December 12, 2003 - Jan McElfish, member of the American Swedish Institute, gives MPR’s Great Cunningham a tour of the Turnblad Turn-blahd Mansion during the holiday season.
December 15, 2003 - Governor Tim Pawlenty is in Sarajevo, Bosnia this evening, having wrapped up a two-day visit with Minnesota National Guard troops serving as peace-keepers in that country. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has been with the governor for most of his trip and joins us now by phone from Tuzla, Bosnia. Michael, the governor's trip was meant in part to boost the morale of soldiers away from home during the holidays. I'm sure the news of Saddam Hussein's capture made his job even easier.
December 17, 2003 - Governor Pawlenty will travel the state tomorrow to announce the locations of new tax-free enterprise zones. Starting next month, new development on thousands of parcels of land in Greater Minnesota will be free from property, income and sales taxes. Economically stressed rural communities are waiting to see if this will spark the turn-around they need. Critics say Minnesota is about to land the latest blow in a battle nobody wins. Minnesota Public Radio's Jeff Horwich reports.
December 18, 2003 - Governor Pawlenty says he wants to discipline the state doctors who decided against recommending civil commitment for Alfonso Rodriguez Junior. Rodriguez was charged two weeks ago with kidnapping 22 year old Dru Sjodin. The convicted sex offender was released in May even though some evaluations say Rodriguez had a high likelihood of reoffending. Rodriguez has maintained his innocence in Sjodin's disappearance. While Pawlenty is considering punishment for the doctors who assessed Rodriguez, Minnesota's attorney general and other DFLers say they're concerned that budget cuts led to the oversight. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
December 18, 2003 - I'm Jeff Horwich, in St. Paul and alongside the excitement of state officials and communities about to gain a tax-free zone, there are plenty of concerns and unanswered questions. Pawlenty acknowledged his critics as he announced the zone locations.
December 18, 2003 - Governor Tim Pawlenty flew around the state today (Thursday) to announce the locations for Minnesota's Job Opportunity Building Zones. Governor Pawlenty developed the program, known as JOB-Z, as an economic development tool. It offers businesses incentives to relocate, expand or start up in the designated areas. Mainstreet Radio's Bob Reha has the first of two reports.
December 18, 2003 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer interviews Mee Moua, a Minnesota state senator, about the potential of new Hmong refugees to the Twin Cities. The U.S. State Department has reached an agreement with the government of Thailand which could bring thousands of new Hmong refugees to the United States. 14,000 Hmong people are living in the last refugee camp of its kind in Thailand.
December 19, 2003 - MPR’s Duluth reporter Chris Julin reflects on a student named Grace from a holiday season past.
December 19, 2003 - MPR’s Art Hughes reports on Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak’s picks for new police chief. Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak is expected to announce his pick for police chief tomorrow. Rybak is confident in his nomination, even though the final two candidates face considerable opposition by the city council, which ultimately acts on the selection. Report includes comments from mayor and city council members.
December 19, 2003 - MPR’s Cathy Wurzer interviews Barbara Johnson, Minneapolis city council member about prospective candidates for new Minneapolis police chief. Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak has officially narrowed his list of candidates for the next police chief to Charles Moose, the former chief in Maryland's Montgomery County, and William McManus, Dayton, Ohio police chief. The decision cut from consideration two respected deputy chiefs currently in the department, Lucy Gerold and Sharon Lubinski. While the mayor has supporters for the finalists, there are signals that the outsiders will be a tough and divisive sell. Johnson, who represents the city's 4th Ward, says she's disappointed that Gerold and Lubinski did not make the final cut.