April 23, 1997 - U.S. Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman... who travelled to the Red River Valley with the President says flood-stricken farmers are eligible for a variety of crop loans and other assistance. Spring planting could begin this week in some parts of Minnesota, North and South Dakota. But in other areas there is still snow or standing water and it's doubtful some crops can even be planted this year. Farmers and ag officials say so-called "Freedom to Farm" legislation passed in 1996 is both a blessing and a curse to farmers facing disaster from blizzards and flooding. Minnesota Public Radio's Cara Hetland reports: The 1996 Farm Bill aimed to encourage more independence for farmers but it
April 23, 1997 - The House Budget committee takes up the flood relief bill tomorrow. In Grand Forks yesterday, President Clinton expressed confidence that Congress would approve the extra 200-million he's requesting for aid to Minnesota and the Dakotas. That would bring the total federal package to 488-million dollars for the area. Governor Carlson, and State emergency director Jim Franklin head to Washington to lobby for the aid. 5th District Minnesota Congressman Martin Sabo is Minnesota's only member of the Appropriations committee. He expects other members will approve Clinton's request. Fifth District Congressman Martin Sabo, Minnesota's representative on the House Appropriations Committee.
April 23, 1997 - The first area of Grand Forks to be flooded was the Lincoln Park area bordering the Red River, where floodwater gushed over dikes and literally forced homes off their foundations. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum talked to three people from the Lincoln Park neighborhood, and has their stories... Pat Moen knows her home is ruined - she says she "used to live" at 501 Lincoln Drive. She hasn't been back since she was forced to evacuate last week, bu
April 23, 1997 - Pronouncer = STAUSS = rhymes with house The mayor of East Grand Forks now says it could be a month before city residents can go back hom. He says sewage in the flood waters has contaminated their homes. That was tough news to more than two thousand flood victims who have come to stay temporarily in Bemidji. East Grand Forks Mayor Lynn Stauss (stouse) travelled to several northwestern Minnesota towns where flood victims have congregated, as Minnesota Public Radio's Christina Koenig (KAY-nig) reports. Several hundred of the flood victims gathered Bemidji State University's Hockey arena to hear the mayor. Lynn Stauss told his fellow flood victims
April 23, 1997 - Author and columnist Molly Ivins is guest speaker for this Frank Premack Memorial Lecture at University of Minnesota Humphrey Institute. Ivins talks the meanness of contemporary politics.
April 24, 1997 - Midday looks at health care with guests David Thorson, a family medical physician; and Jan Malcolm, vice president of Public Affairs and Philanthropy at Allina Health. Topics include family practice, managed care, and insurance companies. Thorson and Malcolm also answer listener call-in questions.
April 24, 1997 - State lawmakers have yet to approve a new stadium for the Minnesota Twins...but Minneapolis business leaders have already begun the push for ballpark-related development. The Minneapolis Downtown Council announced today it will form a task force to come up with ideas for stimulating development around a stadium. Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Wareham reports: When the Metrodome was on the drawing boards in the 70's...many assumed it would act as something of a development magnet...attracting entrepreneurs eager to capitalize on the millions of people who would visit the facility each year. But 15 years after opening...there's little to distract a fan on his
April 24, 1997 - The National Weather Service is taking some heat over its failed Red River crest prediction. Minnesota Public Radio's Lorna Benson reports: The Mayor of East Grand Forks is blaming the National Weather Service for failing to give residents along the Red River "adequate warning" to prepare for this spring's massive flooding. Mayor Lynn Stauss told a group of flood victims staying in Bemidgi it wasn't their fault they did not buy flood insurance or protect their valuables. Stauss says residents trusted the weather service and its 49 foot flood crest prediction: STAUSS: "They not only missed it, they blew it big. Now they expect that everybody should have flood insurance or they're not going t
April 24, 1997 - Even though the public's attention is focused on the devastating flooding in the Red River valley, it wasn't long ago that places like Granite Falls and Montevideo in southwestern Minnesota were the center of attention. The clean-up is well underway in those cities overrun by the Minnesota River earlier this month. Busloads of Twin Cities residents have been making the daily trek to help area residents for more than week...and will continue to do so until they're no longer needed. Minnesota Public Radio's Perry Finelli went along for the ride...and has a report... 8505 sfx...bus rider commenting on what he sees as the bus travels through Montevideo...
April 24, 1997 - The Minnesota House and Senate both finished their K-through-12 education spending bills last night (Wed). Both bills are meant to improve schools and raise slumping test scores, but they take different approaches. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports: --------------------------------------------------------- | D-CART ITEM: 8617 | TIME: 3:21 | OUTCUE: "...soc at the cap --------------------------------------------------------- When the legislative session started in January, the pressure was on for lawmakers to do something about Minnesota's schools. Lower-than-expected standardized test scores had added ammunition to Governor Carlson's attacks on teachers unions and school bureaucracies. Four months later, the Senate has responded with what may be the most radical change in school funding in three decades. Senate K-through-12 chairman Larry Pogemiller says his bill is designed to succeed where years of court-ordered desegregation and open enrollment have failed: