March 13, 2002 - For the first time since Jesse Ventura took office more Minnesotans dissapprove than approve of his performance. In a poll released today, 43 percent approved of the governor's performance while, 49 percent disapproved. Approval of the Legislature was higher, at 55 percent. Craig Grau is an associate professor of political science at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. He says he thinks the public is judging Ventura more on his attitude than his record:
March 13, 2002 - A government study has detected traces of chemicals used in beauty aids, medications and cleaners throughout the nation's waterways, including the Mississippi River. Hydrologists with the U.S. Geological Survey tested water samples in 30 states for 95 compounds that commonly occur in pharmecuetical and personal care products. One of the test sites was just north of the Twin Cities on the Mississippi. Geological Survey research chemist Ed Furlong says the chemicals were found in extremely low concentrations:
March 8, 2002 - The second winter storm in as many days is heading into Minnesota this evening. The national weather service says it will dump between three to eight inches across much of south central and central Minnesota, including the Twin Cities and parts of northwestern Wisconsin. By tomorrow morning, winds up to 40 miles an hour are expected to create near blizzard conditions in parts of central Minnesota. In the south tonight, more sleet and freezing rain is expected. Yesterday's storm dumped as much as 10 inches in the arrowhead region. Jim Vic is marketing director for Lutsen ski resort on the north shore of lake superior. He says today was the best skiing of the season:
March 8, 2002 - The University of Minnesota is one of the most sucessful institutions in the country at churning out start-up companies. A national study places the U forth among 142 major research universities in the number of companies it spun off in 2000. The U helped create 11 companies that year, placing it behind M-I-T, the University of California System and the California Institute of Technology. University of Minnesota President Mark Yudof says the U's ranking is not an accident:
March 7, 2002 - Two separate storm systems could dump as much as 12 inches of snow on parts of the state by Saturday morning. The first storm is already moving across the state, with the heaviest snow falling around Duluth and freezing rain and drizzle.. The second system should move through the state late Friday, again bringing heavy snow north and mixed precipitation south. National Weather Service Meteorologist Mark Kavinsky says snow lovers in the state should finally get what they've asked for:
March 6, 2002 - A Federal Reserve report released today is offering new evidence the national economy is recovering from the recession. The so-called "beige book" survey finds overall economic activity is up for most regions, including the Midwest. The last beige book, published in January, found only scattered signs of recovery. If the recession is ending it will be one of the mildest in history. Toby Madden is an economist with the Federal Reserve district in Minneapolis. He says he's happy to report the increase in economic activity, even if it is only slight:
March 4, 2002 - President Bush is in downtown Minneapolis at this hour raising money for Norm Coeman's senate campaign. The president was at Eden Prarie High school earlier this afternoon to promote his education reform plans. We have two reports beginning with Mark Zedechlic who's live at the downtown Minneapolis Hilton: in town working on Coleman's behalf:
March 4, 2002 - The National Farmers Union has picked a Minnesotan as its new President. Dave Frederickson was elected to the post at the group's annual meeting in Texas on Sunday. Frederickson is a former state Senator who has been head of the Minnesota Farmers Union since 1991. He says his first priority is getting a new farm bill passed:
March 4, 2002 - (to follow two chunks on Bush's speech) The President at this hour is attending a fundraiser in downtown Minneapolis for Senate Hopeful Norm Coleman. The event is expected to raise as much as one-million dollars for Coleman. Incumbent Democrat Paul Wellstone is one of 10 senators who voted against Bush's education bill. Recent polls have found voters split evenly between Coleman and Wellstone.
February 28, 2002 - The University of Minnesota broke ground today on a research facility that school officials say will be one of the best earthquake test centers in the country. The building will house a six million dollar test system that can simulate earthquake forces on large parts of bridges, buildings and other structures. Minnesota may seem like an unlikely place for studying earthquakes. But Catherine French, a professor of civil engineering at the U, says the school's research will have many applications: