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Story archive for Mainstreet Radio Sort stories by date / Sort stories by author Date Title Description 05/14/2001 Tribe and City Combine Efforts on Law Enforcement At a time when tribal police are understaffed and county jails are overcrowded, a tribe in South Dakota is joining forces with city government to start a new police force. The joint force aims to provide better service, while giving tribal and city officials more control. 05/09/2001 From Flood Fighting to Flood Cleanup Work has shifted from flood fighting to flood clean-up along Minnesota river towns like Montevideo. Residents are tearing down emergency levees and piling rotting sandbags in empty lots. And while officials plan for future floods, some are are asking why the area has seen two major floods in less than five years. 05/08/2001 Mainstreet Special: Live from Owatonna Remote broadcast live from Steele County Administration Center in Owatonna. Hour one focuses on the Somali population in rural Minnesota. Hour two takes a look at the changes faced by county jails. 05/04/2001 Young Offenders Learn Old Hobby In recent months, the state corrections department has introduced an unusual new hobby to its younger inmates. 05/01/2001 Wind Power Gets a Lift The McKnight Foundation announced plans Tuesday to spend $2.5 million over the next two years on developing what it calls "clean energy." The money will fund in part the Wind on the Wires program, which is studying how to improve transmission line capacity to maximize use of wind power generated in the upper Midwest. 05/01/2001 Killing Fish to Improve Fishing The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources killed hundreds of thousands of fish last winter. They did it on purpose, on a few lakes around the state as an experiment. Their intention, to restock the lakes with what sportsmen call "more desirable" fish. 04/30/2001 Squaw Lake Resists Name Change In the mid-1990s, a group of students from the Cass Lake-Bena High School in northern Minnesota began a campaign to eliminate use of the word "squaw." In 1995, the students convinced the Minnesota Legislature to pass a law eliminating the word from 19 geographic place names in the state. But there still remains one municipality, the tiny town of Squaw Lake on the Leech Lake Indian Reservation, that has resisted the change. 04/30/2001 Foot and Mouth Threatens Tourism For many parts of our region, tourism is a vital industry. Many farmers and ranchers are getting into the business by opening up their homes and land as vacation spots. Tourism organizations target international travelers with an invitation to come and see the "real" Midwest. Packages promoting farm and ranch stays have some worried that foot and mouth disease could easily find its way to midwestern livestock. Most trust the preventative measures in place while others are taking their own precautions. 04/27/2001 Rebuilding St. Peter - One Playground at a Time It's been three years since a tornado wiped out Saint Peter's famous canopy of trees. More than a 1,000 volunteers are transforming an empty spot into a scene out of 19th-century river town life. 04/25/2001 Teens Want to Keep Target Market Money Minnesota lawmakers will reconsider next week how the state spends the 1998 tobacco settlement money. Teens involved in Target Market, the state's largest anti-smoking campaign, are concerned about maintaining the money they received from the lawsuit. 04/25/2001 Second Round of Concern Over Starlink Corn As soon as the Mississippi River reopens to barge travel, rafts of corn kernels will head down river en route to their final destination - southeast Asia. Along the way, kernels will be tested and retested for traces of Starlink, a genetically-modified corn now banned around the world. Last fall Starlink turned up in taco shells and corn chips, prompting mass recalls and a shake-up on the export market. The corn's manufacturer continues to push for full governmental approval which would allow for human consumption. But with the spring thaw, Midwestern grain elevators and their customers are preparing for round two. 04/23/2001 Drinking Coffee for Fair Trade As leaders of the western hemisphere agreed last weekend to create the world's largest trading zone, thousands of protesters descended on Quebec City in opposition to the Free Trade Area of the Americas. Fair trade - not to be confused with free trade - is an alternative to such agreements designed to look out for the small-scale producer and his land. At Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, students have brought the fair trade movement to campus. 04/21/2001 Broken Trust Many American Indians live in two worlds. Off the reservation, they are guaranteed all the rights of a U.S. citizen. On the reservation, those federal rights disappear. Many Indian people in Minnesota and the Dakotas say they've come to expect injustice both on and off the reservation. MPR News brings you their stories, and their history, in this special project, Broken Trust: Civil Rights in Indian Country. 04/21/2001 Broken Trust Many American Indians live in two worlds. Off the reservation, they are guaranteed all the rights of a U.S. citizen. On the reservation, those federal rights disappear. Many Indian people in Minnesota and the Dakotas say they've come to expect injustice both on and off the reservation. MPR News brings you their stories, and their history, in this special project, Broken Trust: Civil Rights in Indian Country. 04/17/2001 Learning from Past Floods Federal Emergency Management Agency Director Joe Albaugh toured flooded areas in the Red River Valley on April 16. Albaugh viewed flooded areas, and several FEMA-funded projects thatare successfully preventing flooding this year. The FEMA director made no promise of federal aid, but praised Minnesota and North Dakota officials for preventing serious flood damage this year. 04/16/2001 Religious Values and Free Expression A dispute over artistic taste and terminology at the College of St Benedict in St. Joseph has students and administrators weighing the balance between religious values and free expression on a college campus. 04/12/2001 Flying High In Duluth A dispute over artistic taste and terminology at the College of St Benedict in St. Joseph has students and administrators weighing the balance between religious values and free expression on a college campus. 04/10/2001 A Mainstreet Special: Farming Challenges Minnesota farmers face challenges on two fronts this year. Farm income continues to decline, and now the outbreak of livestock disease in Europe creates the need for vigilance against a similar outbreak here. On April 10, MPR's Mainstreet unit presents a two-hour special. 04/10/2001 A Mainstreet Special: Farming Challenges Minnesota farmers face challenges on two fronts this year. Farm income continues to decline, and now the outbreak of livestock disease in Europe creates the need for vigilance against a similar outbreak here. On April 10, MPR's Mainstreet unit presents a two-hour special. 04/04/2001 Faces of Minnesota: Somalis Minnesota is home to the largest settlement of Somalis outside of Africa. While definitive census numbers on the East African group won't be released for months, government officials hope the 2000 racial data will be more accurate than in the past. But many of the state's Somali residents don't the share the government's confidence, and predict a massive undercount. 03/27/2001 All Along the Ice Tower For years ice climbers in Minnesota have traveled to the craggy cliffs of the North Shore of Lake Superior or to a few of the state's river valleys to practice their sport. But climbers near Motley in North Central Minnesota, have opened an artificial venue for ice climbing, a four-story tower covered with ice. 03/26/2001 Land of the Low Lakes The ships are moving again on Lake Superior, but Great Lakes freighters will be loading lighter than ever this year to stay above the bottoms of harbors and rivers between the lakes. 03/14/2001 No Free Lunch: The Costs of Protecting Our Food Supply Mad cow disease. Foot-and-mouth disease. E. coli. Listeria. All these diseases are threatening the safety of the food supply, particularly the meat we eat. Food producers, farm organizations, government agencies and citizens are all working at various levels to address concerns over food safety. But those safeguards come with a cost - from higher food prices to the demise of the family farm in Minnesota. 03/13/2001 Mainstreet Special: The Closing of LTV Steel What does the future look like for the people who have lost their jobs at LTV Steel? What is the economic impact on the Iron Range and what are the prospects for recovery? 03/09/2001 Bush Opens Dakotan Front in Tax Battle President George Bush continued his tax cut roadshow in Sioux Falls, outlining his $1.6 trillion tax-cut plan to South Dakotans. South Dakota's Democratic senators have been pushing for a tax cut smaller than the president's proposal. 03/06/2001 Timing the Snowmelt's Pace Snow drifts are piled high in western Minnesota, reminding many people of the winter four years ago when the spring melt lead to record flooding. 02/20/2001 Those Who Can, Teach A typical mid-career professional with no teaching background might expect two years of additional undergraduate coursework and student teaching to earn a teaching license in Minnesota. In the face of a teacher shortage, a program at St. Cloud State University aims to train teachers in 15 months, and throw in a masters degree. 02/06/2001 Instant Main Street As suburban cities fall prey to the same patterns of commercial sprawl, some people are turning to the "instant" Main Street as a path to civic identity. Central Minnesota is home to one such town. 02/05/2001 Ready for Prime Time Some oldtimers doubted that girls hockey would succeed when the first girls high school teams took to the ice six years ago. Across Minnesota, thousands of girls traded in their figure skates for hockey skates. They went to hockey camps and goalie schools. This year, 120 Minnesota high schools have girls hockey teams. Today, two-thirds of the girls playing high school hockey in the entire country live in Minnesota. 01/31/2001 North Shore Girds for Development Minnesota's North Shore has remained comparatively free of the development pressures that have carved up much of Minnesota. Now, residents are concerned that efforts to protect the environment, will actually threaten the lifestyle of the shore. 01/31/2001 Beating the High Cost of Energy - With Corn In the wake of spiking energy costs, corn has been redefined as a fossil fuel alternative. While the demand for ethanol is mounting, a less familiar kernel-driven energy source is gaining popularity. 01/30/2001 Of Sea Legs and Solid Ground How does a retired pig farmer from a land-locked state receive one of the most prestigious international awards in the world of sailing? 01/30/2001 Driving Out Billboards Minnesotans headed 'up north' for a little fishing or a weekend at the cabin are used to them; billboards proclaiming great deals, fresh leeches or the best burgers in town. In an area of the state that relies heavily on tourism, billboards are big business. Now a group of citizens south of Brainerd want motorists to see only the scenery along a new stretch of road. Some business boosters worry that thousands of tourists will never know what Brainerd has to offer. 01/29/2001 Energy Prices Spur More Talk of Wind Power America is facing an energy crisis. In Minnesota, energy experts say the state will soon need five new power plants. The crisis is making some folks look west to the Dakotas, which could produce more wind power than they need. The next problem is getting that energy to where it could be used. 01/25/2001 Ventura Gets Heat from Higher Ed Gov. Jesse Ventura is traveling around the state, trying to sell Minnesotans on his proposed budget. Some of the loudest criticism of the budget plan is coming from university and college administrators who say the governor's proposal will make them lose good profressors, and raise tuition. Ventura made the first stop on his statewide budget tour at the University of Minnesota in Duluth. 01/24/2001 Natural Gas Prices Fuel Worries on the Farm Heating bills are not the only place Minnesotans will feel this winter's soaring natural gas prices. Expensive natural gas means expensive fertilizer and an uncertain spring for the region's farmers. 01/02/2001 Students Get Educated About Tattoos It's easier to get a divorce than to remove a tattoo. Once the marks of rebels and outcasts, tattoos and piercings have crossed into the realm of fashion accessories. Now one Minnesota college is trying to educate students and others about the risks of body art. The aim of the Peer Education Program at Minnesota State University-Moorhead is not to discourage individuals from acquiring body art, but to make sure it's done safely. 12/28/2000 Duluth Remembers Lynching For many years Duluth tried to forget the day it made national news in 1920, when a crowd of thousands hanged three black men from a downtown street light. A group of Duluth residents is now working to honor the victims with a monument, and a week of events on the anniversary of the lynching. 12/19/2000 Rating the Professors Rejected by Minnesota law in an attempt to get student surveys of professors released to the public, students at the University of Minnesota-Duluth took matters into their own hands: they'll conduct their own surveys, and everybody gets a peek at the results. 12/15/2000 Minnesota's Hidden Workforce Unemployment remains low across Minnesota, despite a slowing economy. In Northeast Minnesota's Arrowhead, the jobless rate hovers around three percent, but new data shows that many of those with jobs are either working below their abilities, or making less money than they could elsewhere. 12/13/2000 Rural Minnesota Continues To Lose Population The 2000 census will likely show continued population losses in the state's most rural counties. In western Minnesota, some counties have lost 10 percent of their residents over the last decade. Lac Qui Parle County shows one of the biggest losses as its population continues to age. 12/08/2000 Dairy's Turn to Suffer Dairy farmers across the nation are dealing with record low prices for milk. Even with extra assistance from the government, in the form of a check mailed out this month, farmers are finding the dairy industry is no longer as stable as it once was. 12/04/2000 A Dilemma in La Crosse LaCrosse, Wisconsin has a problem: a well-known statue is in need of repair, but to do so might affirm what critics say is an offensive view of Native Americans. 12/01/2000 A Rural Problem Even with today's drugs, AIDS is still a major problem. Worldwide, experts estimate more than 34 million people are living with HIV and AIDS, and in 1999 nearly 3 million people died from the disease. In Minnesota, most people with AIDS live in the metropolitan area, but there are about 400 people with AIDS living in other parts of the state. In rural areas, isolation and a lack of services can be major problems. 11/21/2000 Waiting for Somalia After a decade marred by civil war, an elected government has returned to Somalia. A newly formed three-year transitional government came together in October. Some Somalis in Minnesota are watching the situation closely, especially a family in Owatonna, who are related to the country's newly appointed prime minister. 11/21/2000 Big Chains Entering Gasoline Business Threaten Small-Town Stores Some owners of gas stations and convenience stores around the state are getting nervous as Wal-Mart's and Sam's Club stores begin selling gas at discount prices. Nationwide, nearly 2,000 discount stores and supermarkets sell gas, but so far Minnesota has seen only skirmishes in this latest assault in the gas wars. 11/14/2000 Youth is Served in Saint Joseph Amid concerns that a central Minnesota town is being taken over by college students, voters elect a new mayor: a college student. 11/10/2000 The Winds of Hell On November 11, 1940, one of the deadliest blizzards this region has ever seen struck. The Armistice Day Storm killed 49 people in Minnesota, 150 nationwide. One of the most tragic chapters of the storm occured on the rivers, lakes and wetlands of the Midwest. Hundreds of duck hunters, trapped by the storm, found themselves in a life-and-death struggle. There was practically no warning the blizzard was on its way. 10/26/2000 Trouble in Timber Country Minnesota's wood products industry is in trouble. The producers of Minnesota paper and lumber report poor earnings; some have laid off staff, others have closed. High interest rates, foreign competition and tight timber supplies are combining to squeeze profits from timber producers. 10/25/2000 The Knowledge Bowl If you can't name the two countries involved in The XYZ Affair, you might not be ready for Knowledge Bowl. Throughout the school year, hundreds of kids across Minnesota, and thousands more across the country, put their learning on the line at Knowledge Bowl meets. Kids from seventh grade to 12th grade compete, facing questions that range from history and geography to math and poetry. 10/23/2000 Profile: Second District Congressional Race Minnesota second district congressman, Democrat David Minge, has successfully balanced fiscal conservatism and social liberalism through four terms representing the state's southwest quarter. But this year's Republican challenger, Mark Kennedy, says Minge hasn't accomplished anything, and predicts he can beat the Montevideo Democrat. 10/23/2000 Profile: First District Congressional Race Voters in southeastern Minnesota face a rematch of the 1996 congressional race between incumbent Gil Gutknecht and challenger Mary Rieder. Four years ago the candidates fought a fierce battle costing a record $1.5 million. 10/16/2000 A Mainstreet Special: Mining In their first debate outside the Twin Cities, Republican incumbent Rod Grams, DFL candidate Mark Dayton and Independence Party candidate James Gibson squared off on issues that haven't gotten much attention in the campaign for U.S. Senate, dealing with the environment and the use of federal lands. 10/16/2000 A Mainstreet Special: Mining In their first debate outside the Twin Cities, Republican incumbent Rod Grams, DFL candidate Mark Dayton and Independence Party candidate James Gibson squared off on issues that haven't gotten much attention in the campaign for U.S. Senate, dealing with the environment and the use of federal lands. 10/12/2000 Fighting Fire with Fire The clear, blue skies over Snowbank Lake filled with billowing smoke on October 11, as the Forest Service set a prescribed fire in timber that was blown down in the July 1999 windstorm. Fire experts consider the controlled burn just the first of many more to come in and near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. 10/09/2000 The Sewage Solution Turning iron ore into taconite creates twice as much waste rock as taconite. Since the Evtac mine opened over 30 years ago, waste rock has been piled in one place. The pile is now a mountain a mile long, a mile wide and 150 feet high. It looks like a lunar landscape, and it's virtually sterile. Sewage sludge may bring it back to life. 10/09/2000 The Next Wave of Farmers There was a time when a retiring farmer could count on his children to take over the business and carry on the family tradition. But farming is an unattractive career choice in Minnesota compared to many more urban occupations. A program sponsored by the Land Stewardship Project is making small strides bringing new farmers to the state. 09/29/2000 Changing Course: The Future of the Mississippi River The U.S. Congress is about to decide whether to fund a massive expansion of the locks-and-dam system on the Mississippi River. For years, the debate has fueled the division between the river's navigation interests and environmentalists. 09/27/2000 Feds Serve Southern Minnesota a 'Railroad Sandwich' The federal Surface Transportation Board released a long-awaited report on September 27, recommending a route for the Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern Railroad to haul coal from Wyoming through South Dakota and Minnesota. The board issued a draft environmental impact statement after more than a year of research and public comment. 09/25/2000 Fighting the Superbug Ever since doctors started using penicillin to kill bacterial infections in the 1940s, researchers have worried some bacteria would become resistant to antibiotics. Their fears are now coming true as scientists discover antibiotic-resistant germs. They say so-called "superbugs" will leave doctors defenseless against some illnesses. 09/22/2000 Raptor Rapture Rules Hawk Ridge The summer tourist season is over, but thousands of visitors are streaming through Duluth. They won't stay in motels or spend any money, though, because they're birds. Each fall thousands of hawks and eagles pass through the Duluth sky on their way south. And the passing birds draw a good number of humans to a place called Hawk Ridge. 09/14/2000 Barn Again in Minnehaha County At the turn of the 20th century, barns were the farm's cathedral. The red or white structures were designed and personalized for each farm family. The massive barns held livestock and tools with a second floor for hay and the occasional barn dance. Towering wooden barns have given way to sleek metal sheds on many farms and now, barns have become the stuff of historic preservation. 08/29/2000 White Earth Answers a Call to Action Residents on northwestern Minnesota's White Earth Indian reservation use an unusual strategy to combat a chronically high suicide rate. Volunteers accompany police and rescue squads on calls and try convince the person attempting suicide to get help. People on White Earth say their program saves lives and may work in other communities. 08/25/2000 Dorothy Coyle's 10,000 Ribbons Before the homemade bread-and-butter pickles, patchwork quilts, and gooseberry jams are exhibited at the Minnesota State Fair, some stiff competition has already taken place at the county level. For some county fair exhibitors, like northern Minnesota resident Dorothy Coyle, fair time is the time to harvest blue ribbons. Coyle has earned thousands of awards for her knitting and culinary skills. 08/21/2000 Herbicide Resistant Weeds Threaten National Agriculture Agriculture changed forever in 1946 when the first herbicide, 2-4D, was introduced. Easy weed control meant higher-yielding crops and less work for farmers. Many thought the endless battle against weeds was over, but in a growing number of cases, 54 years later the weeds are winning. 08/16/2000 A Mainstreet Special: Lake Superior Aquatics The aquatics of Lake Superior, the world's largest freshwater lake, play an important role in the lifestyle and economy of the surrounding region. This month, Mainstreet Radio's live broadcast from the Great Lakes Aquarium in Duluth looks at commercial fishing - past and present - and how it's hoped Duluth's new aquarium will contribute to the area's economy. 08/16/2000 A Mainstreet Special: Lake Superior Aquatics The aquatics of Lake Superior, the world's largest freshwater lake, play an important role in the lifestyle and economy of the surrounding region. This month, Mainstreet Radio's live broadcast from the Great Lakes Aquarium in Duluth looks at commercial fishing - past and present - and how it's hoped Duluth's new aquarium will contribute to the area's economy. 08/15/2000 Minnesota: Land of One Salt Lake One of the great unanswerable questions of U.S. geography is: exactly where does "the west" begin? On the South Dakota border there's a lake that could be used to make a case for Minnesota as the gateway to the west. It has more in common with the land of cowboys and cattle than any of Minnesota's other 10,000-plus lakes. 08/11/2000 Darwin's Legend is Entwined in String Darwin is a tiny dot on the central Minnesota map. Many of its 250 residents say that dot got there because of one man's obsession. For 29 years, Francis Johnson created what became the largest twine ball ever rolled by one person. 08/10/2000 The Fight for Hearts and Minds of Commuters People along the Northstar Corridor got a bells-and-whistles preview of commuter rail when Northstar officials gave rides on commuter rail cars similar to those that will carry commuters on the proposed Northstar Rail Line. But opponents say the notion is a waste of money. 08/10/2000 Central Minnesota's Irish Connection Central Minnesota is getting a taste of things Irish with visiting theater artist Peter Quigley. Quigley, who's from Belfast, is an artist-in-residence at the Paramount Theatre in Saint Cloud. 08/04/2000 The Prairie Pot Hole Farmers in Day County in northeastern South Dakota have spent the past eight years watching their farm fields become lakes. Landowners who once grazed hundreds of head of cattle now see a new sight on their pastureland: fishing boats. 08/02/2000 Tornado Just One More Obstacle for 'Project Turnabout' Residents The F-4 tornado that recently tore through Granite Falls forever complicated the lives of everyone who lived through it, including a group of people who were in the struggle of their lives even before the storm arrived. The residents of 'Project Turnabout' are fighting to beat gambling or chemical addictions, but the tornado threatened their new found stability. 07/28/2000 Sink or Swim: Duluth's New Aquarium Opens A year ago a massive storm roared through the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, damaging 350,000 acres of trees. This month's live Mainstreet broadcast from Ely will look at the impact the blowdown is having on the land and the people who love it. 07/28/2000 A Mainstreet Special: Boundary Waters Blowdown A year ago a massive storm roared through the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, damaging 350,000 acres of trees. This month's live Mainstreet broadcast from Ely will look at the impact the blowdown is having on the land and the people who love it. 07/28/2000 A Mainstreet Special: Boundary Waters Blowdown A year ago a massive storm roared through the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, damaging 350,000 acres of trees. This month's live Mainstreet broadcast from Ely will look at the impact the blowdown is having on the land and the people who love it. 07/27/2000 Slop Swap There are some pretty happy pigs living in east central Minnesota. A hog farmer in Cedar feeds his animals 'designer slops' as part of a recycling contract with the Mall of America. Each day, he transports almost eight tons of food waste from some very fancy restaurants. 07/26/2000 Rural Summit Attempts to Plot Future The third annual rural summit wrapped up in Rochester with speeches from members of the Ventura administration. For two days, a statewide mix of government officials, tribal groups, business leaders and community organizations focused on techniques for recharging rural economies. There's a lot of work ahead. 07/21/2000 Can the Prairie Be Saved? Federal, state and county officials, mining companies, and environmental groups are wrestling with a question: what's more important - rare native prairie, or the rich gravel deposits that lie beneath? Less than one-half of one percent of native prairie remains in Minnesota, and some of the best is in Clay County. Growing demand for gravel used in the booming construction industry poses an unprecedented threat to the prairie. 07/07/2000 Water Welfare Critics say a taxpayer-financed company over-pumped environmentally-sensitive areas to provide water, primarily to a private firm. They say it's corporate welfare at its worst. 07/07/2000 The Timber Treasure Hunt Old-growth timber is making a comeback. Not just as an environmental issue this time, but as wood; as polished floors and cathedral ceilings. The timber-salvage industry has taken off in Minnesota. It is saving old beams from condemned warehouses, pulling old logs from lake bottoms, and spicing up new architecture with antique woods. 07/07/2000 Sartell: Duathlon Capital of Minnesota There's the Tour de France, Wimbledon in England, and - for the last 20 years - the Apple Duathlon in the small central Minnesota city of Sartell. Winners of the race, qualify for the United States team at the World Duathlon Championship in France this October. 07/05/2000 Minnesota's Changed Wilderness A year ago, wilderness campers and vacationers in and around Northeast Minnesota's Superior National Forest were startled to see a looming black line of clouds darken the sky. It was a massive storm that over the next few hours flooded homes, blew out highways, and dropped millions of trees across the forest and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Scores of people were injured, while the popular camping and canoe wilderness was forever changed. 06/29/2000 A New Era? Tribal officials on the White Earth reservation says Governor Ventura's visit to the reservation marks a new era of relations between the two governments. The visit was part of Ventura's bus tour of rural Minnesota. 06/28/2000 Ventura's Rural Vision Governor Jesse Ventura has been drawing big, enthusiastic crowds at every stop on his tour of rural Minnesota. His focus has been partly on recent flooding in the Red River Valley, but he's also been outlining his vision for the future of rural Minnesota. 06/26/2000 Farmers' Fertilizer Targeted by Meth Labs A common fertilizer is a new target for drug manufacturers in rural counties. Small amounts of anhydrous ammonia are used to make methamphetamine. "Meth," the powerful central nervous stimulant with a high potential for abuse and dependence is becoming more available in rural areas. Authorities are telling farmers to lock up a chemical that's typically left in the middle of the field overnight. 06/26/2000 Caught in the Crossfire Earlier this year, the nation's oldest and biggest gunmaker, Smith and Wesson, created a shockwave by announcing it would settle 14 lawsuits against the company by agreeing to several restrictions and safety provisions for sale and distribution of Smith and Wesson guns. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development brokered that agreement and has stayed involved by creating the Communities for Safer Guns Coalition. Now requests have gone out to local governments across the country, including Saint Cloud, asking them to join the coalition. 06/14/2000 Change on the Reservations Several Minnesota Chippewa tribes have new leadership as a result of tribal elections. Elections were held on six reservations, and four tribal chief executives were voted out of office. Two of the most closely watched elections were at Mille Lacs and White Earth. 06/09/2000 Victims of the Womb South Dakota is said to have among the highest rate of babies born with fetal alcohol syndrome in the nation. Health officials say they don't have an accurate count of babies born with the preventable disability, but they know it's high - especially in rural areas. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome - FAS - has far-reaching implications for our schools and even court systems. 06/09/2000 Campaign 2000: Is Minnesota in Play? President Clinton's frequent trips to Minnesota this spring suggest Democrats are concerned the state could go Republican this fall. 06/07/2000 The Abstinence Debate Three years ago, a clinic in Fargo began an abstinence education program. At the time, abstinence education was considered unusual, even revolutionary. Not anymore. 06/05/2000 The Sinking Lakes Ships are leaving Duluth with lighter loads than usual because of low water levels on the Great Lakes. Ships have to float higher in the water to clear the bottom in shallow areas. It takes more ships to carry the same tonnage of products like grain, coal and taconite ore. 05/23/2000 The Sturgeon Stalker With the coming of summer, anglers by the hundreds of thousands are stalking Minnesota's lakes and rivers. Their objective, almost always, is walleye, northern pike, panfish and trout. Yet for a few anglers, a walleye holds no attraction; a 20-pound northern, no allure; a rainbow trout, no romance. On the Rainy River - the border between Minnesota and Canada - the lake sturgeon is rising. Surviving near obliteration by commercial fishing and polluting paper mills, the sturgeon has resurfaced as a gamefish of almost mythical power. 05/18/2000 Rural School Keeps Local History Alive A celebration in a town north of Duluth celebrates Finnish history in Minnesota. Take the virtual tour with our slideshow. 05/18/2000 A Matter of Time It's only a matter of time before a massive forest fire whips through the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Officials and residents bordering the region are using that time to prepare for the worst. 05/09/2000 Environmental Threat: Lead Sinkers For many anglers, going fishing without lead sinkers, makes as much sense as going out without hooks. But hundreds of Minnesota's favorite birds - loons and bald eagles - are turning up with lead poisoning, and researchers say sinkers are part of the reason. 05/08/2000 Trouble on the Bunny Trail Some residents of Duluth, are hopping mad about rabbits. A pair of domesticated rabbits was released into an isolated neighborhood about three years ago. As rabbits do, they've multiplied. Scores of big, black and white bunnies and their bouncy offspring are running around Park Point. The rabbits are a novelty but a nuisance to homeowners who find themselves in a turf war over gardens and shrubbery. 04/27/2000 A Mainstreet Special: Crime in Rural Minnesota Minnesota's prison system is a study in extremes. With 6,000 inmates, the state claims one of the lowest incarceration rates in the country. But it also has a startling high percentage of black prisoners, three times the national average. This two-hour special looks at the reasons. 04/27/2000 A Mainstreet Special: Crime in Rural Minnesota Minnesota's prison system is a study in extremes. With 6,000 inmates, the state claims one of the lowest incarceration rates in the country. But it also has a startling high percentage of black prisoners, three times the national average. This two-hour special looks at the reasons. 04/25/2000 What's Killing Lake Mille Lacs? The Environmental Protection Agency says Lake Mille Lacs is threatened by sewer run-off. Failing septic systems at communities and homes on the lake shore are contaminating the water with phosphorous. 04/24/2000 A Quiet Violence Law enforcement officials have been claiming victory over violent urban crime, but 44 percent of rural Minnesotans think crime in their neighborhood is increasing. Is urban crime moving to rural Minnesota, or has it been there all along? A Quiet Violence examines the effects of rural crime. 04/24/2000 A Quiet Violence Law enforcement officials have been claiming victory over violent urban crime, but 44 percent of rural Minnesotans think crime in their neighborhood is increasing. Is urban crime moving to rural Minnesota, or has it been there all along? A Quiet Violence examines the effects of rural crime. 04/06/2000 New Front Opens in Anti-tobacco War Moose Lake becomes the first community in Minnesota to ban smoking in restaurants. 