May 15, 2001 - America's war on drugs is almost 30 years old now and costs taxpayers $40 billion dollars a year. Those who fight the war on drugs point to successes: drug cartels busted, tons of drugs confiscated, drug dealers jailed. Yet, today the price of cocaine is at an all-time low, the purity of heroin is at an all time high, and new designer drugs, such as ecstasy and methamphetamines, are everywhere. Illegal drugs are part of the fabric of American life. The following is an excerpt from a new hour-long special from American RadioWorks, "America's Drug War." Host Deborah Amos explains that one of the hardest parts of the business for the drug lords is managing the profits.
May 16, 2001 - That's Hillary Boyce, an editor at New Moon: A Magazine for Girls and their Dreams. The magazine has declared today "Turn Beauty Inside Out Day."
May 17, 2001 - Nearly 9,000 nurses will vote today on a proposed contract for 13 Twin Cites hospitals. Earlier this week, the union's leadership rejected a final contract offer by the hospitals and are urging the membership to vote against the proposal. Since the nurses at each hospital will either ratify or turn down the proposed contract, the nurses, hospitals and prospective patients will be watching the vote closely to see if the nurses will strike. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
May 17, 2001 - The head of the United Nation's Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) should step up and help solve starvation and world hunger crises. What are the environmental and ethical issues involved? Charles Remenschneider, North American representative on the FAO, is interviewed.
May 17, 2001 - The Minnesota Nurses Association reports an overwhelming turnout today as its members vote on a contract proposal from 13 Twin Cities hospitals. If the nearly nine thousand nurses vote against the contract, a strike is possible. We'll talk with representatives on both sides. First, Jan Rabbers is spokesperson for the Minnesota Nurses Association. She says the majority of bargaining units are recommending nurses reject the contract
May 17, 2001 - Foot and Mouth disease is a major threat to the United States. It could wipe out the entire livestock population of South Dakota.
May 17, 2001 - The state Legislature appears one step closer to a special session. The House, the Senate, and Governor Jesse Ventura were unable to reach agreement last night on a budget deal for major tax and spending bills. With only five days left before the Constitutional deadline for adjournment, all three sides say reaching agreement could prove elusive. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports.
May 17, 2001 - Today, the Minnesota Department of Transportation is holding its 10th Annual B-BOP Day across the Twin Cities. B-Bop is meant to encourage people to commute using bikes, busses or car pools. It's an effort to cut traffic congestion and pollution. Joining us on the line is Brad Beagle, who rides his bike from the Macalester neighborhood in St. Paul, to his workplace in the northwestern suburb of Plymouth.
May 18, 2001 - Nurses at 12 of 13 Twin Cities hospitals have rejected a contract proposal and say they'll strike when their contract runs out on May 31st. Nurses at North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale ratified their contract after hospital management broke ranks with the other hospitals by offering better terms. The union says the vote allows 7700 nurses to strike on June first. They say a voter turnout of more than 80 percent should send a strong message to the hospitals that nurses are prepared to mount the metro area's first major nursing strike since 1984 unless they get a better deal. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
May 21, 2001 -