May 7, 2001 - MPR’s Marisa Helms reports on a two day conference on Tibetan medicine, which coincides with Dalai Lama's visit to Minnesota. The healing practices are one of the oldest forms of medicine, dating back to the 4th century AD. The main components involve dietary and lifestyle changes, herbal medicine, and massage. Minnesota has the country's second-largest Tibetan Buddhist community.
May 7, 2001 - The Minnesota Twins may be back at the State Capitol to jumpstart their push for a new stadium. Last month, the ballpark legislation was tabled in a House committee, leading many lawmakers to declare the proposal dead. But the unexpected strength of the team on the field may be turning public sentiment…and some legislators are taking notice.
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 - MPR’s Andrew Haeg reports on trade dominating Governor Jesse Ventura's agenda. Ventura met with a Chinese trade delegate and local businesspeople to push for closer economic ties between Minnesota and China. He also visited the Canadian Consulate where he announced an upcoming trade mission to Canada.
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 15, 2001 - MPR’s Laura McCallum reports that Governor Ventura has vetoed a sweeping health and human services bill because it contained an abortion waiting period. Meanwhile, the DFL-controlled Senate narrowly rejected the waiting period while working up a backup health and human services package.
May 17, 2001 - With the dedication of Mondale Hall at the University of Minnesota Law School, MPR’s Elizabeth Stawicki profiles Walter Mondale’s law career. Mondale has been most noted for his career in politics, virtually nothing has been written about his time at the University of Minnesota law school and how his education and contacts there shaped his future and ultimately the future of Minnesota and the nation. Segment includes numerous interviews.