March 31, 1998 - MPR’s Mark Steil provides an on-location report detailing the aftermath of tornados that devastated Comfrey, Minnesota.
April 1, 1998 - Southern Minnesota extension officials say Sunday's tornadoes damaged more than 200 farms. Dairy farmers have been especially hard hit. In Brown County dairy farmers are scrambling to care for their cows, which must be milked twice a day. With barns destroyed and electricity out, some are selling their herds. Mainstreet Radio's Mark Steil reports: Brown County extension director Wayne Schoper says 140 farms were damaged as the tornado cut a 30 mile long path through the southern part of the county. The storm is causing the most immediate hardship for dairy farmers. If cows are not milked regularly their udders' may get infected, possibly ending their milk producing days for good. Schoper says some farmers h
April 2, 1998 - Nicollet is one of four counties included in President Clinton's disaster declaration. Saint Peter residents now have access to federal money to help repair and rebuild after Sunday's tornado. Governor Arne Carlson also sent a team from the state historical society to help calm fears that the twister robbed the city of it's original charm. Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes reports.
April 3, 1998 - State attorneys in Minnesota's tobacco trial showed industry memos that suggest companies knew low-tar cigarettes could be as dangerous as full-flavored cigarettes but never told the public. Attorneys introduced the memos during cross-examination of defense witness--David Townsend. Townsend is vice president of product development at the nation's second largest cigarette maker--R-J Reynolds. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports: A 1990 RJR memo said low-tar cigarettes aren't what they claim to be; and advertising ultra low-tar is misleading. It said smokers tend to smoke until they reach their individual requirement for nicotine by inhaling low tar cigarettes more deeply or subconsciously blocking vents on filters with their fingers or mouth.
April 3, 1998 - Koch Refining Company will pay a 6.9 million dollar fine for environmental violations at its oil refinery just south of Saint Paul. Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Losure reports. Most of the penalty against Koch is for improper handling of the refinery's contaminated wastewater. Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Commisioner Peder Larson says the water was supposed to be piped to the refinery's treatment plant.
April 6, 1998 - Environmentalists today claimed a small victory in their effort to protect a raptor called the "Goshawk" in Northern Minnesota. The Forester in charge of the Chippewa National Forest has agreed to ban logging for two years in areas known as Goshawk habitat. While the situation is not as contentious as the fight over the spotted owl in the northwest, environmentalists say its a battle worth fighting. Brigit Hust prepared the case for the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy and the National Audubon Society. Brigit Hust prepared the Goshawk case for the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy and the National Audubon Society. The Goshawks habitat in Chippewa National Forest won't be logged for two years. Sun 28-MAY 11:47:53 MPR NewsPro Archive -
April 6, 1998 - The mayor who led Grand Forks through last years flooding offered sympathy and encouragement to tornado victims in St. Peter Sunday. Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Losure reports. and vividly described the disaster that struck HER community almost year ago, when the dikes protecting GRand Forks began to give way.
April 6, 1998 - Gustavus Adolphus College alumni and students spent the weekend cleaning up the destruction from last week's tornado. The tornado damaged many of the college's buildings and has forced an extension of the college's spring break. But it didn't keep people from breaking out the "gustie spirit" to help the college begin the process of recovery. Minnesota Public Radio's Lynette Nyman has this report. 31:00 ambience of crowd
April 7, 1998 - MPR's Mary Losure talked to kids at an afterschool daycare program for a child's eye view of the severe storm and tornado that hit St. Peter, Minnesota.
April 13, 1998 - Farmers around Comfrey and LeCenter are asking for volunteers to help clear their fields of tornado debris so they can begin their spring planting. Bill Free-DELL of Lutheran Social Service says the weather delayed an immediate clean-up: Bill Fredell is with Lutheran Social Services. There are buses providing round-trips from the Twin Cities. Sun 28-MAY 11:37:29 MPR NewsPro Archive - Wed 04/11/2001