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.
September 15, 2003 - Much of news about the war on Iraq has focused on the death toll of US soldiers, especially the number of deaths since President Bush declared the end of mayor combat in early May. The Defense Department says as of Friday (Sept 12) 181 US troops have died from combat wounds since the war with Iraq began. The seriously wounded get less attention, even though they significantly outnumber the dead. Caught up in sniper fire, and targeted by homemade bombs and Rocket Propelled Grenade attacks, troops are losing arms, legs and eyes.
August 26, 2003 - President Bush will is in Minnesota today raising money for his 2004 re-election campaign. The president will appear at a $2,000 a plate lunch in downtown St. Paul that is expected to generate hundreds of thousands of dollars for his campaign. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports...
August 26, 2003 - President Bush pulled in more than a million dollars this afternoon at a downtown St. Paul fundraiser for his re-election. Speaking to several hundred supporters at the RiverCentre, Bush touted his accomplishments in the White House over the past two-and-a-half years and said his work in Washington has only begun. Meanwhile, the president's critics offered a much different message outside the event. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik has the first of two reports on the president's visit.
August 21, 2003 - MPR’s Mark Zdechlik reports on the first day of the Minnesota State Fair, which opened for business with none other than Governor Tim Pawlenty greeting some of the first visitors early in the morning. As always, there's a mixture of new attractions and old standbys at the fair, which officials hope will draw more than 1 and 3/4 million people over the week and a half of State Fair.
August 20, 2003 - When the Minnesota State Fair opens tomorrow visitors will see signs at entrances banning guns from the fairgrounds. Fair officials say their ban is nothing new and makes pratical sense. Gun rights advocates say the fair has no legal authority under Minnesota's new concealed carry law to prohibit permit holders from bringing handguns to the fair. They say if the fair goes ahead with its ban, it'll likely face a lawsuit.
August 15, 2003 - The Minneapolis Public Library has settled a "hostile workplace" lawsuit filed by a dozen employees who complained they were exposed to internet pornography being viewed by some library patrons. Library administrators have agreed to change some policies and their insurance carrier is paying more than $400,000 to the workers and their attorney. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports...