January 15, 2002 - R.T. Rybak, Mayor of Minneapolis, used the term "difficult" to describe the next three months. Rybak is trying to get the Minneapolis budget back on track as he begins his term as mayor.
January 15, 2002 - A proposal for two new stadiums will be voted on this year, but there is concern that there is only a vague proposal about how the stadiums will be funded. MPR’s Michael Khoo reports on debate going on within Stadium Task Force.
January 15, 2002 - There is a deadline for teacher contracts on January 15th every two years. However, this year it was suspended and as a result, 251 school districts still do not have a contract.
January 16, 2002 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer talks with Jim Miller, the executive director of the League of Minnesota Cities, about how Ventura's budget proposal would affect city budgets. Governor Ventura released his plans for closing a nearly two billion dollar projected shortfall last week, and they included cuts in local government aid.
January 16, 2002 - Three former Symbionese Liberation Army members were arrested today in connection with a 27-year-old bank heist and shooting death in Carmichael, California. Emily Harris and her ex-husband Bill Harris were arrested in California. Mike Bortin was arrested at his home in Portland, Oregon. The three will be charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of Myrna Opsahl, who died during the robbery. Former SLA member Patty Hearst, who was granted immunity in the case, told authorities Sara Jane Olson took part in the hold up. Olson now lives in St. Paul with her family. She will be sentenced Friday in Los Angeles for her role in a failed 1975 attempt to blow up Los Angeles police cars. Larry Hatfield is a reporter with the San Fransico Chronicle who has been following the SLA for more than 25 years. He says he would not be suprised if prosecuters filed new charges against Olson. He says word these arrests were coming began leaking out earlier this week:
January 16, 2002 - The Stadium Task Force presents it’s recommendations to Minnesota Legislature, with panel voting 13-4 on option of financing two new sports stadiums, and public financing for new facilities, as opposed to funding. The loan would be repaid to the state through a variety of revenue services.
January 16, 2002 - Minnesota U-S Senator Mark Dayton today met with interim Afghan leader Hamid Karzai during his tour of Central Asia. Dayton, a D-F-L'er, says the U-S should provide 50-Million dollars in immediate aid to Afghanistan. Dayton and members of the congressional delegation have also had meetings with Pakistani leaders--including President General Pervez Musharraf (pur-VEHZ' moo-SHAH'-ruhv)--to discuss the war on terrorism. Dayton says the purpose of the trip is to give U-S lawmakers the opportunity to see the region first-hand:
January 16, 2002 - Many people who were not allowed to get guns were able to get guns anyway. Those who are convicted felons, illegal aliens, drug addicts, people with serious mental disorders, and those who were dishonorably discharged from the military are not allowed to get guns legally.
January 16, 2002 - Redistricting is an intensely political process that will control the layout for the next ten years. Population shifts has made the state more GOP-friendly. The Republican plan would take things too far.
January 16, 2002 - City officials in Minnesota say they'll be cutting services if Governor Ventura gets his way. Dozens of representatives from northern Minnesota cities gathered in Duluth today to talk about the governor's plan to fix the state budget. The state is facing a two-billion-dollar shortfall. Part of the governor's plan is to reduce the amount of money the state gives to cities. Some city officials say they're being asked to shoulder more than their share of the burden. They want lawmakers to come up with a new plan. Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Julin has this report. {