April 1, 2003 - Governor Pawlenty travels to Rochester today to discuss biotechnology with officials from the Mayo Clinic and the University of Minnesota. Mayo and the U want to combine efforts in biotech research. The alliance would be the first of its kind between the state's two leading medical research institutions. The meeting comes the same day as legislators introduce bills to create a biotechnology park. But as Minnesota Public Radio's Rob Schmitz reports, the state has a long way to go to catch up to other states in developing a biotech sector.
March 17, 2003 - It's a popular notion that war is good for the economy. But as US troops mass on the border of Iraq, Minnesota experts doubt war will help the state's struggling economy. Over the last two years, Minnesota has lost 57,000 jobs. Three quarters of those jobs have been in the manufacturing sector. Traditionally, manufacturers have benefited the most from military spending. However, state economists say a war in Iraq is unlikely to help them. Minnesota Public Radio's Rob Schmitz reports. {Like most manufacturers in Minnesota, Rochester tech company is doing its best to stay afloat.
March 10, 2003 - Many employers are dealing with gaps in their staff caused by the deployment of military reserves in preparation for war. Healthcare providers are especially sensitive because of an already crippling nurse shortage. They were competing with the military before the deployments. The reserves offer impressive signing bonuses to attract more nurses from the civilian sector. Minnesota Public Radio's Rob Schmitz reports. {Hospitals in Minnesota are currently short around 3000 nurses. According to the Minnesota Nurses Association, this number will jump to almost 8000 by 2020. Minnesota Nurses Association Executive Director Erin Murphy says a war would just exacerbate the crisis.
January 30, 2003 - While most retailers are complaining about disappointing Christmas sales, sporting goods giant Cabela's reported December as its biggest money-making month in its history. The company credits its success to breaking all the rules of retail and going after men who hate to shop. Mainstreet Radio's Rob Schmitz reports.
January 15, 2003 - Winona resident Wadie Al-Saeed is waiting to hear if he'll have to go back to Saudi Arabia. His deportation hearing will start this Thursday (1/16) . The Immigration and Naturalization Service turned down Al-Saeed's request for permanent residence because he checked the wrong box on a job application more than ten years ago. Al-Saeed and his family are worried that recent changes within the INS are increasing the likelihood of his deportation. Minnesota Public Radio's Rob Schmitz reports.
September 3, 2002 -
August 15, 2002 - In Fairbault, Gregg Bongard, a U.S. Department of Agriculture employee, is making a special effort to reach out to Minnesota's growing immigrant population. In the second part of his series on immigrant farmers, MPR’s Rob Schmitz reports that Bongard thinks he's discovered a new approach to farming that could change the face of agriculture in the United States.
August 14, 2002 - It's tough to break into farming nowadays, and even tougher if you're an immigrant. MPR’s Rob Schmitz reports on Minnesota Food Association, which assists immigrant farmers in areas like production techniques, marketing, and management skills. Unfortunately, federal budget cuts have had a negative impact on program.
July 17, 2002 - This week, the League of Historic American Theatres is holding its annual convention in Minneapolis. A delegation from the organization is touring some historic theatres in rural Minnesota. On the itinerary was Austin's Paramount theatre. The 73 year-old Paramount Theatre is one of the few remaining historic buildings in Austin. The amount of money needed to restore the building pales in comparison to some of the theater projects proposed for the Twin Cities. But as Mainstreet Radio's Rob Schmitz reports, to the handful of people struggling to restore the theatre, the project is every bit as important . {Turrets, spires, and Moorish arches spread across the interior walls to Austin's Paramount Theatre...representing a village courtyard in southern Spain. The Paramount was built in 1929. It's on the national list of historic sites. It's one of Minnesota's few remaining atmospheric theatres...an architectural style that makes visitors feel like they're outside. High above the Paramount's auditorium is the faint light of tiny holes punched in the ceiling, creating the illusion of thousands of stars, stretching out for miles into the night. But for Paramount Theatre manager Scott Andreson, the feeling of infinite space ends there.
March 4, 2002 - As Eden Prairie High School gears up for today's (MONDAY'S) visit from president Bush, some Minnesotans are questioning the circumstances surrounding the president's visit. It's dubbed 'an official visit' by the White House, meaning the trip will be paid for with taxpayers' money. However, skeptics say the primary goal of the visit is to raise money for Senate candidate Norm Coleman, and should be paid for by his campaign. Minnesota Public Radio's Rob Schmitz reports.