March 22, 2002 - MPR's Cara Hetland reports on The National Symphony Orchestra as it concludes its 10-day residency in South Dakota. The 202 musicians in the orchestra visit one state a year to share their talent and passion for music with teachers, students and fellow musicians. The National Symphony Orchestra crammed nearly 120 events and concerts into a schedule that took the musicians to all parts of the state.
March 21, 2002 - MPR’s Cara Hetland interviews conductor Leonard Slatkin about National Symphony Orchestra’s residency in South Dakota. In ten days, orchestra members performed more than 100 times. Slatkin explains the lessons on the value of music that the efforts offer, especially for children.
February 14, 2002 - Your postal carrier likely drives a truck run on a fuel called biodiesel. It's an alternative fuel used by many government and municipal vehicle fleets. The Soybean oil additive is said to help engines run cleaner. It's better for the environment, and could boost the price of soybeans. The use of biodiesel has tripled in the last four years. But it still accounts for only a tiny fraction of the fuel used in this country. Less than one percent of all the soybean oil is used for biodiesel. In our last installment of the Mainstreet series "The Miracle Bean", Cara Hetland reports it'll take federal subsidies and mandates to help the biodiesel industry become more competitive and more affordable.
January 21, 2002 - * Note: Back announce** A painting on the wall of a high school gym is setting new ground in the national debate over Indian mascots. At Sioux Falls' Washington High School, an artist has changed the Indian caricature into a three dimensional portrait of a real person. The Washington Warriors are defending this change as a way to use the mascot debate as a teaching tool. Mainstreet Radio's Cara Hetland reports:
December 26, 2001 - A lot of companies are laying off workers. But a manufacturing plant in a prairie town, population 78 is bucking the trends. Central States Fire Apparatus of Lyons, South Dakota, builds fire engines and rescue vehicles. Since it was founded in 1982, the company has grown every year. A new 27-million dollar contract ensures growth for the next two years. Mainstreet Radio's Cara Hetland, reports:
December 3, 2001 - A South Dakota law designed to crack down on corporate farming gets it first test todayin federal court. The addition to the state constitution is known as Amendment E. Voters approved it in 1998. It prohibits companies from owning farmland in South Dakota. Amendment E also prohibits farmers from raising animals under contract. People on both sides of the debate say it's an effort to save the family farm. Minnesota Public Radio's Cara Hetland reports.
November 30, 2001 - South Dakota needs 47.5 million dollars in reserve funds to balance its books for this year and next. Governor Bill Janklow proposed his 2.5 billion dollar budget to lawmakers Thursday in Pierre. He says state revenues are coming in at about a third of the pace anticipated. Minnesota Public Radio's Cara Hetland reports.
November 26, 2001 - At the end of the year, South Dakota's oldest and largest gold mine closes. For 125 years Homestake Gold Mine has defined the Black Hills town of Lead (LEED). A group of scientists say the mine can still have a bright future. As a premiere research facility. Plans for the Homestake National Underground Science Laboratory are tied up in legal and legislative wrangling. But scientists who already work in a portion of the gold mine say it'll be the biggest thing for science and the Midwest since the discovery of gold. Mainstreet Radio's Cara Hetland reports:
November 20, 2001 - A start-up regional railroad may be positioned to compete with two of the nation's largest rail lines. The Dakota, Minnesota, and Eastern Railroad received a favorable report from the Surface Transportation Board yesterday (Monday). The Final Environmental Impact Statement outlines nearly 150 environmental requirements. Those will add ten percent to the billion and a half dollar expansion project. Still, company officials predict they'll build their railroad to satisfy a growing market for coal in east coast power plants. Mainstreet Radio's Cara Hetland reports:
October 30, 2001 - A new company will bring high-tech science to Sioux Falls. Hematech labs will produce antibodies in cattle aimed at fighting human illnesses. The Connecticut company will employ 20 scientists and technicians beginning early next year. There could be as many as 4-hundred employees within a few years. Mainstreet Radio's Cara Hetland reports: