September 26, 2003 - South Dakota Congressman Bill Janklow pleaded not guilty today (Friday). Janklow is charged with felony manslaughter and other charges stemming from a fatal accident last month. The arraignment in South Dakota's Moody County courtroom lasted seven minutes. Mainstreet Radio's Cara Hetland reports:
September 26, 2003 - Governor Pawlenty leaves Sunday on his first trade mission, a two-day trip to Montreal. The governor says he wants to promote Minnesota's biosciences and medical industries. Pawlenty says he doesn't plan to announce any trade deals while in Montreal, but says the trip's cost to the state of about 20-thousand dollars will pay off in increased trade with the state's largest trading partner. Others aren't so sure. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
September 29, 2003 - The Hennepin County Government Center is one of the few urban courthouses in the country that has not enhanced its security by adding metal detectors and entrance screening. Architects designed the structure to be an open and convenient center where visitors could move freely between two 24-story glass towers. For years, the Hennepin County board has debated whether to increase the building's security. County officials determined that adding metal detectors and x-ray machines at all of the entrances would cost millions of dollars. Mike Opat is the chair of Hennepin County Board of Commissioners. He says that, in light of today's fatal shooting, the building's security will be re-evaluated. He spoke with Minnesota Public Radio as he was boarding a plane heading back to the Twin Cities.
September 29, 2003 - State employees could edge closer to a strike later today (MONDAY) if workers reject contract offers made by the state last month. The state's two largest unions will announce the results of balloting later this afternoon. Although state officials characterized the offers as their last and best, union officials urged members to reject the proposals, saying they unfairly transfer rising health care costs onto the backs of state employees. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
September 29, 2003 - All Things Considered’s David Molpus talks with MPR’s Laura McCallum, who is traveling with Governor Tim Pawlenty delegation on a trade mission in Canada. Pawlenty is trying to push Minnesota to pursue research partnerships and business opportunities with Quebec. The governor met with Montreal Premier Jean Charest.
September 29, 2003 - Governor Tim Pawlenty arrived in Montreal last night (SUNDAY) for his first trade mission, a two-day trip designed to promote Minnesota's biosciences and medical industries. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum is traveling with the Minnesota business delegation, and joins me now from Montreal.
September 29, 2003 - One woman is dead, another man is wounded after a shooting this morning on the 17th floor of the Hennepin County Government Center in downtown Minneapolis. Officers have a female suspect in custody. The shooting happened outside a room where harassment cases were being heard. The violence has prompted a renewed call for greater security in the largest Minnesota government building outside of the state capitol. Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes reports.
September 30, 2003 - A sheriff's spokewoman involved in a dispute over her father's estate opened fire Monday at the Hennepin County Government Center, killing the estate conservator and wounding an attorney. The shooter was in the county jail, held on probable cause for murder. The shooting has again sparked debate over the lack of intense security at the government center. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports.
September 30, 2003 - Governor Pawlenty says he may seek tax incentives for biotech research and investment in Minnesota. The governor is promoting Minnesota's biosciences and medical industries during his first trade mission in Montreal. The governor says the Canadian government offers much more generous tax breaks to the biotech industry. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports from Montreal...
September 30, 2003 -