February 3, 1998 - A chemical engineering professor is set to testify about the ingredients in cigarettes today at Minnesota's tobacco trial. Minnesota public radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports: The State's lead attorney is expected to call Channing Robertson--a Stanford University Chemical Engineering professor. Robertson has testified as an expert witness in a number of other trials including a southern California toxic waste case and lawsuits involving I-U-D birth control devices. Later in the week attorneys are expected to call to the stand Walker Merryman who directs the tobacco industry's public relations and lobbying group--The Tobacco Institute. Also set to testify--Bennett LeBow who heads Liggett tobacco Liggett has settled its case with the State of Minnesota but not
February 3, 1998 - The top athletes in the sport of curling will compete for an Olympic medal for the first time this year in Nagano, Japan. Among those vying for a medal with the American men's team are two curlers from St. Paul and two from Wisconsin. One of those is Mike Peplinski (puh-PLIN-ski). He lives in Eau Claire and teaches seventh grade in Alma along the Mississippi River. This summer he faces another battle. Minnesota Public Radio's Brent Wolfe reports. Sound of Peplinski practicing- sliding along the ic
February 4, 1998 - Governor Carlson delivered his final state of the state speech today and in it, outlined some of his dreams for the future. Lawmakers say the price tag for the legacy Carlson hopes to leave may be too high. From the capitol, Minnesota Public Radio's Eric Jansen reports: Politicians of both major parties agree Governor Carlsons noon-hour speech was strong. DFL Senator Doug Johnson has been a frequent critic of the Republican governor but today:
February 4, 1998 - Governor Carlson made a case to legislators today to upgrade the state's colleges and universities, and build boarding schools for troubled youth. The Republican Governor devoted a large part of his final state of the state address to education issues. Carlson also reflected on his education accomplishments of past seven years, warning lawmakers not to tinker with the reforms. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports... Governor Carlson used the state of the state speech to push for the multi-million dollar request for higher education in the state bonding bill. He wants 252-million dollars for the University of Minnesota and 167-million dollars for the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
February 5, 1998 - An expert witness in Minnesota's tobacco trial told jurors at least one cigarette company genetically altered tobacco plants so they'd produce twice the amount of nicotine. Minnesota public radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports.
February 6, 1998 - note host back announce When the Iowa septuplets were born last November, many experts in reproductive medicine reacted with mixed feelings. The mother, Bobbi McCaughey, got pregnant using a powerful fertility drug that stimulated her ovaries so much that she produced seven babies. Some infertility specialists say that the chance of multiple births--and other risks with infertility medicine--might be lower if not for a long-standing ban on federal support for human embryo research. Minnesota Public Radio's Stephen Smith reports: To find out more about our series, "The Fertility Ra
February 9, 1998 - Minnesota's tobacco trial enters its third week today, with more questioning of a spokesman for the tobacco industry's trade association. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
February 9, 1998 - House Republicans today (MON) announced they want to use the money generated by the state's tobacco lawsuit for state-wide tax relief. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin kaste reports the lawmakers aren't waiting to see how the trial ends to consider how to spend the money the state MIGHT win.
February 10, 1998 - It's been six months since a suspected dumping of a toxic chemical wiped out 7800 trout in one of Minnesota's most popular trout streams. Authorities still don't know who is responsible. Even as the investigation continues, there are indications the stream is healing itself and will soon replenish the trout lost last August. Minnesota Public Radio's Mike Edgerly reports Hay Creek is one of the most studied, accessible and productive of southeast Minnesota's trout streams: The creek is a spring fed series of shallow rif
February 11, 1998 - Governor Carlson's 12-million dollar bonding proposal to fund boarding schools gets another hearing at the capitol today. (wed) The schools would serve at-risk juveniles who have had no major criminal problems. The proposal for Minnesota may be modelled after the Milton-Hershey School in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe travelled there to take a closer look. She reports on what SOME experts say is a new view of an old concept.