November 10, 2000 - Some Democrats are blaming The Green Party and Ralph Nader, in part, for the closeness of the presidential election. They say Nader and his backers cost Al Gore thousands of votes in Florida and other states in Tuesday's election. Nader's running mate, Winona LaDuke, says that the criticism of Nader is misplaced.
November 13, 2000 - MPR’s Elizabeth Stawicki reports on Native American convention held in St. Paul, where concerns of the new incoming U.S. presidential administration were expressed.
November 14, 2000 - While the recount in the presidential election in Florida continues, two of our neighboring states are potential targets for recounts of their own. In the battle for Iowa's 7 electoral votes, Vice President Al Gore defeated Texas Governor George Bush by about 5 thousand votes. And in the race for Wisconsin's 11 electoral votes, Gore won the state by a slim 6 thousand vote margin. The two states could be part of a strategy for Governor Bush to win the White House even if he loses Florida's 25 electoral votes. Joining us on the line to talk about a potential Iowa presidential recount is David Yepsen, political reporter for the Des Moines Register.
November 14, 2000 - A privately funded commission on early childhood development is calling on the state to allocate 480 point 7 million dollars a year on pre kindergarten education and child care tax credits. The bipartisan commission says studies prove that early childhood education is essential for children to succeed later in school. But some state officials say the price tag is too big. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
November 14, 2000 - MPR’s Maris Helms reports that more than 300 government officials and business leaders were in St. Cloud to give Governor Jesse Ventura feedback on budget proposals he will take before the legislature in January. One of the top issues was funding K-12 education.
November 14, 2000 - Germany's efforts to repay the victims of Nazi atrocities was of particular interest to a group of African American Minnesotans who gathered this morning at Lucille's Kitchen in north Minneapolis. The trans-atlantic conversation followed a spirited forum held at the restaurant on the U-S movement for slavery reparations. The video conference discussion allowed participants in both countries to tell each other why they feel the United States and Germany must not only face their troubled pasts, but make reparations to those who are wronged. Minnesota Public Radio's Brandt Williams moderated the German end of the discussion and has this report from Berlin.
November 14, 2000 - And joining us from Milwaukee to help us understand the situation in Wisconsin is Dave Umhoefer (UM-hay-fer), political reporter for the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.
November 14, 2000 - Minnesota's two newest members of the House of Representatives are in Washington this week for freshman orientation. Representatives-elect Mark Kennedy and Betty McCollum have until Monday to get their first dose of learning the finer points of congressional rules, staffing procedures and committee assignments. McCollum says she is taking copious notes, but its not all new.
November 15, 2000 - Smart Growth is the buzz phrase in vogue these days at the Metropolitan Council. Officials there use the expression to describe how the Twin Cities can accomodate more than half a million new residents expected in the next twenty years. The strategy turns on encouraging more people to live in areas already served by roads, sewers and schools. But a chorus of voices says the Met Council's plans are too restrictive and help drive up the cost of housing. Met Council chairman Ted Mondale addresses those issues today at the Midtown YWCA on Lake Street in Minneapolis at his state of the region message. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson has a preview.
November 16, 2000 - MPR’s Laura McCallum reports on Governor Ventura's job with the XFL, a professional American football minor league, beginning in February 2001. XFL founder says Ventura was chosen because he is honest and opinionated. Legislators are not thrilled with the situation and are making their displeasure known.