August 21, 2007 - State and federal officials say the recovery of the 13th and last known victim of the 35W bridge collapse means cleanup of the site can now proceed at a faster pace. Investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board will oversee the debris removal as they continue to look for the cause of the collapse. At a news conference today, NTSB Chairman Mark Rosenker said contractors can haul away the southern end of the bridge and the entire concrete deck.
August 21, 2007 - President Bush today declared an emergency exists in Minnesota as a result of the 35W bridge collapse. The declaration comes a day after divers recovered the thirteenth and last known victim from the river. Officials are now stepping up efforts to remove debris from the site of the bridge collapse. And Governor Pawlenty is moving closer to calling a special session of the Legislature to deal with bridge costs, as well as flood relief for Southeastern Minnesota. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
August 17, 2007 - Governor Pawlenty says the state can build a new 35W bridge with the future capacity to hold light rail transit. But Pawlenty says that aspect of the bridge would add to the overall cost, and not be covered by the available federal funding. City leaders in Minneapolis have been pushing for light rail in the design of a replacement bridge. But some state officials have warned that a light rail discussion would delay the fast-track project. During his weekly radio show Pawlenty said the word from engineers that the bridge could handle light rail was a breakthrough.
August 10, 2007 - More than a week after the 35W bridge collapse divers have begun recovering the bodies of people missing and presumed dead. Authorities say the remains of two or possibly three people were pulled Thursday from debris in the Mississippi River. There were eight people listed as missing after last week's collapse. On his weekly radio show Friday, Governor Pawlenty urged all Minnesotans to remember the families of these victims.
August 9, 2007 - Minnesota Congressman Jim Oberstar is proposing a $25 billion program to repair or replace deficient bridges throughout the nation. Standing up river from the site of the 35W bridge collapse, Oberstar outlined a plan he said was aimed at preventing similar tragedies. The 8th District Democrat says increasing the federal gas tax by five cents a gallon over three years would help establish a new trust fund dedicated to bridge projects. Oberstar says his proposal would also improve bridge inspection requirements.
August 8, 2007 - Minnesota Congressman Jim Oberstar is proposing a $25 billion program to repair or replace deficient bridges throughout the nation. Standing up river from the site of the 35W bridge collapse, Oberstar outlined a plan he said was aimed at preventing similar tragedies. The 8th District Democrat says increasing the federal gas tax by five cents a gallon over three years would help establish a new trust fund dedicated to bridge projects. Oberstar says his proposal would also improve bridge inspection requirements.
August 7, 2007 - Designers and builders face a Wednesday morning deadline to show they're qualified to bid on the 35W bridge replacement project. State transportation officials have put the project on a fast track. They plan to award contracts next month, with the goal of having a new bridge standing at the end of 2008. Bob McFarlin, assistant to state transportation commissioner Carol Molnau, says the design of a new bridge has not yet been determined. But he says advanced engineering and technology will be included.
August 7, 2007 - A consultant's report last summer warned the Minnesota Department of Transportation that the areas of the Interstate 35W bridge that were hardest to see were considered most susceptible to fatigue cracking. The consultant told state officials that if a crack did occur from some unusual causes it wasn't likely that it would be discovered quickly. Bob McFarlin, assistant to transportation commissioner Carol Molnau, does not dispute the report's warning. But he told MPR that the National Transportation Safety Board will look at all inspection reports as part of its investigation.
August 6, 2007 - Twin Cities motorists appear to be adapting to the loss of a section of major freeway, which was closed by the 35W bridge collapse. State officials say the Monday morning commute went better than expected, with drivers using alternate routes and new detours. Bus ridership also appeared to get a boost. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
December 8, 2006 - “The McCarthy Tapes” takes the listener back to the 1968 campaign through audio recordings of the Eugene McCarthy archive, which documents a turbulent time in America's history. McCarthy’s political legacy will forever be defined by 1968, when McCarthy turned his opposition to the Vietnam War into a crusade for the presidency.