April 8, 2005 - Karl Rove, the man considered to be the political mastermind of the Bush White House, will be in Minnesota Friday night to raise money for Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty. Pawlenty is up for re-election next year. Some powerful Republicans also view Pawlenty as a potential presidential or vice presidential candidate in 2008. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports.
December 27, 2004 - MPR’s Mark Zdechlik prepared this documentary, looking back at Minnesota's battleground role in the 2004 race for the White House. Includes numerous interviews and speeches. Until 2004, Minnesota had largely been on the sidelines when it came to contested states in presidential elections... At least for the past couple of generations. Largely because of Minnesota's prominent national politicians, Mondale, Humphrey, McCarthy -- the state had been taken for granted by both parties as solidly Democratic when it came to presidential politics. The 2004 race proved Democrats and Republicans now view Minnesota as a state that could go either way. That's why the presidential campaigns spent so much time and money here.
December 6, 2004 - Some members of Governor Tim Pawlenty's own party say he's wrong to explore using casino gambling money to help fund state government. They say the governor's approach conflicts with fundamental Republican party principles and it will cost them votes. Nevertheless Pawlenty is not backing down from trying to pressure tribes into sharing their casino profits. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports...
November 26, 2004 - Governor Tim Pawlenty says he's hoping Minnesotans will share their ideas about the state budget by logging onto a new website put together to collect citizen input. The website "w-w-w-dot-minnesotabudget-dot-state-dot-mn-dot-us," is designed to survey Minnesotans about state revenue and spending priorities. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports...
April 5, 2004 - National Public Radio says it's sticking with its decision to reassign long-time Morning Edition host Bob Edwards even though thousands of listeners around the country are unhappy with the decision. Some are threatening to withhold membership contributions if NPR doesn't reinstate Edwards. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports...
December 29, 2003 - Republican U.S. Senator Norm Coleman is approaching the one year anniversary of his arrival in Washington. Coleman says he's living up to his campaign promise to "get the job done." He says his first year has been a success, particularly for a freshman. Minnesota DFL party leaders say there's no question Coleman's been busy, but they say he has focused on building up his own public profile-- not on helping Minnesotans. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports...
December 22, 2003 - Some of the biggest political speculation in Minnesota has nothing to do with the 2004 election. Instead, it's looking ahead to 2006 when DFL incumbent US Senator Mark Dayton is up for reelection. One of the names most often mentioned as a Republican who might challenge Dayton is 6th District Congressman Mark Kennedy, who was first elected to the House in 2000. Kennedy says he's proud of his accomplishments in Washington. He says voters appreciate GOP efforts to cut taxes, increase foreign trade and streamline government. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik sat down recently in Washington with Congressman Mark Kennedy to talk about his work in Washington and about his philosophy of government.
October 23, 2003 - A year after the plane crash that killed Paul Wellstone and seven others, some Minnesotans are keeping his memory alive with bumper stickers, yard signs and more personalized memorials. Some of those who continue to display Wellstone campaign signs, says having them around comforts them. One of Wellstone's son says he and his brother welcome the support which David Wellstone says speaks to his father's legacy. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports...
September 30, 2003 - Environmental groups are criticizing Republican Senator Norm Coleman. They're upset because Coleman has indicated he will vote for an energy bill that allows oil exploration in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge if the bill also includes hundreds of millions of dollars for a new power plant on Minnesota's Iron Range. When he campaigned for Senate last year he said he would NOT support oil drilling in the refuge. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports...
September 25, 2003 - High School classmates of the 15 year old accused of killing one student and wounding another at Rocori High School in Cold Spring say today they are still in shock. The classmates and a neighbor say Jason McLaughlin gave no indication that he was capable of violence. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports.