April 4, 2001 - This week, the U-S Supreme Court agreed to take a case that could affect a Minnesota law that confines sex predators. The Sexually Dangerous Person's Actis a law that keeps some sex offenders in mental institutions beyond their prison terms. The Supreme Court took a case from Kansas, where a convicted sex offender was committed for treatment after serving his term, instead of being released back into society. The case is reminiscent of the much-publicized Dennis Linehan case of the mid-90's here in Minnesota. Joining us on the line is Eric Janus, a professor at William Mitchell College of Law, and Dennis Linehan defense attorney. Attorney and William Mitchell Law Professor Eric Janus.
April 4, 2001 - A bill making it a felony to kill or injure pets is getting a better reception from state lawmakers than previous efforts to prevent animal cruelty. This is the fifth time supporters have introduced a felony animal cruelty bill. Opposition from hunting and agricultural interests killed earlier bills, but this year the measure faces little opposition. The Senate version awaits a floor vote, and yesterday Helms reports.
April 4, 2001 - Minnesota's 2000 census contained some startling numbers as well as some figures which suprised no one. Population declines in Minnesota's most rural counties continued a trend that's affected the western and northwestern regions of the state the hardest. Every county but one bordering North and South Dakota lost people in the last decade. Most people blame a long term decline in the number of farmers for losses that hit small towns especially hard. Mainstreet Radio's Mark Steil reports:
April 4, 2001 - Advocates pitched state lawmakers yesterday on the notion of at least considering legalizing marijuana for medical use. They told members of the Senate Transportation and Public Safety Budget Division the illegal drug has beneficial uses to treat certain illnesses. They want the state to spend 100 thousand dollars to conduct further research on the drug. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
April 5, 2001 - Governor Jesse Ventura told the Willmar Chamber of Commerce that he's committed to his plan of property and income tax cuts while expanding the state's sales tax to include services. The governor says he won't bargain with the Legislature, which hasn't been enthusiastic about his plan. He says if lawmakers don't follow his proposals, including on education, he'll be very difficult to deal with.
April 5, 2001 - Divorced fathers come to politicians, telling them the child support system is unfair, biased, and leans more in favor of the mothers.
April 5, 2001 - Governor Jesse Ventura says he isn't giving up the fight for campaign finance reform this session. In the previous month, a key House subcommittee dealt Ventura's reform bill a major setback by laying the plan over until the next year. But new legislation has emerged with many of the same provisions and supporters say it's not too late for action.
April 5, 2001 - St. Paul Mayor Norm Coleman. He will be meeting with President Bush later today.
April 6, 2001 - The Minnesota Partnership for Action Against Tobacco is kicking off a 5 and a half million dollar advertising campaign to raise public awareness about the dangers of secondhand smoke. The organization says most Americans don't know that secondhand smoke has severe health effects for non-smokers. Anti-tobacco activists say this type of advertising discourages people from smoking. But even the Minnesota group gears up its latest effort, House Republicans are eyeing another pot of anti-smoking money they say could be better spent elsewhere. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
April 6, 2001 - Conceal and Carry passed in four House committees, but it failed in a committee.