October 30, 2003 -
October 29, 2003 - Congresswoman Betty McCollum is back in the US, after a trip to Iraq. During her visit, a wave of coordinated attacks took place, some targeting the Red Cross headquarters in Baghdad, killing more than 35 people. She also visited Mosul (MOE-zul), in northern Iraq, where she and other members of her delegation with the House International Relations committee met with members of the 101st Airborne Division. Joining us on the line from Washington, D.C. is Democratic Congreswoman Betty McCollum. That is Democratic Congreswoman Betty McCollum.
October 29, 2003 - The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says it will conduct test netting this fall on Lake Pepin and other parts of the Mississippi River. They'll be looking for Asian Carp after a commercial fisherman pulled a 23-pound bighead carp out of the lake last week, marking the first time the invasive species has been confirmed in Minnesota waters. The bighead is related to the silver carp, which has made news because it can reach 110 pounds and jump several feet into the air. Both species have been moving north in the Mississippi and its tributaries since the 1980s, after they were imported by Arkansas fish farmers and were either released or escaped. Duane Chapman is a fisheries biologist for the US Geological Survey in Columbia, Missouri... a state which has been dealing with Asian carp for more than a decade. Duane Chapman is a fisheries biologist for the US Geological Survey in Columbia, Missouri.
October 29, 2003 - The Hennepin County Board has passed a report recommending changes in the way Minnesota restores voting rights for convicted felons. Under state law, felons can vote again after they've served their sentences and completed probation. But the board report suggests that the system is not working as well as it should, and many convicted felons who are eligible to vote again may not know it. Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin pushed for the board to consider this issue and was on the work group that wrote the report. He joins us now. That is Hennepin County Comissioner Peter McLaughlin. You'll more on this subject during our special series next week "Whose Democracy Is It?"
October 29, 2003 -
October 29, 2003 - The uniforms will be the same, but the players will be very different this year for the Minnesota Timberwolves who open their season tonight against the Milwaukee Bucks. Just four players return from last season, when the team lost in the first round of the NBA playoffs for the 7th year in a row. The Wolves did lockup one key player from last year's roster for years to come., All Star Kevin Garnett, who said he was excited to see all the new players around him. Joining us on the line is Brit Robson... who covers the NBA and the Wolves for the City Pages. That is Brit Robson who covers the Timberwolves for City Pages. Tonight's game at the Target Center should get started a little after seven.
October 28, 2003 -
October 28, 2003 - A winter storm warning is in effect for the Northeastern part of Minnesota due to heavy snow and periodic freezing rain. A small craft advisory is also in effect along the North and South shores of Lake Superior. Craig Sanders is a forecaster with the National Weather Service in Duluth. He says his office initially issued only a winter weather advisory this morning, but changed it to a warning once more information came in.
October 27, 2003 -
October 27, 2003 - The number of Minnesotans who are at high risk of developing diabetes over the next decade is forecast to rise dramatically... to more than 500-thousand. The problem is getting so severe... that a broad-based coalition of doctors from health organizations... including the Minnesota Health Department... and the Mayo Clinic... has formed a steering committee to address the issue. They're launching a formal plan later today that's designed to slow down the increasing rate of diabetes. It's called the "Minnesota Diabetes Plan 2-thousand-10." Joining us on the line is Dr. Michael Gonzales-Campoy (cam-POY).... chairman of the steering committee. That is Dr. Michael Gonzalez-Campoy, the president-elect of the Minnesota Medical Association.