July 8, 2003 -
July 7, 2003 - School districts around the country are bracing for today's release of "the List." The federal government is expected to release its list of public schools that are not making adequate progress in student achievement according to the "No Child Left Behind Act." Minneapolis and St. Paul schools are expected to dominate the list in Minnesota. Joining us on the line is Pat Harvey... superintendent of the St. Paul Public School District. That is St. Paul School Superintendent Pat Harvey.
July 3, 2003 - Later this morning... the leader of a group formed to save the Shriners Hospital for Children in Minneapolis will give a status report on his effort to the staff of the hospital. The meeting comes just before about 20-thousand Shriners from all over North America travel to the Twin Cities for a major convention. Seven months ago... the Shriners national leadership announced that they would close several of their children's hospitals. The announcement sparked a major effort here called "Put Children First" to save the hospital in Minneapolis. During the upcoming convention... delegates will vote on the proposal to close hospitals. Joining us on the line is William Messerli (MESS-er-lee)... leader of "Put Children First." That is William Messerli (MESS-er-lee), leader of the group trying to save the Shriner hospital.
July 3, 2003 - Crowded county jails are likely to become even more cramped under a new law that took effect this week. Felons with less than 180 days left on their sentence will now serve their time in a county jail, workhouse or on a work farm... rather than in a state prison. About 200 short-term offenders are expected to be in local jails across the state on any given day. Bob Fletcher is the Ramsey County sheriff, and he's on the line now.
July 3, 2003 -
July 2, 2003 -
July 2, 2003 - The 21st annual Taste of Minnesota kicks off today in a new location. The free festival, which draws about half a million people each summer, has moved from the State Capitol to Harriet Island, on the banks of the Mississippi. The festival is packed full of food, music, and fireworks. Joining us now is the organizer of the event, Ron Maddox. That is Ron Maddox, organizer of the Taste of Minnesota. The festival runs through Sunday.
July 2, 2003 - MPR’s Cathy Wurzer interviews R.T. Rybak, Mayor of Minneapolis, on hiring a new police chief. The city of Minneapolis is beginning the process of hiring a police chief to replace Robert Olson. Mayor Rybak says Olson is planning to retire when his term expires in January, and that City Coordinator John Moyer is now taking preliminary steps in the search for a new chief.
July 1, 2003 -
July 1, 2003 - If you're planning a visit to a state park this holiday weekend... then expect to pay higher fees. The changes made by the Legislature to balance the state budget go into effect today. In addition to increasing park fees, the Department of Natural Resources will be implementing a number of policy changes made during the session. Joining us on the line is Gene Merriam... Commissioner of the DNR. That is Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Gene Merriam.