June 29, 2000 - I {Organizers of the Women's Health Center say, if not for Dr Jane Hodgeson, more women would still be driving from northern Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Canada to the Twin Cities for abortions. Hodgson became a physician in 1939 - one of eight women in a class of 150. As an obstetrician-gynecologist, she says she learned from her patients about the tragedies that sometimes come from unplanned pregnancies.
July 4, 2000 - MPR’s Bob Kelleher takes a look back on the one year anniversary of BWCA blowdown, and what has happened since.
July 10, 2000 -
July 11, 2000 - Heavy rains over the weekend also caused flooding in Eagan where about 200 homes sustained serious water damage. The city got nearly 15 inches of rain in two days, overwhelming its storm sewer system. Eagan Mayor Pat Awada says damage estimates could reach the 8-million dollar mark, and most of that damage is to homes and other private property. Much of that property was not insured against flooding. Mark Kulda is the spokesman for the Insurance Federation of Minnesota. He's on the line now.
July 11, 2000 - MPR’s Erin Galbally reports on record breaking floods that have divided downtown Austin, Minnesota. Heavy rains caused the Cedar River, Dobbins Creek and Turtle Creek to overflow into basements and roadways. Some in community find themselves without a home or belongings.
July 12, 2000 - The public and the press will be excluded from some proceedings in the Donald Blom kidnapping and murder trial. The jury is due to hear opening statements today. Minnesota Public Radio's Stephanie Hemphill reports. { Judge Gary Pagliacetti ruled Tuesday that he will close the trial to the public during certain arguments when the jury is not present. That unusual move was opposed by three newspapers and a television station. Mark Wernick, president of the Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, says it's a move to ensure a fair trial, specifically so the jury will base its verdict solely on evidence presented in court and not what they may hear, even inadvertently, in the media or from friends. .
July 20, 2000 - An expert in forensic dentistry says the single tooth and parts of a jawbone found in Donald Blom's firepit are those of Katie Poirier. Blom is charged with abducting and killing Poirier last May. The prosecution is trying to build its case against Blom hampered by the fact it has very little physical evidence. Minnesota Public Radio's Stephanie Hemphill reports. { Testimony in the trial this week is focusing on the tiny bits of evidence found in the firepit on Donald Blom's property just outside Moose Lake. Forensic odontologist Dr. Anne Norlander told the court she believes "to a reasonable degree of medical certainty" the bone fragments and tooth found there belong to Katie Poirier.
July 26, 2000 - MPR’s Lorna Benson interviews WCCO meteorologist Paul Douglas, who says the massive storm system on July 25, 2000 was unusual in a number of ways. For one thing, it produced many more tornado warnings than usual in Minnesota.
July 26, 2000 - MPR’s Tim Post reports on how residents of Granite Falls spent the day cleaning up and assessing damage after a tornado ripped through town on Tuesday night. Hundreds of homes were pulverized on the westside of town. Post talked with homeowners as they were allowed back into damaged areas of town to collect personal items.
July 26, 2000 - Mainstreet Radio’s Mark Steil reports on tornado that struck Granite Falls, Minnesota. Steil gets firsthand accounts of the storm. The tornado is the latest disaster for a city which has seen floods and job losses in the last few years.