April 8, 2002 - Minneapolis police say they arrested 23 people for disorderly conduct and vandalism during Saturday night's melee at the University of Minnesota. They say six officers were injured. The rambunctious fans smashed street lights, vandalized cars and set fires after the men's hockey team won the NCAA championship. The University is still trying to tally up the damage.
April 9, 2002 - Coaches at the University of Minnesota today strongly urged school administr ators to delay eliminating any sports. Tomorrow afternoon, University President Mark Yudof's office is expected to release details of a plan to restructure the men's and women's athletic program. Changes could include merging the men's and women's departments and eliminating several non-revenue sports. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.
April 11, 2002 - Today's announcement by University officials could have a ripple effect beyond Minnesota. The U joins athletic institutions around the country that have already merged their athletic departments. U.S. News and World Report reporter Jodi Schneider says this is part of a trend in college athletics
April 11, 2002 - The University of Minnesota will announce a plan this morning to cut expenses in its athletics departments. The plan is expected to call for the merger of the men's and women's athletics programs plus the elimination of men's golf, women's golf and men's gymnastics. Joining us on the line with his perspective is Mark Dienhart who was the men's athletic director at the U of M from 1995 to 1999. He's now a Senior Vice President at St. Thomas University.
April 11, 2002 - After months of speculation University of Minnesota officials announced today they will merge the men's and women's Intercollegiate Athletics departments. They also announced they will recommend eliminating three non-revenue generating sports programs, though a final decision isn't expected until June. University President Mark Yudof says the search for a new athletic director will begin immediately. Meanwhile, head coaches from vulnerable sports programs say they're hoping to save their teams.
April 15, 2002 - Last month, the FBI announced the arrests of dozens of people in a child pornography sting operation called "Operation Candyman." The sweep targeted an on-line child porn club with 7,000 members worldwide. Child advocates praised the effort. But some say it only scratches the surface of a growing problem. As Mainstreet Radio's Tom Robertson reports, there are efforts in Minnesota -- both public and private -- to hunt down online sexual predators and consumers of child pornography.
April 16, 2002 -
April 17, 2002 - Saint Paul Mayor Randy Kelly highlighted the arts, education, housing, and multi-culturalism in delivering his first State of the City speech last night (Tues). Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen has more...
April 18, 2002 -
April 19, 2002 - Five whooping cranes being tracked by researchers are nearing the end of their migration from Florida to Wisconsin. The whooping cranes are part of a project to restart a migratory path between the two states. Reestablishing the route is key to the survival of the cranes, which are some of the most endangered birds in North America. Last fall, researchers guided the birds all the way to Florida using an ultralight plane. The birds were left to adjust to life in the wild, and are now flying back to Wisconsin-- on their own. Rachel Jepson Wolf is the Outreach Coordinator for the International Crane Foundation. She's on the line now. Check out the Morning Edition page of our web site later today for additional links about the whopping ctanes, Minnesota Public radio dot org