June 25, 1997 - Midday previews the special session of the Minnesota Legislature with guests Senate Majority Leader Roger Moe and House Minority Leader Steve Sviggum. Education funding is the main topic. Listeners also call in with questions.
June 25, 1997 - Governor Carlson has called state lawmakers into special session tomorrow. A K-12 education funding bill is the motive for the session, but some other bills, such as lowering the legal blood alcohol for drunk driving and raising wages for some state officials, are likely to come up. As Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe reports the special session seems like deja vu.
June 26, 1997 - Governor Carlson and legislative leaders announced a breakthrough in their talks over K-12 education funding, the subject of today's Special Session. Last night's announcement ended a stalemate that's lasted for over one-month, since the legislature passed a bill under the shadow of a veto. Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe reports.
June 27, 1997 - The Minnesota Legislature passed a K-12 education funding as worked out in advance by the governor and legislative leaders. Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe reports that the one-day special session was swift and amiable.
June 27, 1997 - Governor Carlson will sign the K-12 education funding bill Monday. Reaction remains mixed following the one-day speciall session. Most of the attention and controversy centered on the inclusion of tax credits and tax deductions for educational expenses, but the $6.7 million bill contains other significant provisions for schools. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
July 3, 1997 - Midday’s Gary Eichten talks with Mark Yudof, the new University of Minnesota president. Topics include bringing unity to campus, undergraduate programs, finances, and Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. He also answers listener call-in questions.
July 3, 1997 - Aitkin Democratic U.S.Senator Paul Wellstone finished the two-day Minnesota leg of his nationwide poverty tour. Earlier this week, he toured poverty stricken neighborhoods of south Minneapolis and then it was off to Aitkin County, where Wellstone says poverty might be more HIDDEN but is no less severe. Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe travelled with Wellstone, and has this report. In Minnesota, those who live their lives on the social and economic edge can sometimes escape the gaze of community leaders, elected officials...and even neighbors. The invisibility of rural poverty is perhaps partly due to the fact that when SOME think of poverty...the mind's eye is averted to the depression era imagery captured by photographer, dorthea lange. The gaunt faces that haunt her black and white stills are what we of
July 11, 1997 - Midday discusses a report showing that the cost of college in Minnesota has more than doubled since 1982. Host Gary Eichten talks with guests State Representative Lyndon Carlson, who chairs the House Education Committee; and Ann Schluter, deputy director of Minnesota Planning, about the potential reasons behind cost increase and answers listener call-in questions.
July 11, 1997 - Minneapolis school officials have inspected about two-thirds of the districts buildings for damage suffered in last week's big storm. Preliminary estimates put the cost of cleanup and repairs at $6.5 million. The damage was especially severe at Edison High School in northeast Minneapolis, where the repair estimate is $5 million. Renovation work underway at the school allowed thousands of gallons of rainwater to pour into the 75-year-old building. The good news is the building is insured and officials expect to be ready for students on schedule this fall. Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Wareham toured the building this morning.
July 17, 1997 - The new superintendent of Minneapolis public schools says she has a special relationship with the state's largest school district and feels she can make a contribution. Carol Johnson will step down as superintendent of the suburban St. Louis Park district next month. She'll begin her new duties in Minnapolis with widespread support and high expectations for success. Minnesota Public radio's Tim Pugmire reports.