October 1, 2002 - New research by University of Minnesota ecologist Karen Oberhauser reveals that this year's monarch population is about 30 percent below average. But the data - collected over a six-year period - also shows that the black and orange butterflies are quite resiliant. Oberhauser attributes this year's decline to three factors:
October 4, 2002 - Topic: Warm start to the week Much like the first week of the month, the last day of September (Monday the 30th) brought record warmth to many parts of the state. The following record high temperatures were reported..... Rochester 86 F (tied 1952) Benson 88 F (tied 1976) Owatonna 88 F Red Wing 86 F Moose Lake 82 F (tied 1976) Many other locations reported temperatures in the 80s F, though not record-setting. Topic: One of the wettest growing seasons..... May through September, the primary growing season for Minnesota gardeners and farmers, was one of the wettest in history for many locations. In fact, statewide many communities reported well over 25 inches for the period. The Twin Cities reported 28.52 inches of rainfall, the 2nd wettest ever growing season (1892 was 31.42 inches). Crookston in the Red River valley reported over 24 inches of growing season rainfall, their 2nd wettest in history, while Rosemount in Dakota County reported 30.10 inches, also their 2nd wettest growing season. Topic: Paper airplanes galore!! An article in the American Meteorological Society Bulletin describes an event that took place in Oklahoma this year to promote the study of aerodyanamics and the upper atmosphere. Organized by Takeoff Technologies in Pomona,
October 14, 2002 - DFL gubernatorial candidate Roger Moe plans to announce today Mon what he's calling a "large and far-reaching" transportation package. Transportation has become one of the defining issues in the governor's race. The four major party candidates are divided over everything from raising the gas tax to expanding light rail. Some voters say the candidates' views on transportation will determine their vote. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports...
October 14, 2002 - The first wind-monitoring tower in the metro area was erected today at Wayzata High School. The suburban school district is considering installing a wind turbine to generate its electricity and will use the monitoring tower to gather data. The Spirit Lake Community School District in northwest Iowa has been powering its schools with wind energy since 1993 and now has two turbines on its property. The school district was the second in the nation to purchase a wind turbine and the first to use the wind as its primary energy source. School Superintendent Tim Grieves says the decision to install the first turbine was a natural one:
October 21, 2002 - The four major party candidates for US Senate were back on the debate stage today. DFL Senator Paul Wellstone, Republican Norm Coleman, Independence Party candidate Jim moore and Ray Tricomo from the Green Party talked about business and economic issues at a forum in St. Cloud sponsored by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports.
October 21, 2002 - As part of a series on special education, MPR’s Tim Pugmire reports on impact of Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) on many disabled children and the increasing costs.
October 22, 2002 - As part of a series on special education, MPR’s Tim Pugmire profiles fourth grader Sam Graves, who has cerebral palsy and participant of the IDEA mandate.
October 23, 2002 - As part of a series on special education, MPR’s Tim Pugmire reports on the importance of Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and debate on what changes are needed.
October 30, 2002 - (NOTE: DATE REFERENCES IN BODY) The Minnesota gubernatorial race is reviving after going dormant in the wake of DFL Senator Paul Wellstone's death last week. The four major party candidates for governor say despite the turmoil in the Senate contest, they hope to keep the governor's race fresh in the minds of voters. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports.
October 30, 2002 - Of the thousands of people who attended last's night's memorial service for Senator Paul Wellstone, many knew him only from reading about him or seeing him on television. But many others had met Paul Wellstone personally, and almost everyone had a story to tell . Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Losure talked to people in the crowd, and filed this report.