October 24, 2003 - The phrase is commonplace during arrests--"you have the right to an attorney; if you cannot afford one, one will be provided for you free of charge." But that wasn't always the case in the American legal system. Before the landmark ruling in 1963, states weren't required to fund public defenders. So many poor people accused of crimes were forced to defend themselves in court. Members of the Minnesota Bar held a celebration yesterday (Thursday) recognizing the so-called Gideon Ruling at a time when state public defenders have asked for relief from soaring caseloads. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports:
October 24, 2003 - One year ago tomorrow (SATURDAY) the Minnesota and national political worlds were thrown into shock and confusion when Senator Paul Wellstone, his wife, daughter, and five others were killed in plane crash eleven days before the election. His supporters, his admirers, and those who came to rely on his voice in the Senate say they're still grappling with the loss -- and fighting to advance his agenda. But Wellstone was also a polarizing figure during his political career. He never won election to the Senate with more than 50-percent of the vote. And many of his critics said he was better at giving speeches than at passing bills. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has this look at Wellstone's political legacy.
October 27, 2003 - President Bush said Monday that U.S. progress in Iraq is making insurgents more "desperate" and spurring attacks such as the bombings at the international Red Cross headquarters and three police stations across Baghdad that killed dozens of people. We discuss the post-war situation in Iraq with J. Brian Atwood, dean of the University of Minnesota's Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs. He was head of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) for several years.
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October 28, 2003 - Governor Pawlenty's task force on addressing rising health care costs held its first meeting yesterday. Pawlenty wants the 18-member group to present ideas to him before the Legislature begins its work in February. The governor and others are concerned Minnesotans won't be able to afford continuing double digit increases in health insurance premiums. The difficulties with Pawlenty's challenge were evident during the committee's first meeting and some in the group worry that they might not meet Governor Pawlenty's January deadline. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
October 29, 2003 - The Hennepin County Board has passed a report recommending changes in the way Minnesota restores voting rights for convicted felons. Under state law, felons can vote again after they've served their sentences and completed probation. But the board report suggests that the system is not working as well as it should, and many convicted felons who are eligible to vote again may not know it. Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin pushed for the board to consider this issue and was on the work group that wrote the report. He joins us now. That is Hennepin County Comissioner Peter McLaughlin. You'll more on this subject during our special series next week "Whose Democracy Is It?"
October 29, 2003 - Congresswoman Betty McCollum is back in the US, after a trip to Iraq. During her visit, a wave of coordinated attacks took place, some targeting the Red Cross headquarters in Baghdad, killing more than 35 people. She also visited Mosul (MOE-zul), in northern Iraq, where she and other members of her delegation with the House International Relations committee met with members of the 101st Airborne Division. Joining us on the line from Washington, D.C. is Democratic Congreswoman Betty McCollum. That is Democratic Congreswoman Betty McCollum.
October 30, 2003 - Radio talk show host and political commentator Rush Limbaugh put the issue of drug abuse on the front pages a few weeks ago with his admission that he's addicted to the drug OxyContin and other painkillers. OxyContin is the same drug that's perplexed physicians and law enforcement officials in northern Minnesota because its abuse has become one of their biggest problems. Dr. Jon Hallberg is medical director of the University of Minnesota Primary Care Center and our regular medical analyst here on All Things Considered. He says OxyContin presents a particular dilemma.
October 30, 2003 - Governor Pawlenty said today (THURSDAY) that he'll encourage the Legislature to pass a bill next session that would lower the legal blood alcohol limit from point one zero to point zero-eight. Pawlenty says lowering the legal limit will reduce the number of drunk drivers on the roads. The state will also receive millions of dollars in federal highway money that was only going to states that have the point-zero-eight standard. The Legislature failed to pass the bill in previous sessions. Opponents argue the lower limit could hurt business for bars, restaurants and bowling alleys. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
October 31, 2003 - The Minneapolis-based law firm Dorsey and Whitney has established an Iraq practice. Lawyers will counsel corporate clients on navigating the postwar landscape and advise them on how to win rebuilding contracts. International trade lawyer Bart Fisher says doing business in Iraq is in the U-S national interest.