Climate change, industry, parks, air and water quality are issues that are debated in congress, compete for funding and enpassion many Minnesotans.
March 30, 1998 - Governor Carlson traveled to Saint Peter today to survey damaged caused by tornadoes yesterday. The Governor says he hopes to have a request for disaster aid to the federal government and state Legislature within a week. Emergency crews are working to restore power and phone service, and Authorities say it may be Friday before some residents of St. Peter have their electrical power back. Bob Julius is with the Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency in Rochester, which serves Saint Peter. He says only the most crucial parts of Saint Peter have had the electricity restored.
March 30, 1998 - MPR’s Art Hughes and Lynette Nyman describe the scene in St. Peter after a tornado went through the town, destroying much of it.
March 30, 1998 - MPR’s Mark Steil reports on the tornado that went through Comfrey, Minnesota. Local residents share their experiences during the twister, which damaged the economic heart of the town and caused more misery for farmers already facing challenging times.
March 31, 1998 - Midday presents a special report on the tornadoes that went through southern Minnesota and destroyed large parts of St. Peter and Comfrey. MPR reporters give updates on aftermath, followed by various interviews and accounts from listeners.
March 31, 1998 - State legislators lost no time responding to Sunday night's storm damage. A Senate committee has already passed one piece of disaster-relief legislation, and more relief is in the works. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports: Only sixteen hours after the last twister pulled back into the sky, a Senate committee voted for what amounts to a blank check for the devastated communities. The Senate Government Finance Committee approved what legislators call a "placeholder" -- legislation to dole out an unspecified amount of money to local governments in the stricken counties. For now, senators are guessing the state will have to spend $
March 31, 1998 - MPR’s Bill Catlin traces path of the storm that devastated farms and towns in southern Minnesota. Reports includes firsthand accounts of the storm and tornadoes.
March 31, 1998 - MPR’s Lynette Nyman provides an on-location report of the tornadoes that destroyed large parts of St. Peter and Comfrey.
March 31, 1998 - MPR’s Mark Steil provides an on-location report detailing the aftermath of tornados that devastated Comfrey, Minnesota.
March 31, 1998 - MPR’s Eicthen takes a listener call who describes a harrowing in-person experience of the tornado that struck the town of Comfrey, Minnesota.
March 31, 1998 - MPR’s Art Hughes provides an update on status in St. Peter, two days after Minnesota town was hit by devastating tornados.