Climate change, industry, parks, air and water quality are issues that are debated in congress, compete for funding and enpassion many Minnesotans.
December 26, 2003 - Despite high temperatures above freezing this week, St. Paul Winter Carnival officials say the ice on Lake Phalen should soon be thick enough for ice palace construction. Officials briefly considered hauling ice from the Detroit Lakes area, about 200 miles to the north, because the ice on Lake Phalen wasn't forming fast enough. The first of 27 thousand blocks need to be laid in early January for the palace to be ready by the January 20th deadline. Joining us on the line is Ice Palace co-chairman David Crary.
December 26, 2003 - Based on state averaged annual temperature and total precipitation, Minnesota recorded a warm and dry year in 2003. The statewide mean annual temperature of 42 degrees Fahrenheit falls in the warmest 20 percent historically, while the statewide average total precipitation of 22.25 inches falls in the driest 20 percent of historical years. These are not particularly memorable statistics, but in the details of the weather this past year, we do find some features that will be long remembered.
December 31, 2003 - U.S cattle futures fell today for the fifth straight market session since last week's announcement that a cow in Washington has bovine spongiform encephalopathy, more commonly known as Mad Cow Disease. It's the first known case of mad cow in the United States. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has implemented several safety measures to ensure beef carrying the deadly brain wasting illness out of the food supply. Researchers at the University of Minnesota and the Minneosota Health Department held a video conference today to discuss the new rules and address any concerns that cattlemen, veterinarians and consumers might have. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
January 6, 2004 -
January 7, 2004 - US Agriculture officials said yesterday that the cow diagnosed with the first US case of Mad Cow Disease was born in Canada. The American beef industry has been reeling since the December 23 announcement of the case of mad cow, the nation's first since its discovery in Great Britain in the mid-80s. The spector of Mad Cow has raised concerns in among US consumers about the safety of the beef supply. Dr. Jon Hallberg is medical director of the Primary Care Center at the University of Minnesota. He says that, although the disease is extremely rare in humans, it is 100-percent fatal.
January 26, 2004 - Mainstreet Radio's Stephanie Hemphill reports on folks in Northeastern Minnesota and Northwestern Wisconsin digging out from a near-record snowfall. After five years of wimpy winters, Duluth had several days of frigid temperatures, and now - lots of snow.
January 30, 2004 - At a time when many arts organizations are struggling financially, the Minnesota Ballet has found ways of going from strength to strength. The Duluth-based company is gradually trying to wean itself from foundation support. Mainstreet Radio's Stephanie Hemphill reports.
May 14, 2004 - Mainstreet Radio's Tom Roberston reports that the floodwaters are starting to recede in the northwestern Minnesota town of Roseau. The Roseau River crested on May 14th at 25.3 feet, but then went down several inches from that level. That's welcome news for a town that was devastated by floodwaters just two years ago. Lessons learned from that flood helped keep the town mostly dry this time around.
July 15, 2004 - Hewlett-Packard and Dell have announced free programs to encourage US consumers to recycle computers and electronics. HP has teamed with Office Depot stores to offer free recycling for any make of computers, monitors, digital cameras, fax machines, cell phones and other electronics. Consumers can drop off electronics at any Office Depot store between July 18 and Labor Day.
August 26, 2004 - Mark Seeley presents his annual “Take the Weather Quiz” to the audience at the State Fair. Topics include history of State Fair weather, cold temperature ranges, possible El Nino, and snow forecast for upcoming winter. Seeley also answers audience questions.