May 2, 2003 - Minnesota's reputation for cold was preserved during the month of April, when the state reported the nation's lowest temperature on three separate dates. On April 23rd, Embarrass reported a morning low of 17 degrees F. Again on April 29 and April 30, Embarrass reported morning lows of 12 F and 11 F, respectively, both record lows for that community, as well as lowest in the nation.
May 5, 2003 - Lots of people have a compost pile in the back yard. They throw their grass clippings and kitchen scraps in a pile and let it sit. Eventually it turns into rich black stuff that can be spread on the garden. In Duluth, folks have moved beyond the back yard pile. They compost on an industrial scale, using some surprising ingredients. Mainstreet Radio's Stephanie Hemphill reports.
May 6, 2003 - Mainstreet Radio’s Chris Julin went listening for frogs with a couple of volunteers. The two are amongst dozens of volunteers across Minnesota driving backroads, looking for puddles and ponds, and listening for frog music.
May 9, 2003 - MPR’s Bob Kelleher reports on a Minnesota House Committee has voted to sell state land lying within the Federal Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. But it's raised fierce opposition from the environmental community and from within the Legislature. Report includes various speaking and interview clips.
May 9, 2003 - May's weather already has our attention... We are not very deep into May yet, but the month's weather has certainly grabbed our attention. In northern Minnesota, Embarrass reported a morning low of just 11 degrees F on the 2nd, the lowest temperature in the nation that day. May 4th and 5th brought severe weather to the nation primarily the central and southeastern states, and heavy rains to parts of Minnesota as well. The following locations reported new daily record rainfall amounts on May 5th..
May 12, 2003 - The cold, rainy weekend didn't dampen Governor Tim Pawlenty's enthusiasm for fishing. The governor was in Detroit Lakes for the traditional walleye opener. He says it was a fun, relaxing weekend. Now it's back to work, and the last hectic week of the legislative session. Mainstreet Radios Dan Gunderson reports.
May 14, 2003 - EVTAC has made it's last pellets. The Eveleth taconite company is shutting down. Four hundred and fifty workers will be laid off by the weekend. Company officials hope to eventually reopen EVTAC's iron mine and taconite pellet plant. But many fear that may never happen. Minnesota Public Radio's Bob Kelleher reports:
May 16, 2003 - As winter turns to spring in Minnesota's North Woods, the owlman comes back. His real name is Bill Lane. His passion is northern forest owls. Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Losure reports.
May 19, 2003 - A month after the attacks on the World Trade Center, Congress passed the USA PATRIOT Act. It was designed to help federal authorities track down and stop potential terrorists. But librarians around the country are worried about how the PATRIOT Act might affect people who visit the library. Some say it's putting their privacy at risk. Mainstreet Radio's Stephanie Hemphill reports.
May 23, 2003 - MPR’s Michael Khoo talks with All Things Considered host Lorna Benson about a Minnesota legislative plan that extends nuclear waste storage at Xcel Energy's Prairie Island plant. The proposal is meant to keep the facility operating through 2014, but has run into objections from environmental advocates. Critics say it lacks a strong commitment to renewable energy alternatives and provides no explicit role for lawmakers in future nuclear waste storage debates.