03/22/2000 The Thin Wet Line While there is growing concern that the state's dry winter will lead to drought conditions, some northern Minnesotans still haven't recovered from flooding caused by last summer's record rainfalls. Experts say a dry spring could lead to extreme fire danger, but too much rain could mean more flooded basements and lakeshore erosion. 03/16/2000 Vintage Ventura on SE Minnesota Tour Governor Jesse Ventura is pushing hard to keep his unicameral legislature idea alive. On his bus tour of Southeastern Minnesota Ventura also hammered home his vision for transportation spending, high-speed Internet access for rural areas, and property tax reform. 03/16/2000 Orphan Films While there is growing concern about the state of old Hollywood films, there is a state of high panic about "orphan films," the decades-old films that have no commercial interests looking after their preservation. Many are the amateur films which provide unique insights into communities now long gone. 03/15/2000 A History in Dust There is growing concern much of the cultural history of American film is threatened because many of those films are literally falling to pieces. Time has destroyed thousands of early films. The Library of Congress is trying to raise public awareness of the problem. Its tour pulls into Fargo. 03/09/2000 Turbulent Election Nears on White Earth Reservation The White Earth Tribal Council says former Tribal Chair Darrell "Chip" Wadena can't run for his old job. Wadena served prison time for stealing from the tribe, but now says he's learned his lesson. Wadena is one of six people filing for an office which has long been a center of controversy. With the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe weighing in on Wadena's behalf in the controversy, White Earth appears to be set for another turbulent election. 03/07/2000 The Rural Revolt Governor Ventura is riding high in public opinion polls, but there is a growing chorus of discontent in rural Minnesota. Many local leaders in northwest Minnesota say the governor is ignoring rural issues, and his policies are deepening an existing rural urban divide. 03/01/2000 No to GMO The U.S. sugar beet industry is telling farmers not to plant genetically-modified seed this year; processors say they won't buy GM beets. Farmers could significantly cut costs by growing the herbicide-resistant plants, but they won't be planted because of industry concerns about a consumer backlash. 02/29/2000 Unicameral Has Few Fans in Rural Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura's push for a unicameral legislature is his top priority for the 2000 legislative session. The issue has spawned a loud and long debate. In outstate Minnesota, there is a growing concern that a one-house legislature would be bad news for rural areas. 02/25/2000 A Midsummer Spring The Guthrie is taking A Midsummer Night's Dream on the road to 16 cities around the region starting in Saint Cloud. But the Guthrie's intent is to do more than just a show. Members of the touring company are acting as artists-in-residence by teaching workshops and opening up rehearsals to the public at each stop along the tour. 02/08/2000 On the Air in Winona A small charter school in Winona is reviving the all-but-lost art of original radio drama as a business venture. In addition to writing, producing and marketing regular five-minute features, the students are responsible for sticking to a business plan which requires that the enterprise support itself. 02/04/2000 Organizers Try to Get Beargrease Back on Track Just 10 sled dog teams will head up a trail along Lake Superior's North Shore Sunday for the annual John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon. But new upstart events, with much larger purses, may be draining top competitors from the state's premier sled dog event. 01/24/2000 The City of Ventura Northern Minnesota business owners say a lack of snow for a third winter in a row is threatening their economic survival, and some say it warrants a disaster declaration. State legislators from the area will try to develop a $10 million low-interest loan fund, while Congressman James Oberstar says he'll seek federal funds through a presidential disaster declaration. 01/24/2000 Snow Shortage is Seen as Disaster in Northern Minnesota Northern Minnesota business owners say a lack of snow for a third winter in a row is threatening their economic survival, and some say it warrants a disaster declaration. State legislators from the area will try to develop a $10 million low-interest loan fund, while Congressman James Oberstar says he'll seek federal funds through a presidential disaster declaration. 01/13/2000 Grand Forks Looks for a Place in the Amazon (.com) Jungle Given the excitement - at least on the stock market - over the Amazon.com Internet bookstore, it might seem like a no-brainer for a community to try to encourage a distribution center in its midst. However, when faced with just that possibility the city of Grand Forks is finding there is a lot to debate, and it's becoming a discussion on the city's whole economic future. 01/10/2000 Running Out of Time on the Farm Even as the Clinton Administration is looking to the next session, farmers and lenders around our region are crunching the numbers as they prepare for spring planting. For most, the bottom line doesn't look good. 01/05/2000 DNR at the Brink The cost of fishing and hunting may go up in 2000. The Department of Natural Resources wants to raise license fees, a crucial revenue source in its budget. The DNR says if the Legislature doesn't do so, Minnesota's outdoors will suffer. 01/03/2000 Pipe Dreams on the Farm In the early part of the 20th century, it was not uncommon for wealthy families to have a pipe organ sitting in the parlor. Radio and television eventually replaced music as a family's form of home entertainment, but not everywhere. A western Minnesota farmer has dedicated his life, and a big part of his house, to a pipe organ. 12/30/1999 The Y2K Bust David and Johanna Hecker are devout Christians who have been living for 22 years in northeast Minnesota, on land they call God's Wilderness. When they heard about the anticipated problems with Y2K, they advertised; offering to sell land to other Christian, home-schooling families and help build cabins to avoid any millennial disruptions. Visitors arrived from all over the country. But things haven't quite worked out as the Heckers hoped. 12/29/1999 Chronicling the Lutheran Traditions Someday, maybe decades from now, some calendars commemorating the new millennium might become collectors items, heirlooms even. For one Minnesota photographer, a 2000 calendar is the perfect medium to showcase his images of Lutheran churches around the state. 12/27/1999 A Year of Woe There are signs that the crisis in agriculture eased a bit the past year but farmers anticipate more tough times in the year 2000. Despite a pledge to end farm subsidies, federal government props in the form of emergency aid appear to be the only thing keeping many Minnesota farmers in business. The political arena will be a major focus for farmers, but they'll also be keeping an eye on the weather. 12/23/1999 Gay TV: Out in St. Cloud This is a tough time of year for goats. Sheep dominate nativity scenes everywhere. And here in Minnesota cows have a lock on the dairy market. But goats are making a stand. Their milk, cheese and meat are gaining in popularity. And in the wider world of dairy consumption, goats rule. 12/21/1999 Cutting the Fat in Olmsted County Health experts at the Mayo Clinic have embarked on an effort to reverse the trend of obesity and heart disease in Olmsted County. They want to prove they can change the lifestyle of an entire community and decrease the rate of heart disease in the county. 12/14/1999 A Mainstreet Special: Millennial Jitters The human response to Y2K. Our guests in this special broadcast say our reaction says much about the fundamental way we think about our world. We will discuss end-of-the-world thinking and violence motivated by religion. We'll also look at fear and how we relate to the unknown. What does your level of Y2K preparedness say about you? 12/14/1999 A Mainstreet Special: Millennial Jitters The human response to Y2K. Our guests in this special broadcast say our reaction says much about the fundamental way we think about our world. We will discuss end-of-the-world thinking and violence motivated by religion. We'll also look at fear and how we relate to the unknown. What does your level of Y2K preparedness say about you? 12/09/1999 No More Secrets For years, Minnesota archeologists have attempted to protect Indian burial grounds and other sensitive historic sites by keeping their locations secret. But now, state officials are reversing that strategy. 12/06/1999 After the Mines The IRRRB was created in the 1970s to insure life after taconite in northeast Minnesota, a purpose many Rangers say they support. But in recent years the agency's reputation has been more linked to political turmoil and failed investments. Local business owners say the IRRRB has rarely sought their advice or responded to their needs. 12/06/1999 A New Kind of House Call The Mayo Clinic in Rochester is developing a for-profit Internet company to compete in the growing electronic health-information market. Clinic leaders say the new venture's Web site will start up next spring and will increase the online tools available for people wanting to learn more about personal health. 12/01/1999 A Towering Annoyance Communication towers, those blinking, guy-wired harbingers of car phones, have sprouted at the rate of 5,000 a year nationwide for the past decade. Industry watchers say another 100,000 of the structures could go up by 2010. While digital phones mean improved service, the towers themselves, often topped by flashing strobelights, are widely abhorred as a blight on the landscape. In the Brainerd lakes area, county officials are trying to bring them under control. 11/25/1999 Mankato's Whistlestop Campaign Saint Paul School District officials say they want more public input on their plans to end the social promotion of students. School board members and administrators discussed the proposed promotion and retention policy, but a final vote won't come until early next year. 11/23/1999 Checking Out in Houston Residents of the small town of Houston in southeastern Minnesota had to drive 10 to 15 miles to get their Thanksgiving turkeys this week. The only grocery store in this town of 1,000 closed its doors a little over a year ago. A group of residents has formed a co-op to try to re-open the store. The future of the town may be dependent on their success. 11/16/1999 Grand Forks Conference Tries to Put Brakes on Global Warming Across the globe, the average temperature has been slowly but steadily rising. For years now, scientists, citizens, and industry experts have argued about the problem of global warming; first of all whether it exists, and then what to do about it. This week in Grand Forks, people from around the region have gathered to talk about climate change in the Northern Great Plains and Rocky Mountain region and how people can change the global warming trend. 11/10/1999 Who Watches the Church? A former North Dakota governor is starting an organization to protect people whose rights are violated by organized religion. George Sinner says he's concerned some religious bodies are willing to sacrifice individual rights to protect their own power and interests. 