February 4, 1997 - A Minnesota House higher education panel took its meeting on the road last night to the University of Minnesota-Duluth campus. Legislators were greeted by students, educators and community members pleading for more support. Minnesota Public Radio's Hope Deutscher reports.
February 5, 1997 - A Senate panel today approved money to provide emergency food for the state's snow-bound deer population despite objections from the Department of Natural Resources. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports.
February 7, 1997 - The Minnesota House has given preliminary approval to legislation meant to curb teen smoking. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports.
February 7, 1997 - The Clinton administration wants to take over some TV frequencies but broadcasters warn that will be bad for the consumer. The proposal is part of the administration's new budget. Attorney General Janet Reno says the government wants to use the frequencies now assigned for broadcast channels 60 through 69. The president hasn't decided how to use most of the frequencies, but forty percent would be ded
February 7, 1997 - Supporters say the tobacco bill was weakened by an amendment from Rush City DFL'er Loren Jennings who proposed eliminating a provision that would ban shelf displays of cigarettes in stores and move cigarettes to behind the counter. That touched off a floor debate on how much access kids should have to cigarettes in stores. Here's an edited sample of some of the debate.
February 10, 1997 - Midday looks at drunk driving and the proposal to reduce the legal blood alcohol limit for driving to .08 with Steve Simon, University of Minnesota law professor and director of the MN Criminal Justice System DWI Task Force; and Lynn Goughler, public liaison and legislative chair of the organization Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).
February 10, 1997 - Minneapolis officials are considering opening up the city's private trash hauling contract to competitive bids for the first time in 25 years. At least one council member thinks the city could save several million dollars a year by seeking other bidders. The consortium of haulers that now handles the waste admits the city might be able to save some money -- but contends small haulers would likely go out of business in the process. Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Wareham reports.
February 10, 1997 - Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life is planning a rally tomorrow at the state capitol to protest a medical procedure sometimes referred to as "partial-birth abortions." Banning the relatively rare abortion procedure is an MCCL priority this year, but some lawmakers say they're not as concerned about MCCL's priorities as they used to be. MCCL lost a powerful ally when House Speaker Irv Anderson was toppled last month, and that's translated into a loss of clout at the Capitol. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports.
February 12, 1997 - Paul Wellstone is planning to retrace Robert Kennedy's tour of the South to focus attention on the plight of the poor. The tour is also prompting questions about whether Wellstone aspires to higher national office. Al Eisele says Wellstone's candidacy would probably be met with surprise on the hill. Eisele is editor of "The Hill," a political newsletter in Washington D.C. He also served as an aide to Vice President Mondale.
February 12, 1997 - State lawmakers are considering a package of new regulations designed to make snowmobiles safer for riders and pedestrians. The legislation comes in response to the record-setting pace of snowmobiling deaths this winter: 26 so far, including two children who were on foot when they were run over. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports.