August 21, 2007 - President Bush at the TC airport on Tuesday 8/21 talking about the flood money he promised us. (Runs 2:25?)
August 21, 2007 - Governor Pawlenty met today with President George Bush. Pawlenty and other emergency officials briefed the President on the goverment's response to the flooding in SE Minnesota as well as the I-35 bridge collapse shortly after he arrived in the Twin Cities this afternoon. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlick is with the President and has a report.
August 21, 2007 - President Bush today declared an emergency exists in Minnesota as a result of the 35W bridge collapse. The declaration comes a day after divers recovered the thirteenth and last known victim from the river. Officials are now stepping up efforts to remove debris from the site of the bridge collapse. And Governor Pawlenty is moving closer to calling a special session of the Legislature to deal with bridge costs, as well as flood relief for Southeastern Minnesota. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
August 22, 2007 - President Bush is promising a "flood of help" for people in southeastern Minnesota. He's also pledging quick federal help to replace the 35-W bridge. Bush made the comments on a trip to Minnesota yesterday. He was in the Twin Cities to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for Republican Senator Norm Coleman's re-election effort. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports.
August 22, 2007 - The I-35W bridge collapse and the flooding in southeastern Minnesota appear to be increasing the chances of a special session. Governor Pawlenty and legislative leaders say they're optimistic lawmakers will convene this fall, but say some issues remain to be resolved beforehand. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
August 22, 2007 - The recovery effort at the 35W bridge collapse site is over. On Monday evening divers recovered the body of construction worker Gregory Jolstad from the Mississippi River. He was the last known missing person from the bridge collapse. The final recovery means the mission of a team of U.S. Navy divers is complete. The team has been working to recover victims for over two weeks. Navy Diver Brett Eversman, one of the divers on that team, is interviewed.
August 22, 2007 - Minnesota and North Dakota transportation officials have closed a bridge over the Red River. The RobbinDrayton bridge carries Minnesota Highway 11 into North Dakota north of Grand Forks. It will be closed for at least a week. The bridge is the first to be closed since the 35W bridge collapse. It was scheduled for replacement in a couple of years. But, MinnDoT inspectors found damage on the span's approach. The inspection was part of the statewide bridge inspection program started after the 35W bridge collapse. To find out how the closure will impact the area around the bridge the Mayor of Drayton, North Dakota, Ardis Olson, is interviewed.
August 23, 2007 - On this special Midday program at the Minnesota State Fair, former Minnesota governors Arne Carlson, a Republican, and Wendell Anderson, a DFLer, reflect on current events and politics past and future.
August 24, 2007 - The five teams of contractors who hope to win the right to rebuild the I-35W bridge are busy working on their proposals. They have until September tenth to submit their plans to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. MnDOT is offering a large incentive package to ensure that the bridge is done by December of 2008. But there are some who wonder whether the relatively new process that will be used to rebuild the bridge will be cost effective and as scrutinized as it should be. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
August 31, 2007 - More than a third of schools in Minnesota failed to meet student performance goals last year under the No Child Left Behind law. The Minnesota Department of Education says 729 schools did not make adequate yearly progress under the federal legislation, the highest number since it was enacted five years ago. On his weekly radio show today, Governor Pawlenty said he's concerned about the increase. Opponents of No Child Left Behind say it's overly political, and relies too heavily on testing procedures. Today, we get the perspective of two principals. One whose school was included on the list, and another whose school is no longer on it.