January 27, 1998 - Attorneys for tobacco companies are expected to finish their opening arguments this morning in Minnesota's landmark tobacco trial. The state's attorney told jurors yesterday the tobacco industry deceived the public about the dangers of smoking and put profits before health. The State and Blue Cross Blue Shield are suing the industry for nearly two-billion dollars in smoking-related health care costs. Minnesota public radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports: The state's attorney Mike Ciresi told jurors minnesota's case comes down to what the industry knew about the dangers of smoking; when it knew it and what it did about it. He stood at a podium, spoke deliberately for about two hours and never veered far from his notes. The courtroom was packed with attorneys, public officials such as the attorney general and the u-s attorney and local and national media including the wall street journal and the LA times.
January 27, 1998 - Asian students studying in Minnesota are facing an educational crisis as a result of the economic turmoil in South Korea, Indonesia, and other countries. Plunging currencies overseas mean many students cannot pay their bills here and some Asian students are dropping out. Others are desperately seeking ways to stay and the University of Minnesota is trying to help. Minnesota Publuc Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
January 29, 1998 - President Clinton spoke at rallies in Champaign, Illinois and La Crosse, Wisconsin yesterday in an effort to focus the nation on the agenda he laid out in his State of the Union speech. Rather than unveiling new initiatives or giving more detail on his plans, the President used the rallies to reiterate his proposals and try to build enthusiasm for them. He recieved a rousing welcome in La Crosse. Minnesota Public Radios Brent Wolfe reports.
January 30, 1998 - All Things Considered’s Chris Roberts reports on high school students participating in the annual Music Listening Contest. Whiz kids from all over the state gathered at Augsburg College in Minneapolis for the state finals. Roberts looks at how they prepared, what they've learned, and the rigors of the contest itself.
February 2, 1998 - Many Minnesota 8th graders have been hitting the books hard in the last few weeks, preparing for statewide reading and math tests which start tomorrow. This is the first year every school in the state has to participate. Last year, about one third of all tested students failed, prompting a public outcry and pushing school districts to make changes. This year there's tremendous pressure for students and schools to perform well, but some are still questioning the value of the tests. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire checked in at one Minneapolis school where preparations are continuing at a furious pace.
February 3, 1998 - The top athletes in the sport of curling will compete for an Olympic medal for the first time this year in Nagano, Japan. Among those vying for a medal with the American men's team are two curlers from St. Paul and two from Wisconsin. One of those is Mike Peplinski (puh-PLIN-ski). He lives in Eau Claire and teaches seventh grade in Alma along the Mississippi River. This summer he faces another battle. Minnesota Public Radio's Brent Wolfe reports. Sound of Peplinski practicing- sliding along the ic
February 3, 1998 - Governor Arne Carlson delivers his 8th and final State of the State address tomorrow (Wednesday). He has touched on a lot of themes in those speeches.... but perhaps the most constant theme has been education This year Carlson is proposing 252-million dollars for construction at the University of Minnesota and 168-million for the state colleges and universities system. He's expected to dwell on how Minnesota's colleges and universities can help prepare students to fill gaps in the states workforce, and on his proposal for boarding schools to help troubled youth. Some observers say it's the Republican Governor's last effort to leave an education legacy... But for many, that legacy is already in place. Carlson's big education battles are behind him, and the state's public education system has changed substancially since 1991. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports...
February 3, 1998 - Geneva Smitherman of Michigan State University, John Rickford of Stanford, and Barbara Shin of the Minneapolis School system discuss the place of Ebonics in American education.
February 3, 1998 - Geneva Smitherman of Michigan State University, John Rickford of Stanford, and Barbara Shin of the Minneapolis School system discuss the place of Ebonics in American education.
February 4, 1998 - Governor Carlson made a case to legislators today to upgrade the state's colleges and universities, and build boarding schools for troubled youth. The Republican Governor devoted a large part of his final state of the state address to education issues. Carlson also reflected on his education accomplishments of past seven years, warning lawmakers not to tinker with the reforms. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports... Governor Carlson used the state of the state speech to push for the multi-million dollar request for higher education in the state bonding bill. He wants 252-million dollars for the University of Minnesota and 167-million dollars for the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities