March 27, 2001 - A bill that would extend health insurance to virtually every uninsured child in Minnesota has cleared a state Senate committee. The proposal would offer coverage to the estimated 48-thousand children who now go without insurance. Estimates suggest the plan would cost the state between 35 and 60 million dollars annually. Jim Koppel is the Director of the Children's Defense Fund. He says the money would be well spent:
March 26, 2001 - The Equal Rights Amendment is getting another chance in Congress. Last week, more than 160 members signed onto the legislation... which would give women equal protection under the consitution. The E-R-A was first introduced in 1923, and despite its repeated RE-introduction, has never achieved the level of support necessary for ratification. 4th district representative Betty McCallum is one of the bill's sponsors this session. She says its time to make the E-R-A a reality:
March 20, 2001 - While the fighting escalates in Macedonia, neighboring nations are still trying to build a lasting peace. Minneapolis based American Refugee Committee International or ARC, has workers in six Balkan nations, helping refugees return to their former homes. Domagoj Nikolic is ARC's Field Director in Montenegro. He is currently working to return refugees to Bosnia and Croatia.
March 15, 2001 - Hundreds of Twin Cities parents are scrambling to find child care for their kids after finding out yesterday that Children's Home Society will shut down four of its sites. The news is just the latest in a growing list of daycare closings. According to The Children's Home Society, thirty childcare sites in Minnesota have shut their doors from July 1999 to June 2000. Ann Kaner-Roth (CAIN-er Roth) is the Director of Childcare Works, a non profit statewide coalition of daycare advocates. She says an employee shortage is pushing many centers out of business:
March 13, 2001 - Minnesota could become the first state in the country to subsidize parental leave. A bill introduced yesterday in the Senate outlines a plan that allows employers to volunteer to pay 1/3 of a new parent's wages, with the state and the employee picking up the remaining two thirds. Current law requires employers to offer unpaid leave for up to 12 weeks. St. Paul Senator Ellen Anderson is the author of the bill. She says the plan benefits employees AND employers:
March 12, 2001 - The Twin Cities radio music scene is getting a make over. The new trend appears to be back to the old. Alternative rock station 105 FM abruptly changed its format last week to classic soul and R&B. But this latest change may have less to do with the listeners requests, and more to do with corporate competition. ABC-Disney owns 105FM, rock station KQRS and three other local stations. According to Pioneer Press Media Columnist Brian Lambert, 105FM is basically a pawn.
March 9, 2001 - Wisconsin may have lost one congressional seat as a result of the 2000 census but it looks like the state has gained some Minnesotans. New Census Figures show dramatic growth for many of the counties bordering the eastern edge of the Twin Cities. St. Croix county for example, which includes Hudson, New Richmond and Somerset grew by 25-percent. Wisconsin State Representative Kitty Rhoades was born and raised in Hudson. She says it would be hard not to notice the change.
March 8, 2001 - The accomplishments of girls and women are being celebrated worldwide today in honor of International Women's Day. University of Minnesota law professor Barbara Frey (FRY) thinks that women's everyday acheivements often go unrecognized.
March 7, 2001 - The State Appeals Court has reversed the misdemeanor convictions of three women who participated in a December 1999 protest against the re-route of Highway 55 in Minneapolis. The women were among 24 people prosecuted and convicted for obstructing a highway. But while the women may have won on appeal, they and dozens of other protestors lost the bigger battle to prevent the controversial road project which will be completed in a year and a half. Minnesota Public Radio reporter Mary Losure is writing a book about the Highway 55 protesters. She remembers meeting Jennifer Beatty, one of the women cleared yesterday by the appeals court.
March 7, 2001 - The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is taking steps to prevent livestock from becoming infected with foot and mouth disease. Humans can't become infected with the disease, but can carry it on shoes, clothing or in the sinuses... and pass it on to susceptible animals like cows, pigs and sheep. State Veterinarian Tom Hagerty says overseas travelers should stay away from British and European farms and avoid coming into contact with farm animals here after they return: