September 3, 2003 - The late summer drought has caused more than one billion dollars damage to Minnesota crops. That estimate today from state and federal agriculture officials. They say most of the state has been affected by the dry weather. State agriculture department officials say they will ask Governor Pawlenty to ask for a federal disaster declaration. And farmers aren't the only ones wondering when it will rain. Mainstreet Radio's Mark Steil reports.
September 4, 2003 - The summer season is over for resorts in Minnesota. In the fall, some large resorts make money by hosting conferences, often put on by state organizations. But resort owners say the conference business they've relied on for years has disappeared. Some state officials say they're afraid to hold conferences at resorts because of the perception that they're expensive, even if they're not. Mainstreet Radio's Tim Post reports. <
September 4, 2003 - A potential multi-million dollar pledge from an unnamed donor has energized University of Minnesota boosters eager to bring Big Ten football back to campus. Unconfirmed reports suggest an anonymous donor is willing to contribute $35 million towards a new on-campus facility if University officials can find the remainder from other sources. The news has revived talk of a Gophers-only stadium after a plan to build a joint facility for the university and the Minnesota Vikings unravelled last year. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
September 5, 2003 - Mainstreet Radio's Cara Hetland presents a profile of Bill Janklow's political career. He's been South Dakota’s attorney general, governor and now the state's sole U.S. representative. To some he's a hero: a champion for the underdog, and a great leader in the face of fires, floods and tornadoes. But to others he's a bully, who doesn't just beat his opponents, he obliterates them.
September 5, 2003 - The president of the Minnesota Bar Association, James Baillie (BAY-lee), faces an immediate crisis, finding more money for low-income people who can't afford legal representation. The 60-year-old Minneapolis attorney became the bar association's top elected official in July. He's known for his dedication to legal aid, which is facing its worst funding crisis in more than 20 years. John Share describes the legal aid situation in this week's edition of The Business Journal. He says that Baillie (BAY-lee) has built a national reputation in this area.
September 5, 2003 - Governor Pawlenty said today FRIDAY the state will seek a federal disaster declaration because of drought conditions. He says it appears about 50 of the state's 87 counties qualify for disaster assistance because of the late-summer drought. Some House Democrats say the governor should also start putting together a state disaster relief package. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports...
September 5, 2003 - Hennepin County officials have collected hundreds of ideas and concerns from those who use and provide the county's myriad services. The county is deciding how to reduce or eliminate spending for many of the programs next year to accommodate recent state funding cuts. Hennepin officials still can't specify where the cuts will be, but say the expected 50-million dollar cut can't help but touch every part of the county's social service network. Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes reports.
September 9, 2003 - A day-long session in Duluth kicks off five regional public programs scheduled around the state this month to discuss identity theft. Hennepin County Attorney Amy Klobuchar is the president of the Minnesota County Attorneys Association, who along with AARP is sponsoring the forums. Klobuchar says identity theft in on the rise both across the country and in Minnesota.
September 9, 2003 - The Guthrie Theater Company celebrated a new beginning on Monday evening. Hundreds of people witnessed the ceremonial groundbreaking on the site of it's new riverfront theater complex in downtown Minneapolis. The ceremony marks the end of a long uphill battle at the state legislature for funding, but the campaign for private donations continues. Minnesota Public Radio's Marianne Combs reports.
September 9, 2003 - The recording industry filed hundreds of lawsuits yesterday accusing individuals of illegally downloading and sharing songs over the Internet. Two-hundred and sixty-one complaints were filed in federal courts across the country by the Recording Industry Association of America on behalf of its members -- which include the Universal Music Group, BMG, and Sony Music. More lawsuits are expected. As chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, Senator Norm Coleman has promised to hold hearings on the music industry's use of copyright subpoenas to track downloaders. The Minnesota Republican says file-sharing is a very real problem, but he says the tactic of charging hundreds of individuals is excessive.