March 20, 2001 - St. Paul NAACP and Chief Finney meet to discuss racial profiling in the city.
March 21, 2001 - MPR’s William Wilcoxen previews the first Women's Hockey Final Four. Wilcoxen interviews players and fans about their feelings on the first NCAA Women’s Hockey Championship, which is being hosted at the University of Minnesota’s Mariucci Arena.
March 21, 2001 - Governor Jesse Ventura said he's strongly considering asking the Legislature to change state law to bar teachers from striking. At an education forum in St. Louis Park, Ventura suggested putting teachers in the category of Essential State Employees, same as policemen and firefighters.
March 22, 2001 - Minnesota Author Evelyn Fairbanks has died at the age of 72. Fairbanks wrote "Days of Rondo," a memoir about growing up in St. Paul's largest black neighborhood in the 1930's and '40's. The Rondo neighborhood was razed in the 1960's to make way for interstate 94. Fairbank's book was published in 1990 and is now in its fourth printing. In 1991, Fairbanks gave up city life and moved to the outskirts of tiny Onamia, Minnesota, where she operated a 20 acre tree farm. In a 1995 interview with Minnesota Public Radio's Beth Friend, Fairbanks described why she was drawn to the country:
March 22, 2001 - Minnesota Author Evelyn Fairbanks has died at the age of 72. Fairbanks wrote "Days of Rondo," a memoir about growing up in St. Paul's largest black neighborhood in the 1930's and '40's. The Rondo neighborhood was razed in the 1960's to make way for interstate 94. Fairbank's book was published in 1990 and is now in its fourth printing. In 1991, Fairbanks gave up city life and moved to the outskirts of tiny Onamia, Minnesota, where she operated a 20 acre tree farm. In a 1995 interview with Minnesota Public Radio's Beth Friend, Fairbanks described why she was drawn to the country.
March 26, 2001 - Friday is the first committee deadline at the Minnesota Legislature. That means most bills will have to clear policy committees in at least one house by the end of the week to stay alive. Joining us with a preview of the week ahead is Minnesota Public Radio's Capital Bureau Chief, Laura McCallum.
March 26, 2001 - MPR’s Bob Kelleher reports on the effects low water levels in Lake Superior are having on shipping. Great Lakes freighters will be loading lighter than ever to stay above the bottoms of harbors and rivers between the lakes.
March 26, 2001 - The Equal Rights Amendment is getting another chance in Congress. Last week, more than 160 members signed onto the legislation... which would give women equal protection under the consitution. The E-R-A was first introduced in 1923, and despite its repeated RE-introduction, has never achieved the level of support necessary for ratification. 4th district representative Betty McCallum is one of the bill's sponsors this session. She says its time to make the E-R-A a reality:
March 27, 2001 - MPR’s Michael Khoo gives a summary report on Governor Jesse Ventura’s appearance on Midday. The governor staked out positions on a host of proposals now under consideration at the state Legislature. Ventura commented on loosening restrictions on carrying a handgun, alcohol sales in grocery stores, and legal sports betting.
March 27, 2001 - MPR's Laura McCallum reports that just days before the first legislative committee deadline, abortion bills are gaining strength at the Capitol. Bills to create a special "Choose Life" license plate and to create a 24-hour waiting period before a woman could get an abortion passed their first legislative hurdles, but Governor Ventura says he'll veto both bills if they land on his desk.