December 27, 2001 - As the economic slowdown continues, more people are looking for work . Some have been forced into it, but there are other reasons. Some are considering giving up their jobs in metropolitan areas to move back to what they perceive as a safer environment. Since the September terrorist attacks areas like the Red River Valley have seen an increase in interest in what the region has to offer. Mainstreet Radios Bob Reha reports.
December 27, 2001 - A year ago, Minnesota Iron Mining employed nearly 45-hundred workers. By the year's end the number has dropped a third. Northeast Minnesota is reeling from a double punch: the national recession, and a steel industry in crisis. The fallout is spreading well beyond the 14-hundred households of displaced iron workers. It's hitting some of the region's most vulnerable residents. Mainstreet Radio's Bob Kelleher reports: For background on Minnesota's iron mining industry, and how it has changed, visit our website, www dot Minnesota Public Radio, dot org.
December 28, 2001 - Longtime state senator Sam Solon died this afternoon in Duluth. Solon was known as a champion for Northeastern Minnesota. He had been battling liver cancer for nearly a year. Minnesota Public Radio's Stephanie Hemphill reports. {
January 3, 2002 - Norm Coleman was an avid promoter of Saint Paul during his eight years as mayor ... and no part of the city was touted more heavily than the Mississippi riverfront, which enjoyed a development surge. As Randy Kelly takes over the mayor's office from Coleman, river boosters may wonder how the Father of Waters rates among Kelly's priorities. Last night (Wed), the new mayor used one of his inauguration week events to emphasize the importance of the riverfront in his plans for Saint Paul. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen has more...
January 3, 2002 - The mild winter is putting stress on at least a third of Minnesota's lakes. The state's shallow lakes need severe winters to kill their fish populations. Last winter sent lakes into a deep freeze, and DNR officials were hoping for a repeat performance this year. Nicole Hansel-Welch is shallow lakes program coordinator for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. She says partial freezes only kill predator fish, which upsets the lakes' delicate balance:
January 8, 2002 - City leaders in the small western Minnesota town of Bird Island want to resurrect a lake that was drained 100 years ago. They say restoring Pelican Lake will help the environment and bring more wildlife, tourists and economic development to their community. But some landowners are fighting the idea. They say it won't give them lakefront property, but the view of a swamp. They're afraid the shallow lake will breed mosquitoes, flood basements and lower property values.
January 8, 2002 - In May, President Bush wanted to build more nuclear power plants. After September 11th, the public is realizing how powerful nuclear energy is and how vulnerable they are to terrorist attacks.
January 9, 2002 - Rainy Lake is a favorite for swimming and fishing, but it is no longer safe for ice fishing and snowmobiling. The January ice is looking like March ice this year. It lost two inches of ices within eight hours.
January 11, 2002 - A University of Minnesota professor is in Antarctica working to preserve three huts built by the continent's early explorers. Microbiologist Bob Blanchette is studying the slow deterioration of the wooden structures and testing different types of preservatives. The explorers Sir Ernest Shakelton and Robert Scott set up basecamp in the huts in the early part of the 19th century, when they both launched multiple expeditions on the continent. Scott reached the South Pole in 1912, but died on the return trip. Blanchette says the Scott hut is filled with materials his team left behind:
January 14, 2002 - The eleven bays were closed in 1992 due to studies in the 1980s. Snowmobiles fought the decision and they were mad that they couldn't use it to play or drive on.