July 30, 2001 - When a new politician goes to Washington, people watch to see what friends he or she makes in Congress. Environmentalists were dismayed when Minnesota Senator Mark Dayton allied himself with Senator Larry Craig of Idaho. Craig is powerful voice for logging and mining interests. Now he and Dayton have joined in a lawsuit opposing a rule which bans roadbuilding in roughly one third of the nation's national forests. Compared with Idaho, Minnesota's stake in the issue is miniscule, but Dayton says he's keeping campaign promises he made in Northern Minnesota. Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Losure reports.
July 30, 2001 - About two dozen young Japanese business people are spending the summer in Duluth. Every year the University of Minnesota Duluth helps up-and-coming executives adjust to American life before they enroll in top graduate schools. Minnesota Public Radio's Stephanie Hemphill reports.
July 31, 2001 -
July 31, 2001 - It may be sweltering in the southern half of Minnesota, but residents in International Falls are basking in the relative cool of 70 degrees. That tendency towards cooler temperatures has kept the town's Cold Weather Testing Center busy in the winter testing brakes, batteries and cars for companies around the world. But after ten years in operation, the resource is preparing to close its doors... a victim of legislative cut-backs. The center's director, Paul Nevanen (Nevuh-nen), says Minnesota has a reputation as a good cold weather testing site:
August 1, 2001 -
August 6, 2001 - Off highway vehicle fans say it's time the state created trails for all-terrain-vehicles, dirt-bikes, and 4 x 4 trucks. Critics say the DNR should do more to enforce laws and protect the environment before they spend money on new trails. Now the public is being asked for input. Minnesota Public Radio's Stephanie Hemphill reports.
August 6, 2001 - Some 500 Red Lake Reservation families are on a waiting list to move into tribal homes. Many have been on the list for years. Now Tribal housing officials are teaming up with the US military to try to solve at least part of the problem, with the help of an organization called Operation Walking Shield. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Robertson reports...
August 7, 2001 -
August 10, 2001 - Prounouncer ValAdCo= val ADD koh A giant hog farm in southwest Minnesota is being investigated by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, a sister agency of the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta. The agency is examining potential public health risks posed by ValAdCo (val ADD koh), a problem-plagued hog operation in Renville County. Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Losure reports.
August 14, 2001 - It's easy to forget, given this morning's fine weather, but last week at this time we were sweltering in a thick heat. The miserable weather was in part caused by high dew points. That means there was a high amount of water vapor in the air. Some climatologists have noticed dew points in Minnesota may be on the rise... and if that true, one reason could be our corn fields. Dr. Jeff Basara (ba SAIR --rhymes with bear -- ah) is a scientist at Oklahoma's State Climate Office. He's studied the connection between crops and dew point that's Dr. Jeff Basara (ba SAIR --rhymes with bear -- ah), a scientist at Oklahoma's State Climate Office.