May 8, 2001 - The Minnesota Senate approved a Health and Human Services funding bill with an abortion provision that Governor Jesse Ventura has promised to veto. Supporters of legalized abortion say funding for essential state services is being held hostage to abortion politics and possibly creating a deadlock or forcing a special session. But abortion foes say their plan to create a 24-hour waiting period for abortions is moderate and deserves the governor's signature.
May 8, 2001 - A St. Paul art history professor who secretly photographs women and then kills them is John Sandford's villain in his new book "Chosen Prey." In the 12th book in a best-selling series, Sandford's detective hero, Lucas Davenport wrestles with his personal life even as he chases the serial killer through the Twin Cities. Sandford was a reporter for the St. Paul Pioneer Press newspaper. He left journalism several years ago to begin writing the "Prey" books.
May 9, 2001 - MPR’s Lorna Benson interviews Twins outfielder Matt Lawton, who predicts the Twins will continue to do well as long as their pitchers keep it together. The Minnesota Twins are dominating the defending World Champs, winning three of four games against the New york Yankees so far this season.
May 10, 2001 - MPR’s Lorna Benson interviews David Gisch, the Emergency Preparedness coordinator for Dakota County, about damage assessment after several tornadoes and funnel clouds touched down along a path south of the Twin Cities. Gisch says the damage is most severe in a farming area just east of Northfield.
May 11, 2001 - Matt Hoy, Twins vice president for Operations, discusses new security measures being put in place at the Metrodome after unwanted activity during a game by fans in the previous week. The team will distribute a "Fan Code of Conduct" card to fans as they enter. It states: “The Minnesota Twins are committed to creating a safe, comfortable and enjoyable ballpark experience."
May 11, 2001 - Minnesota Twins' unexpected success on the field is helping persuade in a new Minnesota House stadium proposal. In it, citizen contributions are stripped from the proposal and state government would contribute only by waiving the tax on construction supplies.
May 14, 2001 - MPR’s Laura McCallum reports on the stalemate over an abortion waiting period that continues at the Capitol. A massive health and human services spending bill that contains the controversial provision is languishing on Republican House Speaker Steve Sviggum's desk, delaying an almost-certain gubernatorial veto. Both sides in the abortion debate are accusing each other of playing politics.
May 14, 2001 - The agency that manages the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis presented a report which concludes the public favors a new ballpark for the Twins…but the Vikings can make do in the Metrodome if it's renovated. Consultant John Himle, who distilled the comments into the report, says they show the public feels an urgency to deal with the Twins stadium issue. He also says the comments are not related to the teams current success on the field.
May 14, 2001 - MPR's Michael Khoo reports on a House committee approving a package that removes most of the public subsidies from the ballpark plan. The Twins say it's doubtful they would support such a deal, but they say they were encouraged by the suggestion they study the financing plan used for the Minnesota Wild hockey arena.
May 14, 2001 - Marv Koep, the fishing guide for Governor Ventura's fishing opener, discusses what he is expecting and how he is preparing for the big day. He says he's excited to have such a colorful governor in his charge, but he's also a little nervous.