November 24, 2003 - The designs for the Minnesota quarter don't exist in actual visual design form -- yet. That's a job that's left to the U-S Mint. But it got us at Minnesota Public Radio thinking, if you can describe a design with just words, could you do it with just sounds? And if Minnesota could be summed up in sounds, what would they be? Here's what we came up with.
November 24, 2003 - A stalled federal energy bill is causing major headaches for Minnesota's wind energy industry. The legislation extends a tax credit for wind production. Without the credit some wind projects in the state could be in jeopardy. If the energy bill fails to pass, it could also affect ethanol production and a planned Iron Range power plant. Mainstreet Radio's Mark Steil reports.
November 24, 2003 - The prescription drug benefit in the Medicare bill under debate in the U.S. Senate is getting a mixed reaction from Minnesota seniors. Supporters say the bill would finally provide a prescription drug benefit for Medicare beneficiaries, something that's been missing from the program since it was started in 1965. Opponents of the 400 billion dollar bill say the bill benefits drug and insurance companies, but does little to lower the overall cost of drugs. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
November 24, 2003 - Why can't Minneapolis be more like St. Paul That's the question some are asking about police community relations. For whatever reason St. Paul appears to avoid the police abuse allegations that dog Minneapolis. Both cities are seeking new chiefs of police because of retirement. But the new Minneapolis police chief inherits strained relations with some of the city's minority residents. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports.
November 24, 2003 - Democratic presidential hopeful Wesley Clark was in the Twin Cities this weekend to raise money for his campaign.<Saturday, 11-22>.Clark is one of nine candidates seeking the Democratic nomination. Observers say coming to Minnesota when most candidates are stumping for the nation's first primary in New Hampshire, sends a signal Clark is in the campaign for the long haul. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa <Muh-REE-suh> Helms reports. ANNOUNCER TAG: To hear an exclusive interview with General Wesley Clark, go to the Campaign 2004 section of our Web site at minnesotapublicradio.org.
November 25, 2003 - DFL lawmakers say the budget cuts made last session are creating life-threatening problems for some people enrolled in the state's subsidized insurance plan. The 2003 Legislature cut health benefits for about 20-thousand low-income adults without children. Democrats say the problem is particularly acute for diabetics. They say medical supplies such as glucose testing strips are no longer covered, which will result in more expensive emergency room visits for many diabetics. State officials say they made a choice between offering some benefits or no benefits to adults without children. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports...
November 26, 2003 - Minnesotans had grown used to seeing former Governor Jesse Ventura in the national limelight. But they might not have expected Governor Tim Pawlenty to draw much attention from the national press or Washington opinion-leaders. Nonetheless, Pawlenty has maintained a relatively high national profile in the last few months, particularly as he touts his plan to re-import less expensive prescription medicines from Canada. Some observers say it shows astute political instincts. Others say he's may have gone out on a limb. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
November 26, 2003 - The last downtown movie theater in Duluth closed last month. But locals are trying to re-open it. A national historic preservation group is helping. Mainstreet Radio's Stephanie Hemphill reports. {
November 27, 2003 - Each day, thousands of Minnesotans go hungry. And their numbers are growing. Officials at area food shelves say there are more hungry people this year than last. They also say individual and corporate donations are not keeping up with the increased demand. The squeeze is causing many food shelves to run a deficit and it's forcing area food banks to limit their donations. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports. <Marty Mumma and Julie Kelly take a morning stroll on Thanksgiving morning. The two women are making the rounds in the Mall of America for this year's Hunger Walk. Mumma, of Eagan, and Kelly of Minneapolis are just two of the three thousand people who are walking past the closed stores of Bed Bath and Beyond, Victoria's Secret and Sam Goody to raise money for Minnesota's six area food banks. Mumma and Kelly say they're taking part in the Hunger Walk to help the less fortunate.
November 27, 2003 - MPR’s Elizabeth Stawicki reports that Gen. Vang Pao, a former Vietnam-era military leader of CIA sponsored forces in Laos and head of the United Lao Liberation Front made a stark change in his position by saying he'd support normalizing trade relations if Laos improves its conduct on human rights.