September 23, 2003 - Minnesota will receive a nearly $60-million federal education grant over the next six years for reading programs. Governor Pawlenty says the money will go toward a new reading initiative designed to ensure all Minnesota children can read by the end of first grade. One DFL lawmaker says that's a laudable goal, but tough to achieve when school districts are cutting teachers as a result of budget cuts. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports...
September 23, 2003 - Former Republican legislative leader and corporate executive David Jennings will become the next Superintendent of schools in Minneapolis. The Minneapolis school board picked Jennings today Tuesday to replace Carol Johnson, who resigned to become superintendent in Memphis, Tennessee. Board members say they didn't need to look further, because Jennings has the leadership skills and political knowhow they need. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
September 25, 2003 - High School classmates of the 15 year old accused of killing one student and wounding another at Rocori High School in Cold Spring say today they are still in shock. The classmates and a neighbor say Jason McLaughlin gave no indication that he was capable of violence. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports.
September 25, 2003 - MPR’s Cathy Wurzer interviews Susan Crumb, a community prosecutor in Brooklyn Park. The Hennepin County Attorney's Office hosting a two-day national meeting on Thursday-Friday, September 25-26, with focus on "community prosecution." In 1999, Hennepin County Attorney Amy Klobuchar initiated this new approach to crime-fighting. This approach is based on a closer working relationship between prosecutors and the local neighborhoods and communities where crime is occurring. Prosecutors are assigned to work with police, local residents, businesses and others in a specific geographic area to develop strategies for preventing and prosecuting crime, as well as to identify appropriate consequences for those who break the law.
September 25, 2003 - This afternoon, law enforcement officials released details of yesterday's school shooting in Cold Spring. A day after a Rocori High School student was killed and another critically injured, some of the new information recounts a chilling story. This morning, students, parents and teachers gathered at the school. Mainstreet Radio's Tim Post has been in town all day, talking with them and officials investigating the case. He joins us now. DAVID: Tim, What's the latest in Cold Spring?
September 25, 2003 - One student is dead and another critically injured this morning after a shooting at a school in central Minnesota. Authorities say a freshman boy opened fire yesterday at Rocori High School in Cold Spring. They say the teacher, who's also a coach, convinced the student who allegedly fired the shots to lay down his handgun. Charlie Kyte is the Executive Director of the Minnesota Association of School Administrators. He's on the line now.
September 25, 2003 - The shooting at Rocori High School in Cold Spring is being felt in schools throughout Minnesota. Officials say Wednesday's attack is the state's first fatal shooting carried out by a student inside a school. State law requires school districts to prepare for such violence. School leaders have been busy reviewing those plans today and trying reassure their students. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports...
September 26, 2003 - This (FRI) afternoon Governor Pawlenty stopped at Rocori High School in Cold Spring. Cold Spring classes resumed just two days after the fatal school shooting. Students say it was hardly a typical day of school -- the halls were relatively quiet, and teachers put their normal lesson plans aside. The goal for the day was mostly to make sure students kept their hands and minds occupied. And that they had someone to talk to if they needed it. Minnesota Public Radio's Jeff Horwich reports.
September 26, 2003 - Cold Spring is a community where people know each other's business. They're involved in the schools. And even the elderly are connected with teenagers. But feelings have changed. Students and teachers say a 15 year old opened fire on his peers at Rocori High School on Wednesday. One student is dead and another in critical condition. And when a teen acts out so violently, it raises questions of how well adults know their kids. Mainstreet Radio's Annie Baxter reports.
September 29, 2003 - Brad Williams spent almost 30 years at the iron mine in Eveleth. Now he's going to school. He's older than his classmates. Most of them are 18 or 19. When they were born, Brad Williams had already worked at the mine for ten years. But the mine shut down last May, and Brad Williams doesn't want to leave his home. So he's studying to be a nurse. Chris Julin met up with him at school. He has this Mainstreet Radio report.