October 1, 2001 - In April 1942 Japanese troops force marched 10,000 Americans and 65,000 Fillipinos in blazing heat with little food and water to a prisoner of war camp. Thousands died on the 65 mile-long trail, which became known as the Bataan Death March. An exhibit of drawings by one of the survivors is currently on exhibit in Moorhead. As Mainstreet Radios Bob Reha reports the show is not just a reminder of the past, but contains clues about what may be ahead as the world battles terrorism.
September 3, 2001 - Moving is always a pain. There are clothes to pack, furniture to move, items to store and a dozen other potential problems. Those complications are compounded when the move is international. For Russ and Susie Freeman of Fargo, that's what this summer has been about. But instead of a new permanent home the Freeman's will be spending the next three and a half years in Belize (BUH-leez), as Russ fulfills his duties as the new U.S. Ambassador to Belize. Mainstreet Radios Bob Reha reports. {room pad rolls up under narration
August 23, 2001 - Recently more than 300-people turned out at a public meeting in Fargo to express opinions on the appropriateness of a religious monolith built on city property. Since the late 1950's a plaza outside the Fargo city hall has housed a granite marker engraved with the Ten Commandments. The "Red River Freethinkers," a group that advocates the separation of church and state have called for the relocation of the stone. The group represents a distinct minority, but is gathering a lot of attention. Mainstreet Radio's Bob Reha has a look at the people who call themselves the "Freethinkers."
August 20, 2001 - As Minnesota's population has become more diverse, communities, especially small rural towns have faced a series of challenges. Perhaps the most basic is communication. Many new immigrants are unable to speak English. Often it's the children in a family who learn English first. Although local schools are making progress, they fear lessons learned during the school year might be forgotten during summer vacation. Mainstreet Radio's Bob Reha reports an international organization with roots in Minnesota has come home, to offer some help.
August 15, 2001 - Farmers are mulling over mixed news this week. They are use to battling the weather. But this year has been more of a struggle then most. Spring was marked by excessive rain, delaying planting for small grain crops like wheat and barley. The past few weeks extreme heat and humidity has hung over the Midwest. The weather is moderating now, but new national projections predict the price for some crops, notably corn and soybeans may rise as a result of the weather. Mainstreet Radio's Bob Reha reports.
August 1, 2001 - For the past 43-years a granite monument engraved with the Ten Commandments has stood on the mall, near the Fargo City Hall. Two groups, the Red River Free Thinkers and the American Civil Liberties Union are now calling for the removal of the stone, contending it violates the separation of church and state. Both advocates of removing the monument and proponents of keeping the marker presented their views on the issue today (WEDNESDAY) before the Fargo Human Relations commission. Minnesota Public radios Bob Reha reports. The Ten Commandments have stood outside Fargo City Hall since the late 1950's. It's been the subject of occasional talk, but it took the US Supreme court decision on an Indiana case to bring the Fargo debate to a full boil. Earlier this year the Court refused to hear an appeal by members of the Elkheart Indiana City Council who had been ordered to remove a similar monument from city property. A standing room only crowd jammed the Fargo City Council chambers, filling it with people eager to present their views on the issue.
July 31, 2001 - Two landowners in eastern North Dakota are suing the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad for illegally allowing Sprint and A-T and T to bury cable on the landowners property. They claim the railroad does not have the right to sell the rights to lay fiber -optic cables along the tracks crossing their land. Their lawyer says the lawsuit could result in millions of dollars of damages, and affect land owners across the western United States. Mainstreet Radios Bob Reha reports. (
July 19, 2001 - Wild weather has hit eastern North Dakota two days in a row. The National Weather Service in Grand Forks has issued more than 130-weather warnings since Tuesday. Weather spotters reported nine tornadoes in Griggs county in northeast North Dakota. Weather Service forecasters say the severe weather pattern could continue for the next four to five days. Mainstreet Radio's Bob Reha reports. The storms have cut a wide path, flooding city streets in Grand Forks and farm fields. To the west in Nelson County, a tornado hit the home of County Sheriff Dale Quam, ripping the roof off his house and destroying his barn. No one was injured, but witnesses said the tornado was half-a-mile wide and was on the ground for about five miles.
July 13, 2001 - The number of people hurt or killed in vehicle train crashes at railroad crossings dropped from 13 to six last year. The number of car/train crashes dropped too. Still, with more than 82-hundred grade crossings in Minnesota, there's a huge potential for accidents. For the past 20 years Operation Lifesaver, an industry supported program has worked to reduce the potential for tragedy. Mainstreet Radio's Bob Reha reports.
July 3, 2001 - The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reported 19 boating deaths during 2000 down three from 1999. So far this year, there have been eight boating deaths. According to the DNR, the state's boating death rate continues to be one of the lowest in the nation. Part of the reason is the work by county sheriff water safety patrols. Mainstreet Radio's Bob Reha reports from Ottertail County in northwestern Minnesota. }