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....))
April 2, 1997 - The Minnesota House took up its version of a Comprehensive Welfare Reform Bill last night. But as Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe reports, it was an attempt by foes of legal abortion that stalled the bill when its key author then withdrew it from consideration on the floor.
April 2, 1997 - MPR's Mark Zdechlik traverses the Metrodome to talk with fans and players about the return of baseball and the Minnesota Twins prospects in 1997 Major League Baseball season.