July 30, 2003 - The American Episcopal Church is facing a political and theological battle over homosexuality. At issue is the confirmation of a gay bishop-elect of New Hampshire, and the blessing of same sex unions. The two issues are threatening to fracture the Episcopal church during its General Convention being held this week in Minneapolis. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.
July 30, 2003 - Many laws passed by the Minnesota Legislature this past session will take effect on Friday, including one that lawmakers hope will reduce the number of medical errors. The law creates a statewide reporting system for medical mistakes. It gives the Minnesota Department of Health authority to collect information and create a database of the errors. DFL Senator Steve Kelley sponsored the bill in the Senate, and he's on the line now. That is DFL Senator Steve Kelley.
July 30, 2003 -
July 30, 2003 - Starting today... you may see train cars rolling down the tracks of the Hiawatha light rail line in Minneapolis... but you wont see any passengers. Metro Transit officials are using the cars to test the infrastructure of the line... which won't open for business until next April. Joining us on the line is Mike Setzer.... General Manager of Metro Transit. That is Mike Setzer, General Manager of Metro Transit.
July 31, 2003 - The Bush economics roadshow is apparently just one of what will be numerous political treks through the Northstar state. President Bush and several Democratic presidential candidates made trips to Minnesota within days of each other last month. Bush is scheduled to return for a campaign stop in St. Paul next month. Both parties consider the state winnable in 2004, and a prominent national political analyst says that, among the states that voted for Gore in the 2000 election, Minnesota is the most likely to vote for Bush next year. Larry Sabato {SAB-ah-toe} is director of the University of Virginia's Center for Politics. He says Minnesota is no longer a Democratic stronghold.
August 1, 2003 - An audiotape with a voice alleging to be Saddam Hussein is urging Iraqis to continue their revolt against American troops. The tape was broadcast today on the Arab satellite television station Al-Jazeera. Meanwhile, efforts continue to improve life for the Iraqi people in the wake of war. Both public and private aid organizations are providing services in the region. Martha Naegeli (NAG lee) with the Minneapolis-based American Refugee Committee joins us now from Nasariya (nah sah REE ah), in southern Iraq.
August 1, 2003 -
August 1, 2003 - As peacekeeping troops wait to enter Liberia, there's another, less visible group, waiting in the wings in the United States. As MPR’s Rob Schmitz reports, many young Liberians are in school receiving training, and developing skills that they hope they can use to rebuild their homeland.
August 1, 2003 -
August 4, 2003 - Dentists who serve lower income adults say they expect a new law to make things difficult for them. The law, which takes effect in October, will cap state-subsidized payments for adult dental services. The change was part of the Legislature's efforts to balance the state's budget. Dentists say they're worried the law will present an ethical dilemma and could prompt many to decide against treating lower income individuals altogether. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.