October 15, 2002 - Habitat for Humanity is trying something new. For years, Habitat has built individual homes using volunteer labor. The homes are sold below market rates to low income families. Now some Habitat chapters are working with commercial developers. In Duluth, Habitat is pairing with a private builder to create an entire development. The new neighborhood will be a mixture of Habitat homes and houses that'll be sold on the open market. Mainstreet Radio's Stephanie Hemphill reports.
October 8, 2002 - A new book tells the story of the bygone life of a country doctor. For almost forty years, Dr. Roger MacDonald cared for people in the remote communities of northern Minnesota. His book is called A Country Doctor's Casebook. In style it's a lot like James Herriott's tales of a Yorkshire veterinarian. Roger MacDonald talked with Mainstreet Radio's Stephanie Hemphill.
October 2, 2002 - Host intro: If you were asked to name a source of mercury pollution in your community, what would it be? It turns out dental offices are the largest source of mercury in most cities' sewage systems. Mercury is known to damage the nervous system and impair childrens' mental development. Now, dentists in Duluth are leading the way in reducing the amount of mercury going into the environment. Mainstreet Radio's Stephanie Hemphill reports.
September 2, 2002 - Mardi Oakley Medawar (MAR-dee OAK-lee MED-ah-war) is a Cherokee who lives in Wisconsin. She's written several historical novels and family sagas, and a series of mysteries set in 19th century Kiowa country. Now she's turned her attention to a book about contemporary Indian life in Wisconsin. She says most non-Indians have no conception of what life is like on a reservation today. Mardi Oakley Medawar talked with Mainstreet Radio's Stephanie Hemphill.
August 26, 2002 - World leaders are gathered in South Africa this week to take the next steps in protecting the environment. Some have expressed doubts about how much can really be accomplished at the Earth Summit, because the Bush Administration is resisting setting new targets on environmental improvement, including global warming. All of us -- in our daily lives -- contribute some of the greenhouse gases that cause global warming. Some cities around the world are deciding they need to set an example. Duluth is the most recent Minnesota city to join the effort. Mainstreet Radio's Stephanie Hemphill reports.
August 14, 2002 - Most of us think of earthworms as benign creatures. Gardeners are always happy to spot a worm in the flowerbed. And many anglers say they're the best thing for catching fish. But scientists are beginning to learn worms aren't so friendly to forests. Mainstreet Radio's Stephanie Hemphill reports. Outcue: You can find a link to the Minnesota Worm Watch web page by going to Minnesota Public Radio - dot - org.
August 2, 2002 - The tall-masted sailing ship Niagara is visiting Duluth this weekend. During the War of 1812, the original Niagara helped defeat the British in the Battle of Lake Erie. Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry made his famous remark - "We have met the enemy and they are ours" from the deck of this ship. The original Niagara was built in Erie, Pennsylvania. The replica is part of a living museum collection, and it's on a tour around the Great Lakes. Mainstreet Radio's Stephanie Hemphill reports.
July 30, 2002 - Many Americans are distressed about the stock market, and angry about corporate fraud. At a conference in Duluth, some people are trying to get organized to do something about both. Mainstreet Radio's Stephanie Hemphill reports. {
July 10, 2002 - Northeastern Minnesota has some special challenges when it comes to handling human waste. Health officials say most of the septic systems in St. Louis County don't function properly. Now, people are beginning to experiment with new kinds of septic systems that might work better than the traditional trench system. Minnesota Public Radio's Stephanie Hemphill reports.
July 8, 2002 - Nearly one third of homes in Minnesota use on-site systems to treat household wastewater. And the number is growing, as baby boomers retire to northern lakes. Many on-site systems, especially in northern Minnesota, don't protect groundwater and nearby lakes from contamination. Now, people are trying new technologies that may cost more but may work a lot better. And health officials are gradually moving toward new ways of monitoring the performance of on-site septic systems. Mainstreet Radio's Stephanie Hemphill reports.