September 25, 1997 - When the flood of '97 forced the cities of Grand Forks and East Grand Forks to evacuate, the University of North Dakota closed its doors early for the school year and sent students home without a graduation. Now five months later, the campus is nearly back up to speed, with only a slight dip in enrollment. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports... Just months ago, the UND campus was an island in the midst o
September 8, 1997 - Today in our Odd Jobs report, we meet 31-year-old Chris Laumb, who calls himself an ambassador of beer in central Minnesota. Laumb is head brewer at O'Hara's Brew Pub and Restaurant, St. Cloud's first brewery in more than fifty years. Laumb was an avid home-brewer before he took over at O'Hara's last year. He shows Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum how it's done.
July 27, 1997 - MPR’s Laura McCallum reports outside All God’s Children’s Metropolitan Church, where picketers from Fred Phelps anti-gay group were met by hundreds of gay rights supporters. Attenddees at service included four of the DFL gubernatorial candidates.
July 15, 1997 - It's been nearly three months since the swollen Red River gushed over the dike protecting the Lincoln Drive neighborhood in Grand Forks; yet the lives of neighborhood residents are still in flux. They've learned that flood recovery is agonizingly slow, and continues long after the nation's attention has moved on to another disaster. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum has been following the recovery progress with three families who live in the Lincoln Drive neighborhood, and has this report...
July 9, 1997 - Midday features a program about Charles Kuralt who died today. It includes interviews with Gary Gilson of the Minnesota News Council, Dave Nimmer, former WCCO-TV reporter and professor at the University of St. Thomas, MPR reporter Laura McCallum who worked with Kuralt on "Sunday Morning," and an interview with Kuralt by Paula Schroeder. Listeners call in with questions.
July 2, 1997 - MPR’s Laura McCallum reports on the clean-up effort underway in Monticello. A major storm front carved a 15-mile path of destruction through Wright County, downing trees and power lines.
June 20, 1997 - It's been a year since the federal Food and Drug Administration approved the use of a drug known as TPA for stroke treatment. Some Minnesota hospitals have started using the clot-busting drug on the small percentage of stroke patients who fit the criteria for its use. Doctors say it can dramatically reduce recovery time if used within three hours of the onset of stroke symptoms. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
June 12, 1997 - The only children's theatre in outstate Minnesota is taking its show on the road. The St. Cloud-based Central Minnesota Children's Theatre is without a home for the next year while the historic Paramount Theatre is being renovated. Theatre staff and supporters say they'll use this time to gauge the need for children's theatre in rural communities. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
June 5, 1997 - MPR's Laura McCallum reports on the efforts underway in the small north-central Minnesota community of Staples to restore a hidden theater. Built in 1908, Batcher's Opera House is located above a department store-turned-antique shop. History buffs say it provides a rare glimpse into theater in the early 20th century.
May 23, 1997 - One month ago, President Clinton told Grand Forks flood evacuees their hardest days were still ahead, as the reality of the devastation sinks in. In that crowd were three residents of the Lincoln Drive area, which was one of the first neighborhoods to flood. Before the President's speech they talked to MPR about their experiences, and we wanted to check in with them again. Since the president's visit, two neighbors have begun the messy clean-up process; the third knows her home will likely be condemned, because Lincoln Drive will probably be on the wrong side of a proposed new dike. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports...