April 22, 1997 - The Legislature is getting closer to figuring out your tax bill for next year. The Senate finished work on its tax reform package today (Tues), which cuts property taxes by almost 2 Billion dollars over three years. At the same time, the House Taxes Committee has unveiled its own tax reform package, which makes more modest cuts. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports: Senate Taxes Chairman Doug Johnson has been fighting for a week to keep his huge tax reforms together -- and so far, he's succeeding. His combination of deep cuts in property taxes for business and apartment buildings and generous property tax refunds for homeowners withstood a barrage of amendments from Senators trying to change the mix -- including a fierce battle on Monday over the new "business activity tax" which pay
April 22, 1997 - Some Minneapolis school district residents say they think the school board should resign for failing to improve student test scores. African American parents and community leaders today criticized board members and district administrators for the recent poor performance in statewide tests, especially among minority students. Minnesota Public radio's Tim Pugmire reports... The Minneapolis school board was scheduled to discuss plans for improving student achievement in the coming school year. But members of the African American community came to get answer about this year. Results of this year's basic skills tests in Minneapolis show about one third of all studen
April 23, 1997 - Pronouncer = STAUSS = rhymes with house The mayor of East Grand Forks now says it could be a month before city residents can go back hom. He says sewage in the flood waters has contaminated their homes. That was tough news to more than two thousand flood victims who have come to stay temporarily in Bemidji. East Grand Forks Mayor Lynn Stauss (stouse) travelled to several northwestern Minnesota towns where flood victims have congregated, as Minnesota Public Radio's Christina Koenig (KAY-nig) reports. Several hundred of the flood victims gathered Bemidji State University's Hockey arena to hear the mayor. Lynn Stauss told his fellow flood victims
April 24, 1997 - The Minnesota House and Senate both finished their K-through-12 education spending bills last night (Wed). Both bills are meant to improve schools and raise slumping test scores, but they take different approaches. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports: --------------------------------------------------------- | D-CART ITEM: 8617 | TIME: 3:21 | OUTCUE: "...soc at the cap --------------------------------------------------------- When the legislative session started in January, the pressure was on for lawmakers to do something about Minnesota's schools. Lower-than-expected standardized test scores had added ammunition to Governor Carlson's attacks on teachers unions and school bureaucracies. Four months later, the Senate has responded with what may be the most radical change in school funding in three decades. Senate K-through-12 chairman Larry Pogemiller says his bill is designed to succeed where years of court-ordered desegregation and open enrollment have failed:
April 28, 1997 - High school classes are scheduled to resume this morning (Monday) in Ada, where students were displaced by floodwaters for three weeks. School officials must demolish the Ada-Borup high school due to severe water damage. The Department of Children, Families and Learning says 20 Minnesota school districts closed at least one day due to flooding. East Grand Forks was forced to end the school more than a month early. Hundreds of students, teachers and administrators are working to reclaim their waterlogged schools and get back in business. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports... Seventh through 12th grade students in Ada will finish their schoo
April 28, 1997 - A Voices of Minnesota with Dr. Virginia Lupo of the Hennepin County Medical Center, a specialist in obstetrics and gynecology. An interview with the author of "Becoming the Parent You Want to Be"... early childhood educator Janice Keyser, who says parents need to follow their own values, rather than those found in a book. Also, Sasha Aslanian's "Odd Job" segment with a dialect coach.
May 1, 1997 - While flood recovery is just beginning in Grand Forks and East Grand Forks, just to the southeast the small community of Ada is further along. School reopened this week for high school students in the town of 1700, and emergency meals will only be served by the Salvation Army until the end of the week. Leif Enger of Mainstreet Radio reports.
May 1, 1997 - A bipartisan deal to regularly test the progress of Minnesota schools and students could be in trouble at the state capitol. Two months ago, the Governor and legislative leaders agreed to set up a new standardized testing system in the public schools, but last night (Wed) the final negotiations hit a wall. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports: Is it possible to test kids too much? Minneapolis state senator Larry Pogemiller thinks so, and he's willing to jeopardize what seemed to be a done deal to make his point. Two months ago, legislative leaders promised Governor Carlson they'd set up a new statewide testing system. Standardized tests are a favorite cause of the Governor's, who believes the publicized test scores will make public schools more accountable. The deal was supposed to set up four tests in the years between kindergarten and 12th grade, but Pogemiller and his Senate colleagues now say three are enough:
May 1, 1997 - intro: Hundreds of people gathered in Fargo today to observe the National Day of Prayer. The mayors of Fargo and Moorhead, pastors from Grand Forks and Wahpeton, and teachers and students prayed for strength to rebuild their flood-damaged communities. Leif Enger of Mainstreet Radio has this sound portrait of today's ceremony. D-CART #9889 Runs 2:14 Music Out NOTE -- Host Backannounce 340 woman singing: "God is in control, we believe that his children will not be forsaken. God is in control, we will choose to remember and never be shaken..." FADE W/CROWD FX 4538 then to 1430: "Lord, it's been a tough year for many in this Valley. Many have fought long and hard to win a battle against nature. For some i
May 5, 1997 - The Federal Communication Commission will decide this week how much schools and libraries should pay for access to the internet and other telecommunication services. An amendment to the Telecommunications Act of 1996 mandates a deep discount on access charges for schools and libraries. Educators say the discount is needed to get more schools wired and help them afford the online service. U-S West is urging Minnesota schools to apply for the federal program and offering help to make the technology connections. Despite the benefit to schools, company officials say the discount is a bitter pill to swallow. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports....