Digitization made possible by the State of Minnesota Legacy Amendment’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, approved by voters in 2008.
June 20, 1997 - A little more than two weeks after the governor gave the go ahead to increase speed limits on some non-metro roads, the state Department of transportation today annouced its increasing speed lmimts in the Twin cities as well. The changes start taking effect next week and officials are warning, along with the speed increases, will come a major crackdown on violators of the new limits. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports.
June 23, 1997 - The candidate for superintendent of Minneapolis schools says the failure rate of students of color is the biggest challenge facing the state's largest school district. Carol Johnson, the current superintendent of St. Louis Park schools, told school board members today how she would address that and other challenges. The board spent two hours interviewing its lone candidate for the job. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
June 23, 1997 - Governor Carlson and DFL-Legislative leaders met today to discuss a K-12 education funding bill. The governor vetoed a funding bill at the end of the session because it did not contain $150-million in tax credits and deductions that parents could apply toward private and religious school tuition. Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe reports the new DFL proposal contains four key components, including raising the state's minimum wage.
June 23, 1997 - A divided Supreme Court has ruled states can confine violent sexual offenders even after they've served their prison sentences if they have a personality disorder and are likely to commit future sex crimes. As Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports, the high court's 5-to-4 ruling of a Kansas case closes the door further on convicted rapist Dennis Linehan's challenge of a similar Minnesota law.
June 24, 1997 - A report released today by the World Wildlife Fund says global warming threatens this country's national parks, including Voyageurs National Park. Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Losure reports.
June 24, 1997 - Minnesota Attorney General "Skip" Humphrey has denied reports that he's softening his opposition to the tentative deal ending state lawsuits against cigarette makers. Humphrey says he's as opposed to the deal now as he was when it was announced last Friday. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports.
June 24, 1997 - Minnesota's 8th District DFL Congressman Jim Oberstar says airline officials should "clean-up their act" or the Congress will act. Oberstar is pushing legislation called the Airline passenger's bill of rights. Under the plan, airlines would be required to disclose their flight delay and cancellation policies. They would have to provide food and bathrooms during lengthy delays. The plan also calls for the airlines to double the payments passengers receive for lost luggage or for being bumped from a flight. Oberstar says he's encouraged by moves Northwest Airlines is making to respond to passenger complaints.
June 24, 1997 - A legal challenge may change the system used to raise more than a half a billion dollars a year to promote U.S. farm products. "Check-off" programs are managed by state and federal government and require farmers to pay a small fee each time they sell milk, hogs and other commodities. The money is used to promote sales of the products. The U.S. Supreme Court will rule this summer on whether mandatory checkoff programs violate free speech guarantees. Mark Steil of Mainstreet Radio reports.
June 25, 1997 - MPR’s Bill Wareham reports that Mayor Sharon Sayles-Belton says Minneapolis will put its money where its mouth is when it comes to keeping the Twins. Throughout the Twins quest for a new ballpark, Sayles-Belton has often said she wants the baseball team to remain in the city…bur much to the consternation of stadium supporters. Sayles-Belton has never committed city resources to the project. That changed when she announced a plan for acquiring and preparing a riverfront site for a stadium.
June 25, 1997 - Midday previews the special session of the Minnesota Legislature with guests Senate Majority Leader Roger Moe and House Minority Leader Steve Sviggum. Education funding is the main topic. Listeners also call in with questions.