Monday, April 7

Rising water now covers miles of farmland in the Red River valley. Even though preparations have been going on for weeks...the flooding is so severe many rural residents have been cut off by rising water and unable to escape. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Gunderson reports.

In the next few weeks, the Mille Lacs and other Ojibwe bands will begin taking fish under the terms of a treaty signed in 1837. The treaty harvest has raised tensions, especially around Mille Lacs Lake--one of the state's most popular fisheries. MPR's Leif Enger reports.

An Ely man accused of leading police on a high speed snowmobile chase through the BWCA Wilderness makes a court appearance in Two Harbors today. The Loe case has been a focal point for controversy in the Ely area. Mainstreet Radio's Catherine Winter reports.

State emergency director Jim Franklin discusses new evacuations caused by flooding in Ada and elsewhere around the state.

Lobbying John Knapp previews this week at the legislature and points out that concerns over the start of treaty fishing and the rapid onset of flooding are gaining legislators' attention.

National Weather Service hydrologist Gary McDevitt says the cold weather probably won't slow flooding much, but it may make the high water stick around longer.

Beth Russell, an emergency supervisor for Chippewa County, says residents of Montevideo are optimistic that they'll be able to stave off still-rising floodwaters.

Chris Farrell keeps up his inflation watch on Monday Markets.

And on Future Tense: Analysts are downplaying a possible acquisition of the online Compuserve by its bigger rival, American Online, saying it appears possible but unlikely. But compuserve has admitted it is actively seeking a buyer.

Tuesday, April 8

A University of Minnesota study says poverty does not cause children to do poorly in school... contrary to what many educators have long assumed. Minnesota Public Radio's John Biewen reports.

Governor Carlson urges Minnesotans to peacefully resolve their problems over Chippewa Indians fishing rights, and tribal officials briefed Chippewa band members about the upcoming fishing season. Minnesota Public Radio's Jon Gordon reports.

Around Mille Lacs, lakeside residents responded to Governor Carlson's treaty fishing address with a mixture of relief and doubt. Leif Enger of Mainstreet Radio reports.

The State Public Health Laboratory, responsible for battling salmonella, meningitis, tuberculosis and other diseases celebrates its centennial anniversary today. Minnesota Public Radio's Lorna Benson reports.

MN Senator Rod Grams discusses efforts to reach a balanced federal budget and get federal flood relief for the state.

A horticulturist at the U of M landscape arboretum calms fears about what the return of freezing temperatures will do to sprouting and budding plants.

MPR's Mark Steil gives an update from Granite Falls where the Minnesota River is holding steady and is expected to begin falling today.

And on Future Tense: Early media coverage of the "Heaven's Gate" mass suicide in San Diego focused on the cult's web page and web page design operation. Houston Chronicle technology writer Dwight Silverman that was a mistake.

Wednesday, April 9

An education expert says not all kids have an equal opportunity to learn because of disparaties in education funding. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports.

A Minneapolis school principal says other factors play as important a role in education as school funding. Among them: parental involvement and contact with concerned adults.

MPR's Mark Steil has a debrief on yesterday's flooding along the Minnesota River and conditions in New Ulm where the river is likely to crest today.

And on Future Tense: The internet and other computer networks are changing how many of us interact with our doctors. Because of digital imaging, patient's at the Mayo Clinic don't have to travel as much to see specialists in other cities or countries.

Thursday, April 10

A federal appeals court has refused to allow eight Ojibway bands, including six from Wisconsin, to spear and gillnet on Mille Lacs and other Minnesota lakes this spring. Minnesota Public Radio's Jon Gordon reports.

Legislation for a new Twins ballpark has cleared a key committee in the Minnesota House. The Local Government committee rejected the stadium bill earlier this month...but decided last night to pass the measure along without recommendation. MPR's Bill Wareham reports.

Yesterday people in Fargo-Moorhead learned they had as little as 36 hours to raise dikes by two feet because the river could go higher than earlier predicted. Minnesota Public Radios Dan Gunderson reports.

Trina Berg who lives right along the Red River near Fargo says she's unsure whether all the work she's done to protect her home will be enough to keep the floodwaters back.

Like Minnesota, many states are trying to come up with ways to reform their welfare systems. We'll hear about the biggest challenges and some innovative solutions.

A spokesperson from MNDOT reports on metro area roads closed due to flooding and bridges across the Mississippi at St. Croix rivers that are likely to close in the next few days.

And on Future Tense: The Social Security Agency has decided to disable an web site that gave taxpayers access to their Social Security records. Some lawmakers IN WASHINGTON asked for the action until privacy concerns can be addressed.

Friday, April 11

Residents of Breckenridge are preparing for round two of their battle with the Red River. The river is expected to crest again this weekend, as the community is still trying to recover from a mix of floodwater, rain and a blizzard. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.

The Minnesota House passed a major welfare reform bill LATE last night after Speaker Phil Carruthers broke a logjam over an abortion-related amendment. Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe reports.

This week's cold snap has halted maple syrup production around the state. In some cases, the sudden freeze may have damaged the equipment maple syrup producers use. Mainstreet Radio's Catherine Winter reports.

Mark Seeley talks about this weeks floods and winter weather and forecasts a slow warmup...and more storms...for the week ahead.

DNR Commission Rod Sando says he has reservations about removing fishing limits on Lake Mille Lacs even though the Indian treaty harvest has been delayed by a federal court ruling.

Several power cooperatives in Minnesota will give their customers the option to pay higher rates if they want the money to go towards building more wind power stations in southwest Minnesota.

And on Future Tense: North Dakota State University in Fargo is one of ten schools nationwide to receive grants from the Library of Congress to put digital versions of historical archives on the internet. NDSU will use the grant to publish more than 900 images documenting the settlement and development of the upper great plains.

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