May 14, 1998 - Dwight Silverman, computer columnist for the Houston Chronicle; and MPR's Jon Gordon talk about the pending anti-trust lawsuit against Microsoft. Silverman and Gordon also answer listener questions. Programs begins with report on if traditional industrial anti-trust standards apply to high-tech.
May 14, 1998 - MPR’s Tim Pugmire reports on the testing challenges of public schools in Minneapolis and St. Paul see more immigrants and refugees each year…with few speaking English. That makes passing exams, including the 8th grade basic skills tests in reading and math, extremely difficult. The state provides money to educate these students, but in many cases the immigration is outpacing the funding.
May 14, 1998 - Law enforcement officials say despite some recent high-profile homicides, they're beginning to see improvements in some of Minneapolis' toughest neighborhoods. Some neighborhood leaders say they agree, but argue that's no reason to lift the pressure on drug dealers and city officials. Minnesota Public Radio's Eric Jansen reports.
May 14, 1998 - As the debate over how to spend Minnesota's tobacco settlement heats up, some of the discussion has shifted to the state's co-plaintiff - Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota. The insurer's share of 469-million dollars is now the subject of two class-action lawsuits filed this week. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
May 14, 1998 - Negotiators for Northwest Airlines and its largest union are back the bargaining table in Washington D.C. Its been more than a month since the airline and it machinists union have been engaged in federally mediated contract talks. The union says this latest round of negotiations could be critical in determining whether ground workers move toward a strike. All six of Northwest's unions which represent workers from mechanics to flight crews are preparing for a possible walk out this summer. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports...
May 15, 1998 - It's an old argument with a new twist. Which is more important: economics or the environment? Some people criticize the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency for favoring economic development, and ignoring the potential for environmental damage. In the final part of our series on problems at the MPCA, Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Losure looks at charges that long term changes in the agency's philosophy are responsible for the growing list of environmental problems on its watch. 51:12 train. Birds etc.
May 18, 1998 - [for use IF KOCH SIGNS for ATC tonight at 5:20. I will write alternate version for use if Koch does NOT sign by 5:20.] The Koch Refining Company and officials of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency have worked out final details of a 6.9 million dollar out-of-court- settlement. The agreement signed today requires Koch to begin agressive clean up of groundwater contamination at its Rosemount refinery south of the Twin Cities...but it comes years after the spills and leaks were first reported. Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Losure reports. HOST OUTCUE The signing of the new cleanup agreement removes one barrier to a new air
May 18, 1998 - The clean up and development of polluted riverfront property in downtown Minneapolis is picking up steam. The area is part of the city's historic flour milling district. Developers are building apartments and townhomes for people they believe will be attracted by the central riverfront's scenery and location. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports. audio . . . sfx wrecking ball Right now the neighbors are a little noisy. But the wrecking crew tearing down the old General Mills grain silos will leave soon. Then, developer Peggy Lucas' customers can catch a glimpse of what they've bought - an unobstructed view of the Mississippi River. Lucas' company, Brighton Development, is building apartments in the historic North Star Blanket fa
May 18, 1998 - Political foes of Minnesota Attorney General and gubernatorial candidate Skip Humphrey say he should've disclosed all of the fees paid to attorneys in Minnesota's tobacco trial when he announced the settlement two weeks ago. The St. Paul Pioneer Press reported over the weekend the Robins Kaplan, Miller and Ciresi firm will receive at least 100-million-dollars more than Humphrey stated. Humphrey supporters say the fees are a non-issue because the tobacco companies agreed to pay them on top of the settlement. Minnesota public radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports: When Humphrey announced the tobacco settlement on June 8th, he proudly told supporters tobacco companies would pay attorneys fees *on top* of the 6 billion dollar settlement. He said tobacco companies would pay attorneys 440-million dollars or about seven percent of the settlement. But the Pioneer Press reported over the weekend that Humphrey was quoting only the fe
May 18, 1998 - As many as 25,000 Twin Cities residents will be without power until tomorrow, four days after tornadoes and thunderstorms swept through the area. Northern States Power company says Friday's storms knocked out electricity to more than 400,000 customers in Minnesota and parts of the Dakotas. The utility says the storms affected more households than a l996 ice storm. Cleanup crews are hauling away debris and dealing with the thousands of downed trees caused by the storm. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports. The beads of perspiration popping from John Schotzsnyder's forehead gleam in the midday sun. He welcomes a chance to take a break from storm clean up to show a visitor the damage to his Shoreview home and the trees on his lot. Several damaged boughs hang precarious