Monday, August 9

Just as small rural communities once competed for rail lines now towns see telecommunications as the vital link which will keep them flourishing. This week Mainstreet Radio will visit several towns, each trying a different technique to make sure they are "wired." Promises made about impact of the information superhighway may be about to come true in the city of Bemidji. A local telephone cooperative is busy burying miles of fiber optic cable that will allow data speeds about a thousand times faster than the average home modem. There's a flurry of similar activity throughout Minnesota, as rural communities do what they can to make sure they don't get left behind. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Robertson reports some see getting wired as a make or break issue for some rural communities.

Computers have helped society create and publish an ocean of information. But much of that data is in danger of going down the drain. Minnesota Public Radio's Jon Gordon has a look at the perils of archiving computer files, and why some people say our inability to save such digital information could be a problem that's with us long after the Y2K bug is a distant memory.

There's no letup to inflation worries on Wall Street. The latest economic data contribute to a feeling that the Federal Reserve will hike short-term interest rates later this month. Here's an assessment from Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Farrell.

Governor Jesse Ventura plans to appear on a live pro-wrestling TV show tonight to promote his upcoming appearance at a World Wrestling Federation event. Ventura is attending the National Governors' Association conference in St. Louis but will fly to Chicago to be on the show. Ventura has been criticized for agreeing to act as a referee at the WWF's Summer Slam later this month... in part, because he stands to earn a significant amount of money through the use of his name and other royalties. Twin Cities-based journalist Brit Robson writes frequently about sports and politics.

Minnesota Vikings first round draft pick Dimitrius Underwood says he will return to training camp in Mankato and ask for another chance with the team. Underwood walked out of camp eight days ago. He told the Star Tribune that he left to contemplate joining the ministry, but decided to return after speaking with Reverend Reggie White, a former Green Bay Packer. The team has said it doesn't want Underwood back Don Banks covers the Vikings for the St. Paul Pioneer Press. He says the Vikings players are skeptical of Underwood's story.

Just as small rural communities once competed for rail lines now towns see telecommunications as the vital link which will keep them flourishing. This week Mainstreet Radio will visit several towns, each trying a different technique to make sure they are "wired." City officials in Windom in southwest Minnesota are considering launching the state's first new municipal telephone business in more than 75 years. There are only two city-owned phone companies in Minnesota now, but changes in the telecommunications industry have several other communities looking at the possibility. Telephone companies oppose the idea, they say private enterprise can deliver phone service more efficiently than government. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Steil reports.

Last night in suburban Chicago Governor Jesse Ventura appeared at a World Wrestling Federation event to promote his role as a guest referee in the upcoming Championship match between Stone Cold Steve Austin and Triple-H. Here's and excerpt of a "discussion" between Ventura and Triple-H broadcast on the USA cable network.

As St. Paul Mayor Norm Coleman continues his search for new Twins ownership and west metro officials consider their options for retaining the team in Minneapolis, opponents of publicly subsidized ballparks grow increasingly frustrated. They wonder why, in the face of significant public opposition, the debate continues. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports.

Right now only a small percentage the country's population has ever bought anything over the net. But with the number of Americans gaining access to the World Wide Web rising fast, analysts confidently predict E-COMMERCE will dramatically change retailing. Almost every day another major retailer unveils plans to open up shop on the Internet. This month one of the nation's largest retailers - Dayton Hudson - plans to dramatically increase its Internet presence. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports.

The growth of American software companies has been impressive over the last couple of years. But many say the growth would be even more dramatic if there were more qualified programmers and network specialists to fill open jobs. Bernie Aaronson heads up Synplicity, a Silicon Valley company that makes software used in designing computer chips. He supports new proposals to allow more highly skilled overseas workers into the US. I asked him to characterize the labor market.

The last eclipse of the millennium is underway. Millions of people across Europe, the Middle East and India are being treated to a spectacular light show today as the moon moves directly in front of the sun. Unfortunately, Minnesota does not lie in the path of the eclipse, but you can see the event unfolding live on the Discovery Channel and on several websites. For our own blow-by-blow coverage we've called up Minnesota Public Radio classical music announcer Tom Crann who is spending a year abroad in Ireland, hosting music programs for Lyric FM.

People living in rural areas have for decades depended on local rural telephone companies for telephone service. With the help of federal subsidies they provide affordable phone service to even the most remote rural areas. Those companies have staked out their territory, strung phone lines and until recently faced little competition. But now, in a move which could have a ripple effect across the country, a cellular phone company in North Dakota wants to start providing residential phone service. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Gunderson reports rural telephone companies are crying foul.

One year ago environmental and Native American activists dug in their heels to fight the rerouting of Highway 55 in south Minneapolis. The protesters have survived a police raid and lost a campsite, yet they continue a 24 hour a day presence in the path of the highway's expansion. MnDOT officials say their plan is on track despite the protestors' actions to stop it. Minnesota Public Radio's Lynette Nyman reports.

Minnesota taxpayers should receive their sales tax rebate checks by Labor Day and that means they'll have some extra money to spend. The Minnesota Department of Revenue estimates that the average rebate will be about $650. Minnesota Public Radio's Torsten Teichmann talked with some people in St. Paul about what they intend to do with their rebate money.

Norwest Chief Economist Dr. Sohn Won Sohn discusses the rebate's impact on the Minnesota economy.

There have been calls for more police officers in the downtown Minneapolis area following a melee after bar closing early Sunday. Hundreds of people threw rocks and bottles at the police. Fifty officers in riot gear arrived to control the crowd. It isn't clear what prompted the disturbance. Sharon Lubinski is Inspector for the Minneapolis Police Department's downtown precinct, and she's on the line now.

Earlier this week, Wells Fargo, Chase Manhattan and First Union announced plans to offer a new online bill paying service. The banks are working with utilities, phone companies and other billers to set up a system that will allow consumers to view their bills online and pay them with a click of the mouse. Bert Ely is a banking consultant based in Alexandria, Virgina.

St. Paul's city attorney is advising the city council against suing gun manufacturers. Council members will meet privately with their attorney for further discussion of a possible product liability lawsuit aimed at recovering damages caused by gun violence. but the idea has little support on the council. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen reports.

While St. Paul Mayor Norm Coleman's plans to build a new ballpark for the Minnesota Twins has grabbed recent headlines, another stadium drive is afoot. Vikings owner Red McCombs has been lobbying city, county, and state officials for a new football stadium. Yesterday, McCombs took his pitch directly to Governor Jesse Ventura, who has been a vocal opponent of publicly subsidized sports facilities. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports.

Wells Fargo, already the world's largest Internet bank with a million online customers, is making a big bet on online banking. Chief executive Richard Kovacevich sat down with Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Farrell to talk about his bank's drive to gain business over the Internet and last year's merger between Wells Fargo and Norwest.

A three year investigation into allegations of fraud in the housing program on the White Earth Indian reservation may result in federal indictments. The current tribal government says millions of dollars intended for housing was misappropriated during the administration of Darrell "Chip" Wadena. Wadena, who recently completed a two year federal prison sentence for corruption, denies the allegations. Tribal leaders are also blaming the federal government, claiming it failed to properly monitor how federal housing funds were used. Minnesota Public Radios Dan Gunderson reports.

This morning, the US Agriculture Department will release its most detailed estimate so far of the nation's corn and soybean production. Its expected US and Minnesota yields will be down from last year because of widespread weather problems. The crop problems have driven grain prices higher, a bit of good news for financially pressed farmers. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Steil reports.

That music means it's time for Meteorologist Mark Seeley's weekly weather chat, but Mark's on vacation this week. Even though he's not in town, we could hear from him at any time. Mark often sends us e-mail messages with information about weather records or other interesting tidbits. A newsroom gets lots of e-mails, but one from Mark Seeley always creates a stir.

Imagine Minnesota without a legal system. That was the case before 1849 when Minnesota, then a territory, had no judges, no courtrooms to settle disputes. But 150 years ago this month, that all changed as Minnesota's first justice Aaron Goodrich was sworn in near the banks of the Mississippi river in Stillwater. Goodrich's story and other accounts of the famous and infamous in Minnesota justice are chronicled in a new book, For the Record: 150 years of law and lawyers in Minnesota. Two hundred and fifty legal enthusiasts dug into historical archives to piece together the history of Minnesota's legal profession. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports.

Minnesota Public Radio's classical music host Mindy Ratner is spending some time in China hosting classical music for China Radio International. Lately she's been traveling around the country, and we talked to her from Hanjo about what she's been seeing.

It's Friday the thirteenth, an auspicious date for the Word of Mouth Arts Round-up to premier on Morning Edition. Here's Minnesota Public Radio's Euan Kerr.

Timothy Rood of Calthorpe Associates discusses sprawl and planning for the St. Croix river valley.