December 22, 2005 - Minnesota Attorney General Mike Hatch has announced a series of legislative proposals to help Minnesotans guard against identity theft. The so-called 2006 Consumer Privacy Protection Package aims to close loopholes in the state's privacy laws. The measures seek to protect telephone and cell phone records and also allows Minnesota consumers to freeze access to their credit information. Minnesota Public Radio's Greta Cunningham has more.
December 22, 2005 - The mother of a Minnesota guard member will get a chance to share her concerns with Governor Tim Pawlenty later this morning. Joan Najbar (NAY bar) is upset that her son had to leave college to train for possible deployment to Iraq. After talking with Gov. Pawlenty, she plans to protest, by herself, on the Capitol steps. Joan Najbar joins us now.
December 23, 2005 - The Minnesota trucking industry is asking Governor Pawlenty to temporarily suspend a two-month-old mandate that requires diesel fuel sold in the state contain two percent biodiesel. Truckers say they are experiencing more mechanical problems and they suspect that the fuel made from soybeans is to blame. John Hausladen, President of the Minnesota Trucking Association, says many of his members are pretty upset right now. That is John Hausladen, President of the Minnesota Trucking Association.
December 27, 2005 -
December 28, 2005 -
December 29, 2005 - Chris Coleman will be inaugurated Tuesday as St. Paul's 45th Mayor. In November, Coleman ousted fellow DFLer Randy Kelly from office with 69 percent of the vote. Coleman's family has deep roots in St. Paul and a strong commitment to public service. Chris's father Nick Coleman, was senate majority leader in the mid-1970s. But friends and family say Chris is not part of any political dynasty. They say hard work and a love for the city got him into the mayor's office. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.
January 3, 2006 - Pawlenty's proposals crack down on crimes by illegal aliens and monitor them more closely. MPR's Tom Scheck reports.
January 3, 2006 - Local police and sheriff's offices would get some extra responsibilities under the governor's proposal. Brian Schlueter is the Sheriff of Otter Tail County, where a recent murder case underscored his frustration with undocumented, or "improperly documented" immigrants.
January 3, 2006 - MPR’s Marisa Helms reports on Chris Coleman being sworn in as the 45th mayor of St. Paul. In his first speech as mayor, Coleman emphasized the city's growing diversity and the need for citizen involvement and cooperation.
January 4, 2006 - Immigration issues have moved to the forefront of political debate in recent weeks, thanks largely to Governor Pawlenty. It began last month when Pawlenty released what has become a controversial report on the costs associated with illegal immigration. And it continued yesterday when the governor outlined a series of proposals to identify and crack down on illegal immigration in Minnesota. Political observers say Pawlenty is tapping into an issue that concerns many Minnesotans, but he could alienate Latino voters in the process. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.