June 7, 2002 -
May 9, 2002 - Folks who live near the St. Croix River like to brag that when their river flows into the Mississippi, it makes the Mississippi cleaner. The St. Croix runs 150 miles along the Wisconsin-Minnesota border before it joins the Mississippi near Hastings. The condition of many waterways around the state has Minnesotans wringing their hands over pollution and blighted scenery. But for most of its length the St. Croix is clean and quiet. It is rich with spectacular views, great fishing and a long history. Yet Twin Cities commuters are pushing east in search of an improved quality of life. The St. Croix now winds through one of the fastest-growing parts of the state. Those who care about the river are trying to keep their good thing going. As part of our series "Changing Currents," Mainstreet Radio's Jeff Horwich visits the St. Croix with some who know it best.
May 8, 2002 - New information is passing between St. John's Abbey and the Stearns County Sheriff about monks accused of sexual abuse. Officials at the abbey say the information was never restricted. But recent interest in cases of sex abuse by clergy led the abbot at St. John's to begin talking more openly about monks who have been accused of sexual misconduct. He revealed that a former abbot, still living in the monastery, had abused two monks in the 1970s. Twelve other monks and priests continue to have their activities restricted in some way because of sexually-related allegations. The sheriff says for now he's simply double-checking facts and supplementing his criminal files with any information he can get from St. John's abbey. Mainstreet Radio's Jeff Horwich reports from Collegeville.
May 8, 2002 - St. Cloud took a big step closer this week to a future without Fingerhut. The one buyer who took a prolonged look at the catalog retailer announced he could not make an offer. At the price it would cost him to borrow money for the venture, Peter Lytle decided there was no way he could still have enough left over to turn the business around. The odds are now strong that within one month, the Fingerhut catalog will be shut down for good.
May 1, 2002 - In this third report of series titled "An Education in Diversity," Mainstreet Radio's Jeff Horwich gets views on conflict resolution at St. Cloud State University over racial and religious discrimination.
April 30, 2002 - In this second report of series titled "An Education in Diversity," Mainstreet Radio's Jeff Horwich looks into anti-Semitism allegations at the St. Cloud State University.
April 29, 2002 - In this first report of series titled "An Education in Diversity," Mainstreet Radio's Jeff Horwich takes a look at the climate on and off-campus for blacks.
March 19, 2002 - There's a 60-day countdown clock running in Brainerd. That's when workers at the Potlatch paper mill will likely lose their jobs. Company officials announced yesterday (MONDAY) the company will stop making "coated paper," the kind used in magazines. It plans to sell its mill in Cloquet to a South African company, and it will close the Brainerd plant. The Brainerd plant employs 660 people. It's one of Crow Wing county's largest employers. Minnesota Public Radio's Jeff Horwich reports city, union and company leaders are already working together to cushion the blow.
March 7, 2002 - This late return of cold, winter weather has been unwelcome news for the growing number of homeless people in Minnesota. Statewide the number of people seeking help from shelters and transitional housing was up five percent last year. The number turned away for lack of space was up as well. In St. Cloud, there is an acknowledged shortage of beds in town. But Mainstreet Radio's Jeff Horwich reports this winter the city's churches have provided warm spaces for a few more.
March 6, 2002 - It was hardly a tempting prospect to brave snowstorms and winding county roads last night to reach political caucuses in many rural parts of the state. Interest in the caucus system has dwindled over the years, and most Minnesotans didn't need much excuse to stay home. But political die-hards and a few first-timers did venture out to hundreds of schools, community centers and fire halls to sit down with like-minded neighbors and talk politics.