July 23, 2001 - As they have done since the year 800, Sicilians hunt huge bluefin tuna, using net traps set on the floor of the Mediterranean. It was here that tuna was first canned in olive oil, a development that opened a world wide market. Now the entire catch is sold to Japanese, and flown direct to the Tokyo fish market where a single tuna can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Those changes have done little to change how the Sicilians fish. Author Theresa Maggio first saw the hunt almost a decade ago, and returned year after year to watch the ancient ritual, which she says cannot last much longer due to over fishing in other parts of the world. She told Minnesota Public Radio's Euan Kerr her book "Mattanza" (mah-TAN-zah) is named for the final slaughter.
July 23, 2001 - Some Minnesota families could see their welfare benefits cut off next summer. The cutoff is part of a federal welfare reform act passed in 1996 that set a time limit for benefits. The clock will run out for the first Minnesotans next July. The state legislature stepped in earlier this year, passing a bill that allows some recipeints to get an extension. But not everyone will qualify. Over the next few weeks, we'll talk to some Minnesotans on welfare. Some of them will likely qualify for the extension; others won't. Today we'll hear from Shirley Hawkins. Shirley has been on welfare for seven years. She recently started her first job. She's working at a packaging company, doing everything from creating store displays to stuffing calendars into plastic bags. Shirely says the work is monotonous, but there are some unexpected benefits... she's less shy now, and her seven-year-old daugher respects her.
July 23, 2001 -
July 23, 2001 - Members of National Association of Small Telecommunications Companies are gathering in Bloomington this week to discuss the increasing importance of modern telecoms in rural areas. They heard members of Minnesota's and North Dakota's congressional delegations discuss ways the federal government could help bring more advanced technologies to small towns. Minnesota Public Radio's Andrew Haeg reports.
July 23, 2001 -
July 23, 2001 -
July 24, 2001 - As Albert Lea recovers from a devastating fire that damaged a large portion of the Farmland Foods plant, the town braces for another hit to its economy. Another major employer may be preparing to lay off a few workers. MainStreet Radio's Laurel Druley reports it's an unsettling time for the town's manufacturing employees.
July 24, 2001 - An estimated 1-hundred employees at I-B-M's Rochester plant received pink slips today (TUESDAY) as officials move to scale back the facilities largest hardware division. The I-B-M plant is Rochester's second largest employer, with more than 5-thousand workers. Minnesota Public Radio's Erin Galbally reports industry analysts predict more layoffs to come.
July 24, 2001 -
July 25, 2001 - Last week's announcement that Allina Health System will split its health plan, Medica, from its hospitals and clinics has some state officials calling for a closer look at the state's health care system. In the early nineties, the government began encouraging consolidation of health care services. Some observers say it is time to revive that policy discussion. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...