June 5, 2003 - Some 10 million Americans are considered severely obese. That means they're at least 100 pounds overweight. A growing number of severely obese people are turning to gastric bypass surgery as a last-ditch solution to their weight woes. The procedure is controversial. It can lead to serious health complications. But supporters say the surgery helps shed pounds and save lives. Mainstreet Radio's Tom Robertson has this next installment in our weeklong series "The Fight Against Fat."... {
June 4, 2003 - City leaders across Minnesota are preparing to tighten their fiscal belts. DFL lawmakers say the newly passed state budget means cities -- mostly in Greater Minnesota -- will see a 25 percent average cut in state aid payments. Some say the cuts will result in fewer services and higher property taxes. Officials in Bemidji are hoping to avoid cuts to essential services like police and fire protection. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Robertson reports... {
April 22, 2003 -
April 10, 2003 - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency wants to do more soil testing at a Superfund site in northern Minnesota. The former St. Regis wood treatment plant operated on the Leech Lake Indian Reservation. For 30 years the plant, near downtown Cass Lake, polluted the soil and water with dioxin. That's a chemical that causes cancer. The EPA began cleaning up the site in 1984. Federal officials say it's still not clean. City and tribal leaders are frustrated with the speed of the clean-up. They welcome this next phase in the process. Mainstreet Radio's Tom Robertson reports... {
April 3, 2003 -
March 11, 2003 - Some vulnerable seniors in Minnesota would feel the pinch of Governor Tim Pawlenty's proposed budget cuts. Pawlenty's plan to fix the state's $4.2 billion dollar budget deficit includes elimination of state funding for a number of senior services, including the Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion programs. Pawlenty's plan would essentially shut the programs down in rural Minnesota. Program administrators say the cuts could force hundreds of frail seniors from their homes and into more expensive care facilities. Mainstreet Radio's Tom Robertson reports... {
March 11, 2003 - Governor Tim Pawlenty hit the road Monday to promote his plan to solve the state's $4.2 billion dollar budget deficit. At a public forum in Bemidji, the governor focused on economic development. Pawlenty presented his plan to create tax-free zones to attract businesses and create jobs. Mainstreet Radio's Tom Robertson reports... {
November 20, 2002 - While deer hunters set their sights on big bucks in the fields and forests, merchants are seeing big bucks in their cash registers. For many businesses in rural Minnesota, the firearms deer season and the weeks proceeding it are among the busiest times of the year. In the latest story in our series "Hunting for Answers" Mainstreet Radio's Tom Robertson reports that deer hunting pumps millions into the state's economy. And despite concerns about chronic wasting disease this season, that shows no signs of abating.
August 21, 2002 - Mainstreet Radio’s Tom Robertson reports on Organizers of the Anishinaabe Coalition, a new spiritual-based group, formed to fight racism in Bemidji. Includes various interviews with residents and coalition members.
June 19, 2002 - Minnesota's multi-million dollar tourism industry appears to be on track for an okay summer season. State officials say they're not expecting a gangbuster summer. At this point in the season, more than half of resort and hotel owners report they're doing the same or better than last year. Mainstreet Radio's Tom Robertson has the story... {