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.
December 17, 2003 - Late December brings with it a flurry of lists summing up the year. We took that opportunity to commission our regular medical analyst to take stock of the year's biggest medical stories. Dr. Jon Hallberg is the medical director of the Primary Care Center at the University of Minnesota. His chronological review of the year's top ten takes us back to late last year with the effort to prevent a small pox outbreak.
December 11, 2003 - It's been more than a decade since the archdiocese first acknowledged that abuse by clergy was an issue that needed to be addressed. Among other things, that acknowledgement prompted changes to the way seminarians are trained for the priesthood. Bishop Frederick Campbell is the Rector of The Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity. He says that the seminary has had such a program in place for over 10 years. The program includes psychological testing of potential divinity students, as well as in-depth orientation for seminarians to the life of a priest.
December 10, 2003 - The state Department of Natural Resources says more deer hunters are illegally leaving venison to rot or grabbing only the choicest parts instead of butchering the animal properly. Officials say hunters are taking the hind quarters, backstraps and tenderloins -- and leaving the front end of the deer. Some hunters are also improperly disposing of deer remains. Mark Johnson is executive director of the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association. He says a few bad apples are giving all hunters a bad name.