June 30, 1997 - The unemployment rate in Minnesota is about three percent. That's lower than its been in decades, and many businesses are finding their biggest challenge is filling job openings. Some say they're having to turn away potential customers because they don't have enough employees to get the job done. Demographers have been warning of the shortage for several years. They say there aren't enough people entering the workforce to replace retiring baby boomers and they say it's a situation that's not going to change anytime soon. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports.
June 20, 1997 - A little more than two weeks after the governor gave the go ahead to increase speed limits on some non-metro roads, the state Department of transportation today annouced its increasing speed lmimts in the Twin cities as well. The changes start taking effect next week and officials are warning, along with the speed increases, will come a major crackdown on violators of the new limits. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports.
June 18, 1997 - As lawmakers struggle to find a way to pay or a new baseball stadium, some say Indian tribes should tap their casino profits to help foot the bill. Backers of the idea say, if the tribes won't help out, then the State of Minnesota should open its OWN casino to pay for a Twins stadium. Tribal leaders say the state has no business setting its sites on THEIR money. And they fear losing their casino monopoly would lead to a lose of their newfound economic independence. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports...
June 11, 1997 - Minnesota State Patrol Trooper Timothy Bowe was laid to rest today, four days after he was shot to death while on duty in Chisago County. Thousands of law enforcement officials gathered along with state officials, including the governor, to mourn Bowe's death alongside his family. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik has a report.
June 4, 1997 - Beginning next month speed limits on some Minnesota roads will increase significantly. Yesterday Governor Carlson raised the speed limit on rural interstates from 65 to 70 miles per hour. The governor is also increasing the speed on many divided four lane highways from 55 to 65 miles per hour and the administration is considering increasing the speed limit on metro area freeways as well. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports.
May 16, 1997 - Minnesota Zoo officals still don't know why the six sharks introduced to one of their new aquariums died. And today, they say they may never know the cause. The "Discovery Bay," exhibit is to be the largest and most expensive new attraction at the Apple Valley zoo since the zoo opened twenty years ago. That opening has now been placed indefinitely on hold amid efforts to find out what's wrong with the aquarium. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports.
April 29, 1997 - Flood ravaged communities up and down the Red River, are sizing up damage to their towns, trying to figure out how much it's going to cost to repair, roads and bridges, and sewer, gas, electric and water lines. The cost is certain to be hundreds of millions of dollars. Grand Forks North Dakota sustained some of the heaviest flood damage and as the water continues to receed , local officials are beginning to slowly find out just what it's going to take to put their city back together. And as the work continues on a municiple level , so to do recovery efforts among homeowners and businesses. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports.
April 14, 1997 - Officials say its too early to start claiming victory over the flood of 1997 even though river waters are starting to recede in many areas. In many places the battle to hold back river water is now being rivaled by effort to keep sight seers out of areas in which they don't belong. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports...
April 10, 1997 - Some of the people who have been fighting floods in various parts of the region FINALLY got some GOOD news today. In the northwest, forecasters DOWNGRADED their crest projections for the Red River at Fargo/ Moorhead. In west central Minnesota people who live along the Minnesota river in towns like Montivideo and Granite falls are watching the water receed and moving ahead with clean up and damage assessment. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports... | D-CART ITEM: 6349 | TIME: 4:26 | OUTCUE:soc
April 8, 1997 - Several communities in the Twin Cities are fighting rising flood waters even though the Mississippi and St. Croix rivers aren't projected to crest until sometime this weekend. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports...