Monday, September 22

State Republican delegates gathered for their state convention in Bemidji over the weekend. Their straw polls on candidates for Governor and Attorney General resulted in a surprise upset by ONE candidate...and a predictable victory for another. Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe was there, and has this report.

Next time you drive over a bridge say a word of thanks to underwater welders. They are the hardy souls who brave the cold and muck of lakes and rivers to build bridges, repair dams and do all other manner of wet construction work. In today's Odd Jobs report Minnesota Public Radio's Gretchen Lehmann uncovers the world below with Minnesota School of Diving instructor Mark Owens and his student Garrett Silvernail as they practice underwater welding in a tank in Brainerd.

On Future Tense: filtering software. New York City librarian Karen Schneider and some colleauges around the country put all manner of filtering software to work in real-life library situations. Schneider is compiling the findings in a soon-to-be-released book called A Practical Guide to Internet Filters.

As the end of the third quarter approaches, stock market investors are starting to look closely at the prospects for corporate earnings reports. Here's what Mn Public Radio's Chris Farrell is thinking about.

Rep. Joe of Opatz of St. Cloud discusses the legislative prospects for U of M President Mark Yudof's enormous capital spending proposal.

U of M Extension Horticulturalist Deb Brown discusses getting rid of weeds by applying herbicides in the fall.

Tuesday, September 23

Throughout the summer, the two state agencies that regulate out-of-home placement for children, have been collecting public testimony on a so-called "umbrella" rule. The last of those public hearings will be held in St. Paul over the next couple weeks....with one tonight at the Hubbs Learning Center on University Avenue. The new "umbrella" rule basically MERGES the foster care licensing roles of the Department of Corrections and the Department of Human Services. State lawmakers pushed for the merger partly to comply with new federal guidelines, but also as a way to give more attention to the needs of foster children. But as Minnesota Public Radio's Lorna Benson reports, the "umbrella" rule has been a thorn in the side of many foster families who fear it will make their lives a bureaucratic nightmare.

On Future Tense, Houston Chronicle computer columnist Dwight Silverman on the UNreal threat of e-mail delivered computer viruses.

Kathy Heidel leads us to a patch of goldenrod where we find a grasshopper and a bug hiding insiding one of the plants.

Mick Souder of the Minnesota E-Democracy Project discusses an ad being placed on the Internet by candidate Ted Mondale.

Wednesday, September 24

On Future Tense, today's Internet browsers are bigger and more feature-rich than ever before. In fact, many people say the programs have gotten too big and try to do too much. Future Tense analyst bill Loving says browser makers Netscape and Microsoft are apparently listening - they're offering scaled-down versions of their new browswers.

It's no longer surprising to hear most of the day-to-day functions of any business are conducted using a computer....and computers and laptops are fast becoming standard in the home too. But now this technology is being put to a new use in Minnesota. It's a concept known as "community networks." These networks use the Internet, chatrooms and e-mail to connect people not from across the world, but from across the street. Minnesota Public Radio's Gretchen Lehmann reports.

Mpls Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton reacts to the incident after her debate with Barbara Carlson which ended with her bodyguard firing his gun.

Barbara Carlson reacts to the incident.

P.O.S.T. Board Executive Director John Laux talks about when it's appropriate for an officer to fire a gun.

Thursday, September 25

Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton is urging the city's residents to show tolerance, respect and civility during the current mayoral race. At a joint appearance with her challenger Barbara Carlson yesterday, Sayles Belton said it would be wrong to use an altercation that occurred after a candidate debate this week as evidence of a racially divided city. Carlson says there is racial division in Minneapolis. She says it needs to be discussed more openly. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen reports.

On Future Tense... All over the country, public libraries are under pressure to prevent children from viewing pornography on the Internet. In San Jose, California this week, the city council rejected a proposal by council member Pat Dando that would have required the city's 22 libraries to install filtering software that would block internet pronography. Dando says she will keep fighting for the restrictions.

Minneapolis officials are relieved the city's murder rate is down. But people in the city's most crime infested neighborhoods are taking little comfort. The protesters at the mayoral debate earlier this week where tempers flared and the mayor's police security guard fired at a man suspected of assault are from the Phillips neighborhood. Some Phillips residents say the streets are still open drug markets with sellers and buyers doing a brisk business. Residents complain gunfire is rampant and police don't show up fast enough when residents call 911 to report drug dealing. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports.

Farmer Kevin Paap discusses the fall harvest which is going well so far.

Friday, September 26

Last summer, researchers at the 11th International Conference on AIDS in Vancouver were practically bursting with excitement over new drugs that had reduced HIV in some patients to undetectable levels. A year later, the drugs have worked their magic on thousands of AIDS patients bringing many back from the brink of death. The treatment successes have prompted sudden changes in patients lives, government health insurance plans and prevention programs. Tomorrow, Minnesota AIDS activists will discuss these changes during the 1997 State of AIDS Conference in Minneapolis... AND, plot their next step in dealing with the disease. As Minnesota Public Radio's Lorna Benson reports, most are still optimistic about the treatment breakthroughs...even though new data is beginning to dispel the notion that these drugs can cure AIDS.

What began as a military training exercise in 17th century Europe has grown to a popular sport around the world. Orienteering is an outdoor activity requiring speed, endurance and precise map reading skills. Thousands of orienteers worldwide are in Minnesota this weekend for the largest competition ever held in North America. As Minnesota Public Radio's Todd Moe reports, competitors will navigate their way through unknown terrain ranging from Camp Snoopy to the woods of Camp Ripley.

On Future Tense, the San Jose, California City Council has rejected a proposal to install software to block out sexually explicit material from computers at city libraries. San Jose city librarian Jane Light says the plan was aimed at a problem that doesn't really exist.

Meteorologist Mark Seeley discusses the weather, when is a storm called a hurricaine and momentous weather events on this date in history.

Farmer Sever Peterson talks about his corn maze and plans for future mazes.

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