November 7, 2001 - Unofficial results from Tuesdays election show two-thirds of the school districts asking for money from local residents will get it. But voters did say "no" in Bloomington, Anoka-Hennepin, Duluth, and St. Cloud. 188 school districts -- a record number -- had levy referendums on the ballot. School board officials say there's no definite pattern to explain the "no" votes. They see the largely positive response as a mandate to ask for more money at the legislature next year. We have two reports, starting with Minnesota Public Radio's Stephanie Hemphill. <
November 9, 2001 - MPR’s Chris Julin profiles Tasha Turk, a 15-year-old girl that also happens to be the best classical soprano in the town of Two Harbors. Turk got her start singing to livestock. She's come a long way…she'll be in Boston recording for a national radio show.
November 13, 2001 - MPR’s Tim Pugmire reports that a new round of mandated state testing is underway in Minnesota public school classrooms. Over the next month, teachers will use the new Test of Emerging Academic English to measure the progress of the students who are not yet fluent English speakers. The results could also have a financial impact on schools.
November 16, 2001 - A grassroots organization of Rochester residents wants a recount of last week's school referendum vote. Some residents say the school district had too much control over a ballot with only one item. Mainstreet radio's Rob Schmitz has this report. Voters passed the levy measure by only 185 votes last Tuesday.
November 19, 2001 - A group of Rochester voters went to court today to force a recount of the narrowly approved school funding referendum. The newly formed group called Rochester Recounts says the district had too much control over the election process. In a year when half the schools districts in Minnesota asked for excess levy referenda, Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer says she's hearing similar complaints from all over the state. Mainstreet Radio's Laurel Druley has this report. { A record number of Minnesota school districts asked voters for extra school funding this fall. When the only question on the ballot is a levy request, the school district is responsible for conducting the election. Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer says, it's the law.
November 23, 2001 - In elections around the state earlier this month, a record number of school districts asked voters to approve extra money for school programs. Most of those levy referendums passed. In Cook County in northeastern Minnesota, voters defeated a $300,000 referendum. But some residents aren't giving up. They're not challenging the referendum, but they're still trying to raise money. They've organized a fund drive. They're inviting people to contribute any amount, and they've raised about thirteen thousand dollars in just a couple of weeks. Minnesota Public Radio's Stephanie Hemphill reports.
November 23, 2001 - In hockey-focused Minnesota, it's easy to forget the state has a strong tradition in any other sport. But in 1895, the first college baskeball game in the country was played at Hamline University against the St. Paul Agriculture School. The game took place in a rundown basement with 9 foot ceilings. The final score was just 9-3. Ross Bernstein tells the story of that game- and the countless high school, college and professional basketball games played in the state since- in his new book, "Hardwood Heroes." He says his favorite chapter in the book is on the Minnesota Lakers.
November 23, 2001 -
November 26, 2001 - A snowstorm closed schools and slowed travel today in Minnesota and neighboring states. Up to 8 inches of snow has fallen in southwest Minnesota and winds are gusting over 30 miles an hour. Mainstreet Radio's Mark Steil reports:
November 26, 2001 - The U.S. Supreme Court hears a case involving the University of Minnesota, the first time ever the "U" will appear there. At issue is whether a federal rule allows two former employees to sue the school for age bias. Minnesota Public Radio's Patty Marsicano reports: