October 22, 2007 - With the political campaign season under way, our television screens could soon be filled with attack ads. Last week's feud between Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann and local television stations over an ad criticizing one of her votes raises the question: can voters believe what they see? MPRs Jess Mador (MAYdoor) has more.
October 23, 2007 - A law firm representing I-35 bridge victims has hired a forensic engineering company that investigated the collapse of the world trade center towers. Robins Kaplan hired the New York firm to determine why the I-35 Bridge collapsed in August. As Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports, the chief investigator has a unique connection to Minneapolis. {Within hours of the September 11th attacks, the FAA ordered all planes to land at the nearest airport. For structural engineer, Manny Velivasakis that meant his flight from New York to Vancouver was diverted to Minneapolis. After he had deplaned, he watched airport TVs showing black smoke enveloping the trade center site.
October 25, 2007 - MN Dot has announced some of the design details for the new 35W bridge. A wide-ranging group of residents, community leaders and elected officials voted on things like color, lighting and shape. MPR's Jess Mador has more.
November 9, 2007 - MPR’s Dan Olson reports on MnDOT not meeting Federal goals on hiring of minority contractors.
November 16, 2007 - A new report finds that 80 thousand Minnesota families are expected to fall behind in their mortgage payments this year. A quarter of those families could lose their homes altogether. Governor Pawlenty wants to reduce the rate of foreclosures by dedicating money to double the number of foreclosure counselors in Minnesota. But even that won't solve the problem. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports..
December 12, 2007 - Today is the one year anniversary of a federal immigration raid on the Swift meatpacking plant in Worthington. Officers arrested 239 illegal immigrants in the southwest Minnesota city. It was part of a nationwide action. Latinos in Worthington say they're still recovering from the raid. Other people say the raid didn't go far enough.
January 11, 2008 - Nanci has posted some more resources for Parents of "emerging adults" on our website, Minnesota Public Radio.org. There you'll also find some video interviews with U of M students who talk about why they drink. There's also a discussion underway at a Gather.com...parents, and students are posting their thoughts about binge drinking. A link to that discussion is at Minnesota Public Radio dot org. Monday night at 7, Minnesota Public radio News hosts a Public Insight Forum on the topic of College Binge drinking. Kerry Miller hosts in the UBS Forum, here at our downtown St. Paul studios. Our special report, Death by Drinking, was edited by Mike Edgerly...it's all online, at Minnesota Public Radi-dot-org.
January 17, 2008 - Governor Pawlenty wants to make low-interest loans available to small businesses and homeowners, to install renewable energy systems. The governor announced the initiative at a news conference today (THURS). He also set up a collaborative group to oversee research and development on clean energy. Minnesota Public Radio's Stephanie Hemphill reports. {
February 1, 2008 - Governor Pawlenty is calling for repeal of Minnesota's moratorium on new nuclear power plants. It's part of his preliminary action plan on climate change. He also wants to reduce red tape for renewable energy projects. His proposals are included in a report sent to the legislature today. Minnesota Public Radio's Stephanie Hemphill reports. {
February 5, 2008 - MPR’s Laura Yuen visits International Market, a no-frills Asian shopping bazaar in St. Paul, which attracts thousands of customers a day. Now, the owner of International Market wants to expand his business into a tourist destination. He's asking the city of St. Paul for 2-million-dollars in tax breaks to complete his dream. But first, he may need to improve his reputation with city inspectors and some tenants.