Story archive for
Mark Steil
Sort stories by date / Sort stories by author |
| Date |
Title |
Description |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 10/23/2000 |
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. |
| 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. |
| 08/02/2000 |
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. |
| 07/07/2000 |
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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 09/13/1999 |
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. |
| 09/02/1999 |
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. |
| 08/05/1999 |
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. |
| 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. |
| 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? |
| 04/13/1999 |
The Organic Alternative |
Farmers who are in love with soybeans and corn find an alternative to their dilemma. |
| 03/29/1999 |
Comfrey's Comeback |
Minnesota community struggles back from 1998's devastating series of tornadoes. |
| 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. |
| 03/09/1999 |
Disconnected |
Some telephone companies pull out of Minnesota; leaving small towns wondering whether they can compete. |
| 03/02/1999 |
Farmers React |
Ventura promise of aid is helps, but farmers say it's not enough. |
| 02/08/1999 |
Towns Prepare for Y2K |
Plans are even underway to deputize gun owners if things go awry. |
| 12/28/1998 |
Farm Crisis Review |
A look back at one of the most difficult years that Minnesota's farmers have ever faced. |
| 12/15/1998 |
Hog Farmers Losing Money Due to Over-Supply |
Meat processor "packer contracts" may be responsible for creating surplus. |
| 11/20/1998 |
Construction Drives Comfrey Comeback |
With businesses and homeowners rebuilding, tornado will be remembered as a new beginning. |
| 09/25/1998 |
Farming the Wind |
"Wind farms" are generating electricity - and money - for Lake Benton. |
| 09/24/1998 |
Coal Trains Face Opposition |
Residents are raising concerns about noise and safety if proposed railroad upgrade takes place. |
| 09/21/1998 |
Struggling Farmers Rally for Aid |
Government help is sought by farmers pinched by falling prices, rising costs, and bumper crops. |
| 09/15/1998 |
Farms Store Crops; Hope for Higher Prices |
With many farmers waiting to sell, crop storage is at a premium. |
| 08/17/1998 |
Bin-Busting Harvest |
A record-breaking harvest could prove to be bad for area farmers. |
| 07/20/1998 |
The Roadside Sweet Corn Business |
No matter where it's found, this summertime favorite proves worth the effort. |
| 07/15/1998 |
Native Americans Disagree over Manufacture of Cigarettes |
Two groups argue whether the economic potential of tobacco should outweigh its historical value. |
| 07/01/1998 |
Farmers Protest Railcar Shortage |
A bumper crop could prove problematic for an over-burdened railroad. |
| 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. |
| 05/10/1998 |
Residents Wait for Air Quality Compliance by Hog Feedlots |
Residents track emissions of local operations. |
| 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. |
| 04/14/1998 |
Field Cleanup Follows Tornadoes |
Teams of 40-50 volunteers pick debris from fields. |
| 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. |
| 03/06/1998 |
Slaughterhouse Closing Hurts Luverne |
Luverne loses 370 jobs and a ready market for regional farmers when IBP plant shuts down. |
| 02/18/1998 |
Home Schools; Parents and Coaches |
This two-hour Mainstreet special from Rochester addresses elements of education from a non-urban perspective. |
| 02/10/1998 |
Minnesota River Cleanup |
A state-federal conservation project to control farm runoff could significantly improve water quality. |
| 01/23/1998 |
Snags in River Cleanup |
Should easements to protect the Minnesota River from pollution be permanent or not? Those involved disagree. |
| 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. |
| 12/10/1997 |
Who's Coaching Girls' Sports? |
While the popularity of high school girls' basketball increases, the number of female coaches declines. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 10/20/1997 |
Hybrid Corn: Genetic Diversity at Risk? |
A new survey shows 78 percent of Minnesotans rank their families as "very" or "exceptionally" strong. |
| 10/06/1997 |
Main Street Economics |
Officials in Good Thunder would love to bring some jobs to town, but that just hasn't happened. |
| 05/14/1997 |
Small Businesses Reeling |
"I feel the business people are coming out on the short end of the stick." |
| 04/30/1997 |
Homeowners Face the Costs |
"It's hard enough for something like this to happen; and then to worry about financial situations." |
| 04/07/1997 |
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. |
 |
