March 31, 1997 - While most of us are glad to see the return of warmer weather... there are the downsides of the thaw to consider.... On the larger scale there is the potential for huge floods.... but on the smaller scale there are the piles of detritus left behind as the snow fades away.... particularly if you own a dog. But don't despair.... there IS help available.... Today in our Odd Jobs report we meet Todd Johnson, of Minneapolis, who makes a living picking up the small piles left by dogs in backyards throughout the Twin Cities. Spring is a busy time of the year for Johnson...who handles as many as 20 assignments a day. He told Minnesota Public Radio's Todd Moe the idea for Doggie-Doo Yard Cleaning came to him while cleaning up after his own black Lab... | D-CART ITEM: 4220 | TIME: 2:58 (outcue comes at 2:53...sfx wi
March 31, 1997 - Edgar Stark is a murderer. Convinced that his wife was betraying him,and had been since the beginning of their marriage, he killed her in a brutal act of violence. The courts found him insane and he was confined in one of England's most secure mental institutions. Edgar Stark is a fictious character at the center of Patrick McGrath's new novel "Asylum." Kirkus Reviews calls McGrath a worthy descendant of Edgar Allan Poe, a contemporary master of highbrow Gothic fiction. His previous novels have all been optioned for films. "Gentlemen Don't Eat Poets" based on his book "The Grotesque" opens this month. In "Asylum" McGrath explores the fine line between love and obsession. While Edgar Stark could well be portrayed as a monster, McGrath only lightly touches on his brutal crime...instead introducing the reader to a man of culture and charm.
April 1, 1997 - Peter Hutchinson from the Minneapolis School District says a systematic community effort is needed to help students be successful. Hutchinson outlined his challenge for increased community involvement in public education in his annual "State of the Schools" speech this morning. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
April 1, 1997 - Ten thousand delegates are arriving in Minneapolis for National Catholic Education Conference. The event runs tomorrow through Friday at the Minneapolis Convention Center. In Minnesota after twenty five years of declining enrollments, Catholic schools in the state are enjoying modest growth. School officials are scrambling to find enough classroom space and a handful of new schools are under construction. Parental demand is apparently driving the renewed interest in Catholic schools as they search for a spiritual component to their children's education. Rachel Reabe of our Mainstreet Radio team has the story.
April 1, 1997 - Members of a House Committee have approved a bill to spend up to six-and-a half million-dollars to keep the peace around Lake Mille Lacs. Members of the Mille lacs band of Ojibwe plan to exercise their rights to net and spear fish this spring. The measure faces its Second committee tomorrow before moving along further in the process, and eventually to House floor. A similar measure passed in a Senate committee. Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe reports.
April 1, 1997 - Members of a House Committee have approved a bill to appropriate six-and-a half million-dollars from the state's budget reserve for potential costs associated with plans by Minnesota and Wisconsin Ojibwe to exercise their rights to net and spear fish this spring. Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe reports.
April 2, 1997 - MPR’s Bob Potter interviews Donald Schwert, a geologist at North State University, about the dynamics of Red River that make it prone to flooding.
April 2, 1997 - Midday discussion with two state legislative leaders to talk about issues facing lawmakers halfway through the session, including welfare reform bill, abortion, immigrant assistance, taxes, and education. Guests Speaker of the House Phil Carruthers and Senate Minority Leader Dean Johnson share their viewpoints and answer listener call-in questions.
April 2, 1997 - SHRINKING BUDGETS IN RECENT YEARS MEAN THERE ARE FEWER ART PROGRAMS IN MANY SCHOOLS..PARTICULARLY IN RURAL AREAS. A FARGO ART GALLERY IS TRYING TO HELP FILL THE VOID WITH ITS SUITCASE ART PROJECT. MINNESOTA PUBLIC RADIOS DAN GUNDERSON REPORTS. (SFX) SECOND GRADE STUDENTS IN A SMALL RURAL NORTH DAKOTA SCHOOL LISTEN EAGERLY AS CINDY HALE LIFTS PIECES OF NATIVE AMERICAN ART FROM A SLIGHTLY BATTERED SUITCASE. AS THE CHILDREN PASS THEM AROUND HALE TALKS ABOUT THE NORTH DA
April 2, 1997 - A panel of State Senators is contemplating raising the gas tax to pay for better state highways -- even though a gas tax hike has stalled in the House of Representatives. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports: Members of the Senate Transportation Budget committee aren't supposed to spend their time talking about what's going on over in the House, but these days they can't help themselves. Bloomington Republican Bill Belanger despairs openly about the House's unwillingness to raise more highway dollars: ((It's GRIM there... even if Rep Carruthers gets involved over there, it's GRIM, so....))