Climate change, industry, parks, air and water quality are issues that are debated in congress, compete for funding and enpassion many Minnesotans.
September 19, 2005 - At 9:00 tonight, Minnesota Public Radio will broadcast the new American Radio Works documentary, "No Place for a Woman." It's the story of a landmark legal battle which changed workplaces in America. It established that companies have a legal responsibility to protect employees from sexual harassment. The case is the basis for the new Warner Brothers movie, "North Country," scheduled for release next month. The movie was partially filmed on the Iron Range, and many residents of the Range will appear as extras. Sally Mayasich stood in line all day to try out for a part. She wasn't picked, but she says she wanted to help make the movie as realistic as possible. Mayasich grew up on the Iron Range. She's a freelance writer who's working on a historical novel about the area. Her experience working in a taconite mine helps her understand what makes the Range unique. She took Minnesota Public Radio's Stephanie Hemphill on a tour of her home town, to try to explain the Iron Range character.
September 22, 2005 - MPR’s Sam Choo reports on storm that rocked areas of the Twin Cities, including Andover, which had severe property damage. Choo interviews residents about what happened in the storm. On the night of September 21, 2005, a series of supercells produced four tornadoes, widespread wind damage (gusts of 75+ miles per hour), large hail (up to three inches), and flash-flooding in east central Minnesota. Three damage was present in tree damage in Maple Grove, Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, and north Minneapolis, with one fatality from a fallen tree branch. In the worst hit areas there were downbursts…such as in Andover, where wind gusts reached 100 miles per hour.
October 5, 2005 - MPR’s Cathy Wurzer checks in with Rich Naistat, of the National Weather Service, about the intense rainfall that deluged the Twin Cities. The two compare it with the superstorm that dumped massive amounts of rain in July 1987.
November 15, 2005 - Duluth is rediscovering David Ericson. In the first half of the 20th century he painted dreamy Impressionist landscapes, and portraits filled with light. He studied with James McNeill Whistler. Now the Tweed Museum is mounting a big show that features 80 works by Ericson. Minnesota Public Radio's Stephanie Hemphill has this report.
February 14, 2006 - A lost era -- a time when immigrant workers rolled cigars by hand in southern Florida comes to life in "El Lector". It's a new book for young people, written by northern Minnesota author William Durbin. Minnesota Public Radio's Stephanie Hemphill reports.
June 22, 2006 - Sunday at Community United Church of Christ in the Iron Range town of Biwabik, there'll be a birthday celebration. Martha Anderson is turning 105. She lives in her own home, cooks her meals, brings flowers to church, and refuses to use the elevator. She says it's for old people. Minnesota Public Radio's Stephanie Hemphill went to the rural community of Lakeland, outside Gilbert, to meet Mrs. Anderson.
July 27, 2006 - MPR’s Tim Post interviews meteorologist Mark Seeley about the reasons behind the “extreme” drought conditions in northern Minnesota. Seeley states main culprit is the jet stream.
August 25, 2006 - MPR’s Cathy Wurzer talks with meteorologist Craig Edwards about a memorable August 24th, which brought destructive hail and tornadoes to southern areas of the state. Edwards details what transpired.
September 18, 2006 - MPR’s Annie Baxter reports on residents and city officials working hard to clean up parts of the northern suburb of Rogers, after tornado level winds ripped through the town on September 16th.
October 9, 2006 - MPR’s Dan Olson reports on the Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary on the edge of downtown St. Paul. The land occupies an area that used to be the home of Native Americans, and Dakota want to reclaim Wakan Tipi, a cave they consider a sacred site.