May 23, 2002 - Minnesota's children are the healthiest in the nation, according to a statistical look at children nationwide by the Annie E. Casey Foundation in Baltimore, Maryland. The foundation is out with its annual Kids Count Data book, which tracks how kids are doing educationally, economically, socially, and physically. The report measures ten indicators between 1990 and 1999, and ranks each state according to the well-being of its children. Diane Benjamin is the Kids Count director for the Children's Defense Fund of Minnesota.
May 22, 2002 - The St. Cloud Diocese held the first in a series of meetings regarding clergy sexual abuse last night. The meetings are designed to give Catholics a place to discuss their concerns about recent sexual abuse allegations in the church, and allow victims to speak up or consult with victims advocates. Last night's meeting was held in Wadena; other sessions will take place in Alexandria, St. Cloud, and Princeton over the next few weeks. The meetings come just shortly after Bishop John Kinney ordered a revision of the diocese's 1991 sexual abuse policy. Steve Gottwalt is a spokesman for the diocese, and was at the meeting last night. He joins us now.
May 21, 2002 - The Minnesota Vikings are disappointed they didn't get their own stadium bill this session, and owner Red McCombs says he'll seriously consider selling or relocating the team. McCombs contends that the team cannot remain competitive if they stay at the Metrodome, where they have a lease through 2011. McCombs has asked JP Morgan Securities Inc. to help him evaluate all options. Joining us now is Sean Jensen, who covers the Vikings for the Pioneer Press. That's Sean Jensen who covers the Vikings for the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
May 20, 2002 - MPR’s Cathy Wurzer interviews R.T. Rybak, Mayor of Minneapolis, on state capital stadium bill. Governor Jesse Ventura has 14 days to decided what to do with a Twins stadium financing plan that lawmakers sent him late Saturday night. The deal for a 330-million-dollar ballpark, requires a 120 million private contribution (facilitated by the Twins) prior to any bond sale. In addition, the team would pay ten million dollars a year in rent. Proponents of a new ballpark in Minneapolis were hoping the bill would allow a county to finance the local portion of the cost, but that did not happen. Rybak says because of that Minneapolis appears to be out of the running as a location for a new ballpark.
May 9, 2002 - An F-B-I affidavit says the Minnesota man accused of being the mailbox bomber has confessed to planting 18 pipe bombs in five states. Several people were injured when some of the devices exploded in Illinois and Iowa. The F-B-I says in court papers that 21-year-old Luke Helder used a map to point to towns where he placed the bombs in Illinois and Iowa. He was arrested in Nevada. That is Thomas Heffelfinger, the U-S Attorney for Minnesota.
May 6, 2002 - Minnesota lawmakers will be back at the capitol today, trying to reach agreement on how to fill a 439 million dollar gap in the current two-year budget. They have other things to agree on before the end of the session, too-- namely, a bonding bill, a transportation funding package, and an anti-terrorism bill. Joining us now is Laura McCallum, Minnesota Public Radio's Capitol Bureau Chief.
May 3, 2002 - That's Don Walker of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinal. The Brewers are currently in last place in the National League Central.
May 2, 2002 - A group of students at South High School in Minneapolis will get a special lesson on American civic values with Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Kathleen Blatz. Later today, Blatz will meet with a group of students as part of the "Dialogue on Freedom" initiative started by the American Bar Association. The dialogues are intended to help students to engage in discussions on American values in a diverse world. Joining us on the line is Chief Justice Kathleen Blatz. That's Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Kathleen Blatz.
April 26, 2002 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer interviews Pastor Anita Hill about the year since being ordained by St. Paul-Reformation Lutheran Church. Hill is a lesbian woman in a committed relationship, and that puts the church out of line with the ELCA. Reverend Hill has continued ministering to her congregation despite the debate around her ordination.
April 26, 2002 - Tomorrow is the beginning of Minnesota Archaeology Week and state officials have scheduled a series of activities designed to promote interest in Minnesota archaeology. Those activities include demonstrations on how to make stone tools, lessons in early ceramic techniques, and --next week-- a talk on shipwrecks. Barto Arnold, from the Institute of Nautical Archaeology at Texas A&M University, is coming to the Twin Cities to discuss underwater investigations of three shipwrecks, and their links to Minnesota history. One of the shipwrecks he has explored is La Belle, a 17th century French ship discovered on the Gulf Coast near present day Corpus Christi, Texas. The ship was captained by the explorer La Salle, who also travelled down the Mississippi in a canoe. Dr. Arnold joins us now.