Climate change, industry, parks, air and water quality are issues that are debated in congress, compete for funding and enpassion many Minnesotans.
September 13, 2002 - Officials at the University of Minnesota's Raptor Center are alarmed at the number of birds they've seen with symptoms of west nile virus. Until a year ago, only about a dozen bird species were known to be hosts to the virus, primarily crows and blue jays. But the National Wildlife Health Center now estimates between 110 and 120 bird species have been infected. The Raptor Center's Dr. Patrick Redig says it seems like the most recent epidemic got its foothold in southern Ohio, and then advanced quickly to the Midwest. Redig says its too early to determine the extent of the West Nile outbreak in Minnesota's bird population:
September 15, 2002 - On this American RadioWorks special radio report, “Nature's Revenge - Louisiana's Vanishing Wetlands” looks at a region of the United States that is crumbling and sinking into the sea. Scientists say it's causing one of the worst and least-publicized environmental disasters in America's history. As Daniel Zwerdling reports for NPR News and ARW, there's a moral to this story: when humans try to outwit nature, it can strike back with a vengeance.
September 16, 2002 - Officials are using bait and liquid smoke to trap a black bear that injured a man in a wildlife management area north of Milaca. Wildlife researcher Miles Becker is recovering from a broken leg and puncture wounds. He was attacked yesterday afternoon while tracking woodcocks that he and his colleagues had fitted with radio transmitters for a study. Dave Garshelis is a bear expert with the Department of Natural Resources. He spoke with Becker this morning. Garshelis says Becker was working with a receiver that suddenly made a loud static noise just before the bear attacked:
September 17, 2002 - The walleye were biting on Lake Mille Lacs this year like no time anyone can remember. Record numbers of anglers headed to the big lake to get in on the action. The result was serious overfishing. Indian conservation officials say the Department of Natural Resources let non-tribal anglers take too many fish. Officials with the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe and Fond du Lac Band of Chippewa wanted the DNR to stop the fishing on Mille Lacs. The DNR and the bands have been negotiating for months. But now they say talking things out has failed. Mainstreet Radio's Jeff Horwich reports the bands and the DNR are headed for mediation.
September 18, 2002 - The University of Illinois is reporting the first West Nile virus death in a dog in the United States. Officials at the school say the eight-year old Irish Setter-golden retriever mix may have had another immunity compromising infection that contributed to his death. The virus primarily attacks birds, but mosquitoes can pass it to humans, horses and other hosts. The only other documented case of West Nile in a dog occured in Botswana in 1978. Dr. Jeff Bender is an assistant professor of veterinary public health at the University of Minnesota. He says pet owners shouldn't worry:
September 19, 2002 - Residents of the Red River Valley are all too familiar with flooding. It's a common routine. Flood waters threaten towns. Roads and bridges wash away. Homes and crops are destroyed. But there's a plan some say will help. It's coming from researchers at the "Energy and Environmental Research Center" in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Mainstreet Radios Bob Reha reports.
September 20, 2002 - The time is rapidly approaching when Minnesotans love to admire the beautiful changes in color that autumn brings. For those MPR listeners new to the state, I think you will find that the fall season is perhaps the most favored one for most residents.
September 24, 2002 - An accomplished climber from Duluth has died on Mount Ranier. Ed Hommer died yesterday when a basketball sized rock struck him as he made his way through one of the most dangerous sections of Ranier. The 46 year old Hommer who lost both his lower legs in a plane crash on Mount McKinley in 1981. He climbed using prosthetics.
September 27, 2002 - Green Party gubernatorial candidate Ken Pentel today FRIDAY released a series of proposals designed to reduce water pollution in the state. Pentel says he's the only candidate stressing environmental issues in his race. But Pentel is battling for the environmental vote with DFL'er Roger Moe, who got the Sierra Club's endorsement. And the other two major party candidates in the race say they've supported environmental programs while serving in office. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum looks at the candidates' views on environmental issues...
October 1, 2002 - Wildlife officials say West Nile virus has been found in a Canada goose in South Dakota. It's the first time the virus has been detected in a game bird in that state. The goose and duck hunting seasons opened last weekend. But officials say hunters should not be afraid to eat water fowl. Mainstreet Radio's Mark Steil reports: