April 29, 1997 - Minnesota drivers would pay an extra four-cents for a gallon of gas under a bill approved by the Senate Taxes committee last night (Mon). Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports. The Senate bill would raise the per-gallon price you pay at the pump by two cents this summer, and then another two cents next year. That's in addition to the current 20-cent-per-gallon tax. The money raised by the gas tax is supposed to be spent solely on transportation, and that means most of the money goes to highways and bridges. The highway construction lobby and rural lawmakers have been pushing for the increase, which they say is long overdue. The last increase was in the late 80s, and the bill's author, Willmar Republican Dean Johnson, says it's time to catch up
April 29, 1997 - State lawmakers on the House and Senate tax committees will be discuss proposals for financing a new Twins stadium…and It's a critical day for stadium supporters, because with less than three weeks left in the legislative session, they still have no politically viable plan to pay for a new ballpark.
April 29, 1997 - Flood ravaged communities up and down the Red River, are sizing up damage to their towns, trying to figure out how much it's going to cost to repair, roads and bridges, and sewer, gas, electric and water lines. The cost is certain to be hundreds of millions of dollars. Grand Forks North Dakota sustained some of the heaviest flood damage and as the water continues to receed , local officials are beginning to slowly find out just what it's going to take to put their city back together. And as the work continues on a municiple level , so to do recovery efforts among homeowners and businesses. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports.
April 29, 1997 - It's been more than a week since residents of Grand Forks and East Grand Forks were evacuated from their homes because of rising flood waters. About 37-hundred evacuees have ended up in Bemidji. Some of the refugees have been told they may be able to return to their homes this week. Others are settling in for the long run. Coping with upturned lives has been easier for some than others, as Minnesota Public Radio's Christina Koenig (KAY-nig) reports.. Kristy Erickson watches her son play with baseball cards on the floor of the Evangelical Covenant Church in Bemidji as her mother-in-l
April 30, 1997 - Midday focuses on the discussion at the state Legislature about the future of a new baseball stadium for the Minnesota Twins. Host Gary Eichten speaks with MPR reporter Bill Wareham, who presents a summary of the various proposals and audio clips of committee debate. Ideas presented include gambling revenue options, cheaper alternatives to a stadium, buying a team, selling Metrodome to teams for $1.00, and buying season tickets.
April 30, 1997 - Ojibwe Band members had hoped to be spearing and netting fish on dozens of central Minnesota lakes by now. For seven years a group of tribes, led by the Mille Lacs Ojibwe, worked through the courts to restore fishing and hunting rights given them by treaty in the 19th century. It appeared the tribes would finally exercise those rights this spring. But a group of local landowners won an injunction earlier this month, halting the Indians plans, at least for now.
April 30, 1997 - A MYSTERIOUS DEVELOPMENT IN THE FLOOD STORY OF THE GRAND FORKS AREA HAS RESIDENTS WHO'VE BEEN THROUGH AN INCREDIBLE ORDEAL FINDING SOME HOPE. A SECRET DONOR IS OFFERING FLOODED OUT FAMILIES 2-THOUSAND DOLLARS NOT IN LOANS BUT AS OUTRIGHT GIFTS IN THE HOPE THE MONEY WILL HELP EASE THEIR BURDEN. MINNESOTA PUBLIC RADIO'S MARK ZDECHLIK REPORTS. Sun 28-MAY 19:43:20 MPR NewsPro Archive - Wed 04/11/2001
April 30, 1997 - The scenes and stories of the devastating flood are prompting people across the state to contribute to what is now a steady stream of cash, food and supplies. Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes has a look at what one city is doing to help.
April 30, 1997 - Governor Carlson met today, with heads of state agencies, involved with the newly formed Flood Disaster Task Force. Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe reports: The task force signals a shift from emergency services and rescue efforts...to long term planning and policy for the recovery. The Governor told task force members , they must help the state begin to EMOTIONALLY prepare for the re-building of their communities because flood victims are beginning to ask the most fundamental questions as they return home: BITE: (blue one) Carlson says one of the more immediate pieces to the puzzle, is the HOU
April 30, 1997 - The National Weather Service has removed the flood warning for the Big Sioux River around Sioux Falls and city officials are busy removing protective dikes and levees surrounding the city. A hundred thousand sandbags were distributed in preparation for spring flooding and now it's time to take them all back. Minnesota Public Radio's Cara Hetland reports: Sandbags are piled waste high and 15 feet wide in the zoo parking lot Tuesday morning. Six people are digging through the heep of burlap to find bags that aren't broken and put in their trunks or pick-up beds. Troy Path is hoping for about 400 pounds of sand.