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.
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April 28, 2003 - On Wednesday All Things Considered will broadcast live from Preston in southeastern Minnesota. We'll bring you a story on a proposed tire burning plant that has the community in turmoil. But Preston isn't the only town in the region struggling to keep its economy alive. Today we turn to Albert Lea. It's been close to two years since fire claimed the Farmland Foods plant. The blaze gutted the building and left roughly 500 workers without jobs. The city hasn't had much luck luring new business. But now there's hope on the horizon in the form of a brand new state-of-the-art hog processing facility. If the plan goes through Albert Lea could soon return to its meatpacking roots. Mainstreet Radio's Erin Galbally reports:
April 28, 2003 - As the Legislature heads into the closing days of the debate over how to eliminate the budget deficit, a Minneapolis couple has entered the fray. They've started a website and a lawn sign campaign and are calling on lawmakers to keep tax increases on the negotiating table. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.
April 28, 2003 - All Things Considered’s Lorna Benson interviews Dr. Michael Maddus about "minimally invasive" surgery. The University of Minnesota opened a new center today dedicated to that type of operation.
April 29, 2003 - The Senate Finance Committee has approved a health and human services bill that would restore nearly 500 million dollars in cuts that Governor Pawlenty and House Republicans have proposed. The money would go for nursing homes, daycare and health insurance for low income Minnesotans. The governor and House Republicans say the Senate plan is unacceptable since it raises taxes to offset the proposed cuts. But Senate DFLers say their plan would help the state's most vulnerable during an economic downturn. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...