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July 29 - August 2, 2002
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Monday, July 29, 2002 |
A look back at poor houses
James Delay started his life in Ireland. Now he's buried in a cornfield in Minnesota. There's no marker on his grave. He died at a poor house in North Branch back in 1899. In the days before welfare, thousands of people who couldn't take care of themselves were sent to poor houses. And many of them ended up in unmarked graves. Now, a few people are trying to find and preserve those graves. And they're shedding light on a forgotten piece of history -- the county poor house. Chris Julin has this Mainstreet Radio report.
State launches faith-based prison initiative
The Minnesota Department of Corrections is launching a new program today designed to reduce recidivism rates by combining education with Christian instruction. About 70 inmates will participate in daily prayer and Bible readings, along with other classes, and will attend worship services on the weekends. The program is called InnerChange Freedom Initiative, and the idea is to guide inmates through the often difficult process of rejoining the outside world. Sheryl Ramstad Hvass is the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Corrections, and she joins us now.
Asbestos cleanup begins on St. Croix beach
The cleanup of asbestos on the shores of the St. Croix River is expected to begin later today. The asbestos contamination was discovered last fall at the Lakeland beach just east of the Twin Cities, but the cleanup was delayed because of weather. There are also questions about who will pay the cost of removing the asbestos. Joining us on the line is Katie Koelfgen, senior pollution control specialist for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
Some Minnesota hunters calling for better deer management
Some Minnesota hunters say the state's deer population should be better managed. Hunters in northwest and southeast Minnesota want the Department of Natural Resources to try something called quality deer management. DNR officials say change is not needed. Mainstreet Radio's Dan Gunderson reports.
Qwest plans to restate some financial reports
Qwest Communications says it incorrectly accounted for more than $1.1 billion in transactions from 1999 to 2000. Minnesota Public Radio's Chief Economics Correspondent Chris Farrell discusses that and other business news.
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Tuesday, July 30, 2002 |
Working at the Poor House
Before there was public welfare, there was the poorhouse. People who were broke, sick or disabled were cared for in the poorhouse. In rural areas, they were called poorfarms. There were thousands across the country, dozens in Minnesota. They were run by counties. Some provided compassionate care, others merely a roof and a bed. The poorhouse is a mostly forgotten part of American history, but a few people still remember. Mainstreet Radio's Dan Gunderson reports.
Duluth conference addresses stock market, corporate fraud
Many Americans are distressed about the stock market, and angry about corporate fraud. At a conference in Duluth, some people are trying to get organized to do something about both. Mainstreet Radio's Stephanie Hemphill reports.
A new generation of Ojibwe learn lacrosse
Before the arrival of white settlers, lacrosse was the most popular team sport on the North American continent. Indian tribes on the east coast still play the ball game, but the tradition faded for many midwestern tribes. On the Leech Lake Reservation in northern Minnesota, a new generation is learning the game. As Mainstreet Radio's Tom Robertson reports, some see it as an important step in preserving Ojibwe heritage.
Survey: good jobs hard to find
A new state survey shows job openings in Minnesota declined more than 40 percent from a year ago. For every 10 unemployed Minnesotans, there are now only five job openings. A year and a half ago, there were more jobs than people looking for them. Jay Mousa is the director of research at the Minnesota Department of Economic Security. He's on the line now.
Some groups want tighter standards for private security industry
Lobbyists for unions are hoping that the U.S. Senate will include language in the homeland security bill that will regulate the private security industry. The unions want to require private security firms to provide at least 40 hours of training for new workers, plus eight hours of training a year for more experienced workers so they can keep up on the latest security and emergency techniques. Currently, each state determines the level of training that security guards must get. In Minnesota, private security companies are required to provide 12 hours of training. Joining us on the line is Julia Granthan, organizer for the Service Employees International Union Local 26 which organizes security workers in the Twin Cities.
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Wednesday, July 31, 2002 |
State agencies prepare for more budget cuts
Fresh off a round of spending cuts to balance the budget this year, Minnesota state agencies are preparing to make even deeper cuts in the next state budget. State Finance Commissioner Pam Wheelock is asking agencies to prepare budgets with cuts of up to 10 percent to deal with a likely budget deficit. State officials say if the next governor and Legislature are unwilling to raise taxes, state agencies have no choice, and they say more Minnesotans will feel the pain of further cuts. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
Mall of America's influence on other shopping malls is mild
One of the most successful pieces of real estate in the Twin Cities area is the Mall of America, which is about to celebrate its 10th birthday. The influence of the Mall of America on smaller malls in the Twin Cities has been mild, according to a study at the University of St. Thomas. The findings surprised the researchers, who thought the Mall of America would dominate the area's retail landscape, taking away business from other shopping centers. Joining us on the line is Dave Brennan, professor of marketing at St. Thomas, and co-director of the Institute for Retailing Excellence.
Minnesota politicians are victims of cybersquatting
Some Minnesota politicians are finding they are the victims of cybersquatting. Minnesotan Andrew Jaspers has bought nearly a dozen web addresses using the names of candidates running for office this fall. On each site, he presents the candidate's voting record on abortion... from an anti-abortion perspective. Attorney Ernest Grumbles handles internet cases for Oppenheimer, Wolf, and Donnelly. He's on the line now.
Study shows girls in certain sports more likely to develop eating disorders
A new study by researchers at the University of Minnesota finds that girls involved in sports that emphasize maintaining a certain weight are 1.5 times more likely to develop eating disorders than other girls. The researchers also identified risk factors that can be used to identify girls in those sports who are most likely to get eating disorders. Nancy Sherwood is a research associate at the University of Minnesota's School of Public Health, and is the lead author of the study. She's on the line now.
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Thursday, Aug. 1, 2002 |
First debate centers on issues
The four endorsed major party gubernatorial candidates met for their first public debate last night. The forum was sponsored by Twin Cities Public Television. It moved from education to transportation to budget issues. It contained few surprises, but each hopeful took the chance to set himself apart from his opponents. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
High school athletes practice in heat
A year ago today, Minnesota Vikings player Korey Stringer died of heat stroke. Because of his death, the Vikings have taken extra steps this year to keep their players cool. Many high school athletes are also out practicing at this time of year. Dr. William Roberts is a doctor at MinnHealth Family Physicians in White Bear Lake and is on the Sports Medicine Advisory Committee for the Minnesota High School League. He's on the line now.
From Moscow to the Northwoods
Yulia Lyagina is hoping to get a job in Moscow with her new degree in psychology, but she's in Minnesota for the summer. She works the front desk at a resort on Lake Superior. Hundreds of thousands of foreign college students come to the United States each summer to work at hotels, restaurants and summer camps. 200 work at Valley Fair amusement park alone. The students make more money than they could at home. And business owners say they'd have trouble filling the jobs without international students. Chris Julin has this Mainstreet Radio report.
Hennepin County looking for ways to reuse grain elevators
Hennepin County is looking for ideas about what to do with two old grain elevators in Minneapolis. The county bought the Stewart-Cepro elevator complex about a year ago, and hopes to reuse the site in a way that will enhance the community. Officials will hold a meeting later today in which the public can tour the elevators and provide input. The elevators are located just off Lake Street by the old Sears building, in the middle of what the city hopes will be phase two of the Midtown Greenway. Dan Taylor is with Hennepin County Community Works, and he's on the line now.
Fringe Festival gets underway Friday
The ninth annual Minnesota Fringe Festival gets underway tomorrow. Each year thousands of small theater companies from across Minnesota -- and the world -- flock to Minneapolis to show off their best new works. This year's festival includes several productions that kids might enjoy. Here's a sample of one such show. It's called "Fairy Tale News Network."
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Friday, Aug. 2, 2002 |
Minneapolis police office, suspect killed in shooting
A shootout in a south Minneapolis public high rise has left a veteran police officer and a woman suspect dead. The shooting happened in the evening hours as two police officers responded to a call of woman with a gun acting in a threatening manner. Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes reports.
World Choral Symposium gets underway in Minnesota
Some of the best singers in the world are coming to Minnesota this weekend. The Twin Cities is hosting the triennial World Choral Symposium. It's the first time the event has ever been held in the U.S. For the next week, over 1,000 singers from more than 50 countries will attend workshops and perform numerous free concerts. Minnesota Public Radio's Brandt Williams reports.
DNR cutting 108 positions, reducing camping at state parks
If you like to camp, and have a favorite state park in which you enjoy camping, you may want to plan a trip sooner rather than later this summer. Camping will be curtailed in the weeks to come at several state parks. It's part of budget cuts that the Minnesota Department of Natural Resource is dealing with. The cuts are fallout from the 2002 legislative session and come in anticipation of further state budget problems. Steve Mores is a deputy commissioner with the DNR. He says the agency is taking a big hit.
Mall of America faces national competition
Since it was constructed 10 years ago, the Mall of America in Bloomington has held the distinction of being the country's biggest mall. However, it may be getting some competition for that status and for the millions of tourists who make the mall their destination. Developers near Syracuse, New York have plans to build a facility that is even bigger than the Mall of America, which is four million square feet. Other developers have plans for malls that are smaller but adapt quickly to changing retail and entertainment trends. The new mega-mall competition is the topic of an article in today's "The Business Journal." Andrew Tellijohn is the reporter who wrote the story and he says the Mall of America's success is fostering the new competition.
The Niagara sails into Duluth
The tall-masted sailing ship Niagara is visiting Duluth this weekend. During the War of 1812, the original Niagara helped defeat the British in the Battle of Lake Erie. Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry made his famous remark -- "We have met the enemy and they are ours" -- from the deck of this ship. The original Niagara was built in Erie, Pennsylvania. The replica is part of a living museum collection, and it's on a tour around the Great Lakes. Mainstreet Radio's Stephanie Hemphill reports.
Minneapolis Library moving to temporary location
The Minneapolis Central Library in downtown Minneapolis is closing later today. The library is moving to an interim location at Marquette Plaza, a block away from its current location. It will be the library's new home for the next three years. The old library building will be demolished so a new one can be built. The most popular books and materials will be moved to the temporary Marquette Plaza location, while some of the library's contents will go into long-term storage. Walter Gegner, the Central Library interim operations manager, talked with Minnesota Public Radio's Eugene Cha about the changes. Gegner says moving the library's 2.3 million items is a complicated job.
Word of Mouth Roundup
Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Roberts looks at art and artists around the state this week.
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