January 15, 2004 - Governor Tim Pawlenty just wrapped up a week of press conferences highlighting projects in his bonding proposal. After cutting budgets last year, the bonding proposal gave the governor the chance to dish out some spending around Minnesota. The statewide media blitz was typical for a high-energy governor who has proven adept at dealing with the press. Pawlenty has released a flurry of initiatives in recent weeks, and some Democrats believe the activity level is designed to deflect criticism of his administration. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports...
January 15, 2004 - A broadcast of Talking Volumes at the Fitzgerald Theater. Katherine Lanpher talks with former Minnesotan Jean Harfenist about her debut novel, A Brief History of the Flood. The book chronicles a girl's growing up in a troubled family.
January 16, 2004 - MPR's Michael Khoo reports on vying proposals in the Twin Cities regarding a new ballpark. As policymakers and state officials pore over the details of 26 stadium ideas submitted, one thread emerges bright and clear…aside from the plans that call for new gambling revenues, all the major proposals rely heavily on increased tax dollars to build new homes for the Twins and Vikings.
January 16, 2004 - MPR’s Michael Khoo reports on stadium discussions in the Twin Cities. More than two dozen cities, counties, and private citizens have pitched their ballpark solutions to Governor Tim Pawlenty's Stadium Screening Committee. The governor solicited outside input to help him decide what role, if any, the state might play in financing new facilities for the Minnesota Twins and Vikings. The plans cover a range of sites sprinkled across the metropolitan area and offer funding options from local taxes to state dollars to casino revenues.
January 21, 2004 - MPR’s Toni Randolph reports that local and state officials, refugee agencies, and Hmong community organizations have been trying to figure out how many refugees could end up in the Twin Cities. The Thai government says more than 15,000 refugees are living in the camp surrounding a Buddhist temple. They'll be eligible for the resettlement program, which is scheduled to begin screening refugees in mid-March of 2004.
January 23, 2004 - A Twin Cities speech by Abigail Thernstrom, author of "No Excuses: Closing the Racial Gap in Learning". Thernstrom says this is the central civil rights issue of our time. She spoke Thursday at the Center of the American Experiment.
January 23, 2004 - The St. Paul-based Great American History Theater's current production, "Joe", is about a former Catholic priest who becomes an advocate for poor people. The one man play is about Minneapolis activist Joe Selvaggio, the founder of Project of Pride in Living. PPL helps poor people find housing and work. Actor Jim Stowell shows Joe the rebellious Catholic priest, the protester and Joe the self-described pest as he raises money from rich people.
January 26, 2004 - Mainstreet Radio's Stephanie Hemphill reports on folks in Northeastern Minnesota and Northwestern Wisconsin digging out from a near-record snowfall. After five years of wimpy winters, Duluth had several days of frigid temperatures, and now - lots of snow.
January 27, 2004 - Self contained (QUESTIONS ARE JUST PROMPTS, AD LIB AS NECESSARY) MOLPUS: Governor Tim Pawlenty today (TUESDAY) called on lawmakers to let Minnesota voters decide whether to revive capital punishment in the state. Pawlenty first proposed the idea last month after convicted Minnesota sex-offender Alfonzo Rodriguez, Jr., was arrested in connection with the disappearance of University of North Dakota student Dru Sjodin. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo joins us now from the Capitol. Michael, Minnesota hasn't had a death penalty in nearly 100 years. Why is Pawlenty raising the issue now?
January 28, 2004 -