Digitization made possible by the State of Minnesota Legacy Amendment’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, approved by voters in 2008.
September 29, 1997 - An article in today's New York Times explored the possible link between chemicals in the environment and rising cancer rates in children. For the past twenty years researchers have noticed a moderate but steady increase in childhood cancers, averaging about one-percent per year. But little is known about what's causing the increase. Much of the cancer research has been conducted at the University of Minnesota. Professor of Pediatrics, Dr. Les Robison, told Minnesota Public Radio's Lorna Benson researchers believe the rising childhood cancer rate is real, and not a function of increased reporting.
September 30, 1997 - Student Aishah Jackson, external president of the Black Liberation Affairs Committee at Macalester College, comments on Macalester administration's reaction to  racial incident on campus.
September 30, 1997 - Researchers from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences have found the first direct evidence of a link between contaminated water and the outbreaks of deformed frogs first reported in Minnesota in 1995. Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Losure reports.
September 30, 1997 - Grand Forks and East Grand Forks residents who say buy-out offers from the federal government for their flood-wrecked homes are insufficient may get another chance. Today a class-action suit was filed on their behalf in federal courts in Minnesota and North Dakota. The suit aims to force local officials to use eminent domain to buy-out homeowners. The hope is that eminent domain--a legal concept that allows government buy property for the civic good--would offer homeowners a better deal: more money, relocation benefits, and a smoother process. Though few property owners are named on the suit, hundreds are eligible, and could join later. Cheryl Phelps is one East Grand Forks homeowner who's already on board:
September 30, 1997 - The small campus of Macalester College in St. Paul is reeling from an alleged racist incident and its aftermath. A couple of weekends ago, a black female student reported that someone wrote on her dorm room door's message board: "We hate you, we hate you. Hugs and kisses. The KKK." A nearby poster of Tiger Woods was similarly defaced. In response, there were dorm meetings, a letter to all students from the college president condemning the attack, and a convocation yesterday attended by 450 students. Roberto Ifell is special assistant for Diversity and Campus Community at Macalester.
September 30, 1997 - EVERY YEAR THOUSANDS OF MINNESOTA'S WILDFLOWERS ARE TURNED INTO LANDFILL DURING DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS AND ROAD CONSTRUCTION. NO ONE KEEPS TRACK OF THE LOST PLANTS WHICH OFTEN INCLUDE MEMBERS OF THE HALF-DOZEN SPECIES OF PROTECTED WILDFLOWERS...LIKE ORCHIDS AND LILIES. PEOPLE WHO WANT TO RESCUE THE PLANTS MUST RECEIVE PERMISSION FROM THE LANDOWNER AND SECURE A PERMIT FROM THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. THIS SALVAGE HAS PROVOKED A QUIET DEBATE OVER WHETHER THESE PLANTS SHOULD BE RELOCATED. MINNESOTA PUBLIC RADIO'S KATHLEEN HALLINAN REPORTS. (SOUND OF PULLING/BRAD...) BRAD MRZLAK IS PULLING NATIVE CALLALILIES AND STASHING THEM IN A PLASTIC TRAY. HE GENTLY GRABS THE PLANTS AT THE BASE AND EASES THEIR ROOTS TO THE SURFACE. HE'S STANDING IN A PEAT BOG--WITH WATER MIDWAY UP HIS SHINS.
October 1, 1997 - In his new novel "Floating Kingdom", Minneapolis writer George Rabasa tells the story of a family living on a tiny island in the middle of the Rio Grande, smack in the middle of the border between the U.S. and Mexico. The patriarch Seguila makes his living guiding illegal immigrants across the border; his son-in-law makes his living robbing those same people. One day Seguilo and his grandson come across the battered form of a teenager from north of the border, who has run afoul of bandits. "Floating Kingdom" is about a family on the edge, on the edge of two nations, and the edge of survival.
October 1, 1997 - capitol Supporters of a new baseball stadium are getting little solace from a meeting of Members of the Minnesota House D-F-L Caucus the prospects of public funding package. With time running out before a proposed special session, and with an offer to move the Twins out of state expected soon, the DFL-ers could not agree on what to do. Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe reports: Democrats in the House met for about two hours in a CLOSED caucus meeting that was reportedly but diversely opinionated. House Speaker Phil Carruthers says the issue has created a sharp divide within the DFL House caucus. BITE: "we've said it's unlikely...so that could
October 1, 1997 - Like it or not, ethanol blended gasoline is Minnesota's number one fuel for cars and trucks. A state law takes effect today which virtually mandates the ethanol blend as the only fuel you can buy in areas outside the Twin Cities. The ethanol blend has been required in the metro area since 1995. Mark Steil of Mainstreet Radio reports.
October 2, 1997 - The accounts of torture and murder being heard by South Africa's Reconciliation Commision are a grim reminder of past life under the country's white minority government. The end of apartheit brings hope, but also a new set of problems. A South African singing group called "The Christian Explainers" is on a U.S. tour to call attention to the rise of drug violence that is afflicting the country. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson has more ANNCR TAG: The Christian Explainers' first Twin Cities performance is Thursday evening (tonight) in St. Paul at the Minnesota History Center auditorium. Eddie Jacobs is alternately hopeful and fearful about the future fo