March 20, 2001 - The Mall of America in Bloomington will reopen in about 40 minutes after a day-long search for a fugitive felon failed to turn up the wanted man. The mall has been closed since about 8 o'clock this morning after a surveillance camera recorded a man inside the mall resembling Anthony Zappa, who's wanted on charges in three states including Minnesota. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms is outside the mall and joins us now. What can you tell us about the search? What effect has the search had on mall operations?
March 12, 2001 - Today's big snowstorm was a reminder that it is still winter, despite the few signs of spring we've seen lately. This storm dumped as much as 8 inches of new snow in extreme southern Minnesota, with lesser snowfall amounts throughout the rest of the region. Bill Togstad is a forecaster with the National Weather Service in Chanhassen.
January 31, 2001 - Governor Ventura took his budget proposal for the University of Minnesota to the editorial page of the Star Tribune today. His piece, titled "Maybe Money Isn't the 'U' Problem," suggests the University could get by with fewer resources. The Governor's budget plan calls for a $56-million increase in U of M funding while the University has asked for almost four times that. Richard Pfutzenreuter (fitz-en-roy-ter) is Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the University of Minnesota. He takes issue with the governor's strategy of comparing the U of M to the University of Wisconsin, which Ventura says enjoys a higher research ranking even though it pays its professors less than Minnesota.
January 15, 2001 - The Vikings stunning 41-0 loss to the New York Giants left many fans speechless. But a number did find the words to describe their disappointment, and other reactions, on M-P-R's Midmorning program. Here's a sampling: Midmorning listeners reacting to the Viking loss. Players cleared out their lockers at Winter Park today
January 11, 2001 - A 28-year old man was injured today after he used a parachute to jump off the top of the new Target Headquarters in downtown Minneapolis. William Casey broke his leg when he landed on a rooftop near 10th street and Nicolette. Policed charged him with two Misdemeanor counts of trespassing and disorderly conduct. Casey was BASE-jumping... a sport that evolved from sky-diving during the 70's. BASE stands for Buildings, Attena, Span and Earth- the stationary objects jumpers launch from. Harry Parker is a founder of the Cliff Jumping Association of America- an organization committed to safe and legal BASE jumping. I asked him what it feels like to make a jump:
January 4, 2001 - Governor Jesse Ventura delivered his second State of the State address today, a speech that was heavy on tax cuts and reform proposals. Ventura highlighted cuts in the state's income, property and sales taxes that he'll detail in his budget later this month. Ventura's message was warmly welcomed by Republicans, and got mixed reviews from Democrats. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum joins me now to discuss the speech. What are his major tax cut proposals? (well, let's talk about the three major areas - property, income and sales taxes. First, the property tax, which Ventura has long talked about overhauling - here's how he described it - Ventura cut one - describe Ventura property tax reform proposal
January 3, 2001 -
December 15, 2000 - Another winter storm is on the way for the weekend packing strong winds, dangerously cold windchills and blowing snow. Bill Harrison, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Chanhassen, says we are experiencing the calm before the storm.
December 13, 2000 - Minnesota Public Radio reporter Mark Steil visits the local mall to gather reaction to the day's news. Here is what people in Worthington, Minnesota had to say about the Supreme Court ruling.
December 8, 2000 - American Safari, performed by the Margolis Brown Theater Company.