Monday, December 29

President Clinton wants every child to have access to computers and the Internet. In Minnesota, public education officials say they're getting close to that goal, with about 90-percent schools now on-line. The state has spent millions of dollars in that past three years building an infrastruture for computer technology in schools, but little has been done to train teachers to use it. Educators say its time to move the technology emphasis from installing wires to developing ways the internet can help students learn. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.

Humans aren't the ones who can benefit from a relaxing massage after a tough day...horses are also taking advantage of a good rub-down to soothe their aches and pains. In this morning's Odd Jobs segment we meet Cindy Bauer, a certified animal masseuse. For the lats year, she's travelled to stables throughout Central Minnesota to massage sore necks and strained hindquarters to keep horses in top shape for competition. Minnesota Public Radio's Gretchen Lehmann met up with Cindy Bauer at her stable in Onamia.

On Future Tense: Forbes Magazine has named Compaq Computer Corporation its company of the year. Forbes says the Houston, Texas company came out of nowhere to occupy a powerful position in today's key industry. Dwight Silverman covers Compaq for the Houstin Chronicle...he says Compaq has some very ambitious plans for the next couple of years.

Carleton Political Science professor Steven Schier discusses the year in politics.

Dr. Steve Scallen, interim director of the Human Factors Research Lab at the University of Minnesota and Dr. Peter Hancock, the lab's regular director, discuss the work that the lab does testing how humans interact with technology.

Tuesday, December 30

On Future Tense: The University of Minnesota's new Dean of the Graduate School and Vice President for Research, Christine Maziar, will try to funnel research discoveries in the fields of biotechnology and digital technology into the private sector. Maziar comes from the University of Texas at Austin.

A Minnesota photographer of Icelandic heritage has collaborated with a photographer from Iceland to create an exhibit illustrating Icelandic immigrants connection to austere landscapes in the Upper Midwest. The exhibit is on display at the PARTS gallery in south Minneapolis. Mainstreet Radios Dan Gunderson reports.

Radiologists use x-ray machines, magnetic resonance imaging and cat scans among other tools to examine the insides of human beings. However a Minneapolis radiologist has discovered cat scans are equally effective in exploring the inner workings of violins, violas and cellos. As Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Roberts reports, the discovery has shaken up the world of rare string instruments.

Fargo resident Trina Berg discusses her family's decision to stay in their home after nearly being flooded out last spring. She says the rest of the neighborhood is being torn down.

Wednesday, December 31

Still stinging after the expense of dealing with LAST winters storms in Northwestern Minnesota, Clay County officials are now proposing a fine for stranded travelers who ignore travel advisories.... and charging them for recovery costs. Clay follows Ottertail County which has already implemented a similar law. Minnesota Public Radio's Hope Deutscher reports.

Eight thousand Greater Grand Forks residents are expected at the fourth annual "First Night New Year's Celebration" tonight. The event features various community arts groups...and As the clock ticks into 1998....artists, musicians, and performers in Grand Forks have a lot to celebrate. In the wake of Red River flooding last spring, they've taken the forefront in rebuilding community spirit, even as they themselves were getting back on their feet. Minnesota Public Radio's Hope Deutscher reports.

On Future Tense: Some companies are buying Internet sites with unflattering names -- to keep critics from getting them. Bell Atlantic, for instance, paid for one site under the name "Bell-Atlantic-sucks-dot-com.". But the phone company let the name expire, and detractors have now taken it for a compaint page on the Internet.

Father John Estrem, Rector of the Cathedral of St. Paul, discusses tonight's ceremony during which a door will be sealed until the year 2000.

City Pages writer Brit Robson discusses the Timberwolves victory last night over the Chicago Bulls, the first time the Wolves have ever beaten the Bulls.

Thursday, January 1

Downtown St. Paul celebrated its second "alternative" New Year's Eve festival last night. Focused on the arts, rather than alcohol, "A Capital New Year" featured music, mask-making, movies and more. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.

Stock Analyst Paul Chapman looks back at the year on Wall Street.

Singer/educator Marti Erickson discusses her new CD for kids and parents.

Friday, January 2

On Future Tense: Dan Gillmor writes a popular column about computers for the San Jose Mercury news. In a recent column, Gillmor outlined what he sees as the top computer stories for 1997. First on his list: he emergence of voice recognition programs.

Over the last 4 decades The National Weather Service has significantly improved its ability to forecast weather for the next few days. But reliable forecasts farther into the future remain elusive. A forecaster at the National Weather Service office in Grand Forks thinks he's found a much better way to tell us what the weather will be a month or even a year from now, but many scientists are skeptical. Mainstreet Radio's Dan Gunderson reports.

Minnesota's new Criminal Gang Strike Force has been in business for two months now, with 40 full-time agents dedicated to tracking the activities of the Twin Cities' suspected criminal gangs. That effort is now going statewide, as the Strike Force gets ready to set up regional bureaus in cities like Duluth and Moorhead. Politicians say the anti-gang effort is long overdue in Minnesota's small towns and rural areas, but some local law enforcement experts say they're not so sure outstate Minnesota requires a big-city-style anti-gang offensive. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports.

Minneapolis does Disney tonight at the Walker Art Center. Nine bands will be performing songs from the studio's films. Wendy Lewis's band, "Mary Nail," will be one of the performers. She and bass player Cully Swanson joined me in the studio to perform the song "Love" from the movie "Robin Hood." First, she told Bob Potter why the band was interested in playing Disney songs.

Former Vikings coach Jerry Burns discusses playoff success and the Vikings chances in Saturday's game.

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