December 22, 2000 - Weather permitting, Minnesotans will see partial solar eclipse on Christmas day. A solar eclipse occurs when the sun, moon and earth are positioned nearly in a straight line. The moon comes directly between the sun and the earth, casting a shadow on the earth's surface. People in the Twin Cities will see about half (55-percent) of the sun disappear. Places farther north will see more solar coverage. University of Minnesota astronomy professor John Dickey says if you didn't know the eclipse was coming--you might not even notice it.
December 22, 2000 - As evidence of an economic slowdown mounts, consumers are cutting back on spending. Retailers are reporting weak profits, and warning of difficult times ahead. But despite the downturn and the harsh winter weather, holiday shoppers are still flocking to stores and malls. Whether they spend enough to boost Minnesota retailers flagging prospects is another question altogether. Minnesota Public Radio's Andrew Haeg reports.
December 28, 2000 - Health officials in Wisconsin and Minnesota are re-evaluating the effectiveness of efforts to get the word out about the dangers of mercury in fish. Mercury can cause developmental and neurological problems, especially in fetuses and young children. Most Minnesota and Wisconsin lakes are contaminated with mercury as a result of airborne pollution, and both states publish advisories indicating how much fish people should eat from various lakes. But a recent study showed only about a fourth of Wisconsin women of childbearing age know about the advisories. Minnesota Public Radio's Stephanie Hemphill reports. Mercury accumulates in the flesh of fish. The older and larger a fish, the more contanimated it's likely to be. Minnesota's advisories are lake-specific suggesting limits depending on fish size and the age of the consumer. For instance, it tells children - and women who might have children - they should not eat 20-inch or larger walleye from the St. Louis River near Duluth. And they should limit their meals of smaller walleye to one each month. But how are non-angling fish-eaters to know that? For years the advisories have been available with fishing licenses and at bait shops. The Wisconsin DNR's Jim Amrhein (AM-rine) says the word isn't getting from the anglers to their families.
December 29, 2000 - The National Weather Service says we'll be ringing in the new year in bitterly cold weather . According to the forecast, it will be as cold AS 20 below zero this weekend. All around the region people are struggling with higher energy bills. It's been a double whammy this winter: colder than normal temperatures coupled with about a 50 percent increase in the cost of natural gas. There are several ways to cut down on your energy expenses this winter all the while remaining comfortable in your home or apartment. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports...
December 29, 2000 - The snow created bad road conditions in many other parts of the state as well. We checked in with Renard Fritz of the state patrol in Detroit Lakes to see how things are going in that area of the state. Renard Fritz is a radio communications operator for the State Patrol in Detroit Lakes.
December 29, 2000 - How people in the Twin Cities are faring the morning rush hour.
December 29, 2000 - Meteorologist Mark Seeley on the weather. It was a snowy December.
January 10, 2001 - More than a thousand band members gathered at Mille Lacs Tuesday to hear their new chief executive's State of the Band address. Melanie Benjamin defeated former executive Marge Anderson last June. Her campaign stressed accountability and reform. Yesterday's speech amplified those ideas. Minnesota Public Radio's Stephanie Hemphill has this Mainstreet report. { Benjamin's central theme was courage. She reminded the attentive audience of the courage shown by past generations of Ojibwe. They were warriors in the past and in more recent conflicts ranging from the Great War to the Gulf War, and they defended their language, their religion, and their treaty rights.
January 12, 2001 - From Mark Seeley Re Suggestions for MPR's Morning Edition, Friday, Jan 12, 2001 Topic Seasonal Snowfall Accumulation Slowing Thankfully, the frequency of snowfall has slowed considerably this month over last. Many communities reported that snow removal budgets were depleted rapidly, stocks of salt and sand were running out and roof ice dam damages were building up during December. Both the Twin Cities and Rochester reported over 30 inches
January 18, 2001 - Northwest Airlines is reporting rising profits and revenues in the fourth quarter and the full year -- despite labor problems, higher fuel costs and severe winter weather. But the coming year brings additional challenges, including the slowing economy AND the possibility it could get swept up in the trend toward airline mergers. Minnesota Public Radio's Andrew Haeg reports.