August 14, 2001 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer interviews Jim Dreyer, a 37-year-old man from Michigan, as he prepares to swim across Lake Superior. The 62-mile swim will start in Grand Portage, on Minnesota's North Shore, and end at the F.J. McLain State Park on Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
August 14, 2001 - St. Paul mayor Norm Coleman will deliver his final budget address later today. His budget will go to the St. Paul City Council where it must be approved by the end of December. After leading the city for nearly eight years, Coleman has decided NOT to seek re-election. He will instead run in next year's Senate race in an attempt to unseat DFLer Paul Wellstone. Mayor Coleman is on the line now. that's St. Paul Mayor Norm Coleman, who will deliver his final budget address today at 3:00.
August 14, 2001 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer talks with Minneapolis Star Tribune sports commentator LaVelle Neal about the Minnesota Twins struggling with the pressures of a pennant race.
August 14, 2001 - Mayor Norm Coleman is sending his last budget proposal to the Saint Paul city council ... and for the eighth straight year the budget calls for no increase in city taxes. But Coleman, who is not seeking re-election, may be leaving City Hall just in time. Some city officials expect a slowing economy will make it more difficult to maintain Saint Paul's recent pattern of avoiding tax increases without cutting services. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen reports...
August 15, 2001 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer speaks with Michael Yang, director of the Immigrant and Refugee Policy Coalition of Minnesota, about ceremony at Bethel College's Benson Hall where 730 Hmong Veterans and widows from Laos will become U.S. Citizens.
August 15, 2001 - This week, the Saint Paul city council will begin digesting the 2002 budget proposal Mayor Norm Coleman unveiled yesterday (Tuesday). For the eighth and last time, Coleman presented a budget that calls for no increase in the city tax levy. But Coleman, who is not seeking re-election, may be leaving City Hall just in time. Some city officials expect a slowing economy will make it more difficult to maintain Saint Paul's recent pattern of avoiding tax increases without cutting services. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen reports... BK: To hear Mayor Coleman's complete budget address, log on to our website at www.minnesotapublicradio.org
August 15, 2001 - MPR’s Kaomi Goetz reports on historic ceremony in which 700 Hmong refugees became U.S. citizens at a bilingual ceremony in St. Paul. The event was made possible by a federal law giving special consideration to Hmong veterans who fought at the side of U-S forces during the Vietnam War.
August 16, 2001 - MPR’s Brandt Williams reports on Minneapolis mayoral debate hosted by TPT. Report includes audio clips from the debate. Candidates were incumbent Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton and challengers R.T. Rybak, Lisa McDonald, and Mark Stenglein.
August 16, 2001 - Mainstreet Radio's Jeff Horwich reports on Larry Hosch, a young mayor finding his feet. For eight months, one of the country's youngest mayors has been settling into his job in the central Minnesota town of St. Joseph. Hosch admits he isn't steeped in the politics and local relationships that have shaped the town. To some that means a fresh viewpoint; to others it's the regrettable end of an era.
August 16, 2001 - State Fair officials are taking precautions to protect livestock from foot-and-mouth disease. Anyone who has recently traveled to an infected area will be asked to stay away from the livestock barns. Hundreds of people bring their livestock to the fair each year, many for competition. Steve Pooch (POKE-- like yoke) is Assistant Manager of the State Fair, and oversees all the livestock. that's Steve Pooch (POKE-- like yoke), Assistant Manager of the State Fair, He oversees all the livestock. The Fair gets underway one week from today. By the way, there's a new exhibit at the Children's Barnyard this year. It's called the miracle of birth. Eight cows, 12 sows and 16 ewes are expected to give birth during the Fair at the center.