February 16, 2001 - A legislative effort to make the fourth "Driving While Intoxicated" charge in ten years a felony cleared a major hurdle today. The Senate Crime Prevention Committee approved the bill sending it on to the finance committee. The same committee also heard testimony for AND AGAINST a proposed tax on alcohol sales in Minnesota to help pay for alcoholism treatment and for enforcement of alcohol related laws. Even the author of the new tax admits the measure has little chance for approval. DFL Senator John Marty says he's hopeful discussion NOW will lead to a so-called alcohol "user" fee in the future. Minnesota Pubic Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports..
February 16, 2001 - Rochester's third homeless shelter will open this weekend. Religious leaders in Rochester say many of the people who need shelter are able to find low-paying jobs but no home. In fact, Rochester housing officials say their community has one of the worst affordable housing problems in the state. Mainstreet Radio's Laurel Druley has this report. {
February 16, 2001 - A new poll finds most Minnesotans support stiffer penalties for drunk drivers. The Minnesota Public Radio/St Paul Pioneer Press Poll finds more than half of respondents want to lower the legal blood alcohol level to .08. and also support raising the penalty for multiple DWI's to a felony. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports:
February 19, 2001 - The University of Minnesota was founded seven years before the territory of Minnesota became a state. The U of M is now in its 150th year. Through it's evolution from a preparatory school to a leading land grant, doctoral and research institution, the university has been an enduring fixture throughout Minnesota's history. All this week Minnesota Public Radio marks the sesquicentennial of the University of Minnesota with a series of reports called the "Universal U". Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire has the first of our ten reports.
February 19, 2001 - Dr. Ed Ehlinger at the U of M Boynton health service is interviewed about the cause of death.
February 19, 2001 -
February 20, 2001 - The University of Minnesota's medical school is in trouble. The institution has lost eighty-four faculty the past five years. And nearly a hundred highly trained professional staff are gone. U officials say in many cases they left for better pay and working conditions elsewhere. The impact on Minnesotan's isn't immediate, but the long term effect is worrisome because the University trains most of the state's doctors, nurses, dentists and pharmacists. And medical school research spurs business and job creation. U officials want to fill vacant medical school faculty spots, and they're asking Minnesota taxpayers for help. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports.
February 20, 2001 - The University of Minnesota has been under pressure to serve as an engine for Minnesota's economy--an idea factory that will generate new high tech products, industries and jobs. University officials are eager to show they're building stronger connections to business and industry and are working harder to commercialize innovations born at the U. But these efforts occur amid a raging national debate on whether academia and industry are getting too close. Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Catlin has the next report in our series, Universal U.
February 22, 2001 - Governor Jesse Ventura has announced a plan that he hopes will provide more health care coverage to Minnesota's children. Ventura teamed up with the Minnesota Council of Health Plans and the Children's Defense Fund to announce an outreach program to insure more Minnesota children. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
February 22, 2001 -