September 1, 2003 - Workers in Minnesota have had a tough year so far. The number of unemployed workers is the highest it's been since 1985, and the latest unemployment rate for the state came in at 4-point-6 percent. But new research at the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, or DEED, shows that there is demand for workers in certain industries. Joining us on the line to talk about that glimmer of hope is Steve Hine, research director at the department.
August 27, 2003 - If you were awake and looking into the southern sky at exactly 4:51 this morning, you saw the planet Mars at its closest point to the Earth in nearly 60-thousand years. The planet is about 34.6 million miles away, making it the brightest spot in the night sky right now. Many Minnesota astronomers... and some regular people... have been getting up the past few weeks to view the planet. Dr. Bill Sheehan is the author of two books and numerous papers about Mars. He joins us now.
August 27, 2003 - Former Gopher football coach Jim Wacker has died at his home following a long battle with cancer. He was 66. Wacker came to Minnesota from Texas Christian University, where he earned National Coach of the Year honors from three news organizations. He coached the Gophers from 1992 to 1996. John Roe is a retired Star Tribune reporter who covered the Gophers while Wacker was coach. Mr. Roe joins us now. John Roe is a retired sportswriter for the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
August 19, 2003 -
August 15, 2003 - Power is slowly being restored from New York City to Detroit and Ottawa, Canada after a massive power failure yesterday afternoon. Parts of all five New York boroughs now have power, but subways and other services are not yet operating. Bruce Wollenberg is a professor of electrical and computer engineering at the University of Minnesota. He says the grid, which distributes power, is designed to PREVENT massive failures. Bruce Wollenberg is a professor at the University of Minnesota.
August 15, 2003 - Northwest Airlines canceled 216 flights on Thursday because of what power grid operators are calling the largest blackout in U.S. history mostly to and from its Detroit hub, a spokesman said Friday. Other airlines also said they canceled flights and expect to cancel more on Friday because of the blackout, which cut power to broad sections of the Northeast and Canada, shutting major airports and stranding thousands of passengers. Northwest plans to operate a limited schedule at Detroit on
August 14, 2003 - It's going to be another warm, sunny day across the state... with no rain in the forecast until Saturday. While that's good news for Minnesotans who want to enjoy the state's short summer, it's not so good for the trees. Forestry officials in Minneapolis are encouraging people to water their trees during this dry spell. Ralph Sievert is the director of forestry for the city, and he's on the line now.
August 14, 2003 - The President of the state's largest rural-based foundation is retiring. Paul Olson has announced that he'll step down from his position as the head of the Blandin Foundation after 25 years. Under his guidance, the foundation has worked to stregthen Minnesota's rural communities, providing more than 100 million dollars in statewide grants and more than 7 million dollars in grants to local communities. Olson also led the development of the Blandin Community Leadership Program, which by the end of 2003, will have trained more than four thousand public and private sector leaders from rural communities. Mr. Olson joins us now. That is Paul Olson who is retiring as President of the Blandin Foundation, which, by the way, is an underwriter of Minnesota Public Radio.
August 14, 2003 -
August 14, 2003 - Minnesota has the biggest gap in the nation between black and white students when you compare how those groups do on high school graduation tests. 19 states require high school students to pass tests before graduating from high school. The gap between black and white students in Minnesota is highlighted in a study from the Center on Education Policy in Washington, D.C. The study finds that just 33 percent of black students in Minnesota... compared to 78 percent of white students.... passed the math basic skills tests on the first try. A similar gap was found on the reading tests. Joining us on the line is Cheri Pearson Yecke (YECK-ee)... Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Education. That is Cheri Pearson Yecke (YECK-ee), Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Education.