11/09/1999 The Melting Pot in the Nation's Ice Box One of the largest window and door makers in the world is located in the small town of Warroad in northern Minnesota. Marvin Windows provides about 3,000 jobs, many to farmers who have left the land or need a second income. A growing number of the workers are Laotians, attracted to Warroad by relatively good-paying jobs and small town life. 11/08/1999 A Mainstreet Special: Minnesota Veterans Our panel discusses the challenges of providing veteran services without overbuilding a system that will see declining use within the next several decades. We also discuss the Minnesota State Veterans' Cemetery at Camp Ripley, the national cemetery at Fort Snelling and the state's five Veterans' Homes, which serve some l,500 aging vets. 11/08/1999 A Mainstreet Special: Minnesota Veterans Our panel discusses the challenges of providing veteran services without overbuilding a system that will see declining use within the next several decades. We also discuss the Minnesota State Veterans' Cemetery at Camp Ripley, the national cemetery at Fort Snelling and the state's five Veterans' Homes, which serve some l,500 aging vets. 11/05/1999 It May Never Be the Same The farm crisis has touched nearly every sector of agriculture in southern Minnesota but it may be hog producers who have suffered most. It was their fate to be caught between two profit-destroying events: record low prices and wrenching structural changes, which are transforming the hog industry. 11/05/1999 Bringing Up the Rear The farm crisis has touched nearly every sector of agriculture in southern Minnesota but it may be hog producers who have suffered most. It was their fate to be caught between two profit-destroying events: record low prices and wrenching structural changes, which are transforming the hog industry. 11/04/1999 Protecting the Summer Home As thousands of Minnesotans lock up their lake cabins for winter, many wonder whether everything will be intact when they return. Seasonal homes are favorite targets for burglars, and protection against property crime has been a high-profile subject since a Minnesota man set a booby trap in his cabin and wounded an intruder. In the Brainerd lakes area, summer homes provide a challenge for law enforcement; and big returns for home-security companies. 11/04/1999 Bankers Onboard For the first time a task force of the American Bankers Association is taking a position on ag policy and recommending solutions to permanently lift farmers out of financial crisis. 11/03/1999 Doty Returned to Office Election results in Duluth brought significant turnover among city council and school board members, with both bodies likely taking on a more labor-friendly and liberal tone. But labor-endorsed candidates did not sweep either body, and some extremely-close votes had candidates pondering the mixed messages voters sent. The elections for mayor and state legislature were more sweeping: Mayor Gary Doty easily won a third term, and DFLer Dale Swapinski won Willard Munger Senior's former legislative seat by a wide margin. 11/03/1999 A Bad Day for Arena and Stadium Deals Saint Cloud area residents said no to a half-percent sales-tax increase for a proposed regional events center. The referendum was also tied to other regional amenties like park improvements and a remodeled regional library. Officials say they're now looking for ways to fund the library and parks. 11/02/1999 Fighting Noise with Noise Saint Cloud area residents said no to a half-percent sales-tax increase for a proposed regional events center. The referendum was also tied to other regional amenties like park improvements and a remodeled regional library. Officials say they're now looking for ways to fund the library and parks. 10/28/1999 Bush Mines Votes in Fargo Republican Presidential candidate George W. Bush outlined his views on agriculture policy and other issues during a campaign stop in Fargo. Bush was greeted by enthusiastic, mostly Republican crowds, at two public appearances, and picked up an endorsement from North Dakota Governor Ed Schafer. 10/22/1999 A Proper Place for Public Art Michelangelo's statue of David has been described as artistic perfection. Travelers from round the world flock to Florence in Italy to see the gigantic marble figure, completed in 1504. You might think any city would be happy to have a high-quality replica of David, but in Sioux Falls, the controversy over where to put just such a statue has triggered a larger debate about the proper place for public art. 10/14/1999 The Jurassic Garden When 72-year-old Roy Steichen retired, he needed something to do. So he rummaged through the junk that often accumulates on a farm over the decades, and built an animated dinosaur. It was so much fun that he kept on building. Now, people from all over the country are stopping at his farm near Ulen, Minnesota to see what Roy calls his Jurassic Garden. 10/13/1999 A Mainstreet Special: Lake Superior Shipping and Shipwrecks The Duluth-Superior port is the farthest inland seaport in the world and yet one of the premier bulk-cargo ports in North America. We'll talk about the shipping industry and its future in Duluth. In the second hour, we'll look at the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald. 10/13/1999 A Mainstreet Special: Lake Superior Shipping and Shipwrecks The Duluth-Superior port is the farthest inland seaport in the world and yet one of the premier bulk-cargo ports in North America. We'll talk about the shipping industry and its future in Duluth. In the second hour, we'll look at the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald. 09/29/1999 The Hero of Hinckley A new mural commemorating the great Hinckley Fire of 1894 has been unveiled at the Hinckley Community Center. The fire produced a firestorm which incinerated hundreds of square miles and killed more than 400 people. The mural, by Ojibwe artist Steve Premo shows the historic rescue of a family by a young Ojibwe woman, whose identity has only recently been discovered. 09/22/1999 The Threat From Below Record rainfall in northern Minnesota has created huge flooding problems. The flooding is particularly difficult because the water is not from overflowing river banks, but rising from underground, where water tables are higher than anyone remembers. In Beltrami County, roads have been damaged, homes abandoned, and hundreds of residents have been pumping water from their basements for months. 09/22/1999 The Landlords of Swift County A survey of farmers in Swift County in west-central Minnesota shows that agriculture is rapidly becoming a landlord-tenant system rather than the familiar independent family farm. That trend has accelerated as farmers' economic problems intensify. 09/17/1999 Testing A Town's Metal Faced with a struggling farm economy, one small North Dakota town is taking a novel approach to economic development.Regent is attracting national attention, thanks largely to the vision and drive of one man whos' massive artwork is stopping traffic. 09/13/1999 Farm Aid Kicks Off Week of Lobbying About 30 Minnesota farmers descend on Washington for a week of lobbying Congress for emergency assistance and other legislative solutions to agriculture problems. 09/10/1999 Free Agent Teachers The shortage of teachers in Minnesota has done wonders for salaries. School districts are hiring teachers away from other districts in a war for their services. 09/10/1999 A Mainstreet Special: Minnesota Education What efforts are being made to produce enough teachers with the right specialties? How are districts coping with vacancies they cannot fill? And has the MnSCU merger resulted in better post-secondary education in the state? 09/10/1999 A Mainstreet Special: Minnesota Education What efforts are being made to produce enough teachers with the right specialties? How are districts coping with vacancies they cannot fill? And has the MnSCU merger resulted in better post-secondary education in the state? 09/07/1999 Golf By GPS Isn't golf supposed to be a game of tradition? Of garrulous, status-quo duffers? So what is GPS doing on the golf courses of Minnesota? 09/03/1999 Bison: The Other Red Meat Bison burgers, buff dogs, bison is becoming the "other red meat" for health-conscious Americans. Cattle ranchers across Minnesota are starting to raise the nearly once-extinct animal in increasing numbers because they're low in fat and high in protein. 09/02/1999 Is The Farm Crisis Really A Disaster? In what could be a first-in-the-nation attempt, federal officials may ask that Minnesota be declared a farm economic-disaster area. 08/23/1999 Carver County Hosts Farm Rally Farmers and politicians met in Waconia to discuss government's role in the current farm crisis. 08/12/1999 Deal With It In a speech to rural leaders, Governor Ventura suggests rural Minnesotans should stop thinking in a crisis mode, and accept the fact that change happens. 08/05/1999 Not Buying It As Congress considers an emergency farm-relief package, farmers doubt it will do much good. 08/04/1999 Farm Bosses Can't Agree on Crisis Fix On the first day of Farmfest near Redwood Falls, the presidents of three major farm groups made a rare joint public appearance. While they all said emergency farm aid is a good short-term solution, there were deep divisions on the more difficult question of a long term fix. 07/28/1999 The Boo-Boo Attraction The black bear is hot. Just ask the Minnesota Science Museum, current venue of "Bears", the most popular traveling exhibit it's ever hosted. Bears- both powerful and clownish - have been stumping around in American popular culture since America got a popular culture. 07/28/1999 A Mainstreet Special: The Future of the Wolf and Bear MPR's Mainstreet team presents a two-hour special from the International Wolf Center in Ely examining proposals for managing wolves and bears. 07/28/1999 A Mainstreet Special: The Future of the Wolf and Bear MPR's Mainstreet team presents a two-hour special from the International Wolf Center in Ely examining proposals for managing wolves and bears. 07/23/1999 On Their Own? The Minnesota Chippewa Tribe is considering a new constitution. But with individual bands becoming more like businesses, some say the end of the Tribe is at hand. Part two of two parts. 07/22/1999 Changing the Government The Minnesota Chippewa tribe is considering a change in its constitution. MPR presents a two-part series. In part one, Dan Gunderson looks at how the Indian Reorganization Act destroyed traditional tribal governments. 07/21/1999 On a Wing and a Parachute Cirrus Design of Duluth gets FAA permission to deliver its SR-20, the plane with the parachute. 07/20/1999 The Co-op Solution A group of Long Prairie-area farmers find city-dwellers are anxious to help keep them in business. 07/20/1999 Another Worry Minnesota farmers are battling a fungus they haven'e seen for years. But the times are so tough, they can't afford the fungicide to protect damage to their wheat. 07/15/1999 Northeast Minnesota Picks Up the Pieces. Residents of northeast Minnesota are under the federal microscope, hoping for assistance in recovering from July 4th storms. 07/12/1999 Willard Munger, 1911-1999 Minnesota's longest-serving legislator leaves a legacy in the environment of Duluth and the North Shore. 07/06/1999 No Shelter From the Storm The BWCA recovers from a massive weekend storm and campers consider what to do in a future situation. 07/01/1999 The Lost Spring Farmers in Thief River Falls have too much rain and too many problems. 06/23/1999 A Mainstreet Special: Water World Few states are as linked to water as Minnesota. This month's Mainstreet special looks at the quality of our lakes and rivers. We'll also look at water safety. 06/23/1999 A Mainstreet Special: Water World Few states are as linked to water as Minnesota. This month's Mainstreet special looks at the quality of our lakes and rivers. We'll also look at water safety. 06/21/1999 Locked Out Wheat, corn and other grains may be the staff of life at the world's dinner table but when it comes to international trade, they're more often the stuff of strife for Minnesota farmers. 06/21/1999 Banking on the Future Thanks to a casino economy, times are great for the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. But what will happen if the monopoly on casinos ends? 06/21/1999 Arrest in Poirier Case The search for Katie Poirier resumes after police arrest a man in her disappearance. 06/18/1999 Duluth Feels the Pinch Greater Minnesota - historically the area of greatest unemployment - is feeling the sting of a tight labor market too. 06/15/1999 Safety the NRC Way The NRC is using Minnesota nuclear plants as a test for streamlining its safety regulations. 06/15/1999 Down on the Farm At the first Citizens' Forum on agriculture, participants suggest an anti-trust investigation into agri-businesses. 06/09/1999 Where's Katie? Few searchers are showing up to help look for the missing Moose Lake girl. 06/08/1999 The Unstoppable Flood For the first time in recorded history, a lake is rising naturally and will soon swallow the farms and homes around it forever. 06/04/1999 Crying Over Spilled Mil Although farmers are losing their livelihoods, they disagree on whether an old method of protest still works. 06/02/1999 The Brainerd High School Choir Exciting things happen when you take a traditional choir and add decidedly non-traditional music. 06/01/1999 The Ear of Sioux Falls A cultural jewel opens in South Dakota thanks in large part to a man who's all ears. 05/28/1999 Fighting Back Houston County takes the offensive against mosquitoes that have made it a breeding ground for encephalitis. 05/26/1999 Power to the People May's Mainstreet Radio special looks at wind power in Minnesota and the deregulation of the state's electric industry. 05/26/1999 Power to the People May's Mainstreet Radio special looks at wind power in Minnesota and the deregulation of the state's electric industry. 05/26/1999 Power to the People May's Mainstreet Radio special looks at wind power in Minnesota and the deregulation of the state's electric industry. 05/24/1999 Error: Title not found May's Mainstreet Radio special looks at wind power in Minnesota and the deregulation of the state's electric industry. 05/20/1999 Firemonks The St. John's Firemonks celebrate their 60th anniversary. 05/17/1999 The Farmer and the Opera Singer Can a Minnesota farmer who likes country music find happiness with an opera singer who likes, well, opera? 05/17/1999 A New Light Shed on Turkey Manure Farmers think the manure could be used to provide electricity. 05/14/1999 Want a Better Bait? Smell Your Lure Moorehead State University Researcher says the fish's nose knows what's going on. 05/11/1999 From Pigs to People Researchers at the Mayo Clinic experiment with using pig organs in humans. Critics worry it'll also transplant diseases to humans. 05/07/1999 A Cut in Compassion Funding begins to dry up for AIDS programs in outstate Minnesota, where it's hard to keep a secret. 05/05/1999 Breaking the Mold of Racism The lines have been drawn for years in the dispute over tribal hunting and fishing rights around Mille Lacs. While the divide is largely along racial lines, there are people who have become very involved in the other community. 05/05/1999 A Mainstreet Special: Diversity in Minnesota MPR's Mainstreet team presents a two-hour special from St. Cloud examining past racism in Minnesota, and the influx of refugees that's literally changing the face of the state. 05/05/1999 A Mainstreet Special: Diversity in Minnesota MPR's Mainstreet team presents a two-hour special from St. Cloud examining past racism in Minnesota, and the influx of refugees that's literally changing the face of the state. 05/04/1999 You Said What? 30 percent of the students in Worthington are students of color. The city is close to Sioux Falls, where many land from a Lutheran Social Services initiative and then spread out to find work. How are the schools and other municipal services dealing with this diverse population in terms of language? 05/04/1999 Can We All Just Get Along? In some white Minnesota counties, the minority population has just begun to grow. 05/03/1999 They Came to Minnesota Save for the indigenous population, we all came from somewhere. We trace the major immigration patterns. Who came when and why? How has Minnesota's immigration history shaped the state we now know? 05/03/1999 Migrants No More A look at Latino migrants who've decided to take up residence in southeast Minnesota permanently. 04/22/1999 What's Happening to Minnesota's Forests? A new report suggests the state will run out of wood to harvest if present trends continue. 04/22/1999 A Different World Brainerd ad agency proves you don't have to be on Madison Avenue to exist in the advertising world. 04/20/1999 They Could've Been Heroes Cohasset residents lament the demise of Technimar. 04/16/1999 The Senior Alternative Senior foster care is less expensive than nursing homes and proponents say the host families are better off too. 04/16/1999 Nursing Homes: A Mainstreet Special 04/16/1999 Nursing Homes: A Mainstreet Special 04/13/1999 The Organic Alternative Farmers who are in love with soybeans and corn find an alternative to their dilemma. 04/13/1999 Fighting the Fire on the Lake Before the fire season starts, Canada shows Minnesota how it's done. 04/09/1999 Wadena's Comeback After a prison term for corruption, the former White Earth Band Chairman plots a comeback against a regime that helped oust him. 04/08/1999 A Wasted Effort NSP left holding nuclear waste after legal fight fails. 04/07/1999 Plant Comes with Strings Attached Minnesota considers spending tax money on the largest private construction project in state history. 04/05/1999 The Refugees of Minnesota Some Rural Minnesotans say their plight isn't much different than those of Kosovars. 04/01/1999 Flooded Town Seeks More Help Governor Ventura gets a first-hand look at East Grand Forks' recovery from flooding. 03/29/1999 Comfrey's Comeback Minnesota community struggles back from 1998's devastating series of tornadoes. 03/29/1999 Blowing the Past Away Le Center residents put last year's tornado behind them. 03/29/1999 A Night to Remember A look back at how St. Peter and other communities have recovered from last year's tornadoes. 03/29/1999 A Night to Remember A look back at how St. Peter and other communities have recovered from last year's tornadoes. 03/26/1999 Need a Locomotive Oiler? Chances are Berger Hardware in Superior, Wisconsin has it - somewhere. 03/25/1999 Burying the Past With the treaty rights case settled, resorters and Native Americans vow to put differences aside. 03/19/1999 Otto Ihringer, WWI Vet At 103, North Dakota man gets the award he earned. 03/18/1999 No Guarantees for Farmers Ventura listens, but makes no promises in meeting with farmers. 03/15/1999 Pseudorabies As if farmers in Minnesota don't have enough problems, now a new disease appears on the farm. 03/12/1999 Ganging Up on Kids Rural teens say they're victims of an anti-gang fervor. 03/10/1999 Painting a Dreary Picture Some art educators say legislative involvement in graduation standards jeopardizes the future. 03/09/1999 Disconnected Some telephone companies pull out of Minnesota; leaving small towns wondering whether they can compete. 03/08/1999 Preserving the Windmill Between nostalgia and Y2K, it's a good time to be a windmill. 03/03/1999 Treaty Dispute Simmers As a Supreme Court decision nears, a rift is developing between Governor Ventura and the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. 03/03/1999 Flood Outlook: Fingers Crossed National Weather Service says dikes should hold Red River this spring. 03/02/1999 Farmers React Ventura promise of aid is helps, but farmers say it's not enough. 02/26/1999 Preserving Minnesota Preservationists eye Sogn Valley. 02/24/1999 The Dying Town Welcome to Argyle, Minnesota; a town that typifies much of rural Minnesota. 02/24/1999 Mainstreet Radio Special: The Farm Crisis Mark Steil hosts a two-hour look at the midwest farm crisis. 02/24/1999 Mainstreet Radio Special: The Farm Crisis Mark Steil hosts a two-hour look at the midwest farm crisis. 02/24/1999 Bone Ethics Remains of the dead are causing archaeologists to think about their work. 02/17/1999 Y2K-Proof Disagreement exists over how prepared nuclear plants are for the computer bug. 02/09/1999 9-1-1 The gas explosion in St. Cloud put a new 9-1-1 system to the test. 02/08/1999 Towns Prepare for Y2K Plans are even underway to deputize gun owners if things go awry. 02/05/1999 Vee Keeps Flame Alive Minnesotans fame will always be linked to Buddy Holly's death. 02/05/1999 Old Cats Snowmobile fans find value in old sleds. 02/03/1999 Utilities, Counties Prepare for Y2K Officials say there shouldn't be many problems. But just in case ... 02/01/1999 Tobacco Expo Farmers celebrate the "old days" as the total tobacco harvest dwindles. 01/29/1999 Project Unearths the Past Workers at a St. Cloud construction site are digging history. 01/27/1999 Mainstreet Radio Special Live from Grand Marais Rachel Reabe hosts this two-hour special on Wednesday January 27, 1999. In the first hour, we'll look at small towns that are havens for artists. In hour two, we'll focus on dog-sledding. 01/27/1999 Mainstreet Radio Special Live from Grand Marais Rachel Reabe hosts this two-hour special on Wednesday January 27, 1999. In the first hour, we'll look at small towns that are havens for artists. In hour two, we'll focus on dog-sledding. 01/22/1999 A Breed Apart A Cass County couple try to recover from a tragedy. 01/21/1999 Critics Target Camp Ripley Work Program Some officials say a program to cut prison costs in Minnesota and use wasted space at Camp Ripley has accomplished little. 01/11/1999 Repealing the Ban on Snowmobile Studs As the legislature begins a debate to repeal the ban on studs on snowmobiles ban, Leif Enger looks at what the fuss is all about. 01/06/1999 Hope For Hemp Is industrial hemp the salvation of Minnesota agriculture or a link to the "drug culture"? Governor Jesse Ventura and the Minnesota Legislature are about to decide. 12/30/1998 Minnesota West Welder Welding is becoming a lost profession in Minnesota. Some businesses and schools are trying to solve the labor shortage by reviving interest in it. 12/28/1998 Small Business Braces for Year 2000 Many fail to see far-reaching effects Y2K problem will have outside their own businesses. 12/28/1998 Profiting from the Y2K Panic Where some see disasters looming, others see opportunities. 12/28/1998 Farm Crisis Review A look back at one of the most difficult years that Minnesota's farmers have ever faced. 12/28/1998 Butchers Benefit from Low Pork Prices Market glut increases business for all segments of hog industry. 12/24/1998 The Return of the Paramount Theatre Austin, Minnesota hopes theater will provide a venue for performing arts and an economic boost for downtown. 12/23/1998 Wings of Mercy Amateur pilots in St. Cloud remove geographic barriers to advanced medical treatments. 12/23/1998 The Legacy of Chapter 12 Bankruptcy Ambiguous law makes an already difficult process even harder on farmers. 12/22/1998 Rural Gangs Once largely an urban problem, gangs are now attracting rural youth. 12/22/1998 Mainstreet Radio Special: Rural Gangs Mainstreet Radio looks at gang activity and the Minnesota Gang Strike Force in a live remote broadcast from Collegeville. 12/22/1998 Mainstreet Radio Special: Rural Gangs Mainstreet Radio looks at gang activity and the Minnesota Gang Strike Force in a live remote broadcast from Collegeville. 12/17/1998 Farm Economy Affects Tax Revenue Lay-offs prove imminent as a down year catches Polk County coffers short. 12/16/1998 Rochester Fights Railroad Expansion Increased rail traffic and re-routing of DM&E rails causes uproar from residents. 12/15/1998 Hog Farmers Losing Money Due to Over-Supply Meat processor "packer contracts" may be responsible for creating surplus. 12/15/1998 Conserving Balsam Boughs Demand for Christmas wreaths requires education of bough cutters. 12/15/1998 Bemidji Celebrates Santa Lucia Festival A 400-year-old Swedish tradition with Italian lives on in northern Minnesota.. 12/11/1998 Losing Volunteer Firefighters Many failing to answer the call of these small communities. 12/08/1998 Waiting for Winter Unseasonably mild weather is not enjoyed by all outdoors enthusiasts. 12/07/1998 Dakota Bear Circle A thousand-year-old Dakata ritual site found on the Mille Lacs Reservation may be of great importance. 12/03/1998 Tracking the Tundra Swan Scientists study the impact thousands of tundra swans have on the Upper Mississippi River Wildlife Refuge. 11/24/1998 The Kensington Runestone The debate continues over the authenticity of an object pulled from earth in 1898. 11/23/1998 Crop Diversity In the past 50 years, Minnesota's farmlands have become increasingly less varied. 11/20/1998 Rare Raptor May Restrict Clear-cutting The goshawk may be the tool needed by environmentalists to preserve old-growth forests. 11/20/1998 Dairy Farmers Take Advantage of Upswing The current upswing in dairy prices makes farmers take stock in the future. 11/20/1998 Construction Drives Comfrey Comeback With businesses and homeowners rebuilding, tornado will be remembered as a new beginning. 11/18/1998 Our State, Our Forests A series of reports on the changing face of Minnesota's timber industry. 11/18/1998 Mainstreet Radio Special: Live from Duluth Mainstreet Radio looks at Minnesota's timber harvest in a live remote broadcast. 11/18/1998 Mainstreet Radio Special: Live from Duluth Mainstreet Radio looks at Minnesota's timber harvest in a live remote broadcast. 11/18/1998 High Price Paid for New Schools Rebuilding from flood brings new facilities to East Grand Forks. 11/18/1998 Clear-Cutting Moving Faster than Timber Reform Many feel as though commerce is outweighing the need to preserve old-growth forests. 11/18/1998 Clear-Cutting Changes Wildlife Habitat As clear-cutting methods become more efficient, many are concerned the wildlife that depends on older, diverse forests will suffer. 11/17/1998 Today's Timber Industry Can Minnesota's forests support increasing economic and ecological demands? 11/17/1998 Many Question Aid in Spencer As rebuilding continues, inequity in payment raises questions. 11/16/1998 Profile of a Logging Family Three generations of the Walsh family have worked Minnesota's forests. 11/16/1998 A History of Timbering in Minnesota 150 years of logging have changed the face of the state as well as the timber industry. 11/13/1998 Hunters Give Thumbs-up to Amendment Two It was hard to find a negative voice among Bemidji deer hunters following the election. 11/12/1998 Man-Made Islands Create Habitat The Army Corp of Engineers is attempting to undo degradation of the Mississippi River's bed. 11/04/1998 Some Farmers Turning to Conservation Reserve Program For some, this federal plan could not have come at a better time. 11/04/1998 "Cumulative Impact" Plays Role in Feedlot Regulation Results of a Pope County court case may affect how future feedlot applications are handled. 10/28/1998 Assessing the Need for Amendment Two Is it necessary to preserve hunting and fishing rights in a state constitutional amendment? 10/26/1998 Preserving Tallgrass Prairie Remnant Department of Fish and Wildlife is working with local farmers to save and restore native grasslands. 10/23/1998 Fields Yield Some Profits, Some Losses At harvest time, farmer Tim Dufault looks at his chances for staying in business. 10/22/1998 Wary Turkeys Evade Local Hunters Growing turkey population leads to expanded hunting opportunities. 10/13/1998 Change Ahead on the Red Lake Indian Reservation Attitudes towards outside investment change as local economy flourishes. 10/08/1998 Walleye Count Exceeds Projections This year's Mille Lacs fish take may result in smaller numbers for future years. 10/08/1998 Farmers Speak Out to State Representatives House Republicans listened to the concerns of area farmers. 10/07/1998 Mainstreet Radio Special: Live from Fergus Falls Mainstreet Radio addresses wetlands and wildlife in this live remote broadcast. 10/07/1998 Mainstreet Radio Special: Live from Fergus Falls Mainstreet Radio addresses wetlands and wildlife in this live remote broadcast. 10/06/1998 South Dakota Puts Prisoners to Work Using convicts to provide a labor force is drawing criticism. 10/05/1998 Regulations Prove Problematic for Employer-Provided Childcare Rules meant to improve services in metro areas may impede greater Minnesota. 09/30/1998 Upstart Railroad Seeks to Haul More Coal DM&E is an independent railroad with an ambitious expansion plan. 09/30/1998 Connected by Rail A $1.4 billion rail construction project could change the face of southern Minnesota. 09/29/1998 Artist Russell Sharon Connects with His Rural Roots Internationally known Minnesota native hosts an exhibition of his work in his home town. 09/28/1998 Health Care Cuts Hundreds of health care clinics have closed due to last year's changes in Medicare payment. 09/25/1998 Farming the Wind "Wind farms" are generating electricity - and money - for Lake Benton. 09/24/1998 Small Towns Confront Local Racism Benson citizens seek to accommodate an increasingly diverse population. 09/24/1998 Domestic Violence in Rural Minnesota A recent study provides clear evidence that levels of domestic vilence in rural areas match those found in cities. 09/24/1998 Coal Trains Face Opposition Residents are raising concerns about noise and safety if proposed railroad upgrade takes place. 09/22/1998 Mainstreet Radio Special: Live from Sioux Falls Mainstreet Radio looks at railroad expansion and the collapse of farm prices in a live remote broadcast. 09/22/1998 Mainstreet Radio Special: Live from Sioux Falls Mainstreet Radio looks at railroad expansion and the collapse of farm prices in a live remote broadcast. 09/21/1998 Struggling Farmers Rally for Aid Government help is sought by farmers pinched by falling prices, rising costs, and bumper crops. 09/21/1998 Farms Building Ring Dikes Red River Valley farmers are protecting their operations from future floods with ring dikes. 09/17/1998 Dakotas and Canada Skirmish Over Agricultural Commoditie Many question motivation and impact of Canadian truck inspections. 09/16/1998 Inspections of Canadian Trucks Raise NAFTA and GATT Issue Dakota Governors hope truck inspections draw attention to Canadian trade violations. 09/15/1998 Farms Store Crops; Hope for Higher Prices With many farmers waiting to sell, crop storage is at a premium. 09/15/1998 Balancing Ecology and Commerce on the Mississippi Efforts to return the river's backwaters to their original state must take industry into account. 09/14/1998 Riverfront Recreation Cities re-think riverfront usage due to increased traffic on the Mississippi. 09/11/1998 Controversy Engulfs Historic Treaty Re-Enactment Negative impact of historical event makes many question re-enactment. 09/09/1998 Protecting the Health of the Mississippi The River Defense Network Project use computer models and community awareness to prepare for spills. 09/08/1998 New Crop of Genetically Altered Foods Bioengineered plants are welcomed by many farmers but resisted by some scientists and consumers. 09/08/1998 Bemidji's River Renaissance The Mississippi's first city seeks to revitalize its riverfront communities. 08/21/1998 Finding Minnesota's Missing Children The effects of searching reach far beyond the family. 08/17/1998 The Northwest Angle Change is difficult for locals in this unique piece of Minnesota. 08/17/1998 Bin-Busting Harvest A record-breaking harvest could prove to be bad for area farmers. 08/07/1998 Mainstreet Radio Special: Live from Detroit Lakes MPR visits the crowds attending WE Fest and also looks at issues surrounding personal watercraft. 08/07/1998 Mainstreet Radio Special: Live from Detroit Lakes MPR visits the crowds attending WE Fest and also looks at issues surrounding personal watercraft. 08/07/1998 Filmmaker Reveals Histories of Rural Churches Cathedrals in cornfields give a glimpse of the past. 08/06/1998 The Unstable Future of Minnesota Farmers Many owners of small operations wonder how they'll survive. 08/06/1998 Pedal Power Perham pedal-tractor puller has chance at becoming an international champion. 07/31/1998 Saving Bemidji's Depot Renovation of James J. Hill's depot will provide new home for historical society collection . 07/22/1998 North Dakota Rainmakers Though slowly gaining a world-wide clientele, some still question the validity of this science. 07/20/1998 The Roadside Sweet Corn Business No matter where it's found, this summertime favorite proves worth the effort. 07/17/1998 Mainstreet Radio Special: Live from Ely The 1978 Boundary Waters legislation continues to have an impact on visitors and residents. 07/17/1998 Mainstreet Radio Special: Live from Ely The 1978 Boundary Waters legislation continues to have an impact on visitors and residents. 07/17/1998 Boundary Waters Canoe Area: A Contentious History The evolution of the Boundary Waters has involved change in the surrounding communities. 07/16/1998 Rural Population Declines Could Threaten Growth of Regional Centers Future planning proves difficult in a time of uncertain population growth. 07/15/1998 Native Americans Disagree over Manufacture of Cigarettes Two groups argue whether the economic potential of tobacco should outweigh its historical value. 07/08/1998 Going Back to the Land Mark and Julie Adams have found life in Minnesota's north woods to be rewarding - and far from "simple." 07/01/1998 Farmers Protest Railcar Shortage A bumper crop could prove problematic for an over-burdened railroad. 06/26/1998 Roger Maris Still Loved in Hometown Fargo remembers the man who brought down Babe Ruth's home run record. 06/26/1998 Marvin Rainwater Sings Again Interest renews in this country western singer living the quiet life in Aitkin County. 06/26/1998 Closing a Church Community The residents of Oak Ridge have found that a population of 50 can no longer support their 122-year-old parish. 06/23/1998 Mainstreet Radio Special: Live from International Falls Trade and border-crossing issues were presented in this live broadcast from an inspection station. 06/23/1998 Mainstreet Radio Special: Live from International Falls Trade and border-crossing issues were presented in this live broadcast from an inspection station. 06/23/1998 Defending Our Northern Border The US Border Patrol struggles to prevent illegal entry along the 917-mile-long unprotected border with Canada. 06/19/1998 Anderson Center Serves Artists, Scholars The Red Wing home of the inventor of puffed wheat is now a haven for the creative. 06/10/1998 What's Driving U.S. Farm Policies? Some farmers argue that changes in federal policy favor consumers over traditional farming. 06/09/1998 The Economics of Organic Farming Although farmer Carmen Fernholz has found organic farming to be profitable, his approach is not viable for everyone. 06/09/1998 Secretary of Agriculture Visits Region, Hears Woes Hundreds of Red River Valley farmers attended forums where Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman offered to help their plights. 06/09/1998 Regional Farmers Joining Global Economy Farmers are finding the global marketplace to contain both problems and opportunities. 06/08/1998 The Problems with "Freedom To Farm" Changes in national farm policy may exacerbate challenges facing farmers who are already struggling. 06/04/1998 Gore Visits Spencer, Offers Support The vice president said the South Dakota town of 300 will receive immediate federal aid following the recent tornado destruction. 06/02/1998 Rebuilding the Farm after the Storm Farmers in southwestern Minnesota face numerous difficulties while recovering from tornado damage. 06/01/1998 Minnesota's First Cranberry Crop After three years of preparation, Aitkin County bogs are ready to produce. 05/21/1998 Serving Indian Students: What Must Cass Lake Do? Local residents meet the challeges of creating a non-bias learning environment. 05/19/1998 Mainstreet Radio Special: Live from Comfrey From St. Paul's Catholic Church, Comfrey. 05/19/1998 Mainstreet Radio Special: Live from Comfrey From St. Paul's Catholic Church, Comfrey. 05/15/1998 Pollution Control Series - The New MPCA Philosophy and Its Impact Could the agency's approach itself be at the heart of many environmental problems? 05/12/1998 Citizens, Agencies at Odds Over Farm Chemical Use Potato farming in Ottertail County affects wetlands. 05/10/1998 Residents Wait for Air Quality Compliance by Hog Feedlots Residents track emissions of local operations. 05/08/1998 Fishing Begins at Mille Lacs Lake Five thousand boats for Saturday's walleye season opener. 05/04/1998 Rising Waters Threaten Lakeshore Properties Northwestern Minnesota landowners watch helplessly as lakes rise to their highest levels in memory. 04/29/1998 How Do You Define "Organic"? The Department of Agriculture, farmers, and consumers are at odds over what standards should apply to foods labeled organic. 04/21/1998 Treaty Rights and Tribal Sovereignty The assertion of rights provided by the Treaty of 1837 is affecting Minnesota Ojibway and white communities. (Collection) 04/21/1998 Treaty Rights and Tribal Sovereignty The assertion of rights provided by the Treaty of 1837 is affecting Minnesota Ojibway and white communities. (Collection) 04/21/1998 Farmers Calling It Quits in Red River Valley Region A string of bad years has put farmers deeply in debt, forcing some to sell. 04/17/1998 Tribal Sovereignty: Legal History and Modern Practice The complex issues surrounding tribal sovereignty go back to the times of initial European contact and continue to evolve. 04/16/1998 An Ojibway's Perspective on Netting Fish Meet native Vince Merrill who has netted fish for ceremonial purposes. 04/15/1998 Red Lake Walleye Population Ruined Commercial over-fishing of Red Lake is having serious repercussions. 04/15/1998 Flood of '97: Remembering and Rebuilding Meet native Vince Merrill who has netted fish for ceremonial purposes. 04/15/1998 Flood of '97: Remembering and Rebuilding Meet native Vince Merrill who has netted fish for ceremonial purposes. 04/14/1998 Native and White Relations Strained in Mille Lacs Town Race relations in Onamia have grown uneasy as the Mille Lacs Band asserts its treaty rights. 04/14/1998 Field Cleanup Follows Tornadoes Teams of 40-50 volunteers pick debris from fields. 04/13/1998 Transpolar Flight to Honor Aviation Pioneer A North Dakota native revives the memory of Carl Ben Eielson, who in 1928 was the first to cross the arctic by plane. 04/13/1998 Ojibways Exercising Rights Permitted by 1837 Treaty A review of events leading up to the present situation in east central Minnesota. 04/13/1998 Nearby Schools Welcome Comfrey Students Their own school damaged by the March 29 tornado, Comfrey students head to Sanborn for classes. 04/06/1998 Church Service Comforts Comfrey A week after a tornado ruined their town, residents gather for hope and solace. 04/03/1998 Will Comfrey Save Its Tornado-Damaged School? Townspeople will have to decide if their community school should be rebuilt. 04/01/1998 Tornadoes Ruin Farm Livelihoods Following devastating tornadoes, dairy farmers scramble to care for cows and make plans to clean fields and rebuild. 03/30/1998 Living Through the Tornado in Comfrey Residents describe what they experienced when a tornado ripped through their town. 03/18/1998 Summer Hockey The Minnesota State High School League is debating whether or not to promote year-round practices. 03/17/1998 Impoverished Schools among Wealthy Lake Homes The Pequot Lakes School District receives less-than-average state aid because state support is based on assessed property values. 03/13/1998 Remembering the Streets of Bovey The town of Bovey mourns the loss of former police chief and writer Terry Wilkey. 03/13/1998 Overcrowding a Serious Problem for County Jails Many communities share Crookston's challenge of housing a rising inmate population. 03/06/1998 Slaughterhouse Closing Hurts Luverne Luverne loses 370 jobs and a ready market for regional farmers when IBP plant shuts down. 03/02/1998 Saving North Dakota's Rural Churches The National Trust for Historic Preservation is seeking to save some prairie churches. 03/02/1998 After Tragedy, a Team Regroups The Red Lake Warriors were at the top of their game when a player was fatally stabbed. One year later, the team continues to pull together. 02/25/1998 Land Management Questioned The management of school-trust lands is drawing some unexpected attention in northern Minnesota. 02/18/1998 Home Schools; Parents and Coaches This two-hour Mainstreet special from Rochester addresses elements of education from a non-urban perspective. 02/12/1998 US Supreme Court to Hear Indian Tax Case Can tribe-owned property be taxed? The outcome of a Minnesota case will have national implications. 02/10/1998 Minnesota River Cleanup A state-federal conservation project to control farm runoff could significantly improve water quality. 02/03/1998 Eye-to-Eye with the Walleye This inventor's underwater camera brings the fish up close and personal. 01/23/1998 Snags in River Cleanup Should easements to protect the Minnesota River from pollution be permanent or not? Those involved disagree. 01/21/1998 Exotic Influence Arts Across Minnesota brings dance of India to enthusiastic students in Crookston. 01/19/1998 The Race for 23A Voters in southwest Minnesota choose a new state representative. 01/19/1998 Luverne to Lose Packing Plant Meatpacker says lack of cattle supply is reason to pull up stakes. 01/14/1998 Winter Tourism Recorded live in Duluth, this Mainstreet Radio special discusses winter recreation, its impact on the state's economy, and the sometimes conflicting demands of enthusiasts of different sports. 01/14/1998 Machines and Greens Snowmobilers and cross-country skiers cross paths along the Gunflint Trail. 01/02/1998 Shocking Weather A forecaster is out to prove that changes in atmospheric electrical charges can be used to predict the weather. 12/29/1997 Divorce Course Divorcing parents in North Dakota attend classes to learn about the impact on their children. Similar learning is to be required for some couples in Minnesota. 12/22/1997 Squeezing More from a Tree The practice of "green dimensioning" can reduce a sawmill's wasted wood by 15 to 20 percent. 12/18/1997 Olympic Trials Need Snowy Trails They're eyeing the sky at Camp Ripley, hoping that ski trails stay snow-covered for upcoming biathlon trials. 12/11/1997 Two Discussions: Employment Challenges and Indian Relations Broadcast live from Mankato Minnesota, a discussion of labor and race relations in rural Minnesota. 12/11/1997 Two Discussions: Employment Challenges and Indian Relations Broadcast live from Mankato Minnesota, a discussion of labor and race relations in rural Minnesota. 12/10/1997 Who's Coaching Girls' Sports? While the popularity of high school girls' basketball increases, the number of female coaches declines. 12/10/1997 Fiber Optic to the Farm Two Minnesota communities are part of an experiment that may signal lasting changes for rural residents. 12/08/1997 Certification for Environmentally Managed Forests Smartwood is an international non-profit group that approves woodlands managed under strict environmental guidelines, but how will it work in the marketplace? 12/04/1997 Fungus Attacking Barley, Wheat Farmers and researchers struggle against a blight that has already cost the region billions of dollars over the past five years. 12/04/1997 Dredge or Dredge Not? State Ditch 83 in Northwestern Minnesota may be due for a cleanup, but some folks like it the way it is. 11/16/1997 Bison Make a Comeback Ranchers are discovering the economic advantages of raising buffalo. When compared to beef cattle, costs are less, and the meat sells for more. 11/06/1997 Rail Rates Hit Small Elevators Minnesota grain-elevator managers were among those testifying in Washington on Thursday, November 6, 1997 about poor railroad service. 11/06/1997 Deer Hunting in Minnesota A special live broadcast from Bemidji Minnesota about managing the deer population. 11/03/1997 Meth Speeds through Midwest Law enforcement officials say an old drug is making a comeback in the Midwest: methamphetamine. 10/24/1997 Wind Farming on Buffalo Ridge Composer Conlon Nancarrow wrote music that was so complex that human beings simply couldn't play it. So he began creating music expressly for an instrument that requires no human hand: the player piano. 10/22/1997 The Satellite Pack: Tracking Wolf Populations Biologists are now using satellite technology to forecast where wolves will show up next. 10/21/1997 State Regulations Dampen Day Care Biologists are now using satellite technology to forecast where wolves will show up next. 10/20/1997 Hybrid Corn: Genetic Diversity at Risk? A new survey shows 78 percent of Minnesotans rank their families as "very" or "exceptionally" strong. 10/09/1997 Legacy of the 1989 Labor Uprising Eight years ago last month, 500 union supporters ran amok in the northern border town of International Falls. 10/08/1997 The Impact of Technology on Rural Minnesota Live from Upsala, Minnesota 10/08/1997 The Impact of Technology on Rural Minnesota Live from Upsala, Minnesota 10/08/1997 Catholic Town Finds Change Slow, Inevitable Pierz, holding steady at a thousand people, is still a one-church town, but things are slowly changing. In the schools, on main street, and in the church. 10/07/1997 House of Straw Houses made of straw bales are making a revival that's reached from New Mexico to New Zealand to Northern Minnesota. 10/07/1997 Charter School a Survivor Four years ago, we reported on the opening of one of Minnesota's first charter schools in the tiny, remote town of Meadowlands. Four years later, there are 26 charter schools in Minnesota, and the little school in Meadowlands still survives. 10/06/1997 Main Street Economics Officials in Good Thunder would love to bring some jobs to town, but that just hasn't happened. 08/08/1997 Tall Tales from the North Woods Stories of bizarre varmints come to life at the Forest History Center. 07/30/1997 Leech Trapper Rod Fudge is the largest supplier of leeches in the upper Midwest, and he catches them all by hand. 05/23/1997 Finnish Reggae "Come-a come-a come-a come-a come-a take a sauna with me / We'll let the steam go / And yump in the snow." 05/14/1997 Small Businesses Reeling "I feel the business people are coming out on the short end of the stick." 05/01/1997 Day of Prayer in Fargo "God has his ways of setting off the alarm clock and waking us up." 04/30/1997 Homeowners Face the Costs "It's hard enough for something like this to happen; and then to worry about financial situations." 04/16/1997 Mainstreet Radio Special Report A two-hour broadcast with interviews, call-ins, and on-the-scene reports linking MPR's St. Paul and Moorhead studios. 04/16/1997 Mainstreet Radio Special Report A two-hour broadcast with interviews, call-ins, and on-the-scene reports linking MPR's St. Paul and Moorhead studios. 04/07/1997 Flooding in Granite Falls "We're hanging on by our fingernails." 03/01/1997 The Winter of 1997 Mainstreet Radio looks back on the brutal winter that ravaged northwestern Minnesota.

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