June 25, 1997 - Midday previews the special session of the Minnesota Legislature with guests Senate Majority Leader Roger Moe and House Minority Leader Steve Sviggum. Education funding is the main topic. Listeners also call in with questions.
June 25, 1997 - Governor Carlson has called state lawmakers into special session tomorrow. A K-12 education funding bill is the motive for the session, but some other bills, such as lowering the legal blood alcohol for drunk driving and raising wages for some state officials, are likely to come up. As Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe reports the special session seems like deja vu.
June 26, 1997 - Midday host Gary Eichten discusses U.S. Supreme Court ruling on assisted suicide with guest Dr. Steven Miles, associate professor at the University of Minnesota Center for Bioethics. Miles provides reaction on the court decision that individuals don’t have right to physician-assisted suicide and details various state laws. Listeners call in with questions.
June 26, 1997 - MPR’s John Rabe interviews Jeanne Manford, co-founder of support group organization Parents, Family, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG). Manford shares thoughts on her son and about the organization.
June 26, 1997 - Governor Carlson and legislative leaders announced a breakthrough in their talks over K-12 education funding, the subject of today's Special Session. Last night's announcement ended a stalemate that's lasted for over one-month, since the legislature passed a bill under the shadow of a veto. Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe reports.
June 27, 1997 - The Minnesota Legislature passed a K-12 education funding as worked out in advance by the governor and legislative leaders. Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe reports that the one-day special session was swift and amiable.
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.