March 31, 2003 -
March 31, 2003 - Nearly 200 teenagers gathered outside the annual Target Market conference in Arden Hills yesterday. The teens wore duct tape over their mouths to signify they would not be silenced in efforts to save the anti-tobacco smoking group. The Governor has been clear that he intends to use the three anti-tobacco endowments to help bridge the state's more than four-(b)illion dollar deficit. While the legislature must still approve the plan, using money from the state's tobacco settlement is likely to pass if other states' actions are indicators. While the Governor says there will still be money appropriated for helping those addicted quit smoking and preventing others from starting, there's one group that'll disappear: Target Market, a program for teenagers. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports:
March 27, 2003 - MPR's Elizabeth Stawicki reports on trial opening of a Minnesota baseball giant, just blocks from where fans in 1987 and 1991 crowned him a World Series hero. Kirby Puckett, whose talents propelled him from Twins star to Hall-of-Fame great faces sexual assault charges that have tarnished his once clean image. Puckett has pleaded not guilty to charges of criminal sexual conduct, false imprisonment, and misdemeanor assault.
March 11, 2003 -
February 21, 2003 - An attorney for Minnesota Partnership for Action Against Tobacco, or MPAAT told a Ramsey County judge that the organization has radically changed how its board operates and has boosted funding to help individual smokers quit. The changes were in response to Attorney General Mike Hatch and the judge's criticisms that the anti-smoking organization was rife with conflicts of interest and spent too much money on attempts to sway anti-smoking actions in buildings and workplaces. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports: MPAAT attorney Lew Remele told Judge Michael Fetsch that the anti-smoking organization has evolved and has taken to heart the court and the Attorney General's criticisms. Remele said MPAAT now flatly prohibits grants to current board officers, their family members or affiliated organizations. He also said MPAAT will restructure its board so it's not comprised solely of healthcare and anti-tobacco representatives. Remele said MPAAT will help individual smokers by setting up sites in health care centers to offer assistance; meet with labor unions to set up MPAAT sites in workplaces; and work specifically with groups that were targeted by tobacco companies including people of color.
February 5, 2003 -
January 29, 2003 - MPR's Elizabeth Stawicki reports that three Twin Cities-based news organizations are asking the Minnesota Court of Appeals to keep open the option for access to documents filed as part of the lawsuit to keep the Minnesota Twins in the Metrodome.
December 26, 2002 -
December 12, 2002 -
October 31, 2002 - MPR’s Elizabeth Stawicki reports on the high court decision on new ballots for election.