April 24, 2003 - Spring has finally arrived in Minnesota-- and mosquitos are sure to follow. The Metropolitan Mosquito Control District has already been out trying to kill the insects. Their job has taken on new importance after the mosquito-borne West Nile virus arrived in Minnesota for the first time last year. One thousand horses and 48 people tested positive for the virus, and about 300 horses died. Jim Stark works with the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District, and he's on the line now.
April 22, 2003 - The Hennepin County Board is expected to vote today (TUESDAY) on a plan to reorganize Hennepin County Medical Center in the face of a budget shortfall. Many specifics haven't been released to the public yet, but news reports indicate the plan could change the hospital's role as a safety-net for uninsured Minnesotans. Mike Opat is the chair of the Hennepin County Board. He's on the line now. That is Mike Opat, the chair of the Hennepin County Board.
April 22, 2003 -
April 22, 2003 - Minnesota lawmakers are back at the Capitol today after a break for the Easter-Passover holiday. The state constitution says legislators have to finish their work by May 19th, and there's still a lot of work to do. At the top of the agenda is agreeing on a new state budget, in the face of a projected 4.2 billion dollar shortfall. Joining us th is morning, two leaders who will be heavily involved in negotiations this next month... Republican House Speaker Steve Swiggum, and DFL Senate Majority Leader John Hottinger. That is Republican Steve Sviggum, the Speaker of the Minnesota House. We also spoke with Senate Majority Leader John Hottinger who is a Democrat.
April 21, 2003 -
April 21, 2003 - The authors of the new novel "Monkeewrench" will be at the "Once Upon a Crime" bookstore in Minneapolis tonight. "Monkeewrench" is a crime thriller, set in and around the Twin Cities, about a series of murders and the the creators of a computer game which appears to be inspiring them. It is written by the mother and daughter team: P.J. and Traci Lambrecht who use the pen name P.J Traci. P.J. and Traci have come by the studio to talk about their new book. That is Traci Lambrecht and her mother, P.J. They are the authors of a new thriller called "Monkeewrench." Traci and P.J. will be at the "Once Upon a Crime" bookstore tonight at 6:30.
April 21, 2003 -
April 18, 2003 -
April 18, 2003 - The Minnesota Timberwolves have secured home-court advantage in the NBA playoffs for the first time in franchise history. Their reward is a first-round matchup with the three time defending champion Los Angeles Lakers. That series begins on Sunday at the Target Center. The Wolves have lost in the first round of the playoffs six years in a row. Joining us on the line is Brit Robson who covers the team for City Pages. That is Brit Robson who covers the Timberwolves for City Pages. Sunday's series opener will start at 2:30.
April 18, 2003 - The United Nations has increased its aid deliveries to Iraq, bringing 100 trucks of food into the country from Turkey and opening a new supply route from Jordan. But security and access are still hurdles. UN officials say the U.S. military is preventing a team of humanitarian staff from flying into northern Iraq, delaying plans to oversee food, water, and health-care programs in the area. Other aid organizations are also setting up services in and around Iraq. Hugh Parmer, president of Minneapolis-based American Refugee Committee, is now on border between Iran and Iraq, planning his group's efforts. He joins us now from there. 1640