December 12, 2003 - The Governor, Xcel Energy and two environmental groups say a Billion dollar settlement to modernize three Twin Cities-area energy plants will mean dramatically cleaner air in Minnesota. Under the settlement announced yesterday (Thurs), Xcel will convert the Minneapolis Riverside plant and St. Paul High Bridge plant to natural gas; and also install new pollution control equipment at the Allen King plant on the St Croix river south of Stillwater. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports.
December 3, 2003 - An assistant Hennepin County public defender today (Wednesday) asked the Minnesota Supreme Court to strike down as unconstitutional a law that charges the poor from $50-to-$200 for public defender services. The legislature passed the law last year to raise an estimated $7 million to partially fund the state's public defender system. The system is struggling under state budget cuts and soaring caseloads. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports:
November 28, 2003 - The state attorney general's office and two DFL legislators say they'll propose legislation designed to protect consumers from fraudulent charges applied to telephone bills. They also say they'll propose bills to allow consumers to cancel long-distance service with a single telephone call. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports:
November 28, 2003 - On this the busiest of holiday weekends, many air travelers leave their cars at the Minneapolis St Paul airport's long-term parking lot. At 14-dollars a day, the price of parking for a long vacation can cost a small fortune. But as Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports, what appears to be a high price to pay for convenience isn't out of line with other airports around the country.
November 27, 2003 - MPR’s Elizabeth Stawicki reports that Gen. Vang Pao, a former Vietnam-era military leader of CIA sponsored forces in Laos and head of the United Lao Liberation Front made a stark change in his position by saying he'd support normalizing trade relations if Laos improves its conduct on human rights.
October 31, 2003 - Minnesota's Court of Appeals turns 20 years old on Sunday. 95% of the time, it's the court that issues the final ruling on a case. And unlike other courts, the 16 judges must rule within 90 days, the shortest deadline of any appellate court in the nation. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports:
October 24, 2003 - The phrase is commonplace during arrests--"you have the right to an attorney; if you cannot afford one, one will be provided for you free of charge." But that wasn't always the case in the American legal system. Before the landmark ruling in 1963, states weren't required to fund public defenders. So many poor people accused of crimes were forced to defend themselves in court. Members of the Minnesota Bar held a celebration yesterday (Thursday) recognizing the so-called Gideon Ruling at a time when state public defenders have asked for relief from soaring caseloads. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports:
October 22, 2003 - The man who recently led Congress to monitor federal judges' sentencing practices says he's disappointed with what he terms the "rhetoric" of Minnesota U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson. Magnuson yesterday (Tuesday) sharply criticized policies instituted by Congress and the U.S. Attorney General as intimidation against judges over leniency in sentencing. Florida Republican Congressman Tom Feeney says the policies were merely meant to hold judges accountable, not to threaten the independence of the court. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports:
October 16, 2003 - The state's public defenders told the Minnesota Supreme Court yesterday (Wednesday) that state budget cuts have pushed their system into a crisis. The board says it's down 20 attorneys at a time when caseloads are soaring. They've asked justices for emergency relief ranging from delaying some criminal cases to limiting the number of public defenders handling child protection cases. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports:
October 14, 2003 - The U.S. Attorney's office in Minneapolis is expanding a federal program to help local authorities fight gun crimes. More than a dozen Minnesota county attorneys and federal prosecutors have agreed to collaborate on "Project Safe Neighborhoods," a plan that attempts to secure the toughest penalties for illegal gun use. However some critics argue the plan doesn't go far enough. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports: