Monday, July 14

The pictures of the planet Mars sent by Pathfinder have captivated attention here on Earth. One researcher says another mission now heading to Mars will really wow amateurs and scientists alike. Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes reports from Rochester.

The 1980s' was a decade known for trends, and one of the hottest was stand-up comedy. In the Twin Cities and around the country, comedy clubs were popping up everywhere and packing in people. Familiar names such as Louie Anderson, Tom Arnold, and Scott Hansen launched their stand-up careers here. But eventually, greed and mediocrity killed off a lot of comedy clubs, and the craze flickered out. Today, comedy clubs are attempting to make a comeback, and at many, the emphasis is not on cashing in, but on building for the future. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen and Chris Roberts found two local comedians who reflect the new spirit of comedy. Here's an excerpt from their report.

The federal government is offering Minnesota 600-thousand dollars a year to teach school-age children how to abstain from having sex. Congress has stipulated that the money can't be used to promote any other methods of birth control. Minnesota wants to use the grant to expand a 2-year old abstinence education program called "Education Now and Babies Later",; or ENABL, operating in 9 communities around the state. Val Kvale-Lunning coordinates the ENABL program in Freeborn County. We also talk to Nancy Nelson, co-director of the Minnesota Organization on Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention and Parenting.

Naturalist Kathy Heidel leads exploration walks at the Lowry Nature Center near Victoria, Minnesota. She and Bob Potter recently discovered just what's been nibbling at the goldenrod.

Tuesday, July 15

It's been nearly three months since the swollen Red River gushed over the dike protecting the Lincoln Drive neighborhood in Grand Forks; yet the lives of neighborhood residents are still in flux. They've learned that flood recovery is agonizingly slow, and continues long after the nation's attention has moved on to another disaster. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum has been following the recovery progress with three families who live in the Lincoln Drive neighborhood, and has this report.

Two to three Minnesotans are competing for every low-skill job available in the state. That's according to a new study released by Northern Illinois University. The study says this job shortage could make it difficult for welfare recipients to find work and meet the requirements of Minnesota's new welfare law. Nick Theodore is project director of research and planning with the Chicago Urban League. He co-authored the report.

The storms that swept across Minnesota on Sunday destroyed an estimated 30-thousand acres of corn and soybeans. But in most parts of the state, the recent cool, damp weather has allowed crops to grow well... according to the Minnesota Agricultural Statistics Service. Kevin Paap grows corn and soybeans on his farm in Garden City in south central Minnesota.

Wednesday, July 16

As you drive along country roads in the Upper Midwest this summer, watch for old-fashioned, wood farmhouses. There aren't many left. They are remnants of an important piece of our region's history. The hastily-built homes once dotted the horizon. The families who lived in them were the vanguard of the modern farm economy. Their labors inspired writers such as O. E. Rolvaag and Willa Cather. Dan Olson visited a Minnesota farmer who remembers the old days and a St. Paul photographer who has documented the old homes.

Barbara Carlson has made it official. Early yesterday evening she filed the papers and entered the race for mayor of Minneapolis. Carlson, who served on the Minneapolis City Council as a Republican, listed herself as an independent. Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe reports on the official start of what could be an interesting campaign.

Chisago County Attorney Jim Reuter discusses the killing of fashion designer and how it could impact his case agianst Andrew Cunanan.

Minneapolis City Council member Steve Minn discusses Barbara Carlson's run for mayor. He is the council's only indpendent and he supports Carlson.

Thursday, July 17

MNDOT spokesman Andy Brown discusses the situation at 494 and Penn where the road is closed due to flooding.

Loretto Fire Chief Herb Cook discusses his department's rescue of three YMCA campers who were injured during last night's storm.

Star Tribune columnist Jim KLOBUCHAR discusses the tradition of torturing Vikings in the heat of Mankato.

Catherine Shreves who chaired the citizens panel concerning the redesign of Lake Harriet discusses the plan which was agreed to last night.

Friday, July 18

Art crawlers hungry for some new work may consider stopping by an abandoned soap factory in Minneapolis this weekend. The Teen Art Council at the Walker Art Center has put together what it calls "a teen curated teen art show" containing the work of more than than 70 young artists from around the metro area. The show's curators say visitors who tend to dismiss teen artists might be in for a surprise. Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Roberts has more.

MCDA Executive Director Rebecca Yanisch describes a new riverfront housing project that will break ground on Monday, largest of its kind in Mpls.

Meteorologist Mark Seeley talks about some of the biggest rain storms in Minnesota history, all of which occured in mid-July.

U of M Extension Horticulturalist Deb Brown talks about getting rid of tree limbs and how to grow big zukes and cukes.

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