August 9, 2007 - Minneapolis city officials say the city's emergency preparedness plan helped first responders know what to do and communicate with each other in the critical moments following the bridge collapse. That plan also includes a way for the city to protect itself from financial disaster. This is crucial for a city trying to follow a tight budget. As Minnesota Public Radio's Brandt Williams reports the biggest expense so far has been for police overtime.
August 4, 2007 - Officials with the National Transportation Safety Board say the investigation into the collapse of the I-35W bridge has taken a step forward. Investigators have discovered that the southern end of the bridge shifted 50 feet to the east while the rest of it fell in place. Officials say that fact appears significant, but they're also cautioning that there is still much work left before they know the cause of the collapse. Minnesota Public Radio's Brandt Williams reports.
May 15, 2007 - MPR's Brandt Williams reports on construction on the new Minnesota Twins ballpark begins in coming week when crews will begin ripping up asphalt from the old Rapid Park site in downtown Minneapolis. The Twins are scheduled to move in to their new home in 2010, leaving the Metrodome behind.
February 5, 2007 - Union janitors and their employers reached a tentative contract averting a possible strike. The 4200 janitors had threatened to walk out unless the new contract included affordable family health care coverage. Union officials say most of their members don't have health insurance because it's too expensive. They say the new contract will make it easier for janitors to obtain healthcare for their families. Minnesota Public Radio's Brandt Williams reports.
February 2, 2007 - Talks resume today toward heading off a possible strike by more than 4,000 Twin Cities union janitors. The janitors are demanding their employers provide a more affordable health care option. The service contractors say they are offering the janitors an affordable health care option and a wage increase. Minnesota Public Radio's Brandt Williams has more.
January 18, 2007 - The city of Minneapolis needs to target more resources toward helping Somali youth avoid poverty, homelessness, truancy and criminal activity. That's according to a report released today by the city's civil rights department. The report expressed concern about the presence of organized Somali youth gangs and offered some recommendations on how to stop their spread. Minnesota Public Radio's Brandt Williams reports.
November 30, 2006 - Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak says he's disappointed and angry about having to remove fire chief Bonnie Bleskachek from the office he appointed her to in 2004. Earlier this week, Rybak and several other councilmembers voted to fire her from the department's top post, and to reject a settlement offer that would allow her to come back to the force in a lesser rank. MPR’s Brandt Williams report also includes interviews with Bonnie Bleskachek and Greg Corwin, a civil service attorney.
November 6, 2006 - In the last day of campaigning, all three candidates from Minnesota's 5th district were out in full force. Democrat Keith Ellison, Republic Alan Fine, and Independant Tammy Lee were all campaigning, hoping for a victory.
November 1, 2006 - In less than a week, voters in Minnesota's 5th district will elect a new representative to Congress for the first time in nearly three decades. MPR's Brandt Williams checks out all four campaigns.
September 12, 2006 - Interim police Chief Tim Dolan is Mayor R.T. Rybak's choice to lead the Minneapolis Police department. Dolan is a Minneapolis native and 23-year veteran of the force. Rybak says Dolan's experience with the city and with the department makes him the best choice to be the city's next top cop. MPR’s Brandt Williams report includes comments from both Rybak and Dolan.