April 2, 2002 - Wildlife managers in Wisconsin have found two more deer with chronic wasting disease. It's a relative of "Mad Cow Disease," but it appears to attack only elk and deer. Chronic wasting disease was detected in Colorado more than 20 years ago, and it seems to be spreading slowly. It's showed up in Wisconsin and South Dakota but hasn't been detected in Minnesota yet. Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Julin has this report.
April 2, 2002 - Wisconsin could become the first state in the country to force electric utilities to reduce the amount of mercury they put into the air. Coal-burning power plants are the largest single source of airborne mercury pollution. Mercury can cause brain damage and reproductive problems in fish, animals, and people. Mercury that lands in the water can build up in the food chain. People take in mercury when they eat fish. Wisconsin, Minnesota, and other Great Lakes states have fish advisories. They warn people not to eat too much fish caught in the region's lakes and rivers. Mainstreet Radio's Stephanie Hemphill reports.
April 8, 2002 - If you computer gathering dust in a closet, you're not alone. According to one estimate, Americans will discard about 500 million PCs in the next five years. Computer parts contain lead and other heavy metals. They shouldn't be sent to the landfill or burned in incinerators. Now the industry has taken the first step in setting up a national system to deal with used electronics gear. They plan to impose a disposal charge on sales of new equipment. Minnesota Public Radio's Stephanie Hemphill reports the state of Minnesota has had a leading role in developing the system. {
April 16, 2002 - A new study shows that very low doses of a corn herbicide widely used in Minnesota and across the world causes sexual abnormalities in frogs. The study says the weed killer atrazine may be one cause of the worldwide decline of amphibians. It was published today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Losure reports.
April 19, 2002 - Five whooping cranes being tracked by researchers are nearing the end of their migration from Florida to Wisconsin. The whooping cranes are part of a project to restart a migratory path between the two states. Reestablishing the route is key to the survival of the cranes, which are some of the most endangered birds in North America. Last fall, researchers guided the birds all the way to Florida using an ultralight plane. The birds were left to adjust to life in the wild, and are now flying back to Wisconsin-- on their own. Rachel Jepson Wolf is the Outreach Coordinator for the International Crane Foundation. She's on the line now. Check out the Morning Edition page of our web site later today for additional links about the whopping ctanes, Minnesota Public radio dot org
April 19, 2002 - Many of the students at Southwest high school who boycotted a statewide test earlier this week had to make up the tests yesterday. About half of the junior class decided to skip the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment test in math. The tests do not affect student grades or graduation, but ARE used to assess the performance of schools. Joining us on the line is the Commissioner of the Department of Children, Families, and Learning, Christine Jax, who was also principal for the day yesterday at Southwest high school.
April 22, 2002 - Canadians have been fuming about the sanctions put in place by the Bush administration and now the United States timber producers are just as mad. There is a big difference in price for soft wood from United States and soft wood from Canada. Canada gets a third of the soft wood business from the United States. Canadian mills are also bigger than American mills and therefore are more productive.
April 22, 2002 - It's Earth Day today, and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture will celebrate by releasing ladybug larvae at the Como Park Conservatory. The ladybugs eat several kinds of pests, which would otherwise damage the plants in the conservatory. Today's release is part of an effort by the agriculture department to draw attention to biological control of pests. Roberta Sladky is the Director of the Conservatory, and she's on the line now.
April 22, 2002 - For home gardeners, spring planting is just a few weeks away. But if you're planning to add fertilizer to the soil, reading the product's label won't always tell you whether it's safe. In most states, including Minnesota, manufacturers can sell fertilizer containing arsenic, lead, cadmium, and other heavy metals without disclosing those ingredients. In Minnesota, that means a product called Ironite is still on the market, despite high levels of contamination. Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Losure reports.
April 23, 2002 - Trade potential with China is huge and the past president is going to go talk to China to figure out what they are looking for in a trade and how a trade can be arranged so that both parties will benefit.