July 17, 1997 - Civil defense sirens woke up a good part of the Twin Cities early this morning as another potentially violent mid-summer thunderstorm rumbled across the state. Wailing sirens are a common sound during the summer months in Minnesota; so common, in fact, that the National Weather Service is reviewing when to issue the warnings that trigger the sirens: Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports.
July 8, 1997 - Software giant Microsoft is making its move into the local media market tomorrow with "Sidewalk," an online arts and entertainment publication for the Twin Cities. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports on the arrival of the computer world's 800-pound gorilla.
July 1, 1997 - Mark Yudof takes over as president of the University of Minnesota today, replacing Nils Hasselmo, who's held the post since 1989. As Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports, the controversy-scarred university is looking forward to a fresh start.
June 24, 1997 - Minnesota Attorney General "Skip" Humphrey has denied reports that he's softening his opposition to the tentative deal ending state lawsuits against cigarette makers. Humphrey says he's as opposed to the deal now as he was when it was announced last Friday. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports.
June 18, 1997 - Governor Carlson says he's bringing the Legislature back for a special session on funding K-12 education, even though he and the Democrats say they haven't resolved the deadlock left over after the Legislature adjourned last month. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin kaste reports.
June 13, 1997 - The University of Minnesota's Regents have closed what they hope is the final chapter in the dispute over tenure reform. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports.
June 12, 1997 - The job market looks generally rosy for the 1.2 million members of college class of '97. On the face of it few industries seem more promising than higher education. Senior professors are retiring earlier than ever and in ever-greater numbers. But as Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports, rarely have young academics been gloomier about their prospects.
June 11, 1997 - It's become a matter of conventional wisdom that a high school diploma won't cut it anymore -- especially in the high-tech job market of the 21st century. But college isn't cheap: The cost of attending a public institution has doubled in the last fifteen years, and tuitions at PRIVATE colleges have tripled. As Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports, there may be an alternative on the way for undergrads who don't have the money -- or the time -- for life on campus.
May 23, 1997 - The governor and DFL legislative leaders meet face-to-face Wednesday to try to resolve the deadlock over education tax credits. The governor says the state should give impoverished students the means to afford a private school; Democrats say the state has no business funding parochial schools, no matter how indirectly. But as they dig in, the two sides can agree on at least one thing: if the tax credit program becomes law, it'll probably land in court. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports.
May 19, 1997 - MPR’s Martin Kaste describes that state lawmakers are facing a midnight deadline to finish their work of the session. Two big bills are headed to the Governor Carlson’s desk, where they face all but certain vetoes.