January 29, 1999 - A new report by the state legislative auditor finds "numerous weaknesses" in the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's feedlot program. They include outdated rules, inadequate inspections, and inconsistent enforcement.
January 19, 1999 - Second District Representative David Minge wants to see changes in the nation's anti-trust laws to slow the growing tide of corporate mega-mergers. He held a forum Monday on the consolidation of one of the Minnesota's major industries, agriculture.
January 7, 1999 - Scientists who meeting at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency said they're encouraged by the progress being made in determining the cause of deformities in frogs found in Minnesota and other states since 1995. Researchers say several different avenues of the investigation are providing information that could lead them closer to finding the reason many frogs have missing limbs, extra limbs, missing eyes and other deformities.
January 6, 1999 - As the state legislative session begins, many interest groups are still waiting to see what stands Governor Jesse Ventura will take on specific issues but supporters of industrial hemp already know exactly how the governor stands on their issue. During his campaign, Ventura spoke out clearly in favor of legalizing industrial hemp, and he's reaffirmed his position since then. Hemp promoters now see new hope for what they call a promising and environmentally friendly alternative crop.
December 21, 1998 - A protest camp in the path of the planned rerouting of highway 55 in Minneapolis is empty now. Bulldozers have demolished condemned houses that had been occupied by squatters opposed to the highway. Nearly 600 law enforcement officals made a predawn sweep of the camp early Sunday and arrested 33 people. Officials are calling it the largest concerted law enforcement effort in Minnesota history.
December 17, 1998 - for morning edition Thursday, Dec 17 Members of a state council set up to reform Minnesota's forestry practices are scheduled to vote today on a long- awaited set of guidelines for loggers. The voluntary guidelines are intended to protect wildlife, lakes and streams from environmental damage caused by increased timber harvesting. The timber industry says the guidelines are a significant step forward, but environmental groups say they fall far short of what's needed. Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Losure reports. For more than a decade, environmental groups have been concerned about increased logging to feed the expansion of Minnesota's pulp an
December 8, 1998 - The Kondirator metal shredder proposed for the Mississippi riverbank in Minneapolis took a step forward today. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Citizens Board voted unanimously to give the project the necessary permits without further environmental studies. Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Losure reports. Neighborhood residents are concerned about emmissions, noise, and dust from the shredder. The city of Minneapolis opposes the 3-storey metal shredder and took the issue to court more than two years ago to force the MPCA
December 8, 1998 - ******for Tuesday, Dec. 8 morning edition.***** A long- disputed proposal to build a 3-storey high metal shredder on the banks of the Mississippi in Minneapolis will go before the the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency today. American Iron and Supply Company wants to build the "Kondirator" at the company's riverside scrapyard in a north Minneapolis neighborhood. The fight over the project dates back to the late 1980's. Now, PCA staff members have recommended approval of the Kondirator, despite vocal opposition by the city of Minneapolis. Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Losure reports.
December 3, 1998 - MPR’s Mary Losure reports on Governor-elect Jesse Ventura touring the state’s Department of Natural Resources and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Hundreds of state employees gave an enthusiastic welcome to Ventura as he visited the two state agencies that oversee Minnesota's environment.
December 1, 1998 - In about a year, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service is expected to take gray wolves in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan off the endangered species list. The return of the wolf is seen by some as a high profile success for the Endangered Species Act. The purpose of the Endangered Species Act is to protect endangered animals and plants until their populations recover and they can be taken off the endangered species list.