March 30, 2004 - Development is well behind schedule for a new national system to screen airplane passengers, known as "CAPPS II." The acronym stands for "Computer Assisted Passenger Pre-Screening." Homeland security officials say it's a critical tool to prevent a repeat of 9-11. But airlines are reluctant to even help test it, citing concern about passenger privacy. Some experts see an emerging battle between security and civil liberties that can only be settled in the courts. Minnesota Public Radio's Jeff Horwich has the second in our two-part look at the stalled attempt to get CAPPS II off the ground.
March 30, 2004 - A Minnesota Senate committee has recommended against confirming Lieutenant Governor Carol Molnau in her second state government role - commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Transportation. The 9-to-7 vote fell along party lines, with DFLers opposing confirmation of the Republican Molnau. Her confirmation now goes to the full Senate. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck followed the debate this afternoon and is on the line with us now. Tom, why did Molnau run into trouble?
March 30, 2004 - A plan to build two new stadiums for the Minnesota Twins and Vikings has taken another step forward. The bill advanced fairly easily out of the House Government Operations Committee without the lengthy debate that has often accompanied stadium discussions. The plan remains a work-in-progress, but critics contend it's not receiving the full scrutiny it deserves.
March 31, 2004 - A committee in the Minnesota Senate has voted to remove Lieutenant Governor Carol Molnau from her job as commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Transportation. The recommendation now moves onto the full Senate which will make the final decision on Molnau's future. Molnau serves in the unique position of holding both the lieutenant governor and transportation commissioner titles. Critics say Molnau doesn't have a balanced plan to improve Minnesota's roads, bridges and transportation needs. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports....
March 31, 2004 - Richfield-based Best Buy says sales soared in its most recent quarter, capping off what it calls a "banner year". The electronics retailer reported earnings today (WEDS) for the end of its fiscal year. Despite the financial success, in the coming year Best Buy plans to cut jobs, trim costs wherever it can, and roll out a new image to customers. Analysts say it's part of a plan to keep plenty of distance between Best Buy and the world's biggest retailer -- Wal-Mart. Minnesota Public Radio's Jeff Horwich reports. (It was indeed a good year for Best Buy. After years of losing money at its struggling Musicland subsidiary, Best Buy dropped the music stores in June and saw profits jump more than 600 percent.
April 1, 2004 - The Minnesota Family Council says it will begin running several hundred radio ads this week to put pressure on members of the Minnesota Senate to vote for a constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriage. A senate committee defeated the proposal last week and replaced it with a proposal that would allow only the Legislature to define marriage. The Family Council says it hopes the ads will increase public support for the amendment that would define marriage between one man and one woman. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
April 1, 2004 - MPR’s Elizabeth Stawicki reports that members of minority bar associations, area law schools, and law firms will launch a website to dispel some of the myths about Minnesota that they say discourage people of color from moving here. The site will feature profiles of noted legal professionals of color and offer information about such things as where to live and shop.
April 2, 2004 - Metro Transit is reportedly asking the federal government if it can change the opening of the Hiawatha Light Rail Line until A YEAR from now. Partial Rail service was scheduled to begin tomorrow, but has been delayed by the Metro Transit bus strike. Light rail train drivers are members of the bus drivers union. The Star Tribune reports this morning that Metro Transit wants the Federal Transit Administration to move the opening to next April. Metropolitan Council chairman Peter Bell says that's not true...
April 5, 2004 -
April 5, 2004 - National Public Radio says it's sticking with its decision to reassign long-time Morning Edition host Bob Edwards even though thousands of listeners around the country are unhappy with the decision. Some are threatening to withhold membership contributions if NPR doesn't reinstate Edwards. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports...