The official number of polluted lakes and rivers in our state is on the rise, but officials say our water quality is actually improving. Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Commissioner Brad Moore is our guest.
There's a big grand opening down in Wabasha next week. National Eagle Center Director MaryBeth Garrigan tells us all about it. And she has brought an eagle with her tonight, too.
Mary Lahammer takes us back up North to Rainy Lake for the story of the historic boat, the Virginia.
It's been a tough year for the newspaper industry in our Twin Towns. We take a look at how this week's Par Ridder court decision changes the landscape yet again with two former reporters and one current reporter. Dane Smith, Rick Shefchik and Rochelle Olson are our guests.
AFSCME workers have left the picket lines over at the U of M. We'll hear the latest on the proposed settlement from AFSCME Local 3937 Barb Bezat.
Dominic Papatola has some advice for two newly unemployed and prominent Twin Citians.
Dominic Papatola has some advice for two newly unemployed and prominent Twin Citians.
AFSCME workers have left the picket lines over at the U of M. We'll hear the latest on the proposed settlement from AFSCME Local 3937 Barb Bezat.
It's been a tough year for the newspaper industry in our Twin Towns. We take a look at how this week's Par Ridder court decision changes the landscape yet again with two former reporters and one current reporter. Dane Smith, Rick Shefchik and Rochelle Olson are our guests.
Mary Lahammer takes us back up North to Rainy Lake for the story of the historic boat, the Virginia.
There's a big grand opening down in Wabasha next week. National Eagle Center Director MaryBeth Garrigan tells us all about it. And she has brought an eagle with her tonight, too.
The official number of polluted lakes and rivers in our state is on the rise, but officials say our water quality is actually improving. Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Commissioner Brad Moore is our guest.
One last sneak peak at a portion of our Northfield Hands-On History special. This week Mary gives us the scoop on the Malt-O-Meal company.
Third District Congressman Jim Ramstad announced earlier this week that he is retiring. Our couch full of panelists will speculate about potential replacements. Our republicans tonight are Sarah Janecek and Phil Krinkie. They are joined by DFLers Mary Jo McGuire and Javier Morillo-Alicea.
Last week's history question and answer. This week's Index File task. Your comments. And a bit of music from our archives.
EIGHT living former governors. That's what Minnesota had back in 1986. And in May of that year all eight were in one place at one time at the St. Paul Pioneer Press. We had a camera there and recorded the historic event. Yeah, only seven of the governors are featured talking in this clip. C. Elmer Anderson was always a bit shy.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007 - 10:04 am
The Republican Party just held a press conference questioning Al Franken's fundraising, but what I'm more interested in is the Ramstad seat. Party Chair Ron Carey said they used to just check off the box, knowing the western suburbs were in safe Republican hands; now he says they'll have to "break a sweat" to keep the seat. Interesting that Congressman Ramstad said the race is wide open and not necessarily a gimme to his party. Republicans will endorse a candidate in April, and Carey says they'll work hard again to have everyone abide and not get into a primary battle. The GOP has done that well and the DFL has gotten better too, learning that long primary battles drain resources. Carey also says he sees 3-5 "A-list" candidates considering a run, but he won't say who those are. So let's review again the names being tossed about:
Republicans: Sen. Geoff Michel, RNC's Brian Sullivan, Rep. Erik Paulsen, former Sen. David Gaither, Henn. Co Sheriff Rich Stanek, Sen. Warren Limmer, former Rep. Jeff Johnson, Rep. Joyce Peppin
Democrats: Sen. Terri Bonoff, attorney Andy Lugar, Rep. Melissa Hortman, lt. gov. candidate Judi Dutcher, Buck Humphrey, Rep. Maria Ruud, former Sen. Steve Kelley, Sen. Steve Simon, Rep. Denise Dittrich, former Congressman Bill Luther
The Republican Party just held a press conference questioning Al Franken's fundraising, but what I'm more interested in is the Ramstad seat. Party Chair Ron Carey said they used to just check off the box, knowing the western suburbs were in safe Republican hands; now he says they'll have to "break a sweat" to keep the seat.
Monday, September 17, 2007 - 9:34 pm
I've known Jim Ramstad my whole life. When he was a state legislator struggling with alcoholism and woke up in trouble after a bad binge, he called my father, longtime AP reporter Gene Lahammer. Ramstad asked my dad's advice; my father told him to be honest, tell the world he had a problem and that he was going to get help. That's what he did and his career didn't suffer — it soared. I think because of that "The Rammer" has always had a special place in my family. He never failed to ask my dad how my mom and I were doing. He kept track of us and cared about us because my dad took the time to care about him. I doubt anything like that would happen today. Who can imagine a politician in the middle of a scandal asking a reporter's advice. But, my dad gives good advice. I've been lucky to receive it for more than three decades now.
Of course the buzz now is who's going to run for his seat which could be in play for Democrats. With the amount of rural areas the district probably still leans Republican, but the DFL has picked up legislative seats there in recent years. So here's a composite of the names I'm hearing:
Republicans: Sen. Geoff Michel, RNC's Brian Sullivan, Rep. Erik Paulsen, former Sen. David Gaither, Henn. Co Sheriff Rich Stanek
Democrats: Sen. Terri Bonoff, attorney Andy Lugar, Rep. Melissa Hortman, lt. gov. candidate Judi Dutcher, Buck Humphrey, Rep. Maria Ruud, former Sen. Steve Kelley, Sen. Steve Simon (I'm not sure that names like Bill Luther or Ted Mondale actually live in the district)
I've known Jim Ramstad my whole life. When he was a state legislator struggling with alcoholism and woke up in trouble after a bad binge, he called my father, longtime AP reporter Gene Lahammer. Ramstad asked my dad's advice; my father told him to be honest, tell the world he had a problem and that he was going to get help.
