November 19, 2001 - All Things Considered’s Lorna Benson interviews Minnesota Orchestra Concertmaster Jorja Fleezanis about anger local musicians have over a new aviation security bill, with calls to members of Minnesota's congressional delegation to express their concerns.
November 20, 2001 - All Things Considered’s Lorna Benson interviews John Wodele, communications director for Governor Ventura, about projected state budget shortfall. Finance Commissioner Pam Wheelock says the projected budget shortfall could be as high as one billion dollars when the revenue forecast is announced. The Ventura administration is asking state agencies to plan for budget cuts of up to 10%.
November 21, 2001 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer interviews Peter Hutchinson, the former finance commissioner under DFL Governor Rudy Perpich, about the fact that for the first time in years, budget cuts are likely for the state government. The Ventura administration is telling state department heads and others agencies to find spending cuts of up to 10% in their budgets.
November 21, 2001 - Governor Ventura says that Minnesota is well-prepared for a terrorist, but after reviewing its policies after September 11th, a few changes are recommended. Ventura says that there are three things that terrorists need in order to be successful: money, identification, and information.
November 22, 2001 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer interviews DFL State Senator Linda Berglin, chair of the Health, Human Services, and Corrections Budget committee, about the Ventura administration unveiling its plan for fighting terrorism. It includes more wiretap authority for the government, limits on public access to sensitive information, and broader authority to quarantine citizens in the event of a bioterrorist incident.
November 27, 2001 - MPR’s Bob Kelleher reports that while the snowfall in Duluth from storm is not immense, the wind hitting Lake Superior is, creating damage…and spectacle.
November 28, 2001 - All Things Considered’s Lorna Benson talks with Steven Wagner, one of three St. Cloud professors who released results from a St. Cloud State University poll that shows Governor Ventura's approval rating has dropped sharply. 44% of respondents rated Ventura's overall performance as "excellent" or "pretty good." That's down from 63% the year prior.
November 29, 2001 - Major League Baseball owners say they plan to move ahead with contraction and the fate of the Minnesota Twins is still unclear. The Twins are a big story in the Twin Cities, but we wondered how the baseball saga is playing in Fargo. Mainstreet Radio's Dan Gunderson hit the streets to find out.
November 29, 2001 - MPR’s Laura McCallum reports that while it is too soon to tell if extending taxes to services will be a major component to Ventura's financial recommendations, he may revive his plan. The response to the idea from Legislature has not been favorable and they are being vocal about it.
November 30, 2001 - MPR’s Stephanie Hemphill profiles Alden Lind, who for three decades was a passionate defender of Lake Superior. He was a leading voice in the successful battle to stop dumping taconite waste into the lake.