March 5, 2002 - (NOTE HOST OUTCUE) Tonight (TUESDAY) marks the start of the 2002 campaign season. The state's four major parties hold precinct caucuses this evening -- the first step towards the state conventions later this year and ultimately the governor's mansion and U.S. Senate. The neighborhood meetings take on a special significance this year since most of the major candidates have agreed to step out of the race if they don't win party backing. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports.
March 5, 2002 - Minnesotans will gather in community centers and schools across the state tonight (TUESDAY) for precinct caucuses. The meetings are the first step in selecting candidates for the 2002 election. In advance of the caucuses, two Republican candidates for governor - Tim Pawlenty and Brian Sullivan - have been running ads to introduce themselves to voters. In the first in a series of Ad Watches, Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum asks an advertising expert to critique the latest spots...
March 5, 2002 -
March 6, 2002 - The 2002 campaign season officially began last night (TUESDAY), as Minnesotans gathered in community centers and school gymnasiums for precinct caucuses. The neighborhood gatherings are the first step in the process of choosing candidates for the November election. In an early sign of party support, Republican caucus attendees favored gubernatorial candidate Brian Sullivan over Tim Pawlenty 51-percent to 37-percent. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports...
March 6, 2002 - It was hardly a tempting prospect to brave snowstorms and winding county roads last night to reach political caucuses in many rural parts of the state. Interest in the caucus system has dwindled over the years, and most Minnesotans didn't need much excuse to stay home. But political die-hards and a few first-timers did venture out to hundreds of schools, community centers and fire halls to sit down with like-minded neighbors and talk politics.
March 7, 2002 -
March 7, 2002 - Governor Ventura says the Legislature may have left the state ill-prepared to deal with a terrorist attack. Ventura told an emergency management conference today that a budget balancing bill passed last week over his objections has depleted the state's reserves and has made the state vulnerable. Lawmakers say the state's emergency officials are already adequately prepared. And House lawmakers today proposed legislation that would give law enforcement better investigatory and response training. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
March 8, 2002 -
March 8, 2002 -
March 8, 2002 - A plan to fund a new Twins ballpark -- and possible a Vikings stadium -- is on its way to the full Senate for consideration. On a 17-to-10 vote the Senate Tax Committee approved the measure which draws on user fees and a variety of specialized taxes to finance the plan. The legislation also requires a referendum before the facility's host community could impose local sales taxes to support construction. Even as the package is picking up steam, however, it's getting mixed reactions from the teams that would benefit. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports.