October 2, 2001 - 91% of the 3,700 employees of the MnSCU schools decided to strike. Classes will continue.
September 26, 2001 - Every ten years the Legislature has to redraw political districts based on population changes reported in the census. By next November, all the legislative, congressional and municipal districts will be different. Lawmakers are already working on plans they hope Governor Ventura will approve, but as DFL'ers, Republicans and, for the first time, an Independence Party governor argue over plans that will maximize their partisan political power, there's already talk a court will end up drawing the final districts. It's sometimes hard for the public to follow the complicated process of redistricting, but it poses important questions for communities around Minnesota. In few places are the issues as clear as they are in St. Cloud. Minnesota Public Radio's Jeff Horwich has this Mainstreet report.
August 16, 2001 - Mainstreet Radio's Jeff Horwich reports on Larry Hosch, a young mayor finding his feet. For eight months, one of the country's youngest mayors has been settling into his job in the central Minnesota town of St. Joseph. Hosch admits he isn't steeped in the politics and local relationships that have shaped the town. To some that means a fresh viewpoint; to others it's the regrettable end of an era.
July 31, 2001 - In the quest for affordable housing, five cities in central Minnesota are considering a law that could be the strongest mandate in the state to build new low and middle income homes. This winter officials in St. Cloud and the surrounding towns of Sauk Rapids, Sartell Park asked a committee to design a common ordinance that would encourage more affordable housing in the area. What they got back has city officials and citizens wondering just how progressive they're willing to be. Mainstreet Radio's Jeff Horwich has this report. Three of the fastest growing counties in the state come together in St. Cloud, and the rush has pushed housing prices up far more quickly than wages. As the one-hundred thousand dollar home becomes a thing of the past, everyone seems to agree there are dismally few affordable homes to go around. But the latest solution is making builders and developers cringe.
July 25, 2001 - The decision by the legislature to have the state take over school funding seems like good news for anyone who's ever grumbled over their property tax form. Mainstreet Radio's Jeff Horwich reports that Minnesota farmers may be the most pleased of all -- even if it's not clear yet just how pleased they should be.
July 17, 2001 - When the MnSCU board meets tomorrow , it's expected to approve a ten percent increase in tuition for its largest school, St. Cloud State; an increase that only goes part-way toward balancing the books. Mainstreet Radio's Jeff Horwich has this look at the changes in store in St. Cloud.
July 11, 2001 - In recent months, the three counties that meet in St. Cloud; Benton, Stearns, and Sherburne, have all been considering new laws to stem the growth of adult entertainment. Tonight it's still unclear how or whether the law will be carried out.
July 4, 2001 - For the ruffed grouse -- and ruffed grouse hunters -- it doesn't get much better than Minnesota. The popular chicken-sized game bird has a range from coast to coast in Canada and the U.S., streching from Alaska to North Carolina -- with northern Minnesota at it's heart. In a typical fall, Minnesota hunters bag up to a million ruffed grouse. But with the arrival of summer this year, grouse numbers are sharply down. Mainstreet Radio's Jeff Horwich headed into the Chippewa national forest near Grand Rapids to investigate.
June 18, 2001 - When the state House and Senate conference committee finally agreed on an environment and agriculture bill this month, one of its most prominent features was 2.5 million dollars in new spending to combat pollution from Minnesota feedlots. The bill is one of the pieces of legislation awaiting final approval at the special session. Stearns County has the most feedlots in the state, and one-by-one officials are bringing those facilities into compliance. Mainstreet Radio's Jeff Horwich visited once such dairy near Melrose.
June 4, 2001 - With the Twins' season off to a rousing start, many Minnesotans have baseball on the brain. In St. Paul and Duluth fans are cheering the Saints and the Dukes into their third week of play in the Northern League. And this weekend Minnesota's *third* baseball league kicked off its season -- as the Beetles, the River Bats, the Mashers, the Honkers and the Mighty Gulls took the field around the state. Mainstreet Radio's Jeff Horwich took in opening weekend for the Northwoods League.