October 9, 2001 - Note to editor: top with whatever latest on military action Those who grew up in Afghanistan and now live in Minnesota have a unique perspective given the current state of affairs. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki recently talked with some Afghanis living in the Twin Cities about the military conflict and how the United States can fight terrorism.
October 4, 2001 - The Minnesota Supreme Court heard arguments last night (Wednesday) on whether Prior Lake officials violated the state's open meeting law when they met privately to discuss a potential lawsuit. The newspaper, The Prior Lake American sued the officials arguing that the council and mayor used a meeting with their attorney as a pretext to keep the public out of a discussion on a controversial issue. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports: {Open government is a cornerstone principle of the United States; government activities can only be closed to the public under rare circumstances. One such circumstance can occur when officials must discuss legal strategies with attorneys. Prior Lake officials argued they had such a circumstance. Ryan Construction Company applied for a permit to operate a gravel pit and said if the council denied the permit or ordered an environmental assessment, it might seek legal action.
October 4, 2001 - MPR’s Elizabeth Stawicki reports on Minnesota Supreme considering fairness of jurors asking questions during trial. Typically, attorneys question witnesses during trials in Minnesota. But in Blue Earth County two years ago, a Mankato judge invited jurors to question the witnesses and even the man on trial. The State Supreme Court heard arguments about whether allowing jurors to ask questions violates a defendant's right to a fair trial.
September 28, 2001 - MPR's Elizabeth Stawicki reports that The National Center for State Courts (CHIPS), a non-profit organization which conducts research and educates courts on how to improve the administration of justice, has found opening child protection hearings and records to the public has had virtually no major effects in Minnesota…negative or positive. CHIPS studied the effects in the 12 Minnesota counties that took part in the three-year pilot project.
September 11, 2001 - For the first time in U.S. history, no commercial aircraft are flying anywhere. The Federal Aviation Administration has grounded the nation's airlines after four hijacked planes crashed. The F-A-A says no planes will be allowed to fly until tomorrow (Wednesday) at 11 A.M. Minnesota time at the earliest. As Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports, passengers arriving in the Twin Cities knew nothing of the New York and Washington attacks until they joined crowds of people gathered around airport television monitors.
August 31, 2001 - A man facing sex crime charges in Minneapolis is asking that his confession be tossed out because police failed to inform him of his rights under international law. Under the 1963 Vienna Convention, police must tell arrested foreign nationals that they have a right to have their home consulate notified without delay. The Minneapolis case is significant not only for foreigners in *this* country but for the four-million U.S. citizens who travel abroad. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports:
August 28, 2001 - In Minneapolis, some judges are subjecting themselves to unusual scrutiny. The judges have asked an independent observer to critique *their* courtoom conduct in hopes of improving the fairness of the justice system. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports: Imagine you're in family court, trying to hash out a child custody matter. You expect the judge to take your case seriously. But the judge looks past you, spends an inordinate amount of time pouring and mixing coffee, and puts his feet up on the desk. St.Cloud State Communications Professor Rin Porter says this type of demeanor by judges tells people, "I don't care about your case; I've got more interesting things to do."
August 16, 2001 - The independent media watchdog group, the Minnesota News Council has ruled unanimously against the Ely city council's complaints that the local newspaper violated confidentiality rules. The city council argued that the Ely Echo violated attorney/client privilege when it published details of a closed meeting between the city council and its attorney. The News Council, comprised of journalists and private citizens holds public forums on grievances against the press. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports:
July 20, 2001 - Automobile enthusiasts from around the nation have brought their show cars to Red Wing this weekend for the national Pontiac owners convention. This year is special because the brand is celebrating its 75th anniversary. As Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports, to call these car owners enthusiasts is an understatement.
July 9, 2001 - MPR’s Elizabeth Stawicki presents report on attempts to save the Ojibwe language. Report includes various interviews, including Jim Northrup. At one time more than 300 American Indian languages were spoken in the U.S. But with each passing generation, many of the indigenous languages have died; others are on the verge of disappearing. With that in mind, tribes from northern Wisconsin and Minnesota are trying to keep their Ojibwe language from going silent and along the way gain new insight into how their ancestors viewed the world.