MPR News Features are news segments created for various long-form programming, including Morning Edition and All Things Considered, amongst others. Features run the gambit of interviews, reports, profiles, and coverage.
April 30, 1997 - Ojibwe Band members had hoped to be spearing and netting fish on dozens of central Minnesota lakes by now. For seven years a group of tribes, led by the Mille Lacs Ojibwe, worked through the courts to restore fishing and hunting rights given them by treaty in the 19th century. It appeared the tribes would finally exercise those rights this spring. But a group of local landowners won an injunction earlier this month, halting the Indians plans, at least for now.
April 30, 1997 - The Minnesota Timberwolves got a taste of the national basketball association playoffs this year, but failed to earn a post-season victory. Last night's five-point loss to the Houston Rockets ended the Timberwolves season. Houston won the first-round playoff series three games to none. But the Timberwolves say they're proud of their performance this year and look forward to next season. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen reports.
April 30, 1997 - The scenes and stories of the devastating flood are prompting people across the state to contribute to what is now a steady stream of cash, food and supplies. Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes has a look at what one city is doing to help.
April 30, 1997 - Governor Carlson met today, with heads of state agencies, involved with the newly formed Flood Disaster Task Force. Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe reports: The task force signals a shift from emergency services and rescue efforts...to long term planning and policy for the recovery. The Governor told task force members , they must help the state begin to EMOTIONALLY prepare for the re-building of their communities because flood victims are beginning to ask the most fundamental questions as they return home: BITE: (blue one) Carlson says one of the more immediate pieces to the puzzle, is the HOU
April 30, 1997 - The National Weather Service has removed the flood warning for the Big Sioux River around Sioux Falls and city officials are busy removing protective dikes and levees surrounding the city. A hundred thousand sandbags were distributed in preparation for spring flooding and now it's time to take them all back. Minnesota Public Radio's Cara Hetland reports: Sandbags are piled waste high and 15 feet wide in the zoo parking lot Tuesday morning. Six people are digging through the heep of burlap to find bags that aren't broken and put in their trunks or pick-up beds. Troy Path is hoping for about 400 pounds of sand.
April 30, 1997 - When Minnesota schoolchildren found an outbreak of deformed frogs in the summer of 1995, scientists thought it would be only a matter of months before they figured out the cause. But nearly two years later, it's still a mystery, and the federal Environmental Protection Agency is becoming increasingly concerned. The EPA is preparing to spend several million dollars to investigate the problem, and find out whether it poses a threat not just to frogs, but to humans. Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Losure reports.
May 1, 1997 - FEMA PHONE NUMBER = 1-800-462-9029 As homeowners return to flooded homes....they face some complex financial decisions on repairing the damage. It's likely that even those with flood insurance will find that not all their losses are covered. Some will fix their homes...others may decide its not worth the money. Mark Steil of Mainstreet Radio reports:
May 1, 1997 - While flood recovery is just beginning in Grand Forks and East Grand Forks, just to the southeast the small community of Ada is further along. School reopened this week for high school students in the town of 1700, and emergency meals will only be served by the Salvation Army until the end of the week. Leif Enger of Mainstreet Radio reports.
May 1, 1997 - A bipartisan deal to regularly test the progress of Minnesota schools and students could be in trouble at the state capitol. Two months ago, the Governor and legislative leaders agreed to set up a new standardized testing system in the public schools, but last night (Wed) the final negotiations hit a wall. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports: Is it possible to test kids too much? Minneapolis state senator Larry Pogemiller thinks so, and he's willing to jeopardize what seemed to be a done deal to make his point. Two months ago, legislative leaders promised Governor Carlson they'd set up a new statewide testing system. Standardized tests are a favorite cause of the Governor's, who believes the publicized test scores will make public schools more accountable. The deal was supposed to set up four tests in the years between kindergarten and 12th grade, but Pogemiller and his Senate colleagues now say three are enough:
May 1, 1997 - In the UK the Labour Party is surging toward a landslide election victory that would restore it to power for the first time in a generation and make 43-year-old Tony Blair the youngest British prime minister in 185 years. Bob Striker is a Minneapolis attorney who had a brush with Tony Blair back in 1986.