March 21, 1997 - The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board this week authorized the state's technical colleges to cut nearly 200 programs and lay off about 90 faculty members this fall. But, MnSCU officials say it's not as bleak as it seems. The board was required to approve tentative layoffs and potential cuts that may not happen. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
March 21, 1997 - Have you ever flown through downtown Chicago and dropped down through one of its tallest buildings? Or taken a trip around the nether regions of an enzyme molecule? A little piece of computer animation history appears at the Science Museum of Minnesota this evening as "The Magic Egg" opens as part of the 2nd annual Omnifest. The film was made over a decade ago but as Minnesota Public Radio's Euan Kerr reports it broke new ground at the time and has lost little of its fascination.
March 21, 1997 - The independent Oak Street Cinema in Minneapolis begins the Northern Lights Film Festival tonight with a program that includes an independent documentary on independent candidates at the 1996 New Hampshire Presidential primary. "Subdue the Universe," by local filmmakers James Taylor, Brian Standing, and Matt Ehling, works on at least three levels. As independents themselves, they bring a certain attitude to their look at third party candidates. As citizens interested in the political process, they bring an edge to their examination of the voting public.
March 22, 1997 - More than fifteen thousand Gophers Basketball fans jammed Williams Arena last night... for a welcome-home rally... when the team returned to Minneapolis from San Antonio.
March 22, 1997 - The Minnesota Gophers men's basketball team has earned a berth in the NCAA Final Four. The number-one seeded Gophers won the Midwest region final yesterday with an 80-to-72 come-from-behind victory over UCLA. Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Wareham was in San Antonio for the game and has this report.
March 22, 1997 - It's nail-biting time once agin for Gopher fans as the Men's Basketball team faces UCLA at 2:40 this afternoon in the Midwest Regional final. Fans have barely had time to recover from the double overtime victory against Clemson Thursday night.
March 24, 1997 - Midday’s Gary Eichten talks with Minnesota Public Radio producer and film expert Stephanie Curtis, the "Movie Maven" about the Academy Award nominees for the 69th Academy Awards. Curtis details nominees and the process behind nominating process. Program also includes call-in questions and commentary from listeners.
March 24, 1997 - Several recent racially-motivated attacks against Somali immigrants in Rochester have shaken the city's image as one of the best places to live in America. Citizens have responded by signing pledges of non-violence and businesses have donated thousands of dollars to a fund to help police catch the attackers. Much of the racial tension in Rochester shows up in the community's young people. Minnesota Public Radio's Brent Wolfe prepared this report on why racism is surfacing among teenagers and what the schools are doing about it.
March 24, 1997 - **SCHOEDULED WEEKEND 3/15-16 and ATC 3/17-18** School reform continues to receive a lot of attention... and CHARTER schools have become part of the school reform equation. These unique public schools are free of many of the state regulations and mandates allowing teachers and students to experiment. Commentator Ann Daly Goodwin says charter schools are one of the better routes to school reform. Commentator Ann Daly Goodwin taught in the public schools for 16 years. She now lives, and writes in northern Wisconsin. Sun 28-MAY 20:27:35 MPR NewsPro Archive - Wed 04/11/2001
March 24, 1997 - The sole Republican on the Minneapolis City Council will not seek re-election. Dennis Schulstad of the 12th Ward has served for 22 years and says it's time to move on. Schulstad, who is also a Brigadier General in the Air Force Reserve, says his goals have remained the same over the years: to hold down taxes, maintain public safety, and to keep the community involved and informed. Schulstad says it was a hard decision to make.