August 3, 2007 - Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck has the latest on the 35W bridge collapse
August 1, 2007 - The are certain moments in time that people can reflect exactly where they were when it happened (i.e.- Challenger disaster, 9/11 terrorist attack). For many Minnesotans, the collapse of 35W bridge in Minneapolis is one of those moments.
July 9, 2007 - MPR's Tom Scheck reports on lead poisoning concerns in toys from China. Minnesota's Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar says the federal agency in charge of protecting consumers needs to get tougher on toy manufacturers. And to do that, it needs tougher laws and more money to hire inspectors. Klobuchar held a forum this morning in Minnetonka on unsafe toys imported from China.
May 21, 2007 - The 2007 Minnesota legislative session is grinding to a close. Lawmakers have less than seven hours to pass several budget bills before their Midnight deadline to adjourn. The DFL-controlled House and Senate are in the process of passing these bills ... even though legislative leaders and Republican Governor Tim Pawlenty have failed to reach an overall budget agreement. A spokesman for the governor says Pawlenty is reserving his right to veto the budget bills. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck has been following the day's events and joins us from the Capitol ... Tom, What's the latest? Well, this is a highly unusual conclusion to a legislative session. DFLers in control of the Legislature appear to be roping together a bundle of budget bills, passing them, and sending them to Governor Pawlenty with no assurance he will sign them into law. Usually by now the governor and legislative leaders have agreed on a budget blueprint or admit they're headed to a special session.
May 17, 2007 - Governor Pawlenty and legislative leaders continued their budget negotiations behind closed doors in the Governor's office today . There have actually been several meetings to hammer out the best way to craft a two year budget. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck joins us now with an update on the budget talks -- Tom could you give us the latest? ----TOM:Well, we don't know a lot. The major players haven't been offering specifics on the budget. Republican House Minority Leader Marty Seifert said they were extremely close to a deal on the budget yesterday but are only somewhat close today. Seifert said today was basically the blowup day where lawmakers try last ditch efforts to get their key priorities into the budget. GRETA Who's talking and what's the scene? DFL House Speaker Margaret Kelliher, DFL Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller, Marty Seifert and Senate Minority Leader Dave Senjem have been meeting in one of the side rooms just outside of the governor's office -- now last night reporters could get a peek into the room through one of the outside windows. The drapes were closed today and not even staff members have been allowed into the room.
May 12, 2007 - Minnesota is set to become the twentieth state in the nation to have a statewide smoking ban. Early this morning, the Minnesota House passed a bill that would ban smoking in all bars and restaurants across the state. Governor Pawlenty says he'll sign it. The bill's passage comes after a day of doubt about whether there were enough votes to get it to Governor Pawlenty's desk. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports..
April 30, 2007 -
April 10, 2007 - State lawmakers are back to work today after a long Easter-Passover break. The DFL-controled House is set to start taking up budget bills this week.... bills that are already the target of veto threats by Governor Tim Pawlenty. Joining us this morning is Minnesota Public Radio Capitol reporter, Tom Scheck. Q: Where are we now on the budget? Q: How does the DFL legislature... and Governor Pawlenty reconcile their budget plans? Q: How will something like the Governor's job-Z program fit into the negotiations?Q: The governor has joined the budget fray on the airwaves too. He and some special interest groups have been airing radio and TV ads about the issue. Here's a taste of some of these ads.
March 16, 2007 - Governor Pawlenty is back in Minnesota this morning fri after spending the day yesterday campaigning in Iowa for Arizona Senator John McCain. Pawlenty is the co-chair of McCain's presidential exploratory committee and says he made the trip to give McCain encouragement. Pawlenty's latest trip increases speculation and criticism over his national ambitions. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports from Mason City.
March 15, 2007 - Governor Tim Pawlenty is in Iowa today campaigning for Senator John McCain, the Republican from Arizona who's a likely presidential candidate for 2008. Pawlenty is the co-chair of McCain's presidential exploratory committee. The governor spoke about the trip earlier, and said it's a chance to support the senator. Minnesota Public Radio Capitol reporter Tom Scheck joins from Iowa, where he's following the governor.