June 27, 1997 - The Minneapolis city council has voted 7-to-6 to eliminate the position of head of the Civilian Review Authority and fold the police oversight panel into the City Coordinator's department. The move comes over the strong objections of civilian review supporters who say it amounts to the first step in dismantling the agency. Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Wareham reports: It's undisputed among councilmembers that the 6-year-old Civilian Review Authority has some problems and is in need of its own review and possible changes. But they are sharply divided over how much overhaul the agency needs, or even what constitutes change.
June 27, 1997 - Governor Carlson will sign the K-12 education funding bill Monday. Reaction remains mixed following the one-day speciall session. Most of the attention and controversy centered on the inclusion of tax credits and tax deductions for educational expenses, but the $6.7 million bill contains other significant provisions for schools. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
June 28, 1997 - MPR’s John Biscoff visits the teahouse in Como's Japanese Garden found at St. Paul's Como Park. The age-old ceremony is drawing people who are curious about Japan or who have simply heard that it's a good way to step out of the daily grind and enjoy a peaceful afternoon.
June 28, 1997 - Albert Belle had a career-high five hits -- including his 18th home run -- as the Chicago White Sox crushed Minnesota 10-to-4 last night. The White Sox are now in second place in the American League Central. The Twins host the White Sox for Game Three of the four-game series tonight at the dome. This week Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles-Belton proposed that the city commit 54 million dollars - including contributions from Hennepin County and local companies - to buy and prepare a riverfront site for a new Twins stadium. She said the ballpark itself could be paid for with a half-cent metro-area sales tax which could also help pay for mass transit and expanding the Convention Center.
June 30, 1997 - Midday discusses welfare reform and jobs with guests Bill Brumfield, director of training and employment assistance for Hennepin County; Ann Sessions, director of assistance payments for the State Department of Human Services; and Mimi Molina of the Minnesota Welfare Rights Coalition. The guest also answer listener call-in questions.
June 30, 1997 - Minnesota's population of people from Somalia is small but growing fast. The number has more than doubled in the past two years to about 8000. The attraction is the state's booming economy. But unlike some other economic migrants many of the Somali's arrive as refugees with no money and little English. What they find is a climate and culture vastly different from their homeland.
July 2, 1997 - One of Minnesota's top health officials is threatening to quit, if lawmakers don't approve an executive pay increase by the end of August. State epidemiologist Michael Osterholm says the pay dispute has severely limited the health department's recruitment program AND is ruining morale. Minnesota Public Radio's Lorna Benson reports: Osterholm says he has nothing to gain from the executive pay bill. His 96-thousand dollar salary was approved two years ago through a special legislative exemption after lawmakers heard that Osterholm was being courted by other health departments and private employers. But Osterholm says few of his lesser-known colleagues have any hope for a special exemption...instead their salaries are tied to their department's executive pay.
July 2, 1997 - MPR’s Laura McCallum reports on the clean-up effort underway in Monticello. A major storm front carved a 15-mile path of destruction through Wright County, downing trees and power lines.
July 2, 1997 - It was a bit of nostalgia and a bit of wide-eyed curiosity for the people who got the chance to try out a commuter train yesterday (TUESDAY). The train ride was one of several demonstration trips travelling between Minneapolis and St. Cloud. As Minnesota Public Radio's Gretchen Lehmann (lay-mun) reports, riders are eager to see if commuter rail may be the answer to easier travel in and out of the Twin Cities.
July 2, 1997 - A private, non-profit group is rebuilding houses on a rundown block in Minneapolis' Phillips neighborhood. The St. Joseph's HOPE Community has rehabilitated 8 buildings, built a playground and a community center. Much of the work is being done by volunteers and most of the financing is from donations. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports.