Climate change, industry, parks, air and water quality are issues that are debated in congress, compete for funding and enpassion many Minnesotans.
November 12, 1998 - Engineers and biologists have known for a long time that changes made to the Mississippi River's natural flow to facilitate barge traffic, are harming its overall health. Since 1986, federal and state agencies have experimented with ways to stem the loss of land formations, plants and other things that wild animals need to thrive. One of the most successful of these efforts is a series of man-made islands. Mainstreet Radio's Art Hughes visited the newly-built islands near Stoddard, Wisconsin. boat motor start)
November 16, 1998 - As the death toll from last month's Hurricane Mitch continues to climb, a number of businesses, humanitarian organizations, and individuals in Minnesota are contributing to global relief work. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports on regional efforts to assist Central American storm victims. NARRATION: Hurricane Mitch is already being billed as one of the deadliest natural disasters ever to hit Central America. And the final toll of life and property is still not known. Deb Brown of Church World Service says current tallies show losses are "catastrophic." BROWN: They're estimating it's going to take up to forty years to recover from this. In Honduras there are
November 16, 1998 - The U-S International Trade Commission has officially found evidence some overseas steel producers are selling below cost steel to U-S customers. The ruling opens the way for the Commerce Department to investigate charges of unfair trade against producers in Japan, Brazil and Russia. Minnesota's Iron Mining companies hope the investigation will lead to sanctions, which might prevent further cutbacks in Minnesota iron production and the potential of worker layoffs. Minnesota Public Radio's Bob Kelleher reports: The steel industry is a cyclical closely following the strength of the nation's economy. And both have been on a rip. Iron ore production has neared a 17-year high afte
November 27, 1998 - MPR’s Eric Jansen reports on the unusually warm temperatures for this time of year, which brought Minnesotans out by the droves into the sunshine, enjoying weather some describe as more like spring than fall. People in Minneapolis were blading, biking, running and strolling around Lake Calhoun.
December 1, 1998 - Craig Edwards, meteorologist in charge of the Chanhassen office of the National Weather Service, talks about mild winter weather and record breaking temperatures. It reached 68 degrees at the Twin Cities airport this afternoon, breaking the old high of 57 set in 1962.
December 4, 1998 - Farmers are planning a blockade at the Canadian border this weekend. Some of the dozens of border crossings from Minnesota to Seattle will be closed. Loggers in Maine say they will shut down a border crossing in solidarity with Midwestern farmers. Protest organizers say Canadian ag products are flooding the U-S market, driving down prices. They want more restrictions on Canadian trade. But some trade experts say farmers are fighting the wrong battle. Minnesota Public Radios Dan Gunderson reports... For Curt Trulson the issue is fairly simple. Canadian wheat is pouring into the U-S, and wheat prices are at rock bottom.
December 4, 1998 - Note host outcue! The Minnesota D-F-L Party is asking Minnesotans what went wrong in last month's election, and how should the party change. The D-F-L holds a public hearing at the Capitol tomorrow (Saturday) to get ideas. The soul-searching comes in the wake of devastating election defeats - their gubernatorial candidate came in third, they lost control of the Minnesota House and not one endorsed candidate for statewide office won. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports... HOST OUTCUE: The D-F-L party holds its public hearing tomorrow (Saturday) at noon at the State Office Building. Reform ideas are posted on the party's web site at www.dfl.org.
December 8, 1998 - Mainstreet Radio’s Leif Enger reports on how various retailers are adjusting to a warm winter in the region. It’s nightmare weather if you sell snowmobiles or downhill skis for a living…but not bad if you prefer bicycling, or fishing from a boat.
December 11, 1998 - The Minneapolis City Council has passed a budget that will raise city property tax levies for the first time in five years....but councilmembers say residents won't have to pay more out of their own pockets. Minnesota Public Radio's Eric Jansen reports: Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton got just about everything she asked for in her 842-million dollar 1999 budget. But she had to work for it. Last night she scolded councilmembers who threatened not to pass it, saying it contains MONEY FOR projects they want: 35:41 "I don't think anyone can sit around this table and say the things included in this budget are not in the interests of the city of Minneapolis. From Armitage Park to Central Park to the riverfron
December 15, 1998 - MPR’s Bob Kelleher reports from Duluth, where the temperature soared close to 50 degrees on December 14th. This fell just short of a 100-year old record. Few seemed to mind the sunshine and distinct lack of ice or snow.