March 7, 2001 - As users anticipate the end of unlimited access to music files through Napster, many are scrambling to download as many songs as possible while they still can. Napster has always been particularly popular on college campuses and at times students have overwhelmed Internet connections because of the amount of material being downloaded. Joel Clemmer is the Vice President for Library and Information Services at Macalester College in St. Paul. He says he's not too concerned about being swamped by Napster users because of precautions taken about a year ago.
March 8, 2001 - The accomplishments of girls and women are being celebrated worldwide today in honor of International Women's Day. University of Minnesota law professor Barbara Frey (FRY) thinks that women's everyday acheivements often go unrecognized.
March 9, 2001 - INTRO-- Tigers will be in the spotlight at the Minnesota Zoo this weekend. The zoo has organized a weekend of speakers, films, kids' games, and other activities-- all to educate the public about tiger conservation. The Minnesota Zoo has five Amur tigers of its own-- and it's also considered a leader in international tiger conservation efforts. Dr. Ron Tilson is the director of conservation at the zoo. He's just returned from Indonesia, where the zoo is involved in an ongoing study of wild Sumatran tigers. He says tigers are in big trouble.
March 14, 2001 -
March 14, 2001 - A new bill at the legislature would end the reciprocity agreements between Minnesota and neighboring states. The agreements allow students from Minnesota, to attend colleges in Wisconsin and the Dakotas and still pay in-state tuition. Students from those states can also come here and pay in-state tuition too. State senator Joe Opatz (OH-pats), a D-F-L'er from St. Cloud, says that, despite a labor shortage here, we're sending more students to neighboring states under the agreements. He says that we're also sending more than 10 million dollars a year to those states to subsidize those student's tution. Joining us on the line is Phil Lewenstein (LOO-in-stine), legislative and outreach director for the Higher Education Services Office that administers the reciprocity agreements. A new bill at the legislature would end the reciprocity agreements between Minnesota and neighboring states. The agreements allow students from Minnesota, to attend colleges in Wisconsin and the Dakotas and still pay in-state tuition. Students from those states can also come here and pay in-state tuition too. Representative Joe Opatz (OH-pats), a D-F-L'er from St. Cloud, says that despite a labor shortage here, we're sending more students to neighboring states under the agreements. He says that we're also sending more than 10 million dollars a year to those states to subsidize those student's tuition. Phil Lewenstein (LOO-in-stine) is the legislative and outreach director for the Higher Education Services Office that administers the reciprocity agreements.
March 15, 2001 - Over-the-road truckers are famous communicators. A couple decades ago they made the C-B radio an everyday item. But across the country, thousands of truckers are better known for their letter writing. A group called "Trucker Buddy, International" pairs up drivers and elementary school classes as pen pals. Trucker Buddies send the kids letters and post-cards from the road, and the students get an inside view of life in a Big Rig. Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Julin reports.
March 15, 2001 - Two state legislators are calling for a criminal investigation into alleged grant money mismanagement in the Department of Children, Families and Learning. The lawmakers also want a joint House-Senate panel formed to hold public hearings on the allegations. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports...
March 15, 2001 - Hundreds of Twin Cities parents are scrambling to find child care for their kids after finding out yesterday that Children's Home Society will shut down four of its sites. The news is just the latest in a growing list of daycare closings. According to The Children's Home Society, thirty childcare sites in Minnesota have shut their doors from July 1999 to June 2000. Ann Kaner-Roth (CAIN-er Roth) is the Director of Childcare Works, a non profit statewide coalition of daycare advocates. She says an employee shortage is pushing many centers out of business:
March 21, 2001 - Shannon Miller has been the coach of the UMD women's hockey team since its inception in 1999. She's busy preparing the team for their game on Friday, and she joins us now.
March 21, 2001 - Governor Jesse Ventura said he's strongly considering asking the Legislature to change state law to bar teachers from striking. At an education forum in St. Louis Park, Ventura suggested putting teachers in the category of Essential State Employees, same as policemen and firefighters.