April 1, 2003 - Governor Pawlenty travels to Rochester today to discuss biotechnology with officials from the Mayo Clinic and the University of Minnesota. Mayo and the U want to combine efforts in biotech research. The alliance would be the first of its kind between the state's two leading medical research institutions. The meeting comes the same day as legislators introduce bills to create a biotechnology park. But as Minnesota Public Radio's Rob Schmitz reports, the state has a long way to go to catch up to other states in developing a biotech sector.
April 1, 2003 - All Things Considered’s Lorna Benson talks with Nora Tallus, one of six women's college hockey players from the University of Minnesota-Duluth who returned from China and find themselves quarantined in case they contracted Sudden Acute Respiratory Syndrome, aka SARS. The players were in Beijing to compete in the women's world championships, but the event was canceled over fears of spreading the disease.
April 4, 2003 - The Senate Health and Human Services Policy Committee approved a bill today (Fri) that would dramatically change how the state provides health coverage to lower income Minnesotans. On a 4 to 2 vote, the committee approved a portion of the Senate Health and Human Service budget proposal that would reduce services available rather than limit eligibility for state coverage. DFL Senator Linda Berglin says she's modeling her bill after a program in Oregon. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
April 9, 2003 - MPR’s Dan Olson reports from the Mondale Lecture Series. A panel of Democrats, led by former Vice-President Walter Mondale, remember the so-called, "fabulous 89th", the Congressional session where many of this country's most familiar social programs became law.
April 15, 2003 -
April 15, 2003 -
April 17, 2003 - Governor Tim Pawlenty and leaders from the University of Minnesota and the Mayo Clinic today THURSDAY formalized a research alliance. The partnership is designed to make Minnesota a world leader in cutting-edge bioscience research. They say the fields of biotechnology and medical genomics hold promise for advances in medicine, agriculture and manufacturing. Their plans include more than $100 million in state investment over the next five years, including a new research center in Rochester. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports...
April 18, 2003 - The United Nations has increased its aid deliveries to Iraq, bringing 100 trucks of food into the country from Turkey and opening a new supply route from Jordan. But security and access are still hurdles. UN officials say the U.S. military is preventing a team of humanitarian staff from flying into northern Iraq, delaying plans to oversee food, water, and health-care programs in the area. Other aid organizations are also setting up services in and around Iraq. Hugh Parmer, president of Minneapolis-based American Refugee Committee, is now on border between Iran and Iraq, planning his group's efforts. He joins us now from there. 1640
April 21, 2003 - State lawmakers return to St. Paul from the Easter recess tomorrow . They'll spend most of the next month focusing on addressing Minnesota's $4.2 BILLION dollar budget shortfall. Republican Governor Tim Pawlenty is adamant the budget should be balanced WITHOUT raising taxes. Pawlenty campaigned heavily on a no new tax pledge...a pledge originally promoted by an organization called the Taxpayers League of Minnesota. In just a few years, Taxpayers League has become a major force in Minnesota politics.
April 22, 2003 -