March 20, 1998 - Ward Connerly, University of California regent, speaks at an event sponsored by the Center of the American Experiment and the Minnesota Association of Scholars. Connerly’s speech is entitled “Racial Preferences: Inequities in the Name of Equality,” which focuses on affirmative action in college admissions.
March 23, 1998 - As part of the Minnesota Citizens Forum on education, in partnership with the Star Tribune, KTCA-TV, and the Minnesota Journalism Center, this program reports on forum and presents MPR listeners' views on education and the Gubernatorial campaign. “Profile of Learning” was a key topic.
March 23, 1998 - Minnesota's gubernatorial candidates will be stepping in to tricky territory when they try to outline their education proposals, judging by comments at a recent Minnesota Public Radio/Star Tribune/KTCA TV citizens forum on education. Citizens complained that the state's education system isn't meeting the needs of today's children and demanded the next Governor do something about the problem. But many said the problem with schools is that theyre being micromanaged by the state. Minnesota Public Radio's Brent Wolfe reports on the mixed messages and candidate questions that came out of the forum. TAG: Tune in to Midday this morning at 11 for more on education and the governor's race. We'd like to know what education qu
March 26, 1998 - State's attorneys in Minnesota's tobacco trial are expected to begin cross-examining a historian who testified yesterday that Minnesotans have long known about the health risks of smoking. University of Minnesota history professor Hy Berman told jurors the public has known cigarettes were hazardous more than 100 years ago. Minnesota public radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports: The tobacco companies are trying to poke holes in the State's contention they lied, covered-up and deceived the public about the dangers of smoking. History professor Hy Berman told jurors Minnesotans have known smoking is hazardous to health for decades from their schoolbooks, teachers and press coverage. He said Minnesota school teachers have taught students about the h
March 26, 1998 - Residents of the southeastern Minnesota community of Spring Valley are trying to make sense of the news that one of the boys accused of shooting and killing five people in a Jonesboro, Arkansas school yard comes from their town. Residents find themselves dodging televisions crews and reporters while trying to understand how someone they knew could be involved in such a grisly incident. Minnesota Public Radios Brent Wolfe reports. Mitchell Johnson went to school at Kingsland Elementary school and belonged to a cub scout pack with Debbie Biers son.
March 31, 1998 - The Minnesota House narrowly voted for a constitutional amendment setting up a permanent trust fund to benefit the state's youngest children. The Senate has passed a similar bill, and if the two houses can negotiate a compromise version, voters will see the proposal on the ballot in November. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports: The Legislators behind the Children's endowment live by that familiar bumper sticker slogan, "Kids can't vote, but you can." They argue the Legislature can't be trusted to look out for babies and pre-school-aged kids, because they don't have the kind of clout that business, teachers' unions and other special interest groups do. The measure's chief author in the House, Maplewood DFLer Nora Slawik, says the endowment is especially needed now, as the state's population ages and fe
March 31, 1998 - (For Monday 3/30 M.E.) Saint Paul school district officials turn to the public this week for help in their search for a new superintendent. An advisory committee will host three meetings to give district residents and employees a chance to share their opinions about the district's future leader. Superintendent Curman Gaines announced in January his plans to step down June 30 after eight years on the job. School board members want his successor in place by fall, but they have a lot of work left to find the right candidate. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports... Compared to last year's superintendent search in Minneapolis, the Saint Paul school board is moving at a snail's pace. The Minneapolis
April 1, 1998 - DFL Senator Larry Pogemiller and Republican Representative Alice Seagren discuss education funding and issues. “Profile of Learning” standard is part of discussion. Pogemiller and Seagren also answer listener questions.
April 1, 1998 - MPR’s Gretchen Lehmann profiles the historical impact of the “Willmar 8” and how it will be remembered by future generations. Lehmann interviews a member of the “Willmar 8” and two academics.
April 3, 1998 - As the cleanup in Comfrey continues, teachers and students are struggling with how to complete the school year. Comfrey's K-12 building was heavily damaged by Sunday's twister. The plan is to move school to a building in the town of Sanborn. Books, computers, lab equipment and other material will be transferred and its hoped classes can resume April 13th. Mainstreet Radio's Mark Steil reports the longer term outlook for the school is not so certain. The school on the west side of town was among the first buildings to feel the mile wide tornado's 200 mile per hour winds: SOUND OF TARP FLAPPING