September 9, 2003 - Today's (Tuesday) rain was a relief to many in Sioux (SOO) Falls. For a few hours in the middle of the day, the skies turned grey and the smell of rain caught everyone's attention. Sioux (SOO) Falls is four and a half inches behind normal rainfall amounts for the summer. But today's precipitation may not be enough to lift lawn watering restriction. That's because the city's main source for drinking water is drying up. Mainstreet Radio's Cara (CARE-uh) Hetland (HET land) reports:
September 11, 2003 - The U.S. Agriculture Department confirmed today what Minnesota farmers already know: drought has damaged their crops. The USDA's latest estimate describes a shrinking soybean crop and smaller corn yields compared to what was expected in August. But even with the gloomy numbers, there was good news this week for some livestock farmers. Mainstreet Radio's Mark Steil reports.
September 11, 2003 - In a report released this morning, the U-S Agriculture Department is cutting its estimates for the soybean crop by eight percent from last month's projection because of the drought in the Midwest. The projection for the corn harvest has dropped by one percent. Joining us now is Michael Hunst, Minnesota's agricultural statistician. That is Michael Hunst, Minnesota's agricultural statistician.
September 12, 2003 - A dry spell lead people to hope that the dormant mosquito eggs were killed off, but that's not the case. Jim Stark, with the Mosquito Control District talks more on the mosquito hatch and potentials for West Nile Virus.
September 25, 2003 - A divided Minnesota Supreme Court ruled game wardens may inspect fishing boats without probable cause that an angler is violating fishing regulations. However, a dissenting justice said the ruling opens the door for warrantless searches by any police officer on the mere suspicion that the individual is, has, or will hunt or fish. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports:
September 26, 2003 - With just four days left in September, how can we characterize the month's weather Most places have reported warmer than normal conditions, with average monthly temperatures from 1 to 3 degrees greater than the historical average. The highest temperature in the state was 97 degrees F at Browns Valley on the 6th, while the lowest was 27 degrees F at Embarrass on the 16th. However it appears even colder air may affect the state on the 29th and 30th.
September 29, 2003 - Humans have harnessed the wind for thousands of years since the time of the ancient Egyptians. Wind has powered sailboats, ground grain, pumped water and most recently generated electricity. Now Minnesota has emerged as a national wind leader. In the first story in a Mainstreet Radio wind power series Erin Galbally reports on the state's rise from windmills to wind farms.
October 8, 2003 - There are half as many Catholic nuns today as there were forty years ago. The median age of nuns is 69. Many religious communities around the country are trying some unusual approaches to attract new members. A group of sisters in Duluth is one of them. They're advertising. Mainstreet Radio's Stephanie Hemphill reports.
October 14, 2003 - How game-playing monkeys could lead to better lives for people suffering from paralysis. Scientists at Duke University say that a monkey with electrodes implanted in it brain managed to move a robotic arm with pure thought.
October 17, 2003 - Tomorrow, October 18th marks the 115th Anniversary of the founding of the University of Minnesota Agriculture School, now known simply as the St. Paul Campus my home. Prior to this, the property was known as the university farm, but formal teaching of agriculture began on this date in 1888 with a class of 47 students. The campus is now home to the College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences; College of Natural Resources, College of Human Ecology, College of Biological Sciences, and College of Veterinary Medicine.