December 27, 2001 - Like all American families, Hmong immigrants place hopes for the future on their youth, but school truancy remains a problem for some Asian American kids. MPR’s Kaomi Goetz looks into the issue and how some are addressing it.
December 28, 2001 - The latest batch of economic data shows a big rebound in consumer confidence AND a surge in new home sales. The jump in consumer confidence surprised analysts who were expecting a slight dip. The index is closely watched because consumer confidence drives consumer spending, which accounts for about two-thirds of the nation's economic activity. Meanwhile, the Commerce Department says new-home sales rose 6.4 percent in November. That's the largest increase in almost a year. Economist Louis Johnston with the College of St. Benedict and St. Johns University says a surprising number of homeowners are taking advantage of the Federal Reserve's 11th interest rate cut.
December 28, 2001 - FOR USE FRI 12/28 ME While several school districts around the state are spending a lot of energy right now tightening belts, charter schools are unphased. They're already working with modest budgets. In the last year a handful of charter schools have been shut down because of criticism over how they spend their money. But administrators at a Rochester charter school say their school should be a role model to others. Mainstreet Radio's Laurel Druley has this report.
December 31, 2001 - Harper Lee's novel "To Kill A Mockingbird" is considered a timeless classic by some. Its message of inclusion and tolerance has touched countless readers. Now teachers and students at the Fergus Falls middle school are finding the book is not only great reading but a tool for bringing the community together. And as Mainstreet Radio's Bob Reha reports they got some unexpected support.
December 31, 2001 - Over the years more than six million children have seen the Minnesota's Children's Theatre Company. For many it was their first theater experience The Children's Theatre Company, now in its 37th season, has outgrown its Minneapolis facility. It's asking the state for $12 million to expand. Mainstreet Radio's Rob Schmitz has this report.
December 31, 2001 - St. John's University in Collegeville is home to the largest woodburning kiln in North America. The kiln holds more than 5,000 pots in its three chambers. A new book called "Body of Clay, Soul of Fire" tells the story of the kiln and Richard Bresnahan, the local potter and teacher who helped build it. Bresnahan grew up in North Dakota and studied ceramics at St. John's in the early 1970s. He earned the title "master potter" during a four-year apprenticeship with a thirteenth-generation potter in Japan. Bresnahan says that in order to understand why the kiln works so well, you have to understand what it DOESN'T do well:
January 7, 2002 - Since the events of September 11th, America's public schools have helped teach the nation some powerful lessons in charity, tolerance and patriotism. Students have raised money for the victims' families. They've embraced their Arab and Muslim classmates. And they're reciting the Pledge of Allegiance with renewed spirit. Many students also say they have a different outlook about the world and their place in it. As a part of our series on How We've Changed, Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire talked with a group of suburban high school students with a link to the tragedies who say their lives were forever changed...
January 7, 2002 - Over 100 teachers were let go and budget had to be cut by $6 million.
January 8, 2002 - The 27 metro school districts that make up the Association of Metropolitan School Districts are together facing a budget cut. This correlates with the projected $2 billion shortfall in the state budget.
January 9, 2002 - Minneapolis School District needs to cut $30 million. The budget cut will bring challenges: staff reduction, larger classes, bus service cutbacks, and wage freezes for all non-teaching staff.