October 23, 2001 - Candace Kruttschnitt, a sociologist at the University of Minnesota, says its diificult to draw too many conclusions from FBI numbers because they don't indicate who is committing the crimes.
October 23, 2001 - Key lawmakers in Washington are calling for a government inquiry into why intelligence officials did not anticipate or prevent the September 11th terrorist attacks. One area of possible scrutiny might be immigration policy and enforcement. Steven Thal is an immigration attorney in Minnetonka and speaks with MPR News.
October 22, 2001 - The Minnesota Vikings surprised just about everyone with the way they dominated the Green Bay Packers 35 to 13 yesterday at the Metrodome. The Vikings came into the game struggling with a two and three record while the Packers were four and one and playing well. But tough defense by Minnesota, combined with an improved running game helped the Vikings upset the Packers. Sean Jensen covers the Vikings for the St. Paul Pioneer Press and he joins us now.
October 11, 2001 - The fate of the current home of the Guthrie Theater will be determined next month when the Minneapolis City Council votes whether to approve plans by the Walker Art Center to destroy the building to make way for parking space. The Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission voted this week to recommend against the proposed demolition, and the issue now goes before the city's Zoning and Planning Committee. City Council member Lisa McDonald chairs this committee and joins us on the line. That's Minneapolis City Council member Lisa McDonald. Her committee will discuss the Guthrie at a meeting on October 16th.
October 10, 2001 - The U-S Congress is working on a number of pieces of legislation designed to help prevent further terrorism in this country. Minnesota Second District Republican Mark Kennedy says the so-called Patriot bill that Congress will debate this week would expand the authority of law enforcement officers.
October 10, 2001 - Minnesota Sixth District Democrat Bill Luther says a top priority for him is improving airport security.
October 10, 2001 - As far as BIO-terrorism is concerned, Kennedy says the most progress is being made at the federal level.
October 9, 2001 - Nearly three-and-a-half million refugees have left Afghanistan for neighboing countries in the last few weeks. Most have fled to Pakistan to the East, and Iran to the West. Another half-a-million refugees are expected to move into Iran because of the latest U-S airstrikes in Afghanistan. A Twin Cities-based aid group called The American Refugee Committee is currently waiting for visas from the Iranian government to go in and assist the new Afghan refugees. Joining us on the line is the outgoing President of the American Refugee Committee, Tony Kozlowski (kahz-LAU-ski).
October 5, 2001 - The National Guard had to step in and run airport security because of the state workers strike.
September 28, 2001 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer talks with National Guard spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Denny Shields about the various special requests being asked of the guard to perform. In addition to providing security at the Twin Cities International Airport, about 1,000 guard members could end up filling in for state workers if they go on strike.