January 18, 2002 - Mainstreet Radio’s Laurel Druley reports that city and county leaders throughout the state have been complaining about Governor Ventura's budget deficit plan for about a week. Many worry the proposal cuts too much state aid to local governments. Some state nursing home workers may be without jobs and the governor's plan cuts money that would go to rural road expansion and repairs.
January 16, 2002 - Members of Rochester's Muslim community have taught Islam courses for years. Over the last few months the classes have grown very popular. Since September 11th Americans have had a growing fascination with Islam. Mainstreet Radio's Laurel Druley has this report. {People in Rochester are filling up seats for a class with a simple name but a complicated task. Arzu Khalid and a small group of volunteers are teaching a class they call Know Your Muslim Neighbor. Over the last few months they have spent more than 300 hours explaining their Islamic beliefs and practices to church groups, schools and other community organizations.
January 14, 2002 - Hundreds of people in Albert Lea are picking up their last unemployment checks. It's been six months since the town's Farmland Foods plant was destroyed by fire and put almost 500 people out of work. The town has waited for months to hear from company officials who are deciding whether or not to rebuild. There's been talk that Farmland would relocate in Iowa or not rebuild at all. MainStreet Radio's Laurel Druley revisits Albert Lea, a city struggling to move on.
December 28, 2001 - FOR USE FRI 12/28 ME While several school districts around the state are spending a lot of energy right now tightening belts, charter schools are unphased. They're already working with modest budgets. In the last year a handful of charter schools have been shut down because of criticism over how they spend their money. But administrators at a Rochester charter school say their school should be a role model to others. Mainstreet Radio's Laurel Druley has this report.
December 14, 2001 - Last month 188 school districts had referendums on the ballot. Almost 80 percent of rural districts approved requests. But in the suburbs the number was much lower. Only 30 percent of suburban districts got more money from local taxpayers. As a result some metro schools may have to close their doors. But not in Lyle, Minnesota. One of the state's smallest school districts with only one school gets big support from local residents. Lyle voters recently passed the school referendum by an overwhelming margin. For decades Lyle has bucked the "close and consolidate" trend. Mainstreet Radio's Laurel Druley finds out why.
December 13, 2001 - As part of Mainstreet Radio’s “Our Town” project, Laurel Druley looks at what community means to long-time residents and new comers of Plainview, Minnesota.
November 28, 2001 - An Olmsted County District Court Judge has given the go-ahead for a recount in Rochester's controversial school referendum. School district officials say they are upset money they say should go towards education will pay for the recount. Minnesota Public Radio's Laurel Druley has this report. Rochester voters approved more money for schools by 185 votes earlier this month. The vote allows the school district to gather 6-point-5 million dollars annually for the next six years. Three voters have come forward requesting a recount.
November 19, 2001 - A group of Rochester voters went to court today to force a recount of the narrowly approved school funding referendum. The newly formed group called Rochester Recounts says the district had too much control over the election process. In a year when half the schools districts in Minnesota asked for excess levy referenda, Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer says she's hearing similar complaints from all over the state. Mainstreet Radio's Laurel Druley has this report. { A record number of Minnesota school districts asked voters for extra school funding this fall. When the only question on the ballot is a levy request, the school district is responsible for conducting the election. Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer says, it's the law.
October 29, 2001 - Somalia's legislators have voted Prime Minister Ali Khalif Galaydh (AH-lee kah-LEEF gah-LIED) and his Cabinet out of power. That news came as he left Minnesota after a family visit. Galaydh is in the U.S. to ask for help in the international fight against terrorism. Minnesota Public Radio's Laurel Druley spoke with Galaydh prior to the no-confidence vote on Sunday. { Galaydh and his wife Mariam Mahamed left Somalia 18 years ago. They wanted to raise their children in the United States to give them a safe home.
October 10, 2001 - Heritage Farms in Decorah, Iowa grows heirloom seeds. The seeds came from all over the world, some from Bavaria and some from the Mayflower. Some are seeds from Thomas Jefferson's lettuces and General Lee's tomatoes. Now they are all being grown in Iowa.