December 24, 2003 - Throughout the first part of December, Minnesota Public Radio has asked listeners to join in the spirit of the season by setting new lyrics to old holiday tunes. The entries were judged and winners have been chosen. In the "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing" category, Joe Muldoon of Minneapolis, was one of two winners. Here's a clip from his entry, recorded by the singing group "Dare to Breathe."
December 24, 2003 - Last week, the British equivalent of the FDA issued a warning about the over-use of antidepressants in children under 18. The agency said the benefits didn't outweigh the risks of drugs such as Paxil and Zoloft, which have been linked with suicidal thoughts. Prozac, which is in the same class as those other drugs, the so-called "selective seratonin re-uptake inhibitors," was excluded from the warning. Dr. Jon Hallberg is medical director of the Primary Care Center at the University of Minnesota. He says the advisory presents a real challenge for those who treat children.
December 23, 2003 - The holidays often trigger the brightest of memories and the happiest of emotions. But, as writer Nanci Olesen explains, those memories can also bring on emotions that clash with the tenor of the season.
December 23, 2003 - The holidays often trigger the brightest of memories and the happiest of emotions. But, as writer Nanci Olesen explains, those memories can also bring on emotions that clash with the tenor of the season.
December 23, 2003 - A number of industries that suffered job losses during the recent recession are expected to rebound in coming years. That's the conclusion the state Department of Employment and Economic Development, which today released its regional employment projections for the next decade. In the Twin Cities metro area, the number of job is expected to increase 14 per cent. The fastest growth is projected in computer fields, healthcare support, and protective services.
December 23, 2003 - Throughout the first part of December, Minnesota Public Radio has asked listeners to join in the spirit of the season by setting new lyrics to old holiday tunes. The entries were judged, and winners have been chosen. In the "Jingle Bells" category, open to young people, Michelle Boursier of Maple Grove, was the winner. Segment includes interview with Michelle and a clip from her entry, recorded by the singing group “Dare to Breathe."
December 22, 2003 - Throughout December, Minnesota Public Radio has asked listeners to join in the spirit of the season by setting new lyrics to old holiday tunes. The entries were judged and winners have been chosen. In the "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" category, Margaret McMahon of Rockville, Maryland, won with this entry, recorded by the singing group "Dare to Breathe."
December 22, 2003 - MPR’s David Molpus interviews a winner of Merry Happy Lyrics’ "Hark the Herald Angels Sing” category. The entry is by a cowboy poet who goes by the name of Wally Firesteel.
December 19, 2003 - Grand juries investigating two alleged sexual assaults at a Minnesota Vikings fund-raiser have indicted former running back Ted Brown. Brown was charged with first and third-degree criminal sexual assault in the incident, which alledgely occurred last February at the Arctic Blast fundraiser at Lake Mille Lacs. Brown's attorney claims what took place was consensual. Prosecutors said Brown's indictment would be the only one from an investigation that included nearly 100 interviews and grand jury testimony by Vikings quarterback Daunte Culpepper, running back Moe Williams, and Executive Vice President Mike Kelly. Another grand jury investigating a second sexual assault allegation declined to issue an indictment, but civil action may result from that incident. Joel Pattenaude is editor of the Mille Lacs Messenger newspaper in Isle. He says in the second case, the grand jury concluded there was insufficient evidence to issue any indictments.
December 17, 2003 - Some economists say one of the biggest forces driving the upturn in the economy is the surprisingly hearty agricultural sector. The U-S Department of Agriculture says net farm income has jumped 58 percent over the past 12 months to 55.8 billion dollars. Sung Won Sohn is the chief economist at Wells Fargo Banks. He says low supplies and rising prices are feeding the farm economy.