January 17, 2003 - Many state agencies are looking for ways to trim their budgets in light of Governor Tim Pawlenty's proposal for fixing the $356 million shortfall in fiscal year. One of those agencies is the Metropolitan Council, which takes a $2.6 million cut in the governor's plan. Peter Bell, the new chair for the Met Council, talks about future plans and budget priorities.
December 12, 2002 - Saint Paul city council members have adopted a $500-million city budget for 2003. It's the tenth straight year Saint Paul has put together its budget without seeking an increase in the property tax levy. But for many in City Hall, satisfaction over that accomplishment is overshadowed by concern about difficult financial decisions that lie ahead. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen reports...
December 11, 2002 - As local governments finish the annual budget process, they are holding public hearings to give property taxpayers a chance to comment on the tax bills they'll get in the new year. This year the meetings occur against the ominous backdrop of a big state budget deficit that has cities, counties -- and taxpayers -- worried about what the future holds. Minnesota Pubilc Radio's William Wilcoxen attended last night's "Truth in Taxation" hearing in Saint Paul and has this report...
December 2, 2002 - MPR's William Wilcoxen reports on how a trial can be affected by the fame of the defendant. Kirby Puckett faces a February 2003 trial on charges that he dragged a woman into a restaurant bathroom and groped her there. The trial will draw public scrutiny mostly because of Puckett's celebrity status as a Hall of Fame baseball player.
October 14, 2002 - MPR's William Wilcoxen presents report on Minnesota Twins and their disappointing finish to a remarkable season. A magical season came to a crashing halt for the Twins as they gave up a playoff-record 10 runs in one inning to the Anaheim Angels, whose 13-5 victory brought baseball's American League pennant to southern California for the first time.
October 9, 2002 - MPR’s William Wilcoxen reports from the Metrodome as The Minnesota Twins prepare to face the Anaheim Angels in Game Two of the American League Championship Series. The previous night, Twins pitcher Joe Mays helped the team beat the Angels 2-1 to open the series.
October 8, 2002 - Only one team stands between the Minnesota Twins and a spot in baseball's World Series. At the Metrodome, the Twins will take on the Anaheim Angels in the opening game of the American League Championship Series. The winner of the best of seven series will face either the Saint Louis Cardinals or (Braves/Giants) in baseball's Fall Classic.
October 8, 2002 - MPR's William Wilcoxen reports from outside the Metrodome, where crowds are gathering for Game 1 against the Anaheim Angels in the American League Championship Series.
October 3, 2002 - MPR's William Wilcoxen previews playoff baseball’s return to Minnesota as the Minnesota Twins host the Oakland Athletics in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series. The last post-season baseball game at the Metrodome was the Twins' Game 7 victory in the 1991 World Series. This year's team hopes to recapture some of the Twins' postseason Metrodome magic.
September 30, 2002 - For the first time in eleven years, the Minnesota Twins head into Major League Baseball's playoffs. The Twins will be underdogs when they open their best-of-five game series with the Western Division champion Oakland A's on the West Coast. Whether they win or lose in the playoffs, 2002 will go down as a landmark season for the Twins.