Digitization made possible by the State of Minnesota Legacy Amendment’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, approved by voters in 2008.
December 26, 2000 - The Department of Natural Resources is considering a plan to dramatically change the way the agency manages the state's forests. DNR commisoner Allen Garber hopes to replicate a Finish program that favors frequent, selective cutting, instead of blanket clear-cutting. He is organizing an April summit to consider how to implement the program. Garber visited Finland's forests in September and says he was very impressed by what he saw.
December 26, 2000 - Future Tense for December 26th reports on doctors in Connecticut treating climbers on Mt. Everest. A study by Yale University says recent expeditions to the world's highest mountain prove the reliability of telemedicine. That's when doctors monitor vital signs, diagnose illness, and recommend courses of treatment long distance, through telecommunications. Richard Satava, Yale surgery professor, was part of the telemedicine team for two Everest expeditions, in 1999.
December 26, 2000 - Now that Governor Jesse Ventura has thrown his support behind a plan to upgrade county criminal justice computer systems in Minnesota, chances are good the system known as "crimnet" should have an easier time getting through the legislature, at least for now. The project is estimated to cost about a quarter of a billion dollars. Legislators plan to ask for 41.5-million dollars for the project during this next biennium. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports.
December 26, 2000 - During this legislative session tax cuts, education and redistricting will be the main focus for lawmakers. But anti-abortion legislation will also come up again this year. Both chambers in the Minnesota legislature are controlled by legislators opposed to abortion. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
December 26, 2000 - Since his days on the campaign trail Governor Jesse Ventura has railed against the state's local property tax system, calling it unfair, confusing, and in urgent need of reform. As a candidate Ventura had few hard proposals for reform, and his first budget as governor lacked any radical changes. But after studying the issue for two years Ventura and his top aides say they're now ready for a major change in property taxes. They propose taking general education funding completely off the property tax rolls, a nearly 1 billion dollar bite. Replacing that revenue with other taxes or spending cuts will involve tricky budget negotiations, and the plan is already facing tough questions at the Capitol. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has this preview of Ventura's property tax initiative.
December 26, 2000 - In this era of low unemployment, employers are having a difficult time hiring and retaining skilled workers. In the health care sector, where lives are at stake, the hiring crunch is even more severe. Hospital administrators say the nursing shortage comes at a time when the population is growing older and the need for care is growing. Hospitals, Nursing Homes and Doctor's Offices all say the biggest workforce shortage is on the frontlines of medicine: Nurses. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
December 26, 2000 - The bald eagle has come back from the brink of extinction in U.S. and in Minnesota. The state DNR, along with other agencies and wildlife groups, did a survey of eagle nests in the state, and preliminary findings confirm that the population has grown significantly since the 1960's, when the eagle went on the endangered species list. Richard Baker and Joan Galli who both worked on the survey for the DNR speak with MPR News. Galli says the state's eagles are doing better than just surviving.
December 26, 2000 - Temperatures will be dropping below zero around the state once again tonight. These cold temperatures are increasing the demand for natural gas, and that's means it's getting more and more expensive to heat your home. Natural gas prices have tripled in the last 18 months, as supplies across the United States have failed to match rising demands. Some analysts say prices could go even higher in the next few months. One way to reduce heating costs is through conservation. Dale Sullivan is an energy specialist with Ramsey Action Programs. He says home owners should start off by trying to reduce drafts within the house.
December 26, 2000 - NASDAQ is down 38% at the end of the year. Make sure your portfolio is up to date.
December 27, 2000 - MPR’s Jae Bryson reports on local Muslims arriving at St. Paul's RiverCentre for Islamic holiday Eid al-Fitr. The prayers and feasts of Eid al-Fitr mark the end of Ramadan, the month-long period of fasting and material deprivation. Organizers say the event, one of two Muslim High Holy Days, attracted more than 10,000 people.