April 26, 2001 - MPR’s Marisa Helms that the Minnesota House and Senate are about $100 million apart in education spending. Both the Senate and House K-12 finance committees approved their main education funding bills shortly before final committee deadline. The main difference between the two bills is the amount of new spending and how each addresses fiscal inequity among school districts.
April 26, 2001 - MPR’s Andrew Haeg reports that the CEOs of twenty companies from Finland are in the Twin Cities to meet with local business leaders, and to explore potential business opportunities. The group attended a two-day workshop at a local law firm where they listened to an address by Governor Ventura, who has often promoted foreign trade and investment to boost the state's economy.
April 26, 2001 - As part of Mainstreet Radio series Broken Trust: Civil Rights in Indian Country, MPR’s Bob Kelleher reports on the obstacles for American Indian children within the education system.
April 26, 2001 - MPR’s Patty Marsicano reports that higher education budget would fare much better under the senate's budget than the Governor's budget. Of the 2.9 billion dollars of total spending, the package contains 283 million dollars in new spending. That's nearly three times the new spending proposed by Governor Ventura.
April 26, 2001 - As part of Mainstreet Radio series Broken Trust: Civil Rights in Indian Country, MPR’s Bob Rhea reports on the fight for religious freedom of Native Americans, including those incarcerated.
April 26, 2001 - MPR’s Dan Gunderson reports that Minnesota counties are concerned about a legislative proposal to cut off cash welfare payments to thousands of Minnesotans starting next summer. County officials fear they will be responsible for paying the cost of caring for those who lose state assistance. Advocacy groups say many of Minnesota’s working poor will forced to seek charity to survive….but the author of the House bill says those concerns are largely unfounded.
April 27, 2001 - A Lutheran church in St. Paul is about to break the rules of its governing body. St. Paul-Reformation Lutheran Church will ordain Anita Hill tomorrow. Hill is a lesbian woman in a committed relationship-- and that puts the church out of line with the ELCA, the governing body of about ten thousand Lutheran churches across the country. The St. Paul Area Synod, which oversees lutheran churches in the St. Paul area, has not yet decided what action to take. Bruce Forbes is a professor of religious studies at Morningside Collge in Sioux City, Iowa... and an ordained United Methodist Minister. Bruce Forbes is a professor of religious studies at Morningside Collge in Sioux City, Iowa... and an ordained United Methodist Minister.
April 27, 2001 - As part of Mainstreet Radio series Broken Trust: Civil Rights in Indian Country, MPR’s Dan Gunderson reports on free speech within the Indian reservation.
May 1, 2001 - MPR’s Lorna Benson visits the Metrodome during a Minnesota Twins practice to chat with players, including Doug Mientkiewicz, who joined the Twins in 1999. Mientkiewicz was sent back down to the minors after a disappointing season, but has since come back strong. In the early 2001 season, He has a 13 game hitting streak and leads the Twins in key offensive categories: .380 average, six home runs, and 21 RBIs.
May 1, 2001 - It will be a busy night tonight for Sun Country Airlines. They will have about ten hours to move their flight operations from the main terminal at the Twin Cities Airport to the brand new Humphrey Terminal. Sun Country is hoping that the new 82 million terminal, which features more gates, a restaurant and other amenities, will be a boost to their business. Sun Country also has a new president and Chief Operating Officer. He is David Banmiller, and he joins us on the line now.