January 25, 2001 - MPR’s William Wilcoxen presents a profile of jazz organist Jack McDuff (aka Captain Jack), who died on January 24th, 2001. Segment includes recorded interview with McDuff.
January 29, 2001 - Meteorologist Tony Zaleski details freezing rain engulfing the southern third of Minnesota, making for treacherous commutes. The National Weather Service predicts significant amounts of ice forming, an uncommon occurrence in Minnesota. Zaleski explains how an ice storm happens…even when it’s below freezing.
January 30, 2001 - Wilson Bradshaw is President of Metropolitan State University, which is part of the MnSCU system. He says Ventura's budget is a place to start.
January 30, 2001 - MPR’s Patty Marsicano reports that the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System stepped up their drive today for more higher education state funding than Governor Jesse Ventura has proposed.
January 30, 2001 - MPR’s Laura McCallum reports that Governor Ventura's tax bill got its first committee hearing at the State Capitol. Ventura's ambitious series of tax cuts and reforms faces an uncertain future. Even the bill's chief House author doesn't completely support all of it.
January 30, 2001 - A new American Radioworks documentary, Prison Diaries.
January 31, 2001 - MPR’s Laura McCullum reports on the Minnesota Twins latest effort to find support for a stadium plan at the State Capitol. This time, team officials are taking a go-slow approach, listening to legislators and floating ideas. Some lawmakers are warming to one idea that doesn't involve a direct taxpayer subsidy, but they say funding a new ballpark won't be a top priority during a busy budget session.
January 31, 2001 - Governor Ventura took his budget proposal for the University of Minnesota to the editorial page of the Star Tribune today. His piece, titled "Maybe Money Isn't the 'U' Problem," suggests the University could get by with fewer resources. The Governor's budget plan calls for a $56-million increase in U of M funding while the University has asked for almost four times that. Richard Pfutzenreuter (fitz-en-roy-ter) is Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the University of Minnesota. He takes issue with the governor's strategy of comparing the U of M to the University of Wisconsin, which Ventura says enjoys a higher research ranking even though it pays its professors less than Minnesota.
January 31, 2001 - Author Margaret Atwood, speaking recently as part of the Pen Pals Lecture Series sponsored by the Library Foundation of Hennepin County. Her latest book is The Blind Assassin.
February 2, 2001 - While some critics have questioned whether Governor Ventura's weekend gig is appropriate, Commentator Dale Connelly says the Legislature might learn a thing or two from the XFL.....