September 8, 1997 - Fifth graders across the state this week are deciding which instruments they'll play in band and orchestra classes. Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes reports professional musicians in Rochester are helping students make what can be a life-changing decision. (sound..clarinet) In a room filled with squeaks and whistles, clarinettist Richard Halleen zeroes in on Sasha Case's first few notes.
September 18, 1997 - Just a few months after flooding irreversibly changed thousands of peoples' lives in the Red River Valley...some are telling their stories for posterity. MPR's Hope Deutscher spoke with two people who are gathering individual stories of struggle, despair and recovery...for very different reasons.
September 19, 1997 - A new non profit organization has been formed to promote conservation on Minnesota’s rivers and streams. The Rivers Council of Minnesota meets this weekend at the Moorhead State University Regional Science Center to plot strategy. The goals of the organization include more water quality monitoring, and a stronger voice for rivers in environmental policy discussions. Minnesota Public Radio’s Dan Gunderson reports.
September 30, 1997 - Student Aishah Jackson, external president of the Black Liberation Affairs Committee at Macalester College, comments on Macalester administration's reaction to racial incident on campus.
September 30, 1997 - The small campus of Macalester College in St. Paul is reeling from an alleged racist incident and its aftermath. A couple of weekends ago, a black female student reported that someone wrote on her dorm room door's message board: "We hate you, we hate you. Hugs and kisses. The KKK." A nearby poster of Tiger Woods was similarly defaced. In response, there were dorm meetings, a letter to all students from the college president condemning the attack, and a convocation yesterday attended by 450 students. Roberto Ifell is special assistant for Diversity and Campus Community at Macalester.
October 2, 1997 - The accounts of torture and murder being heard by South Africa's Reconciliation Commision are a grim reminder of past life under the country's white minority government. The end of apartheit brings hope, but also a new set of problems. A South African singing group called "The Christian Explainers" is on a U.S. tour to call attention to the rise of drug violence that is afflicting the country. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson has more ANNCR TAG: The Christian Explainers' first Twin Cities performance is Thursday evening (tonight) in St. Paul at the Minnesota History Center auditorium. Eddie Jacobs is alternately hopeful and fearful about the future fo
October 13, 1997 - Midday’s Gary Eichten talks with Neil Witikko, Minnesota's teacher of the year. Witikko teaches English, German, and television production at Hermantown High School. Listeners call in with questions.
October 14, 1997 - Midday discusses qualifications of school board members and issues they must be prepared to address with guests Jan Rhode, director of board training and development for the Minnesota School Boards Association; and State Representative Mindy Greiling, who was a member of the Roseville School Board for many years. Listeners also call in with questions.
October 16, 1997 - Midday looks at the University of Minnesota and its future. The first part of the program features a discussion with Mark Yudof, University of Minnesota president, on the eve of his installation as the University of Minnesota's 14th president.
January 9, 1998 - As the annual flood of tax mailings enters the mailstream...state education officials are spreading the word about the state's new tax credit and deduction law. The new law allows low income families to take a dollar-for-dollar credit for educational expences incurred this year...and increases the deductions available for all families. They'll actually see the money in next year's tax refunds...but education choice advocates who helped pass the controversial law say they now want to make sure people are using it now. Businesses providing some of the services eligible for the tax breaks are also gearing up for the law's potential impact.