August 15, 2000 - One of the great unanswerable questions of U.S. geography is: exactly where does "the west" begin? On the South Dakota border there's a lake that could be used to make a case for Minnesota as the gateway to the west. Mainstreet Radio's Mark Steil profiles Salt Lake, which has more in common with the land of cowboys and cattle than any of Minnesota's 10,000+ other lakes.
August 15, 2000 - Anthrax has killed 56 cattle and four horses in North Dakota since late July, and in Clay County, Minnesota, officials say the bacterial disease has infected livestock there for the first time in 100 years. Anthrax occurs in nearly all species worldwide. Jim Collins, doctor of veterinary medicine and Director of the Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, says it is very deadly and kills animals quickly. The bacteria releases toxins that destroy the infected animals' cells.
August 17, 2000 - Donald Blom will be sentenced today for kidnapping and murdering Katie Poirier. He now faces a life sentence without the possibility of parole. The sentencing comes just one day after a jury found him guilty. Minnesota Stephanie Hemphill reports on events at the courthouse in Virginia Wednesday. The St Louis County courtroom was packed, and the tension evident after five weeks of difficult and emotional testimony. Judge Gary Pagliacetti sternly warned against any outbursts regardless of the verdict. But when the crowd heard the word "guilty," a collective gasp of relief and satisfaction broke out. Defense attorney Rodney Brodin asked for a poll of the jury, and as each juror was called by name, they said yes, that is my verdict. Throughout Donald Blom was still, his hands clasped on the table in front of him, no emotion on his face. Katie Poirier's mother, Pam Poirier, sobbed silently and curled against her son Patrick. Outside, there were tears, grins and hugs, and people applauded as the Poirier family walked out of the courthouse for the last time.
August 17, 2000 - The Sierra Club, the Humane Society of the United States, and other groups have filed a lawsuit to try to overturn Minnesota's wolf management plan. The groups say the plan will open the way for widespread killing of wolves across the state. Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Losure reports.
August 17, 2000 - Donald Blom has received the maximum possible sentence in Minnesota - life in prison without parole - for kidnapping and murdering Katie Poirier. Today's sentencing hearing in Carlton was another dramatic episode in a case that has left many people feeling relieved but still angry. Minnesota Public Radio's Stephanie Hemphill reports. { The Poirier family asked that sentencing take place on Monday so they could have more time to prepare their victim impact statements. But in court, both of Katie's parents and her brother talked about how her murder has affected their lives. Steve Poirer, Katie's father, said to Donald Blom, "I don't know what God has coming for you but hopefully he'll allow Katie to put some boards on your fire."
August 18, 2000 - An effort to control the zebra mussel population has killed at least 75,000 fish along the Mississippi River. Earlier this week, N-S-P used a pesticide chemical to clear the mussels from piping in their Prairie Island plant near Red Wing. The chemical seeped out into the plant's discharge canal, where shiners, sunfish and channel catfish became infected. Marilyn Danks is a biologist with the Department of Natural Resources. I asked her what such a massive fish kill would look like:
August 21, 2000 - A plant genetics conference in Minneapolis this week has drawn protesters who oppose the use of genetically modified foods. The conference, sponsored by the Cambridge Healthtech Institute at the Marriott downtown, addresses uses of genetics in crop production. But neither the Minneapolis police department nor the protesters are looking to repeat the confrontations that occurred at an animal genetics conference in July. Those face-offs resulted in arrests for demonstrators and criticism of police tactics. Minneapolis Public Radio's Amy Radil reports.
August 21, 2000 - Agriculture changed forever in 1946 when the first herbicide, 2-4D, was introduced. Easy weed control meant higher yielding crops and less work for farmers. Many thought the endless battle against weeds was over. But in a growing number of cases, *54 years later* the weeds are winning. Minnesota Public Radios Dan Gunderson reports.
August 22, 2000 - People in the tiny Northern Minnesota community of Meadowlands held a memorial service today - for their school. The Toivola-Meadowlands Charter School, one of the first in the state, is closing after seven years. Like many rural schools, it's a casualty of declining enrollment. Minnesota Public Radio's Stephanie Hemphill reports. { sfx: hymn (fades under):
August 23, 2000 - Another exotic species is causing concern, this time in the Northeastern part of the state. Curly leaf pond weed has been in Minnesota since the late 1800's but a warm spring has boosted its population on lakes near Biwabik, Minnesota. Wendy Crowell, of the D-N-R's Eurasian water milfoil program, answered questions on the nusiance weed at meeting last night sponsored by the Cedar Island Lake Association. She says curly leaf pond weed has a distinct look: