Climate change, industry, parks, air and water quality are issues that are debated in congress, compete for funding and enpassion many Minnesotans.
May 8, 1997 - This week, Govenor Carlson signed into law, a 21-million dollar flood relief bill for the state. It's in ADDITION to three-million set aside by lawmakers this past winter when severe storms stretched local government dollars for such things as snow removal. But as the legislative session winds down, many agree this funding will only provide IMMEDIATE state relief...and lawmakers expect to reconvene to appropriate additional money. Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe reports: --------------------------------------------------------- | D-CART ITEM: 1114 | TIME: 4:00 | OUTCUE: "...soc." --------------------------------------------------------- The Governor has hinted at the probability of a special session later this year. Once officials know the total cost of the recovery, a session COULD be called for either late July or early August. The Bill Carlson sig
May 8, 1997 - By the end of this week, residents in East Grand Forks, Minnesota may be able to drink their water straight from the tap. The city's more than 8-thousand residents have been without drinkable water since flooding shut down their water treatment plant three weeks ago. As Minnesota Public Radio's Lorna Benson reports, city crews and an army of volunteers have been working around the clock to fix the problem and are now only days away from making life a little bit easier for everyone. 253 - Driving...Car doors slamming...10-4 clear Saint Paul Water Department tester Mary Hiber (HIGH-burr) drives through
May 9, 1997 - As the Red River continues to recede, the extent of damage left behind emerges. Hundreds of Federal Emergency Management Agency Inspectors have surveyed more than 20-thousand homes damaged by the blizzards or the recent Red River flooding. Heidi and Maurice Borud live south of Fargo along the winding Red River. During the flood, the water came over their earthen dike and permanent floodwall... first filling the backyard swimming pool, then the yard itself... and ultimately both floors of the house. Minnesota Public Radio's Hope Deutscher spoke with the Boruds and with a FEMA inspector. | D-CART ITEM: 1163 | TIME: 4:03 | OUTCUE: "...soc"
May 9, 1997 - In the aftermath of spring's record flooding in the Red River Valley, Mainstreet Radio’s Leif Enger reports on one of the most visible and immediate legacy of disaster…trash.
May 9, 1997 - THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS IN GRAND FORKS NORTH DAKOTA AND EAST GRAND FORKS MINNESOTA ARE BUSY CLEANING CLEANING MUD AND SOGGY BELONGING FROM THEIR HOMES. HUGE PILES OF DEBRIS LINE MOST RESIDENTIAL STREETS. BUT IN NEIGHBORHOODS CLOSE TO THE RED RIVER THERE ARE NO TRASH PILES..AND LITTLE ACTIVITY. THESE MOST DEVASTATED AREAS WILL LIKELY BE DESTROYED TO MAKE ROOM FOR A NEW SYSTEM OF LEVEES. RESIDENTS OF EAST GRAND FORKS WILL GET THE BAD NEWS AT A TOWN MEETING TODAY (FRI- 4PM) MINNESOTA PUBLIC RADIOS DAN GUNDERSON REPORTS..
May 12, 1997 - The tiny northwestern Minnesota town of Ada is in the midst of a medical crisis. The city lost its only clinic, hospital and nursing home to flooding last month. The facilities are doubly important because together they comprise the town's biggest employer. At first, Ada heard it would probably get enough federal funds to rebuild the hospital. But recent visits by federal inspectors have not been so optomistic. As Minnesota Public Radio's Lorna Benson reports, the hospital's future is now in doubt: Ada was one of the first communities to be hit hard by flood
May 13, 1997 - Thousands of businesses in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota hurt by flooding have applied for government disaster loans. For many, the weeks after the flood have been spent analyzing whether they can stay in business. Mark Steil of Mainstreet Radio reports: The flooding Chippewa River left a big hole in the ground near a convenience store/gas station in Montevideo. Standing on the lip of the pit, six feet deep....bordered by twisted, broken pipes; station operator Jeff Knutson says it once contained gasoline storage tanks:
May 14, 1997 - As residents of Grand Forks clean up their flooded homes, many are having trouble finding electricians to repair damaged wiring. City officials are encouraging out-of-town contractors to come help meet the demand, but up to five-thousand homes remain without power. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports... The level of frustration over Grand Forks' electrician shortage spilled over at this week's city council meeting. As city officials debated whether to waive a 105-dollar licensing fee for contractors from out of town, residents still without power got testy. Todd Nedberg, who owns property in downtown Grand Forks, urged council members to make it easy for electricians to do
May 15, 1997 - Another milestone in the post-flood recovery of Grand Forks occurred this week with the beginning of summer school at the University of North Dakota. The state's second-largest employer, U-N-D didn't sustain the level of flood damage suffered by the city's downtown, yet university officials say it will take several years for the campus to return to full strength. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports... (nat of Bobcat)
May 16, 1997 - Better late than never...that's how some high school students in East Grand Forks are looking at their prom - which was postponed due to spring flooding but now will be held this weekend. Minnesota Public Radio's Hope Deutscher stopped into the East Grand Forks High School as students prepared the school for the annual dance. Not far from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's temporary center in the East Grand Forks High School....students are busily decorating the schools gym, cafeteria and auditorium. Organizers are expecting more than 100 couples to show up for prom...and hundreds of parents and friends to watch