April 11, 2002 - Today's announcement by University officials could have a ripple effect beyond Minnesota. The U joins athletic institutions around the country that have already merged their athletic departments. U.S. News and World Report reporter Jodi Schneider says this is part of a trend in college athletics
April 9, 2002 - First District Congressman Gil Gutknecht (GOOT'-nehkt) says the Justice Department has moved Sheik Omar Abdel-Rahman from the Rochester Federal Medical Center to an undisclosed location. Attorney General John Ashcroft also announced today indictments against four associates of the blind Sheik for allegedly helping him communicate from his prison cell with his followers in Egypt. Abdel-Rahman is serving a life sentence for conspiring to assassinate Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and blow up five New York City landmarks in the 1990s. He was transferred to Rochester in 1998. Congressman Gutknecht says he has been lobbying for months to have Abdel-Rahman moved:
April 9, 2002 - Minnesota's public television stations can move ahead with plans to convert to digital transmission. The Senate voted 53-5 today to override Governor Ventura's veto of about 8 (M)million dollars in state funding. The move follows a similar vote yesterday in the House. The bill will provide money to ten stations in Minnesota that are trying to meet a federal requirement to broadcast digital signals by May 2003. Jim Pagliarini (PAL-yah-REE-nee) is president and CEO of Twin Cities Public Television. He says he is thrilled by the overrride:
April 4, 2002 - A U.S. District Judge has ruled that a Somali refugee in the Twin Cities who pleaded guilty to a felony may not be deported. Twenty-three-year-old Keyse Jama arrived in the United States in 1996 but lost his legal residency status after pleading guilty to a 1999 assault. An immigration judge ordered Jama deported but Judge John Tunheim said Jama can't be deported because his home country lacks a government that will accept him. U.S. Attorney Tom Heffelfinger says he is disappointed with Tunheim's decision and he's not sure if it applies to other cases.
April 3, 2002 - MPR’s Tasha Rosenfeld interviews Minneapolis hip-hop and spoken word artist Desdamona. They discuss First Avenue spoken word event. Desdamona also performs a piece.
March 29, 2002 - Forbes Magazine estimates the Minnesota Twins are worth 127 (m)million dollars- up from 99 (m)million last year. The jump in value was the second largest in major league baseball. Still, the Twins rank 29th out of 30 teams, ahead of only the Montreal Expos. Kurt Badenhausen is a senior editor at Forbes. He says the magazine calculates team worth with a formula that factors in the team's revenue and stadium situation:
March 26, 2002 - The U-S Supreme Court also heard arguments today in a Minnesota case that could affect judicial elections across the country. The case centers on what limits a state can set on campaign activities for judges. Nine states, including Minnesota, prohibit judicial candidates from announcing their views on disputed legal or political issues. Minnesota Republicans sued in 1998 along with Greg Wersal, who ran unsuccessfully for the state Supreme Court. Wersal claims he was unconstitutionally silenced when he wanted to tell Minnesota voters how, as a justice, he would be tough on criminals. Star Tribune reporter Kevin Diaz attended today's Supreme Court arguments. He says he could tell this was a tough issue for the justices.
March 22, 2002 - The first ELECTED Chairman of the Red Lake Indian Band of Chippewa has died yesterday at the age of 89. Roger Jordain, took office in 1959, replacing the previous government of hereditary cheifs. The Minnesota House recognized Jourdain's accomplishments today with a moment of silence. Bill Lawrence is a Red Lake Band member who is also Jordain's godson. He says Jordain was an extraordinary person:
March 22, 2002 - The Consul General of Mexico will be in St. Paul this weekend to provide official i.ds for about 1,000 undocumented Mexicans. The Mexican government is working with Wells Fargo and US Bank to allow Mexican nationals to open bank accounts. Officials with the Immigration and Naturalization Service say the i.d. cards won't affect their work. Legally, they can't interfere with undocumented workers who are applying for them. The faith-based organization ISAIAH invited the Consul General to the Twin Cities to distribute cards. Jim Kielkopf is a volunteer spokesman for ISAIAH. He says the card grants Illegal immigrant greater security:
March 21, 2002 - Minnesotans could see double-digit increases in their homeowners insurance premiums. The insurance industry is trying to get out of a financial hole caused by a combination of severe weather, a struggling economy and the September 11th attacks. The state's four largest home insurers are asking the Minnesota Department of Commerce to approve the second rate increase in as many years. Commerce Department spokesman Bruce Gordon says Minnesota's home insurance rates were actually a pretty good deal through most of the 90s, but since 1998 insurers have recorded huge losses due to an unusual number of storms: