February 13, 1997 - As state and local officials around the country struggle to comprehend the complexity of welfare reform they're watching each others efforts to see what can be learned. North Dakota is out front in one area, with a new system to handle what used to be Aid to Families with Dependent Children, or AFDC. Minnesota Public Radio’s Dan Gunderson reports.
February 13, 1997 - One day after a faculty unionization vote at the University of Minnesota professors are still taking stock of the results. The unionzation failed by a very small margin -- 692 votes to 666 -- but as Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports, pro-union professors aren't necessarily unhappy about the outcome.
February 13, 1997 - As many as one-hundred Native Americans and their Tribal leaders from across the state met with state lawmakers (today) at the Capitol. Although it's not unusual for native-specific issues to make their way into state policy...Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe reports...the day was, nevertheless, a PRECEDENT-SETTING one: Each day there's a house or senate floor session...an invocation by a sworn state chaplain is offered. NEVER before has that chaplain been a native american spiritural leader. That is, until NOW. 58-year old Thomas Stillday Junior has become the Senate's first American Indian Chaplain...he's a spiritual elder from the Red Lake Band of Chippewa. After delivering a traditional Indian prayer during a peace pipe ceremony o
February 13, 1997 - The cultural paradoxes and misunderstandings of the Australian outback have found their way to St Cloud in the latest production at the New Tradition Theatre Company. Tonight the company premieres "Diddgitty-Doo" a play inspired by the real life story of a Wisconsin woman who finds herself in a remote aboriginal community. As Minnesota Public Radio's Gretchen Lehmann reports, "Diddgitty Doo" is a classic fish-out-of-water story with frustrating miscommunications and humorous bumblings, but it is also a serious story about the struggle of two people trying to relate to one another.
February 13, 1997 - With this week's legislative agreement to hammer out a plan for statewide testing of students, many Minnesotans are asking what will be done with the test results. One suggestion a conference committee will consider is proposed by a central Minnesota lawmaker. D-F-L'er Joe Opatz wants the tests to be used to gauge whether students' scores improve at each school, reward schools that show improvement, and provide help and possibly punish those that don't. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports... --------------------------------------------------------- | D-CART ITEM: 7258 | TIME: 3:56 | OUTCUE: s.o.c. --------------------------------------------------------- S
February 13, 1997 - The University of Minnesota is one of the state's largest landowners and, thus, a big neighbor. Some residents of a Minneapolis neighborhood would like the U to be a better neighbor and agree to sell some of its surplus Minneapolis campus property to homeowners. The residents want a mix of housing to try create what some call an urban village environment. They are concerned the U will sell to the highest bidder which in this case may be a developer who wants to tear down the houses. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson has more. The developer is Dinnaken Properties owned by James Cargill, Sr. a former executive of Cargill the global commodity processing and trading company. The neighborhood is what generations of U students know as Stadium Village - a collection of businesses, apartments and houses where the best known intersection is Oak Street and Washington Avenue. The U intends
February 14, 1997 - In this age dominated by electronic communication, many people say telling and listening to stories is a meaningful way to connect with other people. They say storytelling is a simple pleasure in an often hectic world. Minnesota Public Radio's Holly Nelson has this report.
February 14, 1997 - Of course today is Valentine's Day...and love seems to be in the air. If you'd like to continue your celebration into tomorrow night...you might want to check out the Walker Art Center's 4th Annual LOVE BASH. This year the show features performers all over the age of 40. This fact is the inspiration behind the show's title--"Mid-life Love Bash!" Leslie Ball hosts this ecletic evening. She proudly reveals she is over 40--42 to be exact. She says she's happier in this new decade and also has a new outlook on love.... Leslie Ball sat down with Minnesota Public Radio's Greta Cunningham at the Walker Art Center's GALLERY 8 RESTAURANT to chat about--LOVE... | D-CART ITEM: 7581 | TIME: 5:26 | OUTCUE: "..math in a while.
February 14, 1997 - MPR’s Bill Wareham reports on Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton State of the City address. Sayles Belton described Minneapolis as a strong, vibrant place, but also stated a need of stronger efforts to reduce gang violence. In addition to crime prevention, the mayor also highlighted education and economic development efforts.
February 14, 1997 - Your regional baby bell says it needs to hike prices to easy telephone congestion caused by internet users, and a McDonald's in France puts the Mcinternet on the menu.