Climate change, industry, parks, air and water quality are issues that are debated in congress, compete for funding and enpassion many Minnesotans.
December 4, 2003 - Minnesota's Iron Mining Industry is disappointed with President Bush today. But some people involved in the state's manufacturing sector are pleased. President Bush announced today he's dropping tariffs on imported steel products. The President's decision averts a threatened trade war with the European Union. Minnesota Public Radio's Bob Kelleher reports.
December 5, 2003 - A scientist and former meteorologist was studying the language of elephants in the wild, and especially their mating calls. He found that the females emit an extremely low tone long sound wave mating call at certain times of the year, but they wait to do so typically until sunset or shortly after. These sounds can be heard by male elephants from as far as 10 miles. He inferred that elephants were using their meteorological knowledge in two respects 1 sound travels much farther over a landscape when there is a temperature inversion colder, denser air near the surface and this is often the case shortly after sunset; 2 surface winds often subside and calm after sunset and therefore permit sound to be detected at greater distances not having to compete against the aeolian sounds of the wind. In addition, sounds of longer wavelength tend to travel farther in the atmosphere than high pitched short wavelength sounds. On the other hand, perhaps elephants are simply in a more romantic mood after the sun goes down.
December 10, 2003 - The state Department of Natural Resources says more deer hunters are illegally leaving venison to rot or grabbing only the choicest parts instead of butchering the animal properly. Officials say hunters are taking the hind quarters, backstraps and tenderloins -- and leaving the front end of the deer. Some hunters are also improperly disposing of deer remains. Mark Johnson is executive director of the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association. He says a few bad apples are giving all hunters a bad name.
December 12, 2003 - The National Academy of Sciences is questioning the value of expanding the lock and dam system on the Upper Mississippi River. The Army Corps of Engineers commissioned the report released this week. The document urges the agency to pursue less expensive and more timely alternatives. Minnesota Public Radio's Erin Galbally reports.
December 12, 2003 - Record December 9th snows. A large, slow moving low pressure system spread snow throughoutthe midwest on Tuesday, December 9th. The Twin Cities set anew snowfall record with 9.5 inches, Sioux Falls, SD a new recordwith 8.0 inches, and River Falls, WI also reported a new record of 11.0 inches. Several others in the area reported new record amounts for the date as well, including the following...
December 12, 2003 - The lead Republican negtiator on the Energy Bill currently stalled in the US Senate predicts Congress will pass the bill early next year.
December 23, 2003 - Organizers of the Winter Carnival in St. Paul are praying for a cold spell so they can finally begin construction on the what's supposed to be the centerpiece of next month's festivities -- the ice palace. Minnesota Public Radio's Toni Randolph reports.
December 23, 2003 - In the new year, folks who are thinking of building a new home in some of the rural area of Sterns County will get information on some of the nuamces of country life. County officials say a lot of new homes are popping up in what used to be corn fields, so they are working on a brochure which will explain what to expect. Rob Sip is the Sterns County Feedlot Division Supervisor. He says the brochure is pannerned after on developed in Ottawa County, Michigan.
December 24, 2003 - "Extremely remote" is how one expert describes the risk humans face of contracting a brain wasting disease from eating beef. Yesterday's announcement of this country's first case of mad cow disease sent futures prices for beef into a plunge. Stock prices of food businesses are also down today. However, a University of Minnesota expert says the spread of mad cow disease in this country is unlikely. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports.
December 26, 2003 - Stephanie Hemphill profiles John Munter, a man in northern Minnesota who is growing hazelnuts. It's part of his attempt to live off the land. He says hazelnuts are the perfect crop for a future of global climate change.