September 15, 2003 - Much of news about the war on Iraq has focused on the death toll of US soldiers, especially the number of deaths since President Bush declared the end of mayor combat in early May. The Defense Department says as of Friday (Sept 12) 181 US troops have died from combat wounds since the war with Iraq began. The seriously wounded get less attention, even though they significantly outnumber the dead. Caught up in sniper fire, and targeted by homemade bombs and Rocket Propelled Grenade attacks, troops are losing arms, legs and eyes.
September 16, 2003 - Minnesota has nearly 200 sex offenders committed to secure treatment facilities because they're considered sexually dangerous. It's unclear whether any will ever get out. Their fate is caught in a tangle of law, politics and medicine. Since spring, several psychiatrists have quit the program, patients are threatening a lawsuit and staff at the two centers say morale is at an all time low. Through it all, top program managers have been considering options for moving some patients out of security hospitals. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
September 17, 2003 -
September 17, 2003 - Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty and North Dakota Governor John Hoeven (HOE-vehn) will meet soon to discuss a dispute over hunting. North Dakota is restricting where and when people from out of state can hunt . And license fees are going up. That's angered many Minnesota hunters. But the changes have also upset a lot of North Dakota business owners. Mainstreet Radio's Dan Gunderson reports.
September 18, 2003 - On his 80th birthday, former Minnesota Governor Al Quie joins MPR Midday host Gary Eichten to discuss his life and political career. Quie also answers listener questions.
September 19, 2003 - A sold out crowd of one thousand people last night Helms reports.
September 19, 2003 -
September 23, 2003 - Minnesota will receive a nearly $60-million federal education grant over the next six years for reading programs. Governor Pawlenty says the money will go toward a new reading initiative designed to ensure all Minnesota children can read by the end of first grade. One DFL lawmaker says that's a laudable goal, but tough to achieve when school districts are cutting teachers as a result of budget cuts. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports...
September 23, 2003 - The increasing ethnic diversity in Hennepin County is not reflected in the non profit boards and government advisory boards that serve the community. People of color make up only 16% of the membership of nonprofit boards; almost one-third of nonprofits have no board members of color. Those were results a survey of conducted over the summer by the YWCA of Minneapolis. The Y is initiating efforts to encourage inclusion of people of color and women on the community's decision-making bodies. Nancy Hite is the chief executive officer of the YWCA of MInneapolis. She says non profit organizations make crucial decisions and, therefore, it's important to take a look at who's in charge of them.
September 23, 2003 - Hennepin County officials expect to lay off up to 350 employees as it deals with budget cuts next year. County Administrator Sandy Vargas presented her preliminary budget today (TUES). She proposed raising the property tax the county collects by just over two percent. The overall budget shrinks by more than 63-million dollars. Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes reports.