November 17, 1998 - It's been nearly six months since a tornado destroyed the town of Spencer, South Dakota. Before the storm Spencer was a town struggling for survival. Now some say the outlook is completely different. New construction will rebuild the town's basics... a watertower, apartments and a community center. There's hope that longtime residents will return and new families will find the town. Spencer residents are hopeful but skeptical. Mainstreet Radio's Cara Hetland reports: Spencer. a town settled before the turn of the century looks like a new housing development. Three days after a blizzard every street is plowed to reveal a 14 square block area. The streets are clear...
November 17, 1998 - Minnesota farmers faced with their worst financial outlook in a decade received some good news the past month. Congress approved emergency federal aid for agriculture and farmers finished harvesting a record corn and soybean crop. The extra dollars from the government and the extra bushels in the bins helps improve the economic outlook but falls far short of returning profit to agriculture for most farmers. Mainstreet Radio's Mark Steil reports: Driving through southwest Minnesota on a cloudy fall day it's easy to spot a new color brightening the autumn landscape. Look for a grain elevator, then next to it, a splash of gold, glowing like neo
November 17, 1998 - Some well-known political figures signed up as volunteer advisers to Governor-elect Jesse Ventura today (TUES). The eight-person advisory committee includes outgoing Lieutenant Governor Joanne Benson, Republican state representative Charlie Weaver and former Congressman Tim Penny. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste has this report on Ventura's growing circle of advisers -- and their role in the future administration. Jesse Ventura's new advisers come from a variety of political backgrounds, but as far as the Governor-elect is concerned, they have a common pragmatic approach to politics: ((VENTURA: committee members were chosen for their independent thinking, and their ability to work in a non-partisan manner.))
November 17, 1998 - MPR’s Dan Olson reports on how some Minnesota farmers are putting a few extra dollars in their pocket by selling what they usually plow under. A St. Peter company is making building materials as strong as wood from the straw left after farmers harvest soybeans and wheat.
November 18, 1998 - As part of the Our State, Our Forests series, a Mainstreet Radio special broadcast from MPR studios in Duluth, highlighting the Minnesota Northwoods. In this hour, MPR’s Rachel Reabe presents stories by reporters Leif Enger and Mary Losure which portray the timber industry past and present and describe its impact on the environment and economy of Northern Minnesota.
November 18, 1998 - As part of the Our State, Our Forests series, a Mainstreet Radio special broadcast from MPR studios in Duluth, highlighting the Minnesota Northwoods. Rachel Reabe hosts a discussion/debate on forestry in Minnesota with Jim Sanders, forest supervisor for the Superior National Forest; Betsy Daub, forest program director for the Minnesota office of the National Audubon Society; and Wayne Brandt, executive vice-president for Forest Industries.
November 18, 1998 - The Minnesota Environmental Quality board today gave the green light to a new north/south runway at Twin Cities International Airport. The Board unanimously approved an environmental impact statement for the runway, over the objections of the city of Richfield. But Richfield officials said the decision was a partial victory. Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Catlin reports. Richfield's primary complaint has been that the Metropolitan Airports commission environmental impact statement gives short shrift to problems caused by low frequency noise ... the dull Rumbling from jets that can cause vibration in walls windows and doors. Richfield residents packed the basement hearing room in the State office building, hefting signs tha
November 20, 1998 - [for FRIDAY MORNING! 11-20-98! Later today the National Mediation Board will announce the results a the vote that'll determine whether Northwest Airline airlines mechanics and aircraft cleaners will leave the Internatonal Assocaition of Machinists for a rival union. If the mechanics decide on representation by the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association labor relations with Northwest could change signifcantly. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports...
November 24, 1998 - MPR’s Kathryn Herzog presents a Mainstreet Radio report on the lack of crop diversity on many modern Minnesota farms. Some farmers and agronomists are looking for ways to bring the diversity back.
November 24, 1998 - Speaker-designate Steve Sviggum named the 28 new chairmen of the Minnesota House legislative committees today (TUES). The chairmen have a lot of say over which bills get a hearing, and they'll set the new tone for the new Republican majority. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste has more.