September 23, 1997 - Winona police say alcohol was a significant factor in an accident that killed five students in March. The five drowned after their vehicle missed a turn, hit some railroad tracks, and vaulted into the Mississippi River. Police suspected alcohol from the beginning, but the victims parents waged a six month legal battle to keep the toxicology reports private. A Winona Judge ruled the public's right to know what caused the crash supercedes the families wish to grieve in private and police released the blood alcohol levels today. Minnesota Public Radios Brent Wolfe reports.
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.
July 25, 1997 - Cable television subscribers in Winona will soon have a choice of cable providers if the Winona City Council approves a franchise agreement with a local company on Monday. Once the new company lays cable around the city, Winona will become one of the few small cities in the nation with competing cable providers. But it may be part of a growing trend as cable, telephone, and internet companies vie with each other for direct access to people's homes through fiber optic cables. Minnesota Public Radios Brent Wolfe reports on how competition will affect subscribers and why it developed in Winona.
July 8, 1997 - Bicyclists are departing Wabasha this morning on day two of the Twin Cities to Chicago AIDS Ride. More than 1600 riders are raising $5.4 million as they pedal between Minneapolis and the Windy City. Minnesota Public Radio's Brent Wolfe caught up with riders at their lunch break yesterday in Hastings.
June 20, 1997 - Austin's minor league baseball team, the Southern Minny Stars, goes into its home opener tonight at four and two, in sole possession of first place in the Prairie League. Minor league teams are getting more attention as fans shy away from expensive ticket prices at major league ballparks. But the Stars are getting more attention than most because their owner is only 20 years old and they have the youngest manager in professional baseball. Minnesota Public Radios Brent Wolfe reports.
June 18, 1997 - The Rochester Board of Education heard from a committee last night that is recommending delaying the start times of all the district's schools. Supporters of the plan say it will help adolescents get the sleep they need and keep elementary school students off the streets before the sun comes up. Minnesota Public Radio's Brent Wolfe reports from Rochester.
June 2, 1997 - As part of the “Voices of Minnesota" series, this program features two health related interviews. MPR’s John Biewen speaks with Dr. Ron Cranford of the Hennepin County Medical Center. Cranford is an ethicist and end-of-life specialist. Infertility specialist. MPR’s Stephanie Curtis speaks with Dr. Robert Jansen, author of "Overcoming Infertiity: A Compassionate Resource for Getting Pregnant." Program ends with MPR’s Brent Wolfe presenting a feature on new carousel in Kellogg, Minnesota.
May 12, 1997 - In today's Odd Jobs feature the man who puts the "international" in Rochester International Airport. Wes Niemitalo (NEE-muh-tell-oh) is the sole U.S. Customs Agent at the aiport - paid for by the city and the Mayo Clinic. He spends most of his day waiting to check in well-to-do overseas travelers coming in their private or government aircraft to the clinic for medical treatment. Minnesota Public Radio's Brent Wolfe talked to a man who gets an inside look at the lives of some rich and famous patients.
April 11, 1997 - The Mississippi River is expected to crest late this weekend or early next week between the Twin Cities and LaCrosse, Wisconsin. The river is already higher than it's been at any time in Minnesota since the record flood of 1965. The Coast Guard has closed the river to all boat traffic and bridges are threatened at Prescott, Wisconsin; Red Wing, and Wabasha. The National Weather Service has been warning of this flood for months and communities along the river have developed elaborate contingency plans. Barge operators are suffering high costs from being idled but as Minnesota Public Radio's Brent Wolfe reports, flooding along the Mississippi isn't expected to cause the widespread damage residents of northern and western Minnesota have faced. | D-CART ITEM: 6449 | TIME: 4:31 (WATER SOUND TO FADE AFTRWARDS, RUNS TO 5:1
April 10, 1997 - Teenagers may soon have to jump through a few more hoops to get a drivers license if a bill moving through the legislature becomes law. The bill would make licenses provisional for 16 and 17 year olds; if they're stopped for a violation they'd have to take more drivers training. It would also impose a midnight to 5am curfew and require parents to attest to thirty hours of supervision of their young driver. The bill from Senator Ember Reichcott Junge may be debated on the floor of the Senate this week. Minnesota Public Radio's Brent Wolfe reports from Rochester that parents hope it will reduce the number of accidents involving young drivers but teenagers think the new rules would be too harsh.