August 31, 2001 - Saint Paul voters will soon narrow the field of candidates hoping to succeed Mayor Norm Coleman, who is not running for re-election. The two candidates emerging from the September eleventh primary will likely come from a group that includes Jay Benanav, Randy Kelly, Jerry Blakey, Bob Long, Bob Kessler, and Bobbi Megard. Today, in the first of two stories taking a closer look at the leading contenders, William Wilcoxen has this report on candidates Megard, Long, and Kessler... BK: Tune in on Tuesday morning for a look at candidates Randy Kelly, Jerry Blakey, and Jay Benanav.
August 21, 2001 - Saint Paul business and political leaders broke ground today (Tues) on a new heat and power plant that will serve the downtown and some adjacent neighborhoods. Waste wood will be the primary fuel at the District Energy plant, which will be the largest of its kind in the country. The plant's neighbors are also applauding design modifications they say will help the facility fit in along a downtown riverfront that is becoming more pedestrian friendly. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen has more...
August 20, 2001 - Saint Paul city officials are encouraging residents to oppose the Ku Klux Klan rally planned at the state capitol this weekend by staying away from the event rather than attending counter-demonstrations. The city is sponsoring a celebration of peace and diversity at a Saint Paul high school as an alternative to the rally by the Klan and other white supremecist groups. But one Twin Cities anti-Klan group is proceeding with its plan for a peaceful protest in front of the capitol Saturday. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen has more...
August 15, 2001 - This week, the Saint Paul city council will begin digesting the 2002 budget proposal Mayor Norm Coleman unveiled yesterday (Tuesday). For the eighth and last time, Coleman presented a budget that calls for no increase in the city tax levy. But Coleman, who is not seeking re-election, may be leaving City Hall just in time. Some city officials expect a slowing economy will make it more difficult to maintain Saint Paul's recent pattern of avoiding tax increases without cutting services. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen reports... BK: To hear Mayor Coleman's complete budget address, log on to our website at www.minnesotapublicradio.org
August 15, 2001 - In less than a month, Saint Paul voters will narrow a crowded mayoral field from sixteen candidates down to two. The six leading candidates in the primary race to succeed outgoing Mayor Norm Coleman visited Minnesota Public Radio today (Wed) to take part in a midday forum. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen has more...
August 14, 2001 - Mayor Norm Coleman is sending his last budget proposal to the Saint Paul city council ... and for the eighth straight year the budget calls for no increase in city taxes. But Coleman, who is not seeking re-election, may be leaving City Hall just in time. Some city officials expect a slowing economy will make it more difficult to maintain Saint Paul's recent pattern of avoiding tax increases without cutting services. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen reports...
August 9, 2001 - Twin Cities Public Television is cancelling NewsNight Minnesota, the nation's only public television nightly news show. Last night (Wed) the T-P-T Board of Directors approved a new direction for the station -- and a new budget that does not fund the seven year old program. NewsNight supporters say it's a blow to local programming, but station executives say it will free up money for new projects that will have a greater impact on the community. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen reports...
August 3, 2001 - Lots of Minnesotans will be heading to a small town in western New York this weekend. They'll make a pilgrimmage to the Baseball Hall of Fame, where two of MInnesota's own -- a Saint Paul native and a twelve-year Twin -- will be enshrined among the sport's all-time greats. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen has this report on Dave Winfield and Kirby Puckett, two of the newest arrivals in Cooperstown...
August 3, 2001 - Kirby Puckett and Dave Winfield will be inducted into the Hall and Midday has a Baseball Hall of Fame extravaganza to preview the event with the recorded words of Kirby Puckett himself, sports analyst Howard Sinker live from Cooperstown, and comments from MPR listeners.
August 2, 2001 - Minnesota Vikings officials may have information today (Thurs) on funeral services for Korey Stringer. The 27-year old Stringer died yesterday (Wed) after collapsing from heat stroke following a practice at the football team's training camp in Mankato. The Vikings have suspended their practices, while the team digests the loss of the blocker known to his peers as "Big K." Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen reports...