August 31, 2001 - Twin Cities voters have a lot of choices this year. A total of 38 people are running either for mayor of Minneapolis or St. Paul. On September 4th and 5th, MPR will broadcast debates with the leading candidates. And from now until the primary on September 11th, we'll also give you a chance to hear from the OTHER candidates. You can hear the Minneapolis candidates on Morning Edition and the St. Paul candidates right here on ALL THINGS CONSIDERED. Today, we hear from Bill Hosko, an architectural illustrator, who owns an art gallery in downtown St. Paul. He says the city has improved in recent years, but there is still a lot that could be better:
August 31, 2001 - A handful of elementary and high schools will open later than next week because they are still under construction. Many schools have a different look. Students and teachers will notice, with the new look of today, heading back to school next Tuesday may discover a change to the traditional school setting. Many knew Ed Codet of Codet Architectural Group has recently designed three new public schools for the city of Minneapolis. Create a more stimulating learning environment:
August 29, 2001 - New research shows radio waves may be an effective tool in fighting destructive infestations of Zebra Mussels. In an aquarium study, low frequency waves killed the Zebra Mussels without affecting fish or other native clam species. Treatment plants and utilities across the country have spent (M)millions of dollars removing the mussels from clogged intake pipes and equipment. Purdue University Chemistry Professor Matthew Ryan led the study. I asked him to describe how the radio waves work:
August 28, 2001 - New reseach shows catnip offers an effective alternative to traditional mosquito repellents. Two researchers at Iowa State University found an oily substance in the plant is ten times more effective than DEET at keeping mosquitos away. Lead researcher Joel Coats tested the catnip oil on the yellow fever mosquito, a variety that isn't common in the midwest. But he says he's confident the oil will repel other types of mosquitos.
August 27, 2001 - A new study of Minnesota teenagers shows one-in-ten girls and one-in-twenty boys have experienced date rape or date violence. The data was compiled from surveys more than 80-thousand of the state's ninth and twelfth graders filled out in 1998. Lead author Diann Ackard says the numbers are alarming and researchers are not sure why they are so high:
August 23, 2001 - A study published today in the New England Journal of Medicine shows intra-uterine birth control devices are much safer than previously thought. In the 1980's, a Minnesota law firm led a legal battle against the makers of an I-U-D called the Dalkon Shield... which caused pelvic infections that made many women sterile. The Dalkon shield was taken off the market in the early 1980's...and I-U-D use plummeted in the United States. David Hubacher is an epidemiologist at Family Health International and lead author of the study. He says his research on women in Mexico-- where modern I-U-D's are popular-- shows the devices don't pose an increase risk of infection:
August 23, 2001 - The Minnesota Zoo has closed down its popular sheep and goat barn because of a contagious virus. The virus, sometimes called orf, causes pimples, blisters and scabs- much like chicken pox- primarily around an animals mouth and eyes. Jim Rasmussen is the Zoo Veterinarian. I asked him how the sheep contracted the virus:
August 22, 2001 - E-P-A officials are outlining a plan to clean-up asbestos-contaminated property in Northeast Minneapolis at a neighborhood meeting tonight. The contamination was caused by asbestos fibers in vermiculite ore. The E-P-A expects to spend more than one-million dollars to complete the clean-up. The agency hasn't set a deadline for homeowners to request an assesment of their property... But neighborhood activist Kevin Reich is worried E-P-A officials will leave before all of the affected residents have had a chance to come forward:
August 21, 2001 - A record number of donors gave to the University of Minnesota in the last fiscal year. The University raised 217 (M)million dollars... a decrease of about 17 (M)million from the previous year. The amount still puts the U on pace to reach or surpass its one-point-three (B)billion dollar capitol campaign goal by 2003. Gerald Fisher is C-E-O of the University of Minnesota Foundation, which oversees fundraising for the U. He says he's happy the University was able to broaden its base of support even if the fundraising total was down:
August 21, 2001 - The Minnesota Twins are hoping to turn things around tonight when they face Toronto again at the Metrodome. Last night, the Twins lost to the Blue Jays despite a solid performance by pitcher Joe Mays. Minnesota is now 10-and-28 since the All-Star break and trails the Cleveland Indians by four and a half games in the A-L Central. Gordon Wittenmeyer follows the Twins for the St. Paul Pioneer Press. He says the team lost its momentum after Christian Guzman injured his throwing arm, just after he returned from the all-star game: