February 16, 2001 - Rochester citizens do not want to have DM&E Railroad to run right through the city. It should bring in more business for the city, but the city council wants a bypass through farmland.
February 19, 2001 - Until 1943 taconite was considered a waste product of Minnesota iron mining. Then University of Minnesota engineer Edward W. Davis developed the process to refine the low grade ore into the iron pellets that would mean jobs for thousands of Minnesotans. As part of our series "Universal U", Minnesota Public Radio's Steven John reports on taconite and the university's link to the Iron Range.
February 19, 2001 - After Katie Poirier was abducted from a Moose Lake convenience store and murdered in May of 1999, many gas stations around the state upgraded their security systems. Some stores decided to close at night. The federal government doesn't require safety measures to protect convenience store workers, but the Minnesota legislature is considering new requirements. Last year a similar measure stalled, but advocates are trying again. Minnesota Public Radio's Stephanie Hemphill reports a new version will be introduced today. There are lots of "if-onlys" after the death of Katie Poirier. If only she hadn't been alone in the store. If only she had been protected by a bullet-resistent barrier. If only the store had had a window for late-night customers to pass their money through without going inside. These are some of the recommendations the federal government makes to convenience store owners. But it doesn't require any of them. In Minnesota lawmakers are talking about ORDERING stores to use at least one of these safety measures late at night.
February 20, 2001 - The president of the Dakota Minnesota and Eastern Railroad rejected a proposal by Rochester city officials this afternoon TUESDAY that would have secured the cities support for a rail expansion - as long as the freight tracks bypassed the city. Minnesota Public Radio's Erin Galbally reports
February 20, 2001 - The rebound in the number of birds of prey is due in part to the work of a small branch of researchers and volunteers at the University of Minnesota. As part of our series this week, "Universal U," Minnesota Public Radio's Steven John reports on the work of The Raptor Center. {Dr. Pat Redig was a veterinary student in 1974 when he co-founded the Raptor Center. The Raptor Center would play a key role in bringing back from the brink of extinction, the bald eagle, peregrine falcon and osprey.
February 20, 2001 - Developed in the 1960s in the town of Bethel, the University of Minnesota took it over and has developed it at Cedar Creek.
March 6, 2001 - Snow drifts are piled high in western Minnesota reminding many people of the winter four years ago when the spring melt lead to record flooding. But the snow is not quite as deep as 1997, and that has most hoping this year's high water will be more a nuisance than a threat. As the snow begins to melt, residents of the Minnesota River valley are preparing; hoping for a slow, controlled melt, but ready just in case March brings more heavy snow or rain. Mainstreet Radio's Mark Steil reports:
March 7, 2001 - Spring in the Red River Valley is often a mixed blessing. Residents welcome the warmer temperatures, but shudder at the inevitability of at least some flooding along the Red River of the North. Now after years of discussion, planning and testing, the national Weather Service has developed a new system for issuing flood forecasts. As Minnesota Public Radio's Bob Reha reports the Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Services or A-H-P-S is getting mixed reviews. (22) {
March 9, 2001 - INTRO-- Tigers will be in the spotlight at the Minnesota Zoo this weekend. The zoo has organized a weekend of speakers, films, kids' games, and other activities-- all to educate the public about tiger conservation. The Minnesota Zoo has five Amur tigers of its own-- and it's also considered a leader in international tiger conservation efforts. Dr. Ron Tilson is the director of conservation at the zoo. He's just returned from Indonesia, where the zoo is involved in an ongoing study of wild Sumatran tigers. He says tigers are in big trouble.
March 9, 2001 -