December 12, 2000 - Newly elected Minnesota Senator Mark Dayton made one of his first public appearances today in Rochester. Last week the freshman Democrat was in Washington for senate orientation. Minnesota Public Radio's Erin Galbally reports.
November 22, 2000 - After a decade marred by civil war, an elected government has returned to Somalia. A newly formed three year transitional government came together in October. Some Somalis here in Minnesota are watching the situation closely - especially a family in Owatonna who are related to the country's newly appointed Prime Minister. Minnesota Public Radio's Erin Galbally has this report.
November 17, 2000 - Members of the Surface Transportation Board heard from citizens of Rochester about their views of the railroad going through the city.
November 8, 2000 -
November 1, 2000 - Voters from across the state will decide the fate of more than fifty school referendum proposals when they head to the polls next week. School districts are asking for more money for everything from day to day operations to brand new facilities. Minnesota Public Radio's Erin Galbally reports from Rochester. On November 7th Rochester schools will ask for tax payer support to save them from a projected multi million dollar deficit. Rochester is hardly an anomaly this election cycle. Faced with dwindling enrollment, the Blooming Prairie School District plans to ask for more money... and in Lakeville approval of a school referendum will mean five million dollars more for the district for the next seven years. Northern Minnesota's Greenway school district says without referendum money its schools could go bankrupt. Back in Rochester schools are looking for an annual infusion of ten million dollars for the next ten years. School Board Member Lori Jonason says like referendum proposals in Farmington and Crookston schools need the money to avoid massive cuts. Jonason:
October 19, 2000 - An Olmsted County District Court judge is scheduled to hear from all sides in a high profile defamation case today. After two years of legal wrangling a prominent Rochester developer, ABC television and a Twin Cities lawyer will ask a judge to rule on how the case should proceed. Minnesota Public Radio's Erin Galbally reports.
October 12, 2000 - The rising cost of natural gas and fuel is hitting farmers this harvest season . While a dry summer and fall spared farmers some of the impact, fuel prices close to double last years will eat into profits. Minnesota Public Radio's Erin Galbally has this Mainstreet report.
October 3, 2000 -
September 25, 2000 - It's been a century since brewing in La Crosse, Wisconsin was at the top of its game. Since then close to a dozen breweries have folded, and today only one remains. Minnesota Public Radio's Erin Galbally reports that sole survivor, "City Brewery", finds itself in money trouble struggling to stay open.
September 18, 2000 - This week pork producers from across the nation will cast their vote for or against a mandatory payment some say is responsible for bolstering the industry. Events leading up to the vote have set small farms against large ones, with the fate of millions of dollars dependent on the outcome. Main Street Radio's Erin Galbally has the fist of two reports on the controversy surrounding the twelve-year old government enforced checkoff. Tomorrow Mark Steil will look at the politics behind this debate over the national pork checkoff.