August 27, 2003 - The sport known as Geocashing combines high tech gadgetry with the ancient lure of treasure hunting. Geocachers use hand held global positioning satellites, or GPS units, to search for token objects ---toys and other small trinkets --- hidden by other geocachers. In this week's edition of our series, The Enthusiasts, Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Losure goes geocaching with Pam Combs, a board member of the fast growing Minnesota Geocaching Association, and Pam's husband, Dave Combs.
August 1, 2003 - In most city neighborhoods, much of the rainwater that hits roofs, patios, driveways is shunted to storm sewers. From there, it washes pollution into rivers, lakes, and streams. But in the Fulton neighborhood of Minneapolis, a few hardy gardeners are taking steps to change that. Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Losure reports.
June 13, 2003 - An environmental group has identified nearly 90 thousand acres in the Superior National Forest it would like to see designated as wilderness. Volunteers for the group Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness hiked and canoed into remote parts of the forest to find areas they say should be protected. Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Losure reports.
June 3, 2003 - Minnesota businesses and some environmental groups have launched a plan to cut smog and ozone in the state's air. They hope to take action now to stave off federal sanctions that could be imposed within the next few years if Minnesota's air quality continues to deteriorate. Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Losure reports.
May 27, 2003 - MPR’s Mary Losure reports that a three-judge panel of the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that the federal government does have the authority to deport a local Somali immigrant to his homeland, even though Somalia has no functioning government. Attorneys for immigrant Keyse Jama say they will appeal, and the case could go to the U.S. Supreme Court.
May 27, 2003 - Lots of people want to change the world. The Solar Oven Society in Minneapolis wants to do that with a simple tool--- a dark, heat- trapping box with a clear lid. For developing countries, it offers the promise of cooking with sunlight instead of wood. Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Losure recently visited the Solar Oven Society, and files this report.
May 23, 2003 -
May 16, 2003 - As winter turns to spring in Minnesota's North Woods, the owlman comes back. His real name is Bill Lane. His passion is northern forest owls. Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Losure reports.
April 28, 2003 -
April 23, 2003 - Macalester College in Saint Paul officially flipped the switch today Wednesday on a 10 kilowat wind turbine that will feed electricity directly into the college's power grid. Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Losure reports.