August 10, 2001 - Jim Henson changed the face of television. His creations Kermit, Miss Piggy, Bert and Ernie, to name but a few, are now known around the world. A new show opening tomorrow at the Children's Museum in St. Paul gives visitors a chance to meet the characters. They'll also get a behind the scenes look at how muppets are made and how Henson led innovations in the puppet industry to make them more life-like and expressive. Word of Mouth's Marianne Combs has this report: {(note + 1:07 in music ends clean)
August 10, 2001 -
August 13, 2001 - Researchers from the University of Minnesota and the National Cancer Institute are analyzing data from a four-year study on how easy it was for minors to buy tobacco in rural communities. They sent fifteen, teenage girls from the metro area to small towns across the state to test the effectiveness of local anti-tobacco ordinances. While final compliance numbers are not available yet, 16-year-old study participant Danielle Eastberg says in a number of cases, she was able to purchase cigarettes.
August 15, 2001 - In less than a month, Saint Paul voters will narrow a crowded mayoral field from sixteen candidates down to two. The six leading candidates in the primary race to succeed outgoing Mayor Norm Coleman visited Minnesota Public Radio today (Wed) to take part in a midday forum. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen has more...
August 15, 2001 -
August 16, 2001 - Saint Paul School District officials say just over half of the students in a new summer learning program WILL ADVANCE a HALF grade this fall. Nearly 500 struggling students who completed at least 80 hours of summer school will start this fall as 3.5, 5.5, or 8.5 students instead of fourth, sixth and ninth-graders. However, 340 students did not meet the attendance requirement in the summer Excel program ... so they will be held back this year. Saint Paul School Superintendant Pat Harvey says she believes these particular students can succeed in school, but they need more time.
August 20, 2001 - As Minnesota's population has become more diverse, communities, especially small rural towns have faced a series of challenges. Perhaps the most basic is communication. Many new immigrants are unable to speak English. Often it's the children in a family who learn English first. Although local schools are making progress, they fear lessons learned during the school year might be forgotten during summer vacation. Mainstreet Radio's Bob Reha reports an international organization with roots in Minnesota has come home, to offer some help.
August 20, 2001 -
August 21, 2001 - A record number of donors gave to the University of Minnesota in the last fiscal year. The University raised 217 (M)million dollars... a decrease of about 17 (M)million from the previous year. The amount still puts the U on pace to reach or surpass its one-point-three (B)billion dollar capitol campaign goal by 2003. Gerald Fisher is C-E-O of the University of Minnesota Foundation, which oversees fundraising for the U. He says he's happy the University was able to broaden its base of support even if the fundraising total was down:
August 23, 2001 - With University of Florida researcher Diane Craig.