May 15, 2007 - MPR's Brandt Williams reports on construction on the new Minnesota Twins ballpark begins in coming week when crews will begin ripping up asphalt from the old Rapid Park site in downtown Minneapolis. The Twins are scheduled to move in to their new home in 2010, leaving the Metrodome behind.
May 17, 2007 - Governor Pawlenty and legislative leaders continued their budget negotiations behind closed doors in the Governor's office today . There have actually been several meetings to hammer out the best way to craft a two year budget. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck joins us now with an update on the budget talks -- Tom could you give us the latest? ----TOM:Well, we don't know a lot. The major players haven't been offering specifics on the budget. Republican House Minority Leader Marty Seifert said they were extremely close to a deal on the budget yesterday but are only somewhat close today. Seifert said today was basically the blowup day where lawmakers try last ditch efforts to get their key priorities into the budget. GRETA Who's talking and what's the scene? DFL House Speaker Margaret Kelliher, DFL Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller, Marty Seifert and Senate Minority Leader Dave Senjem have been meeting in one of the side rooms just outside of the governor's office -- now last night reporters could get a peek into the room through one of the outside windows. The drapes were closed today and not even staff members have been allowed into the room.
May 18, 2007 - Two Minnesotans touched by World War II; two strikingly different stories. For Frank Ario, World War II was a scene of death and destruction. He fought through and survived the Battle of the Bulge, one of the war's major campaigns. For Rita Stallman, who joined the Signal Corps in Washington, it was an opportunity to broaden her horizons and experience life.
May 21, 2007 - The 2007 Minnesota legislative session is grinding to a close. Lawmakers have less than seven hours to pass several budget bills before their Midnight deadline to adjourn. The DFL-controlled House and Senate are in the process of passing these bills ... even though legislative leaders and Republican Governor Tim Pawlenty have failed to reach an overall budget agreement. A spokesman for the governor says Pawlenty is reserving his right to veto the budget bills. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck has been following the day's events and joins us from the Capitol ... Tom, What's the latest? Well, this is a highly unusual conclusion to a legislative session. DFLers in control of the Legislature appear to be roping together a bundle of budget bills, passing them, and sending them to Governor Pawlenty with no assurance he will sign them into law. Usually by now the governor and legislative leaders have agreed on a budget blueprint or admit they're headed to a special session.
May 24, 2007 - Former justice department official Monica Goodling testified before the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday, May 24, 2007. During questioning by Minnesota fifth district congressman Keith Ellison, Goodling said Justice officials worried former U.S. Attorney Tom Heffelfinger spent too much time on a panel dedicated to Native American affairs. Goodling's testimony was the first indication of why Heffelfinger appeared on a list of prosecutors Justice officials considered removing. Heffelfinger told the Associated Press Goodling's comments are the first indication he's received that the Justice Department had any dissatisfaction with his performance. He says his time devoted to Indian issues was warranted.
May 30, 2007 - St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman is criticizing Governor Tim Pawlenty's plans to veto a tax bill that includes millions of dollars in funding for St. Paul and many other Minnesota cities. Coleman says the governor won't have to face any of the tough decisions his veto will force city officials to confront, such as laying off police officers. But the Governor has not waivered from his pledge to veto the bill. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.
June 4, 2007 - Governor Tim Pawlenty analyzes the 2007 Minnesota legislative session with Midday’s Gary Eichten. Pawlenty faced large DFL majorities in both houses of the Legislature this session, but with the help of his veto pen and a united Republican caucus, he held his ground on a number of fronts, including blocking several tax increases.
June 5, 2007 - MPR’s Toni Randolph reports on viewpoints in Hmong community about General Vang Pao and the support for him after his U.S. arrest. While he has been in the United States for about 30 years, and no longer a military leader, he's still an important figure in Hmong history in America.
June 19, 2007 - MPR's Toni Randolph reports on a Hmong rally at the state Capitol to show their support for General Vang Pao. Vang is charged with masterminding a violent overthrow of the Laotian government.
June 19, 2007 - Two Minnesotans who boarded buses for civil rights in the 1960's tell their stories. Forty-six years ago, seven white Minnesotans became part of civil rights history. The Freedom Riders rode buses through the deep South and pressured states to comply with a Supreme Court desegregation ruling. Voices of Minnesota profiles two of them: Marv Davidov and Claire O'Connor.