April 1, 1997 - Peter Hutchinson from the Minneapolis School District says a systematic community effort is needed to help students be successful. Hutchinson outlined his challenge for increased community involvement in public education in his annual "State of the Schools" speech this morning. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
April 2, 1997 - MPR’s Bob Potter interviews Donald Schwert, a geologist at North State University, about the dynamics of Red River that make it prone to flooding.
April 2, 1997 - Midday discussion with two state legislative leaders to talk about issues facing lawmakers halfway through the session, including welfare reform bill, abortion, immigrant assistance, taxes, and education. Guests Speaker of the House Phil Carruthers and Senate Minority Leader Dean Johnson share their viewpoints and answer listener call-in questions.
April 2, 1997 - MPR's Mark Zdechlik traverses the Metrodome to talk with fans and players about the return of baseball and the Minnesota Twins prospects in 1997 Major League Baseball season.
April 2, 1997 - MPR’s Bob Potter interviews Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton about an arbitrator’s decision than former Minneapolis police officer Mike Sauro is to be reinstated, after being fired by the city for second time. Sayles Belton shares why she disagrees with the decision, her concerns over off-duty work by officers in businesses that serve alcohol, and need for officer training.
April 3, 1997 - MPR’s Bob Collins reports that despite latest stadium bill being roundly disliked, it has been stalled…but not dead. By a single vote, the House Local Government and Metropolitan Affairs Committee refused to refer bill to Taxes Committee.
April 4, 1997 - MPR’s Bob Kelleher reports that sixteen exhausted negotiators gave up their efforts Thursday to settle the most contentious management issue in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. In twenty-two meetings over eight months, the panel managed to find consensus on minor disputes over the use of the federal wilderness area, but there was no agreement on the one issue that led to their convening.
April 4, 1997 - Dave Nimmer reads from his new book "Lessons on the Journey," published by Nodin Press.
April 5, 1997 - Dorothy said, "there's no place like home." Author Barbara Bonner agrees. In her new book "Sacred Ground: Writings About Home" Bonner complies an interesting collections of writings about "home." Barbara Bonner says home has always been the focus of her life. Five years ago Milkweed Editions Publisher Emilie Buchwald asked her to edit "Sacred Ground". The first step in compiling the book was to advertise in literary magazines for material. Bonner says she was overwhelmed with the response.
April 7, 1997 - As part of Minnesota Public Radio’s Voice of Minnesota series, MPR’s Gary Eichten interviews George Latimer, former St. Paul mayor. Latimer talks about his life and work, beginning in the early 1940's in Schenectady, New York, where Latimer grew up as a shopkeeper's son. He would become, and still remains, one of Minnesota's most popular politicians.