May 10, 2001 - Saint Paul is welcoming fifteen hundred visitors who are in town to talk about the future of the Mississippi River and the communities along its banks. At the Millard Fillmore Conference today (Thurs) and tomorrow, people from several river towns will compare notes and share tips on waterfront revitalization in their communities. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen has more...
May 9, 2001 - The assembly line brought a dramatic change to Twentieth Century manufacturing by allowing products to be mass produced. At the start of a new century, technology is again changing manufacturing by allowing more products to be custom-made. In an age of computers and robots, even the job skills needed to work in manufacturing are becoming more specialized. The St. Paul Port Authority held a ceremony today (Wed) on the shop floor of a Midway neighbhorhood business that has benefitted from the port's "Customized Job Training" program. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen reports...
May 7, 2001 - Saint Paul is solidifying its plans for three summers from now, when a fleet of riverboats will come churning upstream bringing visitors to explore the Upper Mississippi. City officials today (Mon) released a list of thirty-seven projects that various neighborhood, business, and arts groups have commited to complete in time for the "Grand Excursion of 2004." Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen reports...
May 3, 2001 - Dozens of schoolbuses will be pulling up to downtown Saint Paul's convention center later this morning (Thurs) for the start of the Festival of Nations. For the sixty-ninth year the festival will showcase foods, dances, crafts, and cultural traditions from around the world. Additions to the program this year include a Moroccan cafe and a Russian dance troupe. But many of the traditions on display have been standbys at the festival for decades. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen caught up with the man who's organized the Festival's Italian boccie ball demonstration for 22 years and has this report...
May 2, 2001 - Saint Paul officials say the Charlie Brown hotline is one of the hottest lines in town. Many in the capital city are optimistic the follow-up to last summer's popular series of Snoopy statues will be even more successful. The promotion is part of the city's tribute to Saint Paul native Charles Schulz, the creator of the Peanuts comic strip. Organizers say dozens of Saint Paul businesses have lined up to sponsor the Charlie Browns. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen reports...
May 1, 2001 - The Minnesota Timberwolves' season ended last night (Mon) with a 97 to 84 loss to the San Antonio Spurs in game four of their first round playoff series. This was the fifth straight first-round elimination for the Timberwolves. Players acknowledged frustration over another early playoff exit ... but also took pride in having overcome adversity just to make it back into the post-season again this year. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen reports...
April 26, 2001 - Saint Paul officials are celebrating the return of housing to the Upper Landing. A ceremony at the Mississippi riverfront site today (Thursday) marked the start of pollution cleanup. That will be followed by construction of six hundred units of housing. Once the heart of Saint Paul's Italian community, floodwaters and industrial contaminants have prevented construction there in recent decades. But city boosters see the new project as a victory over those obstacles and a sign of the development momentum along the river. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen reports...
April 24, 2001 - All seven Saint Paul mayoral candidates went to the Governor's residence last night (Monday), but not to meet with the governor. One of the first candidate forums of the mayoral campaign was hosted by a historic preservation group based on Summit Avenue, where the Governor's mansion is located. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen reports...
April 18, 2001 - Just a few months after the Presidential election was finally decided, a new political season is already beginning. Mayoral campaigns are underway in the Twin Cities and a tough race is taking shape in Saint Paul, where incumbent Norm Coleman is not seeking re-election. Six D-F-Lers, no Republicans, and one independent are vying to succeed Coleman. D-F-Lers began their endorsement process last night (Tues) with party conventions in three of Saint Paul's seven wards. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen visited the Sixth Ward convention and has this report...
April 10, 2001 - Baseball is back in Minnesota and the Twins scored a resounding victory in their home opener last night (Mon). Their 11 to 5 win over the Detroit Tigers gave the Twins their fourth win in six games so far this year and fueled optimism the team may break its streak of eight straight losing season. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen reports...