February 17, 1997 - The U-S Department of Agricutlture will save billions of dollars as millions of acres of land return to production. The Freedom to Farm legislation passed last year requires millions of acres to be removed from the Conservation Reserve program. The program was established in the mid-80's to protect land from wind and water erosion and to help farmers through tough times. As ten year contracts begin to expire farmers are forced to decide if they're eligible to renew for another decade of guaranteed payments or if they'll farm the land and take advantage of higher prices for crops. Minnesota Public Radio's Cara Hetland talked to two Lincoln county farmers about their plans: Minnesota's Lincoln county has the most Conservation Reserve Program acres per county in the state. 50 thousand acres lie untouched by the farmers who chose to turn it into conservation land in exchan
February 20, 1997 - THE F-B-I IS TRYING TO STEM THE FLOOD OF FORGED E-MAIL MESSAGES SENT TO MEMBERS OF CONGRESS. THE MESSAGES THREATEN TO DELETE EVERY FILE ON COMPUTERS ON CAPITOL HILL. THE "SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS" SAYS THE MESSAGES CLAIM TO BE FROM A "GANG OF CYPHERPUNKS" DEDICATED TO WIPING OUT THE COMPUTER SYSTEMS OF THE NATION'S LAWMAKERS. THE E-MAIL MESSAGES CARRY THE RETURN ADDRESSES OF SOME LEGITIMATE INTERNET USERS. BUT THE IDEN
March 20, 1997 - On this first day of spring, Mainstreet Radio’s Mark Steil presents some stories from the winter of '97…and shares words from winter's past in the works of Laura Ingalls Wilder and O.E. Rolvaag.
March 26, 1997 - With all the predictions of severe flooding this spring, some Minnesotans are considering taking rather extraordinary precautions, such as flooding their basements themselves before murky flood waters can penetrate them. In the southwestern Minnesota town of Dawson, the local fire department has told residents it will fill their basements with clean water when flood waters begin to rise. The idea is to equalize pressure inside the home to protect foundations from crumbling and prevent the muck from gathering in the basement. We contacted Duane Hoeschen (Hession), regional coordinator in Mankato of the department of public safety's division of emergency management, to find out what he thought of the strategy and to explain it in a little more detail. Duane Hoeschen, regional coordinator of the state's divisio
March 31, 1997 - As farmers in Minnesota deal with the potential of flooding, they're also starting the spring planting process. But Minnesota News Network Farm Director Tom Rothman says it's too early to be making a lot of guesses about what the spring will bring. Tom Rothman of the Minnesota News Network. Sun 28-MAY 20:11:58 MPR NewsPro Archive - Wed 04/11/2001
March 31, 1997 - While most of us are glad to see the return of warmer weather... there are the downsides of the thaw to consider.... On the larger scale there is the potential for huge floods.... but on the smaller scale there are the piles of detritus left behind as the snow fades away.... particularly if you own a dog. But don't despair.... there IS help available.... Today in our Odd Jobs report we meet Todd Johnson, of Minneapolis, who makes a living picking up the small piles left by dogs in backyards throughout the Twin Cities. Spring is a busy time of the year for Johnson...who handles as many as 20 assignments a day. He told Minnesota Public Radio's Todd Moe the idea for Doggie-Doo Yard Cleaning came to him while cleaning up after his own black Lab... | D-CART ITEM: 4220 | TIME: 2:58 (outcue comes at 2:53...sfx wi
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 3, 1997 - Crews are sandbagging in Cold Spring, Minnesota, where some homes are threatened by the rising Sauk River. The river has risen three-and-a-half feet since Monday and is expected to crest eight to nine feet above flood stage. In Waite Park, rising water is starting to inundate a supper club. More flooding problems in eastern North Dakota -- this time in Milnor, in the southeastern part of the state. City auditor Kristen Looneborg (LOO'-nuh-berg) says water is surrounding several houses and a trailer park. had water on the main floor. Local officials are meeting with the Army Corps of Engineers to see whether an earthen dike is needed. The city engineer in Casselton says dikes started overnight have put the city in better shape to battle unexpected flooding. But engineer Roger Fenstad says the fight is not over -- and students are being excused from classes early today to help with sandbagging. Meanwhile, farmers near Amenia have asked Casselton for help in battling floodwaters. And around Fargo, the call is going out for thousands more volunteers to fill sandbags and build dikes. I talked with Mary Kenna at the Cass and Cl
April 4, 1997 - This spring there's been a lot of attention about flooding in western Minneosta, but floodwaters are predicted to cause problems in parts of the Twin Cities as well, especially in the St. Croix River Valley. The St. Croix River is rising and the weather service is predicting it'll crest in less than two weeks almost two feet higher than it did in 1993. Businesses, local governments, and residents are all getting ready for the flood. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports... | D-CART ITEM:5095 | TIME: 5:08s
April 4, 1997 - The threat of flooding has people thirsty for information. Sioux Falls has quenched that with an Internet home paged filled with flood information. It's an inexpensive way to provide updated information and advanced warning for homeowners and businesses. Minnesota Public Radio's Cara Hetland reports: Sioux Falls officials elevated their desire to establish a home page when the Army Corps of Engineers issued a record flood warning in February. The city went on-line March 17 and since then the home page has been accessed more than eight-thousand times. Public Works Director Lyle Johnson says the sole purpose of the flood information is to inform people. cut :15 "when it comes to flood preparation, people need to have the sa