August 19, 2002 - Airline pilots are learning to investigate plane crashes in a new course at the University of North Dakota. It's a cooperative venture between the U-N-D Aerospace School and the Airline Pilots Association. The unique program will take students out of the classroom to examine a crash site. Mainstreet Radios Dan Gunderson reports.
August 20, 2002 - Republican U.S. Senate candidate Norm Coleman today spoke out on the corporate ethics scandal calling, among other things, for more government powers to seize ill-gotten gains from corrupt business people. Incumbent DFL Senator Paul Wellstone says he's glad Coleman is talking about corporate accountability... but Wellstone said he thinks Minnesotans will trust him to stand up to stand up to corporate wrongdoers. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports...
August 21, 2002 - Light rail transit officials say the projected state budget deficit has forced them to delay the start of light rail service in Minneapolis. Hiawatha Line officials say service won't start until April, 2004, four months later than projected. They say construction of the eleven and half mile long line from downtown Minneapolis to the Mall of America is on time and within budget. But they say there's not enough money to begin service as early as they wanted. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports. Hiawatha Line officials wanted the **first** train to leave the station in December 2003 with partial service from the Metrodome in downtown Minneapolis to the Veterans Hospital on the city's southern border. Metropolitan Council chairman Ted Mondale says the startup is delayed because his agency has to put together a budget that anticipates the projected state budget deficit.
August 21, 2002 - Farmers own nearly half the nation's ethanol plants. The plants boost corn prices by creating demand for corn. And by owning their own plants, farmers hope they can capture some of the profits traditionally reaped by commodity processing giants such as Cargill and Archer Daniels Midland. But now, just as the ethanol industry seems poised for a boom, the farmers who own Minnesota's oldest and largest ethanol plant are thinking of getting out. Stockholders in Marshall, Minnesota -based Minnesota Corn Processors are expected to vote next month on whether to sell their company to Archer Daniels Midland, the nation's largest ethanol producer. Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Losure reports.
August 21, 2002 - Details will be announced today for a statewide interfaith gathering at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul to mark the first anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks. The anniversary is three weeks from today, and we asked you to tell us how YOU will mark the day. Many of you called in, with your own plans, as well as suggestions for the nation as a whole. Richard from St. Paul is concerned not enough will be done to commemorate the attacks:
August 21, 2002 - MPR’s Marissa Helms reports that Northeast Minneapolis neighborhood is home to a growing international community. Though the area grew by just one percent over the past 10 years, U.S. census figures show a significant quadrupling of immigrant populations.
August 22, 2002 - MPR’s Tim Pugmire reports on finishing touches as the Minnesota State Fair prepares to open. It includes a building remodel…and tighter security a year after the September 11th terrorist attacks.
August 26, 2002 - MPR’s Andrew Haeg reports on what’s behind being a vendor at the Minnesota State Fair. For vendors, the Fair is a huge business opportunity. Competition for a slot at the fair is intense, and the barriers to entry are high. But, given the chance, those who've set up shop at the fair say it's worth the trouble and the wait.
August 27, 2002 - Foreigners have traveled to the Mayo Clinic for nearly a hundred years. Over time, patients from the Middle East have emerged as some the clinic's most important clientele. Traditionally summer brings visitors from Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia to Rochester for treatment. But since September 11th, the number of visitors is down at least 50-percent. That's largely because international visitors face long delays in receiving visas for travel to the U.S. Mayo isn't the only local business missing out. Mainstreet Radio's Erin Galbally has this report.
August 27, 2002 - MPR’s Andrew Haeg looks into homeownership among immigrant groups. Real estate experts say immigrants are an increasingly important part of the real estate market and lenders are taking steps to accommodate them.