money to pay for two years of college tuition for students who qualify. Organizers of the idea also hope it sparks a discussion on whether the state should do more to expand access to college. Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes reports.
Despite threats, Minnesota group building schools in Afghanistan
A group of Minnesotans is working to build schools in Afghanistan, despite recent reports of violence against educators in that country. The Partnership for Education of Children in Afghanistan is led by both Afghans and non-Afghans in the Twin Cities. They are funding the construction and renovation of schools in the Khost Province of southeast Afghanistan, so that both boys and girls in that area can go to school. They are doing this despite a report just last week that a teacher was beheaded in a central Afghan town. Officials blamed Taliban militants for the attack, which was just the latest in a string of violence against educators at schools where girls study. Dr. Ghafar Lakanwal is the founder of the Partnership for Education of Children in Afghanistan and he spoke with MPR's Cathy Wurzer.
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Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2006 |
Northwest Airlines unions weigh strikes
The clock is ticking down on Northwest Airlines and its three biggest labor unions. They are trying to hammer out agreements on concessions by January 17, when a bankruptcy judge will take up Northwest's request to void the unions' contracts and impose new employment terms. The unions are responding to that prospect with a counter-threat. The pilots, flight attendants, and ground workers have all said they would be willing to strike if their contracts are thrown out. But their threats could hit some snags along the way. Minnesota Public Radio's Annie Baxter reports.
Medicare glitch with Medicaid still unsolved
There are still major glitches in the computer system that administers the new Medicare drug benefit. Despite assurances that the problem would be fixed over the weekend, thousands of Medicaid recipients are still not listed as eligible for deeply discounted drugs. Governors in North Dakota, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine have told pharmacists they will be compensated for any extra costs incurred because of the computer glitch. MPR's Cathy Wurzer spoke with Jim Varpness, head of Minnesota's Board on Aging.
New not always better for maker of wood prosthetics
New does not always mean better, according to a North Dakota man who makes hand-made artificial limbs. In recent years, prosthetic specialists have developed life-like hands and super strong titanium legs. But some people in need of limbs prefer prosthetics that are made the old-fashioned way, and in Fargo a man named Ken Heide is ready to help them. Minnesota Public Radios Bob Reha reports.
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Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2006 |
St. Paul poised to pass strict smoking ban
The St. Paul City Council is expected to pass a total smoking ban in bars and restaurants later today, and new Mayor Chris Coleman says he supports it. The proposed ban is stricter than a Ramsey County ban that already covers St. Paul establishments, but the county ban exempts some bars. As Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports, supporters of the new St. Paul ban are confident it will pass even though opponents have rallied against it.
Basketball taking over local sports scene
In sports news, it was a tough night for the local basketball teams. The Gopher men lost to Wisconsin 64-62 at Williams Arena. Minnesota is now 0-2 against Big Ten teams. And in Milwaukee, the Timberwolves were beaten by the Bucks by a score of 95-92. The Wolves will try to brake their three game losing streak when they host the Bulls tonight. MPR's Cathy Wurzer spoke with Morning Edition sport commentator Steve Rudolph about the local sports scene.
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Thursday, Jan. 12, 2006 |
Vick trial begins
Testimony resumes this morning for Harry Evans, who's on trial for killing St. Paul police Sgt. Gerald Vick. Vick was gunned down on St. Paul's east side last May. Both sides in the case presented their opening statements yesterday, and two witnesses testified. Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner told jurors that Evans' DNA was found on the gun that killed Vick. The defense said, however, the state has the wrong man -- that Evans' companion that night, Antonio Kelly, is the one who shot Vick. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports.
Guidant to accept Johnson and Johnson's latest bid
Medical device maker Guidant has accepted corporate giant Johnson and Johnson's latest offer to buy the company, but another potential buyer, Boston Scientific says it still will not go away. There has been some back-and-forth between Guidant and Johnson and Johnson over the acquisition. Johnson and Johnson has offered three different prices for Guidant, and haggling over a deal provided an opening for Boston Scientific to make a competing offer. Boston Scientific is willing to pay more, but Guidant says it is going with Johnson and Johnson anyway. Minnesota Public Radio's Annie Baxter has more.
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Friday, Jan. 13, 2006 |
NWA employees, preparing for the worst, support each others' side jobs
On Tuesday, Northwest Airlines plans to ask a bankruptcy judge to toss out its labor contracts and allow the company to impose wage and job cuts on union workers. Unions are negotiating hard to avoid that, but any deal would include deep concessions. Union leaders have also floated the possibility of a strike that could put everyone's jobs on hold. Against this backdrop, some of the airline's Twin Cities employees are banding together to prepare to make it without a job at Northwest. Minnesota Public Radio's Jeff Horwich reports.
Union organizes home-based day care providers
A labor union best know for representing government workers is now organizing home-based child care providers. AFSCME is signing up day care providers in St. Louis, Hennepin and Ramsey Counties. The day care associations aren't traditional labor unions, but organizers say they might be a tool to increase support for an un undervalued profession. Minnesota Public Radio's Bob Kelleher reports.
If these walls could talk...
An exhibit opening Jan. 14 at the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul will allow visitors to explore history through the stories of people who lived in one house on the east side of St. Paul over the last 120 years. "Open House: If These Walls Could Talk" recreates the interior and exterior of a house that still stands at 470 Hopkins St. Each room is decorated to represent a different era. It has interactive elements that help tell the stories of the families who lived there, beginning with the Schumachers who built the house in the 1890s.
Boutique hotels to be built in Twin Cities
One of the latest fads in hotel design is making its mark on the Twin Cities. Several so-called "boutique hotels" are under construction or being planned. The 53-room Chambers Hotel at Ninth and Hennepin in downtown Minneapolis is scheduled to open this summer. Other boutique hotels are being planned for the Foshay Tower and the Ivy Tower in Minneapolis. An article in today's edition of The Business Journal reports that many architects enjoy the challenge of designing a boutique hotel. Joining us now with more on this story is Kim Johnson, an editor with the Business Journal.
Weather with Mark Seeley
University of Minnesota Climatologist Mark Seeley discusses the warm weather and looks ahead to the weekend forecast.
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