March 2, 1998 - President Clinton says he'd like to see more more college students become "guardian angels" to low-income youngsters. It's part of his efforts to encourage students to attend college. A number of colleges and universities in Minnesota have had mentor/tutor programs in place for years. As Minnesota Public Radio's Todd Moe reports, such programs are proving to be beneficial for both the pupils and their college mentors.
March 6, 1998 - Minnesota State Representative Gene Pelowski, advanced placement social studies teacher at Winona Senior High School, and Bob Wedl, commissioner of the Department of Children, discuss the new "Profile of Learning" standards requirement. Pelowski and Wedl also answer listener questions.
March 6, 1998 - MPR's Amy Radil reports on Minnesota Opera’s Opera Ventures program. Where a venerable art form like opera is placed in the hands of eleven and twelve-year-olds, anything can happen….and that's just what's been happening on the stage of the Hibbing High school auditorium with the production, "The Diner Blues."
March 6, 1998 - The Minnesota House of Representatives has voted to slow the implementation of new graduation stadards for public schools. The delay is a compromise aimed at heading off attempts to drop the so-called "Profile of Learning" standards, scheduled to take effect this fall. State education officials say schools could get more time to prepare, but the new academic requirements won't go away. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
March 9, 1998 - Officials in the Iron Range town of Cohassett consider a loan tonight intended to prevent the eviction of a St. Paul-based manufacturer of a product called "Stonite". The new company has run out of money and has yet to produce the granite-like product. The plan would provide $300,000 in short term financing from the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board and the Minneapolis Police Association. Minneapolis police and firefighter pension funds have each already invested $5-million in the project, and that has raised questions about whether public pension plans should invest in high-risk projects. Minnesota Public Radio's Perry Finelli reports.
March 11, 1998 - If you don't pay you don't play. That's the message Minnesota home schoolers say they've been getting from public schools when they try to enroll their kids in school-run sports programs. The K-12 funding bills approved by the House and Senate include requirements that schools charge the same price for home schoolers as enrolled students to participate in sports and other extra curricular activities. However, some home schoolers are worried this might actually reduce access for their children. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
March 12, 1998 - Minnesotas House of Representatives is expected to take up its largest bonding bill ever today or tomorrow (Thursday or Friday). The package of capital projects weighs in at just under a billion dollars, but it doesnt contain key items the governor wants. Minnesota Public Radio's Eric Jansen report: The House capital investment bill is different from the one passed by the state Senate last week. At $945 million dollars, its a little smaller than the Senate package. It uses bonds to pay for the bulk of projects, while the Senate version would spend almost entirely cash. It includes state money for a St. Paul civic center and hockey arena that the Senate version doesn't, and doesnt include a major University of Minnesota research facility that IS in the Senate plan. Neither version is well received in governor Arne Carlsons
March 16, 1998 - When an explorer sets off on a new adventure these days, it's a sure bet students are going along too, albeit from their classrooms via the internet. Computer technology allows today's adventurers to instantly share photographs and written accounts of their discoveries. Most schools with computer-savvy, creative teachers have tapped into some form of adventure learning. They say it a great way to motivate students. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
March 17, 1998 - ****NOTE: USE THIS VERSION OF STORY. DO NOT USE DCART #4501**** At first glance it would seem like a school boards' dream come true: a small school district filled with luxury homes whose owners pay hefty property tax bills. But it is a major problem in Pequot Lakes, north of Brainerd. Rachel Reabe of our Mainstreet Radio team has the story: If you flew over Pequot Lakes just north of Brainerd, you would see as much water as land. This is the heart of Minnesota's vacation country where summer cabins outnumber year round homes two to one. In the middle of all this pricey lakeshore, is Pequot Lakes a modest, mostly low income community.
March 18, 1998 - The Minnesota State High School League will decide Thursday (March 19th) if high school teams should be allowed to practice during the summer. Opponents believe its another step toward year round sports. Supporters say athletes who want to practice during the summer with their coach should be given the chance. Mark Steil of Mainstreet Radio reports: The state high school league has very specific regulations controlling what high school athletes can do, much like the NCAA governs college athletics. The seemingly endless rules are frustrating to Cally Vinz of Rochester. Her two sons love to play hockey: :10 (One time one of my sons said to me, 'I've been aw