April 30, 1997 - When Minnesota schoolchildren found an outbreak of deformed frogs in the summer of 1995, scientists thought it would be only a matter of months before they figured out the cause. But nearly two years later, it's still a mystery, and the federal Environmental Protection Agency is becoming increasingly concerned. The EPA is preparing to spend several million dollars to investigate the problem, and find out whether it poses a threat not just to frogs, but to humans. Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Losure reports.
May 1, 1997 - Bud Selig, Major League Baseball's acting commissioner, told state lawmakers the league wouldn't prevent the Twins from leaving Minnesota. Selig says the team needs a new stadium to remain financially healthy. Selig failed to fully endorse two elements many stadium supporters hope to see in a ballpark bill: financing with gaming revenues, and partial state ownership of the team.
May 1, 1997 - FEMA PHONE NUMBER = 1-800-462-9029 As homeowners return to flooded homes....they face some complex financial decisions on repairing the damage. It's likely that even those with flood insurance will find that not all their losses are covered. Some will fix their homes...others may decide its not worth the money. Mark Steil of Mainstreet Radio reports:
May 1, 1997 - While flood recovery is just beginning in Grand Forks and East Grand Forks, just to the southeast the small community of Ada is further along. School reopened this week for high school students in the town of 1700, and emergency meals will only be served by the Salvation Army until the end of the week. Leif Enger of Mainstreet Radio reports.
May 1, 1997 - A bipartisan deal to regularly test the progress of Minnesota schools and students could be in trouble at the state capitol. Two months ago, the Governor and legislative leaders agreed to set up a new standardized testing system in the public schools, but last night (Wed) the final negotiations hit a wall. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports: Is it possible to test kids too much? Minneapolis state senator Larry Pogemiller thinks so, and he's willing to jeopardize what seemed to be a done deal to make his point. Two months ago, legislative leaders promised Governor Carlson they'd set up a new statewide testing system. Standardized tests are a favorite cause of the Governor's, who believes the publicized test scores will make public schools more accountable. The deal was supposed to set up four tests in the years between kindergarten and 12th grade, but Pogemiller and his Senate colleagues now say three are enough:
May 1, 1997 - Some residents of East Grand Forks might have to find new places to live after the flood. City officials say homes in the Griggs and Sherlock parks neighborhoods of the city are so severly damaged, residents will probably have to rebuild elsewhere. Federal regulations state homes in a floodplain damaged beyond more than 50 percent of their assessed value cannot be rebuilt. Dick Grassel represents those neighborhoods on the city council. Dick Grassel is a member of the East Grand Forks City Council. Residents of the Griggs and Sherlock parks neighborhoods will meet with city off
May 1, 1997 - intro: Hundreds of people gathered in Fargo today to observe the National Day of Prayer. The mayors of Fargo and Moorhead, pastors from Grand Forks and Wahpeton, and teachers and students prayed for strength to rebuild their flood-damaged communities. Leif Enger of Mainstreet Radio has this sound portrait of today's ceremony. D-CART #9889 Runs 2:14 Music Out NOTE -- Host Backannounce 340 woman singing: "God is in control, we believe that his children will not be forsaken. God is in control, we will choose to remember and never be shaken..." FADE W/CROWD FX 4538 then to 1430: "Lord, it's been a tough year for many in this Valley. Many have fought long and hard to win a battle against nature. For some i
May 5, 1997 - One of the most widely debated issues in the modern workplace is whether employers should offer domestic partner benefits. In Minnesota, local governments which have sought to include unmarried, same-sex partners in their health insurance plans have run into legal roadblocks. But in the private sector, where the competition is growing for talented workers, more companies and organizations are finding domestic partner benefit packages make good business sense.
May 5, 1997 - For the last few weeks we have been hearing from the Reverend Craig Hanson from his home on the banks of the Red River in Fargo. He told us of the struggle to build the dikes... and the 24 hour-a-day watches to guard against leaks. He spoke of the ewxcitement as it appeared the river was going down, and then the distress as the Red began to rise again. The houses along his street were eventually ring-diked. Now the water is receding and the Fargo clean-up is in full swing. In the last of his floood diaries Craig Hanson looks back over all that happened. The Reverend Craig Hanson lives by the Red River in Fargo. We would like to thank him for sharing his story with us over the past month. Sun 28-MAY 19:41:27 MPR NewsPro Archive - Wed 04/11/2001
May 5, 1997 - Though the flooding in Grand Forks has been dubbed a once-in-500-years event, experts say the next flood could happen soon -- like next year. University of North Dakota geographer Paul Todhunter says it's more than likely next spring will also bring high waters, if not as bad as last year. Floods, he says, naturally come in clusters: University of North Dakota geographer Paul Todhunter Sun 28-MAY 19:41:15 MPR NewsPro Archive - Fri 04/13/2001