February 14, 1997 - Strike the flint of holocaust revisionism, the belief the Holocaust never happened, against the steel of the free speech rights guaranteed by the first amendment, and you set off the sparks that fly in the Illusion Theater's latest production. "Denial" is a play written by former Minneapolis resident and Jerome Fellowship winner Peter Sagal to explore his own Jewish identity and the limitations of the first amendment. Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Roberts has more.
February 17, 1997 - This time of year one might envy Roseville resident Cindy Herman. Herman is spending her winter in sunny climes aboard a cruise ship, and she's getting paid for it. Herman is the only woman drummer, now music director, for a cruise line, in her case Crystal Cruises. As part of our series called Odd Jobs, Mary Stucky visited with Herman recently while she was spending a few days off here at home. Herman says she got her start in the Roseville school music program.
February 17, 1997 - Teens comment on teen smoking laws.
February 17, 1997 - The U-S Department of Agricutlture will save billions of dollars as millions of acres of land return to production. The Freedom to Farm legislation passed last year requires millions of acres to be removed from the Conservation Reserve program. The program was established in the mid-80's to protect land from wind and water erosion and to help farmers through tough times. As ten year contracts begin to expire farmers are forced to decide if they're eligible to renew for another decade of guaranteed payments or if they'll farm the land and take advantage of higher prices for crops. Minnesota Public Radio's Cara Hetland talked to two Lincoln county farmers about their plans: Minnesota's Lincoln county has the most Conservation Reserve Program acres per county in the state. 50 thousand acres lie untouched by the farmers who chose to turn it into conservation land in exchan
February 17, 1997 - If you're the type of person who enjoys the spotlight, then maybe you wouldn't mind being Lincoln or Washington or Jefferson, all of whom are being scrutinized this week. But if you're a shy person, it might be better to be Millard Fillmore. Safe to say you could walk down the street in any major city without being recognized. Millard Fillmore was President of the United States from 1850 to 1853, serving the remainder of Zachary Taylor's term after Taylor died in office. As President, he served without distinction, and without stain. But Fillmore is not forgotten. If memory serves, the Brady Bunch went to a school named after Fillmore, and his qualities are remembered in a punk song. The group Showdown Showcase, from the Boston area, has a minute-long song called "Last of the Whigs."
February 17, 1997 - A state Senate Committee heard testimony from some of the state's top law enforcement officers who favor a bill creating a statewide Gang Strike Force. Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe reports.
February 17, 1997 - A Voices of Minnesota with the perseverance of two families in facing racial discrimination. Barbara Cyrus tells of her family's move to escape discrimination in the south only to encounter it in the north. Then, Archie Givens Junior tells how his father's commitment to education led him to donate African American art and literature to the University of Minnesota.
February 17, 1997 - Midday presents a rebroadcast of a Fresh Air program of debate on racial politics between playwright August Wilson theater critic Robert Brustein. The event was entitled On Cultural Power.
February 18, 1997 - A Minnesota-Iowa border flap has erupted over a perceived slight to Iowa's largest city. Minnesota Governor Arne Carlson said during the weekend that Des Moines is dead. Iowa Governor Terry Branstad sought an apology yesterday, but it was rebuffed. Carlson later hedged on his remarks, noting that his wife is from Iowa and proud of her heritage. Des Moines mayor Arthur Davis has offered Governor Carlson a tour of his city, and Carlson is apparently considering the offer. James Lileks, a columnist with the St. Paul Pioneer Press, has been watching the situation.
February 18, 1997 - On its rail lines across the country Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad plans to increase train speeds through towns to sixty miles per hour. Many towns and cities now have ordinances limiting train speeds but the Federal Railroad Administration has given BNSF the okay to increase speeds. Some North Dakota communities are trying to put the brakes on the plan. Minnesota Public Radio’s Dan Gunderson reports.