April 15, 1998 - Colum McCann's novel "This Side of Brightness" tells the story, of amongst other people, the men who dug the railway tunnels under New York, and the homeless people who now live in those same tunnels. McCann, who is in the Twin Cities to read from his book tonight, was born in Dublin, but has lived in New York for some time. He told Minnesota Public Radio's Euan Kerr he was attracted to the story of the tunnel-diggers because they broke ground with more than just their shovels. Author Colum McCann will read from his novel "This Side of Brightness" at the Hungry Mind in ST Paul this evening at 8. Sun 28-MAY 11:36:39 MPR NewsPro Archive - Wed 04/11/2001
April 17, 1998 - Midday presents Governor Arne Carlson's speaking to the Minnesota Business Partnership and higher education groups about his ideas to improve Minnesota's public schools. Carlson highlights the definition of the “American Dream.” Following broadcast of speech, MPR’s Gary Eichten gets reaction from Joe Nathan, director of the Center for School Change at the University of Minnesota.
April 17, 1998 - Anyway you measure it, too many African American students are failing in Minneapolis and Saint Paul public schools. Results of last year's eighth grade basic skills tests put the problem in sharp focus, and raised the pressure on school leaders to improve scores. There are a few urban schools where African American students are not only passing, but excelling in rigorous academic programs. Educators from throughout the region will gather this weekend at Augsburg College in Minnespolis to learn more about those success stories. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports... --------------------------------------------------------- | D-CART ITEM: 3923 | TIME: (4:29) | OUTCUE: s.o.c. --------------------------------------------------------- 3806 (Sound of classroom)
April 22, 1998 - Gustavus Adolphus students are adjusting to trailer-classrooms and Saturday classes. This is their first week back on campus, after what turned into a three week spring break, thanks to the tornadoes that struck their campus while they were gone. Karen Delgehausen, is a Gustavus Senior who spent her spring break touring with the college orchestra. Her off-campus house was so badly damaged it's already been torn down. But despite it all, she says it's good to be back.
April 24, 1998 - NOTE: Nerland = NEER land Many people in American seem to be searching for spiritual meaning...even at a time when church attendance is on the decline. As part of our continuing series on religion in everyday life...Minnesota Public Radio has asked individuals to to reflect on what faith means to them... and the role it plays in their lives. Emily Nerland lives in Moorhead where she is an elementary teacher and attends Trinity Lutheran Church. Emily Nerland is a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Moorhead. Sun 28-MAY 11:34:41 MPR NewsPro Archive - Wed 04
April 27, 1998 - More than a year after floodwaters swept through hundreds of homes in the Red River Valley... some people have yet to begin rebuilding. A combination of construction complications and fear of another flood are stalling repairs. Minnesota Public Radio's Hope Deutscher reports... (nat. of raking leaves...) As Gene Schutt rakes up the dead leaves lying scattered in his garden in Ada, he's getting excited about his new lawnmower...
April 27, 1998 - A public school in southwestern Minnesota has won a major legal victory. Vesta Elementary School is a small school that's owned by members of a religious community, but rented to and run by the Wabasso School District. It's a public school open to all, but the vast majority of students are members of a religious group called the "Brethren" by outsiders. The curriculum includes no religious instruction, but the school has made some adaptations to the Brethren's beliefs, such is not using television in the classroom. Several years ago, two taxpayers sued to block the school... contending it amounted to state sponsored advancement of religion. But today, the U-S Supreme Court rejected that argument by deciding not to hear the case. That means an earlier Appeals Court ruling that sided with the district will stand. Chris Thomalla school that runs the Vesta elementary school.
April 28, 1998 - On Thursday, the state of Minnesota will release the results of the 1998 basic skills tests for reading and math. The tests are designed to measure whether eighth graders are meeting the minimum requirements for graduation. But a new study shows that the tests are harder than the public has been led to believe. A study commissioned by an association of 24 metro-area schools also shows that many students who failed the basic skills tests scored above the national average on national tests. Mark Mallander is the Executive Director the Association of Metropolitan School Districts and he joins us now. Sun 28-MAY 11:24:53 MPR NewsPro Archive - Wed 04/11/2001
April 28, 1998 - Faculty at Minnesota's State Universities have authorized a strike against MnSCU - the State Colleges and Universities system... although a strike date has not been set. The Inter Faculty Association, which represents more than three-thousand faculty members, has been negotiating since its contract expired last June. The union's demands include higher pay raises and less reliance on part-time faculty. Ann Weyandt is chief negotiator for MnSCU. Sun 28-MAY 11:24:52 MPR NewsPro Archive - Wed 04/11/2001
April 28, 1998 - Mental health experts say talking is the best way to recover emotionally from a disaster. And that's the advice the people of Comfrey and St. Peter are getting as they rebuild following last month's tornadoes. Talking about loss and suffering is especially important for children. Minnesota Public Radio's Cara Hetland reports. 12-year old Paul Honnerman was not home when the March 29th tornado heavily damaged his family's northern Nobles County farm. He and his 7 year old sister Jill were staying five miles away at their uncle's. Paul was outside flying his kite before the storms moved through. : (and right at the time the tornado was hitting at our place