December 29, 1998 - Molnau = MOLE now The two new transporation leaders in the Minnesota House of Represenatives share the view that Twin Cities suburbs need more roads. Representatives Carol Molnau (MOLE now) from Chaska and Tom Workman from Chanhassen say the additional lanes are needed because traffic congestion in the suburbs is a problem. Minnesota Public Radio Radio's Dan Olson reports. Republican Representative Carol Molnau, a farmer from Chaska, says when she moved there nearly three decades ago, only 20 vehicles a day used the road by her place. Since then, she says, the road has been paved but not widened and Molnau says the traffic count has risen to 16,000 vehicles each day. She says the suburbs need more lanes.
December 24, 1998 - On this Midday program, a presentation stories of the holiday…including Bob Potter reading "How The Grinch Stole Christmas", Kate Smith reading "The Fir Tree", Dan Olson reading the letter in the Sun Newspaper--"Yes, Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus;" the late Dave Moore reading "James Thurber"; and Greta Cunningham reading "A Brooklyn Christmas."
December 24, 1998 - FOR DEC 24 ATC Imagine you're a celebrity musician. New cars, nice clothes, fans stopping you on the street for autographs. Then, war changes everything. You're forced to leave your homeland with little more than the clothes on your back, and you end up in Minnesota working at a bakery. That in a nutshell is the story of Alexsander Pavolic (PAV low vick). Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson has more. audio . . . ambience Pavlovic family smiles as bright as light bulbs greet visitors to the their small apartment in Brooklyn Center. Coffee is served, there's a little conversation. But Alexsander is straining at the bit like a race horse. He is happiest when his fingers are racing over his
December 21, 1998 - People opposed to the re-route of a section of highway 55 in south Minneapolis say they'll meet tonight to plan a new strategy. Some 600 police officers moved in and arrested 33 protesters early Sunday morning. Then, contractors hired by the state demolished the seven houses occupied by the group.
December 17, 1998 - A new housing development in Minneapolis' Phillips neighborhood will convert several landmark mansions into condominiums. Residents say the project is not gentrification that will push poor people out but instead is the beginning of a long awaited turn-around for the inner city neighborhood. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports. The wrecking ball has taken many of the mansions along Park avenue in the Phillips neighborhood. But a few remain, and Lutheran Social Services spokesman Bill Vanderwall says three near their headquarters building will become condominiums. The units will sell for $90,000 to $145,000. Vanderwalle says the housing and other projects in the works will change the face of the city's poorest neighborhood.
December 8, 1998 - FOR TUES ME The big red Northstar Blanket factory sign will be lit Wednesday for the first time in 50 years. The moribund riverfront building in downtown Minneapolis is being turned into loft apartments. The developers say re-lighting the sign shows the downtown riverfront is returning to life after decades of neglect. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports. audio . . . (construction sfx) A few months ago the North Star blanket factory was uninhabitable. Brighton Develpment company partner Peggy Lucas says the 100 year old building's only permanent residents had wings. audio . . . this ceiling we're looking at now was f
November 30, 1998 - MPR’s Dan Olson reports on the varied opinions on the war on drugs…no where is the difference more striking than on the front lines. There's a rising tide of voices saying we're not winning the war on drugs so we should legalize all or most of them.
November 17, 1998 - MPR’s Dan Olson reports on how some Minnesota farmers are putting a few extra dollars in their pocket by selling what they usually plow under. A St. Peter company is making building materials as strong as wood from the straw left after farmers harvest soybeans and wheat.
November 6, 1998 - Here's an American culture quiz. Everyone knows Francis Scott Key wrote the words to the national anthem. But do you know who wrote the words to 'Lift Every Voice and Sing,' often called the African American national anthem? The answer is James Weldon Johnson. You get extra credit if you can name another famous work by Johnson. Time's up. The answer is the poem 'Creation.' The poem is part of a choral piece called 'God's Trombones.' The works will be performed Friday night at First Baptist Church in Minneapolis. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson has more. audio . . . (creation 1) and God stepped out on space and looked around and said I'm lonely. I'll make me a world.
October 28, 1998 - On this edition of MPR’s Voices of Minnesota series, a profile of two long-time Minnesota political activists; Geri Joseph of the DFL and Republican Kathleen Ridder. The two women have played a major role in shaping politics in Minnesota.