March 7, 2008 - MPR’s Steven John talks with Twin Cities guitarist Billy McLaughlin in the studio. They discuss McLaughlin’s adjustment in playing as he battles a neurological disorder called focal dystonia. McLaughlin performs examples on what he does different as a musician since his diagnosis.
October 2, 2007 - The Pawlenty administration on Monday urged top legislative leaders to free up 195-million dollars for replacing the Interstate 35W bridge. MnDot's fast-track timetable for replacing the Mississippi River crossing in Minneapolis calls for work to begin in a couple of weeks. But, the state has yet to receive a large chunk of promised federal money. So the Transportation Contingent Appropriation Group must provide authorization for using state funds. DFL leaders say it might not be legal for them to do that. State Finance Commissioner Tom Hanson tried to convince the panel's chair, DFL House Speaker Margaret Kelliher, that the request is not out of the ordinary.
September 20, 2007 - Excerpt of U.S. Senator Norm Coleman speaking at Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works hearing regarding 35W bridge collapse. Both of Minnesota's U.S. Senators took part in a hearing on Capitol Hill today to urge quick action on bridges in need of repair or replacement. Republican Norm Coleman and Democrat Amy Klobuchar testified before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. The oversight hearing was called in the wake of the collapse of the 35W bridge in Minneapolis. Coleman says he and Michigan Democrat Carl Levin, have asked the non-partisan Government Accountability Office to do a review of the national bridge program.
September 20, 2007 - Excerpt of U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar speaking at Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works hearing regarding 35W bridge collapse.
September 13, 2007 - Ramadan's daylight fasting restrictions can represent a particular sacrifice to Muslims in Minnesota because of our northern latitude.
August 24, 2007 - The Twin Cities chapter of the Red Cross is giving fair goers a chance to put their thoughts about the 35W bridge collapse in writing. The agency has set up a memorial wall in the Health Fair 11 building for people to express their sentiments about the August 1st disaster.
August 10, 2007 - St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman says there are encouraging signs that state government will spend what's needed to replace two aging bridges in the city. The Cayuga (ky-YOO-gah) bridge is still in daily use even though it was supposed to be replaced three years ago. St. Paul's Lafayette Bridge is scheduled for replacement in 2011. But, Coleman says that's too long to wait. The 39-year-old bridge has a history of structural problems similar to those found in inspections of the now collapsed I-35W bridge. Coleman says he's been in touch with Governor Pawlenty about the timetable for replacing the bridges...
August 9, 2007 - St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman says there are encouraging signs that state government will spend what's needed to replace two aging bridges in the city. The Cayuga (ky-YOO-gah) bridge is still in daily use even though it was supposed to be replaced three years ago. St. Paul's Lafayette Bridge is scheduled for replacement in 2011. But, Coleman says that's too long to wait. The 39-year-old bridge has a history of structural problems similar to those found in inspections of the now collapsed 35W bridge. Coleman says he's been in touch with Governor Pawlenty about the timetable for replacing the bridges...
August 3, 2007 - Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak says it's unclear when two bridges across the Mississippi will be reopened. The 10th Avenue and the Stone Arch bridges have been closed since Wednesday evening's collapse of the nearby 35W bridge. Both spans are within the investigation perimeter set up by law enforcement officials. Rybak said the downriver 10th Avenue bridge will need to stay off limits while the recovery efforts continue. But he says he would like see access restored to the Stone Arch bridge as early as next week.
August 3, 2007 - 35W Bridge Collapse MPR continuous coverage