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May 6 - 10, 2002
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Monday, May 6, 2002 |
Moe wins DFL endorsement
Senate Majority Leader Roger Moe, the DFL-endorsed candidate for governor, plans to talk with reporters this afternoon about legislative business and his campaign for governor.
The veteran legislator beat out State Auditor Judi Dutcher and State Sen. Becky Lourey to win the party endorsement over the weekend.
Republicans say DFL delegates could not have picked an easier candidate to beat.
Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports.
ATV park
Minnesota's first public recreation area for off-highway vehicles offered riders a sneak preview over the weekend. ATV use is growing dramatically, and riders have been pushing the DNR to build trails. Mainstreet Radio's Stephanie Hemphill went to the town of Gilbert, on the eastern end of the Iron Range, to have a look.
A powerline to the wind?
Government regulators begin hearings today to decide whether Xcel Energy can build new powerlines in southwest Minnesota. Xcel says the lines are needed to serve the growing wind energy industry in that part of the state. So far there is no organized opposition to the plan. Hearings are scheduled this week in Worthington, Pipestone and Redwood Falls. Mainstreet Radio's Mark Steil reports.
Changing Currents: The Mississippi River
Today, we begin a series of stories from our Mainstreet Radio team called Changing Currents. It's a look at the issues and challenges facing the rivers and streams in our region. We begin with the Mississippi River.
Over the last century the Army Corps of Engineers has transformed the Mississipi. A series of locks and dams have made a reliable highway for commercial barge traffic, but many of the river's native species have suffered. None more so than the shrinking collection of fresh water mussels. The Army Corps of Engineeers wants to increase commercial river traffic. And the rush is on to save some species. Mainstreet Radio's Erin Galbally has the first installment of our series.
Effects of childhood cancer investigated
The long-term health effects of cancer treatments on children are the focus of research at the University of Minnesota. Investigators have found that childhood cancer treatments affect pregnancies, and cancer risk later in life. Dr. Joseph Neglia is an associate professor at the University of Minnesota's Cancer Center. He's just returned from a conference in Baltimore where he presented his findings. Dr. Neglia says the study looked at 14,000 childhood cancer survivors.
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Tuesday, May 7, 2002 |
Domestication of wild rice may threaten future of crop
Minnesota Indian tribes say University of Minnesota research
threatens the future of a crop Indians consider sacred.
The tribes say maintaining pure wild rice stock is a treaty right.
The University says it's simply trying to help northern Minnesota
farmers make a living.
Mainstreet Radios Dan Gunderson reports.
Volunteers recycle healthcare equipment
When you go to the hospital you just assume doctors and nurses will have the equipment they need. Simple things like bandages, stitches and catheters. They're all packaged in boxes, but sometimes nurses don't use the whole box. The surplus items, still wrapped, are tossed in the trash.
But in third world countries, that trash could be a life saver. In Fargo-Moorhead a group of volunteers have created "HERO." It's the Healthcare Equipment Recycling Organization. Mainstreet Radios Bob Reha reports.
Fingerhut sale falls through
The Business Development Group of Wayzata and Federated Department stores say they're calling off discussions about a sale of Fingerhut. The two parties have been holding talks since January, shortly after Federated announced it would shut down the company if no buyer could be found. The Business Development Group says new requirements from a credit rating agency were a major factor in the decision to terminate discussions.
Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Catlin reports.
Gypsy moth heading west
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture plans to begin aerial spraying to treat the state's largest infestation of gypsy moths to date. The imported moth is the nation's most destructive pest of trees and shrubs. It has not yet established itself in Minnesota, but has worked its way eastward as far as Illinois. Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Losure reports.
Changing Currents: Turning back toward the river
As Minnesota was settled, the first towns sprang up along the Mississippi River. At first, cities used the river for transportation and to power industry. Over the years though, communities turned their backs on the Mississippi. People ignored the natural resource to focus on development away from the water. But now cities are finding new value in their rivers. In the next part of our series Changing Currents, Mainstreet Radio's Tim Post looks at how St. Cloud is reconnecting with the Mississippi.
American Public Transportation Association conference in Minneapolis
Mike Setzer, general manager of Metro Transit joins us to talk about the 2002 Bus and Paratransit Conference of the American Public Transportation Association taking place in Minneapolis May 5-9.
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Wednesday, May 8, 2002 |
Changing Currents: The Straight River
Managing Minnesota rivers is a complex task. The Straight River near Park Rapids is a case in point.
The small spring-fed stream is a rare northern Minnesota trout fishery. It's also an area where crops are heavily irrigated.
Natural resource managers find themselves walking a fine line. Protect the fish without harming the farmers.
As part of our Changing Currents series Mainstreet Radios Dan Gunderson prepared this report.
St. Cloud prepares for future without Fingerhut
St. Cloud took a big step closer this week to a future without Fingerhut.
The one buyer who took a prolonged look at the catalog retailer announced he could not make an offer. At the price it would cost him to borrow money for the venture, Peter Lytle decided there was no way he could still have enough left over to turn the business around. The odds are now strong that within one month, the Fingerhut catalog will be shut down for good.
For St. Cloud and the surrounding area, that will mean 2,700 people out of work, 2.5 percent of all jobs in the city. Officials have started meetings to encourage workers to think about new job prospects. Mainstreet Radio's Jeff Horwich reports St. Cloud is considering how it will weather the greatest economic shock ever to hit the region.
Sex abuse charges plague Minnesota diocese.
The Stearns County sheriff has asked the abbott at St. John's Abbey in Collegeville to disclose the whereabouts of 13 priests and monks between the years of 1970 and 1990. The clergy members in question are accused of sexual misconduct.
Meanwhile, the Twin Cities Archdiocese is investigating sex abuse allegations against the retired bishop of Sioux Falls, S.D.
The Rev. Paul Dudley is accused of sexually molesting a boy while Dudley was a priest at Annunciation parish in Minneapolis back in the 1950s.
dudley now lives in northfield.
A leader of the archdiocese, the Rev. Kevin McDonough, held a news conference yesterday in St. Paul.
Medical technology makes a comeback in Twin Cities
Investors are turning again to medical technology, one of Minnesota's economic strengths. In 1999 and 2000, the share of venture capital dollars going to medical device companies dropped dramatically as money poured into dot-coms. Observers say the renewed enthusiasm for medical devices is good for Minnesota, but the state's lack of critical mass in biotechnology may be a looming threat. Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Catlin reports.
Bemidji playhouse faces competition from new theater ventures
The Paul Bunyan Playhouse in Bemidji is the longest continuously running summer stock theater company in Minnesota. But, lately, it's fallen on tough financial times. Playhouse officials say they've had trouble filling seats the past two years. They say part of the problem has been a sluggish economy and fewer tourists. But the Playhouse is also facing competition from several new theater companies. As Mainstreet Radio's Tom Robertson reports, there are plans to bring even more theater to Bemidji.
Love is all around
An 8-foot statue of Mary Tyler Moore tossing her hat in the air on Nicollet Mall was unveiled this morning. The statue memorializes that famous moment in the opening credits of the 1970's hit sit-com The Mary Tyler Moore Show. The show depicted the life of Mary Richards, a young, single woman who moved to Minneapolis to begin her career. Reruns of the show are on cable's TV Land, which organized today's unveiling. Joining us from downtown Minneapolis is Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes.
Some in DFL unhappy with endorsement
Some DFL lawmakers and activists are not happy with their party's choice for governor.
They say one of the two women running for the endorsement should have been selected, instead of Roger Moe. We talked with one of those women, state Senator Becky Lourey about the outcome of the convention - she says the conclusion of the endorsement race was disappointing after such a long campaign.
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Thursday, May 9, 2002 |
Changing Currents: The Root River
The U.S. Senate has wrapped up weeks of debate on an energy bill. The senate's bill calls for a wide array of incentives to encourage conservation, including the increased use of corn based ethanol.
Supporters of a planned expansion of an ethanol plant in Preston say it will be a boon for farmers in southeast Minnesota who face the lowest grain prices since the Great Depression. But some environmentalists and an angling group are concerned about the potential threat the expansion might pose to the Root River, one of Minnesota's best trout streams. They say the increased demand for corn would lead to more farm chemicals getting into the river. The plant expansion will also put more pressure on Preston's waste water treatment facility.
Minnesota Public Radio's Laurel Druley prepared this report as a part of our series, Changing Currents.
Bush visits La Crosse to tout education plan
President George W. Bush visited LaCrosse Wisconsin Wednesday as part of a national tour to promote his "Leave No Child Behind" education reform plan. Flanked by the Secretary of Education, Wisconsin's Governor and local DFL Congressman Ron Kind, Bush spoke to students at a La Crosse High School. Minnesota Public Radio's Erin Galbally reports.
Farm bill moves to White House
The nation's richest farm bill ever is on its way to the president's desk. President Bush says he will sign the measure. The Senate passed the bill Wednesday on a 64-35 vote. Even though the bill increases federal agricultural spending by 80 percent, some farmers are critical of the package. Mainstreet Radio's Mark Steil reports.
Natural resources bill hits snag in House
A bill that appeared to be on the fast track in the Minnesota Legislature hit a stumbling block Wednesday in a House committee. The bill would give voters the option of deciding if they want a portion of the state's sales tax to go towards conservation and envirnomental programs. But one lawmaker says voters should also be allowed to decide if they want another portion of the state's sales tax to go towards education. The move prompted several supporters to say some House DFLers are playing political games in an effort to kill the bill. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
U of M tuition increase may hit low-income students hardest
University of Minnesota President Mark Yudof will recommend a tuition increase for all Unversity of Minnesota campuses when he addresses the Board of Regents Friday.
Yudof says the increases are critical for plugging the university's $30 million deficit.
Yudof blames current economic factors, but critics say the proposed hike is part of a disturbing long-term trend that's pricing any low income people out of higher education.
Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.
Mailbox bomber faces charges in four states
An FBI affidavit says the Minnesota man accused of being the mailbox bomber has confessed to planting 18 pipe bombs in five states. Several people were injured when some of the devices exploded in Illinois and Iowa. The FBI says in court papers that 21-year-old Luke Helder used a map to point to towns where he placed the bombs in Illinois and Iowa. He was arrested in Nevada. U.S. Attorney Thomas Heffelfinger joins us with more.
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Friday, May 10, 2002 |
Cheney stumps for Kennedy
Vice President Dick Cheney has helped 2nd District Congressman Mark Kennedy bring in almost $250,000 for his re-election bid. Cheney spoke at a Minneapolis fundraiser last night in support of Kennedy, who will run for re-election in a newly constituted and more suburban 6th District. But the event was marked by Democrat's complaints that Kennedy should have been in Washington where the House was considering efforts to save the Crusader artillery program - a program that employs 800 Minnesotans. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports.
U of M to continue funding for athletics
The University of Minnesota Regents have agreed to continue subsidizing intercollegiate athletics at $10 million a year for the next two years. They made the decision during an informal work session yesterday on intercollegiate sports and finances.
Meanwhile, the previously threatened non-revenue generating sports teams also appear to be making their way toward survival. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.
River clean-up
In 1997, a young Mississippi River clammer named Chad Pregracke got tired of looking at trash in the river, and began a single-handed effort to do something about it. Since then, he's fished rusting barrels, defunct appliances, and football fields worth of Styrofoam out of the river, attracting corporate support and becoming something of a celebrity along the way. Reporter Mary Losure caught up with him and local environmental activist Anne Hunt as they scouted out cleanup prospects along the Mississippi south of Saint Paul.
The Red River
For the people who live along the Red River of the North, the stream is something to be feared and respected: a flooding nightmare. In 1997 the Red River drew national attention. The water rose higher than it ever had before. It caused millions of dollars in damage. But for years outdoor magazines and sport fishing groups have consistently ranked the Red as one of the nation's best catfishing streams. It's attracted out of state anglers for decades. Our series "Changing Currents" continues with a look at the Red River. Mainstreet Radio's Bob Reha reports that people are learning to appreciate the river's value.
Prudence is back
A familiar face in Minnesota music is back on the scene with a new CD. Prudence Johnson is well known for her soulful singing voice, and her diverse repertoire. In the last 10 years she's branched out a little. She moved to Nashville with her husband Gary Rue to try the music scene there. When that didn't work, they came back and opened a bed and breakfast in Taylors Falls. But she never stopped singing, and now she's back with Moon Country, a collection of Hoagie Carmichael songs. Johnson talked with Morning Edition's Cathy Wurzer.
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