March 21, 2002 - The state redistricting map released this week divides the state's population nearly EQUALLY among the eight Congressional districts. Based on census 2000 data, each district is home to exactly 614,935 people, with the exception of the second district, which is one person short. Joe Mansky is an elections expert who managed Governor Ventura's redistricting plan. He says new computer programs make it much easier for map makers to balance district populations:
March 21, 2002 - (NOTE: This has not been edited) The Minnesota Twins are celebrating a House committee's approval of new ballpark legislation. The House Ways and Means committee voted 22-to-6 late last night (WEDNESDAY) in favor of a bill modelled closely on a financing plan offered by Governor Jesse Ventura last week. The plan envisions a limited role for the state's contribution -- but the version approved in committee would give a host community the option of raising local taxes to help fund the project. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports.
March 22, 2002 - MPR's Cara Hetland reports on The National Symphony Orchestra as it concludes its 10-day residency in South Dakota. The 202 musicians in the orchestra visit one state a year to share their talent and passion for music with teachers, students and fellow musicians. The National Symphony Orchestra crammed nearly 120 events and concerts into a schedule that took the musicians to all parts of the state.
March 22, 2002 - Senators Paul Wellstone and Mark Dayton traveled to Brainerd today (Friday) to meet with Potlatch workers who may lose their jobs in 60 days if new buyers close the plant as expected. The senators tried to reassure the workers and told them they'd try to do their best to find a buyer for the plant. Minnesota Public Radio's Andrew Haeg reports.
March 22, 2002 - In an unusual move, the Minnesota House today approved labor contracts negotiated with state employee unions - after removing health benefits for same-sex domestic partners. Senate DFL leaders support the benefits, and Governor Ventura called the House action "homophobic". Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports:
March 25, 2002 - MPR's William Wilcoxen reports that even as state lawmakers debate whether to help finance a ballpark, potential host cities have been jockeying for position. St. Paul city officials said the city has three downtown sites that could become the next home to the Minnesota Twins. Business and labor leaders joined Mayor Randy Kelly at City Hall to describe the sites.
March 25, 2002 - MPR’s Art Hughes reports on push for bill focused on addressing mental health crisis incidents. The mayor of Minneapolis joined state lawmakers and mental health advocates at the Capitol to support a bill to make it easier for police officers to commit someone having a mental health crisis. They say the bill will help prevent tragedies. Two weeks ago, an apparently delusional Minneapolis man was shot and killed after confronting police with a machete. Some in the mental health field say with funds dwindling, there's no place to bring people in crisis. Report includes comments from Mindy Greiling, state representative and author of bill; R.T. Rybak, mayor of Minneapolis; Greg Hestness, Minneapolis deputy police chief; John Trepp, member of Friends of Barbara Schneider; and Sue Aberholden, executive director of National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).
March 25, 2002 - MPR’s Lorna Benson talks with capitol reporter Michael Khoo about Minnesota House expected to vote on a ballpark financing plan first proposed by Governor Jesse Ventura's administration.
March 25, 2002 - The mayor of Minneapolis joined state lawmakers and mental health advocates at the Capitol today to support a bill to make it easier for police officers to commit someone having a mental health crisis. They say the bill will help prevent tragedies. Two weeks ago, an apparently delusional Minneapolis man was shot and killed after confronting police with a machete. But some in the mental health field say with funds dwindling, there's no place to bring people in crisis. MPR’s Art Hughes presents this report on gathering.
March 26, 2002 - Andrew Zimbalist, a professor of economics at Smith College and the author of a book called Baseball and Billions, comments on local stadium actions. Fifty St. Paul business owners started a campaign against a proposed food, beverage, and lodging tax to fund a Twins stadium, while Minnesota House approved a bill for a $330 million open-air stadium that allows the host city to levy the tax to help repay bonds.