April 12, 1999 - Voters in the Pipestone-Jasper School District in far southwestern Minnesota, decide tomorrow if they'll replace an 82 year old high school. The building violates the state fire code and is beginning to crumble from the ground up. Opponents don't want to spend 22 million dollars on a new school but would prefer to renovate the old. Pipestone is not alone in this decision. Many communities with aging schools will hold similar bond referendums in the next several years as turn-of-the-century schools need updating. The state isn't staying neutral - holding out financial assistance as an incentive to force new construction.
April 12, 1999 - It's nail biting time for Twin Cities rail boosters. Federal officials reviewing Minnesota's request for money for the Hiawatha Avenue light rail line assume the state will share the cost. But Last week, members of a key Minnesota House committee approved a transporation bill which does NOT include the $60 million the governor and other rail supporters seek. A version of the bill still alive in the Senate includes the money. Light rail supporters worry that failure to win state money will push Minnesota to the back of the funding line.
April 13, 1999 - The time between snowmelt and spring growth is Minnesota's most dangerous fire season. Every year thousands of acres burn, and tens of thousands of dollars are spent controlling the flames. But this year, an agreement between three midwest states and two Canadian provinces could mean better firefighting for all and a strange new sight on Minnesota lakes.
April 13, 1999 - MPR’s Eric Jansen reports on community complaints regarding Minneapolis Police Department’s CODEFOR program. Minneapolis’ mayor and police chief say CODEFOR has dramatically reduced crime in the city. Critics and civil rights groups claim the computer-assisted program that targets neighborhoods based on crime patterns encourages police harassment and makes some residents feel like prisoners in their own homes.
April 14, 1999 - Governor Jesse Ventura visits the MPR studios to talk about his first 100 days in office and answer listener questions.
April 14, 1999 - MPR’s Eric Jansen reports on Minneapolis’ Amazon Bookstore Collective taking internet giant Amazon.com to court, claiming trademark infringement and deceptive practices. Jansen interviews book shop owner and an Amazon.com spokesman.
April 14, 1999 - The Koch Petroleum Group has announced plans to cut emissions at its Rosemount Refinery by 50 percent over the next 5 years. Koch officials say the voluntary effort is designed to polish the company's environmental image and help it compete in the long haul. Koch also announced a Minnesota environmental group will help monitor the company's emmissions.
April 15, 1999 - The Minnesota Twins end a three-game stand in Detroit tonight. So far the teams have split the series at a game a piece. With a little over a week of play under their belts, the Twins have 3 victories and 5 losses on their record. We figured now is a good time to check in with baseball analyst Kevin Hennessy to rate how the Twins are doing.
April 15, 1999 - Arsenic in drinking water is a growing concern among environmental epidemiologists in Minnesota. It's estimated that two-thirds of all drinking wells in the state exceed acceptable levels for arsenic set by the Environmental Protection Agency. The University of Minnesota's Water Resources Center held a conference today in Morris to discuss the potential dangers of naturally-occuring arssenic and possible solutions to the problem.
April 16, 1999 - A Mainstreet Radio special broadcast from Rochester on senior citizens and Minnesota's long-term care system. In this hour, Rachel Reabe hosts a discussion about nursing home alternatives with Connie Bagley, director of the Southeastern Minnesota Area Agency on Aging; Hal Freshley, of the Minnesota Board of Aging; and Dr. Ken Hepburn, director of Geriatrics programs at Department of Family Practice at University of Minnesota.