December 13, 2006 - Residents of Worthington spent today reacting to Tuesday's immigration raid at the Swift packing plant in the community. Officials from the Department of Homeland Security say 230 Worthington workers believed to be illegal immigrants were arrested. Lawyers for detained workers charge that some U.S. citizens were detained in the roundup. The day after the dragnet found many Swift workers scared and confused about their future, and that of their friends and relatives. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Steil reports.
December 13, 2006 - The mayor of Worthington talks with MPR about how the federal raid at a major employer in town, the Swift Co. meat-packing plant, could affect the city economically.
December 20, 2006 - Martin Sabo, the 28-year congressman from Minnesota's fifth district, which is much of Hennepin county, is leaving after 28 years in office. He has built a reputation among as a strong Democrat, and many are sorry to see him go.
December 26, 2006 - MPR’s Bob Kelleher reports that the level of Lake Superior recently hit an all time low - at least in recorded history. That's making trouble for boaters, and especially for the big ore freighters. An extended drought and a warming lake are reasons behind the drop in water level.
January 8, 2007 - The families and supporters of meatpacking workers arrested in December in an immigration raid held a rally in Worthington, the location of the plant. Family members spoke on how their lives have been changed since the raid.
February 8, 2007 - About one hundred supporters and critics of a proposed copper-nickel mine in northeastern Minnesota got together in Duluth last night to talk about the project. Polymet Mining Company is working on detailed studies about possible environmental impacts. They've got a long way to go, to convince some people the mine is a good idea. Minnesota Public Radio's Stephanie Hemphill reports.
February 22, 2007 - Minnesota has a new law establishing one of the most aggressive standards for renewable energy in the country. Governor Pawlenty signed a bill that would require utilities to generate more of their power from renewable sources over the next two decades. Pawlenty and others say they hope the bill is the first of many energy initiatives to reach the governor's desk this year. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
February 26, 2007 - MPR’s Stephanie Hemphill reports that commercial fishermen along the North Shore of Lake Superior could be allowed to bring more lake trout to market. A bill addressing the issue received a first hearing. Commercial trout fishing has been essentially banned on Lake Superior since the 1960s.
April 11, 2007 - The City of Minneapolis is restructuring its revolving loan fund program to accommodate Muslim business owners. The program offers low-interest loans to small business owners whose ventures would help revitalize targeted areas of the city.
April 16, 2007 - The Metropolitan Airports Commission today beefed up penalties for cab drivers who decline to serve a customer. The Commission was responding to passenger complaints about Muslim cab drivers refusing to serve passengers carrying alcohol. The MAC says there have been nearly 5,000 cases since 2002 in which a cab driver refused to transport a customer who had or was suspected of having alcohol. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.