August 27, 1997 - The Attorney General's office and the Minnesota Medical Association hold a press conference this morning to warn parents about a new product from Nestle they say poses a choking hazard for small children. "Nestle Magic" is a ball of chocolate with a plastic Disney character in the middle. Nestle says it's safe and meets all federal safety regulations. Minnesota Public Radio's Brent Wolfe reports.
August 27, 1997 - Two provisions in a major spending bill in the US Senate would deal a serious blow to the sovereignty of Native American tribes. The first would force tribes to waive their sovereign immunity from civil lawsuits or lose 767-million dollars in Federal funding. The second would deny tribes Federal money if tribal members' average income is above a certain level. Some say it's part of a strategy to eventually dismantle tribal protections. The proposals apparently face stiff opposition in the Senate and a Presidential veto threat. But if they were to pass, Federal Judge Jack Tunheim doesn't think they'd survive in the judiciary. The measures are riders on a 13-billion dollar bill paying for the National Endowment for the Arts and parklands acquisition, and are supported by a Senator who has an old axe to grind, according to Henry Buffalo.
August 28, 1997 - The home improvement industry is one of the fastest growing areas in retailing and the nation's largest and fastest growing home store is aggressively expanding in the Twin Cities. Less than a year and a half ago Home Depot didn't even have one of its giant warehouse-like stores in the Minneapolis St. Paul area. Now it has seven with plans to open three more by the beginning of next year. Minnesota Public radio's Mark Zdechlik reports.
August 28, 1997 - Most corporations give money to charities, and many support social service agencies that work in poor, inner-city neighborhoods. But few large companies are *located* in troubled urban areas. Two major employers in Minneapolis have resisted moving to the suburbs, and are stepping up their efforts to save the inner-city neighborhood that surrounds them. Minnesota Public Radio's John Biewen reports.
August 28, 1997 - The legislative task force considering state funding of a new Twin Cities baseball stadium heard testimony yesterday about several possible ways to pay for such a stadium. Most proposals involve using money from some form of gambling. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen has more.
August 29, 1997 - Most people take reheating their food for granted. But there was a time, 30 years ago, when people were amazed by a new machine's ability to instantly turn cold leftovers into a warm treat. The microwave is celebrating its 30th anniversary, and while more than ninety-percent of American households own one, some questions about it remain unanswered. Minnesota Public Radio's Joe Fryer spoke with visitors at the Science Museum of Minnesota, and got answers from Jay Newlin, the museum's head of Physical Sciences.
August 29, 1997 - Longtime University of Minnesota band director and music professor Frank Bencriscutto died yesterday of lung cancer. He was 68. HJohn Zdechlik worked as Bencriscutto's assistant ('64 to '70) and considered him a good friend and mentor. He says Bencriscutto changed the face of band music.
August 29, 1997 - School district officials in Grand Forks say the return of their students is an important step in the community's recovery from spring flooding. Grand Forks students returned to classes this week for the first time since April. The school year begins Tuesday across the river in East Grand Forks, Minnesota. This won't be a normal year for either school system. The flood damaged several schools beyond repair, work crews are still repairing other buildings and many students will spend the year in temporary structures. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports... (Sound of kids) First and second grade students at Belmont Elementary sit o
September 1, 1997 - Say the word "archeology" and some people think of Indiana Jones racing through a jungle while clutching a priceless artifact. Amateur archeologists in southwest Wisconsin are finding that image isn't usually accurate. Students and teachers working along-side professional archeologists at a University of Wisconsin--La Crosse field school learned archeology is a bit more low-key, often more about braving mosquitoes and mud. Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes reports.
September 1, 1997 - Classes start tomorrow at Edison High School in Minneapolis. A summer flood did millions of dollars in damage to the northeast Minneapolis facility. But school officials say an around-the-clock repair effort and an outpouring of help from volunteers will allow the district to open the doors on schedule. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson has more. Volunteer Gloria Sat, an Edison graduate from the l980's, didn't wait to be told where to go or what to do. Finding no one at the volunteer desk, she walked until she found someone who needed help organizing a classroom. Sat says many neighborhood residents are Edison grads and have a good feeling about the school. tape . . . i live northeast, it's our school we're hear to help out.