August 19, 2004 - President George W. Bush is in Crawford, Texas, today, resting after a bus tour that took him through Wisconsin and Minnesota. The president made a campaign stop yesterday just across the St. Croix River in Hudson, Wisconsin, followed by a rally at the Xcel Energy Center in downtown St. Paul. He repeated many of the campaign's familiar themes on the economy and the war in Iraq. But he also opened the dialogue slightly by inviting audience members to pepper him with questions.
January 16, 2004 - MPR’s Michael Khoo reports on stadium discussions in the Twin Cities. More than two dozen cities, counties, and private citizens have pitched their ballpark solutions to Governor Tim Pawlenty's Stadium Screening Committee. The governor solicited outside input to help him decide what role, if any, the state might play in financing new facilities for the Minnesota Twins and Vikings. The plans cover a range of sites sprinkled across the metropolitan area and offer funding options from local taxes to state dollars to casino revenues.
January 7, 2004 - Mayor R.T. Rybak's pick for police chief, William McManus, met with residents at a south Minneapolis community center last night. The mayor's office organized the meeting in anticipation of two key council actions today. With the full council vote a week and a half away, Rybak is applying pressure on those council members who are still not supporting McManus.
December 19, 2003 - MPR’s Art Hughes reports on Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak’s picks for new police chief. Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak is expected to announce his pick for police chief tomorrow. Rybak is confident in his nomination, even though the final two candidates face considerable opposition by the city council, which ultimately acts on the selection. Report includes comments from mayor and city council members.
December 10, 2003 - MPR’s Art Hughes reports on Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak’s release of list containing six candidates to replace outgoing Police Chief Robert Olson. Rybak, a panel of community members and a Seattle-area search firm have narrowed the list from more than two-dozen applicants nationwide. The list includes three African American candidates; and two internal candidates, both women, who remain favorites among many city council members.
October 16, 2003 - MPR’s Art Hughes reports on an alleged sexual assault by Minneapolis police officers. Report includes commentary from R.T. Rybak, Minneapolis Mayor; Keith Ellison, accuser’s attorney; John DelmoMPR’s Art Hughes reports on an alleged sexual assault by Minneapolis police officers. Report includes commentary from R.T. Rybak, Mayor of Minneapolis; Keith Ellison, accuser’s attorney; John Delmonico, President of Minneapolis Police Federation; and individuals in the community.nico, President of Minneapolis Police Federation; and individuals in the community.
August 27, 2003 - Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak says he wants a police chief who keeps city streets safe, but also holds officers accountable and can be creative with the department's complex budget. Rybak makes his comments as the search for a replacement for Police Chief Robert Olson gets started in earnest.
August 15, 2003 - MPR’s Art Hughes reports on the Minneapolis city budget, which continues to drop by millions of dollars. Mayor R.T. Rybak says he sees some reason for optimism. Rybak delivered his 1.24 billion-dollar budget proposal for 2004, saying there will be no more layoffs. In fact, he says the city will hire more police and firefighters. But the strain of debt and the second round of cuts from the state mean property taxes for Minneapolis homeowners will continue to rise. Report includes commentary form various city officials.
August 14, 2003 - MPR’s Jayne Solinger interviews R.T. Rybak, Mayor of Minneapolis. Rybak delivered a 1.2 billion-dollar 2004 budget this afternoon. The mayor proposes to avoid further layoffs by drawing down the city s rainy day fund. He plans to rehire thirty-four firefighters laid off this year and add a class police recruits, which had been cut from the last budget. The budget isn't painless by any means. Most Minneapolis homeowners will see their property tax bills rise 18%. Rybak calls the budget the "Light at the end of the tunnel."
July 2, 2003 - MPR’s Cathy Wurzer interviews R.T. Rybak, Mayor of Minneapolis, on hiring a new police chief. The city of Minneapolis is beginning the process of hiring a police chief to replace Robert Olson. Mayor Rybak says Olson is planning to retire when his term expires in January, and that City Coordinator John Moyer is now taking preliminary steps in the search for a new chief.