September 9, 2002 -
July 22, 2002 - Several groups including the Minnesota Civil Liberties Union and Jewish Community Action are appealing a judge's order they say discriminates against immigrants and foreign visitors who apply for state driver's licenses. The groups filed a case with the state court of appeals this afternoon (Monday) arguing the new rules are unconstitutional. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports:
June 4, 2002 - MPR’s Elizabeth Stawicki reports on the Minnesota Supreme Court hearing arguments on whether DNR conservation officers have the right to enter active fish houses without permission or warrants. The State is appealing a lower court ruling that said a game warden violated an angler's constitutional right to unreasonable searches when the officer identified himself and simultaneously entered Marvin Larsen's fish house.
May 30, 2002 - The head of the FBI field office in Minneapolis and the U.S. Attorney say the FBI could *not* have prevented the September 11th attacks despite leads from one of their own agents and another in Phoenix. Yesterday, FBI Chief Robert Mueller (MULL'-er) suggested that investigators might have detected the terrorist plot if they had pursued leads more diligently. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports:
May 28, 2002 -
May 13, 2002 - The U.S. Supreme Court could rule at any time on a case which could dramatically change the tenor of judicial campaigns in at least 30 states including Minnesota. The Court is considering whether to throw out a Minnesota rule that bars judicial candidates from speaking about political and legal issues likely to come before the court. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports on how judicial campaigns may change if the High Court strikes down Minnesota's rule.
April 19, 2002 - **For Friday 4/19 M.E.** A federal grand jury has indicted City Council member Joe Biernat on multiple felonies related to conspiracy and extortion charges. Biernat -- who represents parts of north and northeast Minneapolis -- denies the charges. He's the second Minneapolis City Council Member to face corruption charges in less than a year. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports:
April 8, 2002 - Minneapolis police say they arrested 23 people for disorderly conduct and vandalism during Saturday night's melee at the University of Minnesota. They say six officers were injured. The rambunctious fans smashed street lights, vandalized cars and set fires after the men's hockey team won the N-C-A-A championship. The University is still trying to tally up the damage. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports:
April 3, 2002 - Attorneys argued a case before Minnesota's Supreme Court today (Wednesday) which could affect whether ministers who act as secular counselors are liable for negligence. The hearing stems from the case of a Minnetonka couple who saw a minister for marriage counseling. During that time, the minister became romantically involved with the wife. The husband tried to sue the minister and church for negligent counseling. As Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports, the case raises constitutional issues of the separation between church and state.
March 25, 2002 - **For Monday 3/25 M.E.** Golden Valley lawyer Greg Wersel gets his day before the highest court in the land tomorrow (Tuesday). The U.S. Supreme Court will take up Wersal's challenge to a Minnesota ethics rule that bars judicial candidates from announcing their views on political and legal issues likely to come before the court. The case has drawn widespread attention since at least 39 states restrict judicial speech to some degree. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports.