May 22, 2003 - In day three of a special session, legislative leaders say they're making progress on a couple of fronts. They agreed on a bill funding K-12 schools early this morning THURSDAY, and say they're close to finishing a health and human services bill. They reached agreement on more money for state troopers, so Governor Pawlenty says he'll sign a bill for 2 a.m. bar closing times. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
May 23, 2003 - Governor Pawlenty is putting pressure on Senate DFLers to accept his transportation funding package. The Legislature is in the fourth day of the special session and leaders are working to resolve their differences on the three remaining budget bills and a bonding bill. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
May 26, 2003 - Governor Tim Pawlenty and legislative leaders have made a major breakthrough in budget negotations. Negotiators met late last night and into the morning to craft agreements on transportation funding, aid payments to local governments, and state borrowing. Lawmakers are expected to return later today to tackle the final piece of the puzzle the health and human services budget. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
May 27, 2003 -
May 28, 2003 -
May 29, 2003 - Legislative inaction has forced state lawmakers into at least one more day of budget wrangling as they struggle to erase a projected $4.2 billion deficit. But House and Senate leaders say they hope to break the impasse later today (THURSDAY) with final votes on both a health and human services package and a bonding bill that borrows money for state building projects. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael reports on the budget gridlock.
May 29, 2003 - The Minnesota House has passed a seven-point-four billion dollar health and human services bill. Democrats voted against it, calling it the meanest of the Republican budget bills. They say it will eliminate state health coverage for thousands of Minnesotans, an estimate Republicans dispute. The Senate is now debating the bill, as lawmakers hope to end the special session today (THURSDAY). Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports...
June 2, 2003 - The Centers for Disease Control says an obesity epidemic threatens the health of millions of Americans. A recent CDC report says a quarter of all Americans get virtually no exercise. Experts say regular exercise is a key to keeping weight under control. For many people that means a stop at the health club. It's not quite as easy for those living in small towns. Today, we begin a new series from Mainstreet Radio, "The Fight Against Fat". Dan Gunderson reports for some people the barrier to fitness lies partly in geography.
June 2, 2003 -
June 3, 2003 - For years, scientists have looked for the causes behind obesity. They've found many possibilities. They've looked at Pyschological, physiological and cultural reasons. As part of our on-going series, 'The Fight against Fat', Mainstreet Radio's Rob Schmitz reports that recent advances in neuroscience have given researchers an unprecedented look into the brain's important role in the equation.