Tuesday, August 28, 2001
CEOs still getting big pay as others fired
WASHINGTON -- As the economy began to stall last year and companies laid off workers, chief executives of big corporations still got hefty pay raises and were rewarded for making job cuts, according to a new study by two liberal advocacy groups.
Extra credit
Lukas Marks, the son of Roger and Delores Marks of Brainerd, was a recipient of a distinguished scholarship award at the University of Minnesota, Crookston for the 2001-02 school y ear. Lukas will study golf facilities and turf systems management at the university.
SAT scores post small gain over last year
Average scores on the SAT college entrance tests taken by this year's high school graduates improved by a single point from the year before, in keeping with a general trend toward slowly rising scores over the past decade, the College Board reported Tuesday.
State begins anti-bullying campaign
ROSEVILLE -- Bullies: The state wants to invade your turf.
Rise and shine: It's time to get up for school
As the lazy days of summer draw to a close, it's time to prepare for that early alarm clock jolt that soon will send kids scrambling to the bus stop.
Yeaman takes C-I helm
CROSBY -- When John Yeamen asked a staff member why he should become a superintendent at the Crosby-Ironton School District the answer he received made his decision to take the position.
Struggling schools are bouncing back
ST. PAUL (AP) -- There's no magic formula for what constitutes a quality school, but new reports show common themes among struggling schools in Minnesota.
Schools rely on subs as teacher shortages worsen
WASHINGTON -- It's flattering to get so many calls, but some days Pat Johnson just has to take her phone off the hook.
Child malnutrition worldwide dropping
WASHINGTON -- Worldwide child malnutrition will decline by 20 percent by 2020, but 132 million children still won't have enough food to grow up healthy, a new report forecasts.
Body art finds more foes than fans among employers
DEAR ABBY: I'm writing in response to "Out-of-Work Mom," who was disturbed because she was rejected by potential employers when they noticed her pierced tongue and multiple ear piercings.
To repel a thief
Dear Heloise: While on a Metro in Paris, I became aware that the zipper on the purse I had belted around my waist was half-open. I knew I had closed it when we left the hotel and realized that a young girl next to me had been trying to open it.
Cash grain
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Wheat receipts Monday 533, a year ago 319.
Livestock
SOUTH ST. PAUL (AP) (USDA) -- Monday cattle: 500.
How to reach state lawmakers
Area legislators and how to contact them.
Crimes
THEFT -- Lia Holmes, 200 block of Second Avenue Northeast, reported Friday the theft of a CD player valued at $500 from her car.
Fires
BAXTER -- The Brainerd Fire Department responded to a car fire on Highway 210 in Baxter Sunday.
Agendas
These are additions to the Staples City Council agenda, which was published Sunday. The council meets 7 p.m. Tuesday at Staples City Hall.
Births
Stephanie Carner, Brainerd, a girl, Raina Isabella Marguerite Meyer, 6 pounds, 3 ounces, July 21, 2001. Grandparents are Mark and Nancy Elkins, Brainerd. Great-grandparents are Donna Olson, Brainerd, and Ronnie Storstad, Brainerd.
Woods wins sudden death duel with Furyk at NEC Invitational
AKRON, Ohio (AP) -- The best head-to-head match in golf this year might have come a month before the Ryder Cup even begins.
Lawyer to ask grand jury to indict Condit
WASHINGTON -- There's a new problem for California Rep. Gary Condit, who's already under intense criticism at home and in Washington for his responses to questions about his relationship with missing intern Chandra Levy.
Gore to campaign for Sayles Belton
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Former Vice President Al Gore will campaign for Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton on Labor Day.
Government embraces wearable computers for military, Mars
WASHINGTON -- A mechanic crawls under an Army tank with a computer strapped to his belt and a keyboard on his wrist. A tiny camera clipped to a futuristic headset beams pictures back to colleagues, who whisper repair instructions through the headset speaker.
Survey cites use of performance-enhancing supplements
CHICAGO -- About 1 million young people aged 12 through 17 have taken performance-enhancing sports supplements, a health insurer's survey concluded.
Labs say they can supply enough stem cells to keep scientists busy
WASHINGTON -- Sixty-four human embryonic stem cell colonies that officials say can be used for federally funded studies are enough to keep scientists busy for years doing basic research, some experts say.
This was Brainerd
20 years ago (1981) - County commissioners may be forced to do some "people shaving" within departments in order to keep within a 6 percent overall budget increase for 1982.
District to offer walk-in immunization clinic
The Crow Wing County Health Department and Brainerd School District will co-sponsor an immunization walk-in clinic from 10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Crow Wing County Health Department.
Expert on Egyptian art turns Baxter basement into a working museum
BAXTER -- Family members who sold their Baxter home to Robert Steven Bianchi and his wife, Anna M. Heney, two years ago are probably scratching their heads wondering what happened to their basement.
Hudson files to retain his school board seat
Lew Hudson of Baxter this morning filed for re-election to the Brainerd School Board.
State Powerball winner still a mystery
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- A divorced father whose unemployment benefits were about to run out headed to Kentucky Lottery headquarters today to claim a quarter of the $294.8 million Powerball jackpot.
Minnesota tourism holding its own
Kathy Machula, marketing director for the Brainerd Lakes Area Chambers of Commerce, always checks out the parking lot at Paul Bunyan Amusement Center to determine how tourism is doing.
Crow Wing Power pacesetter
Bruce Kraemer (left), Crow Wing Power chief executive officer, and Heidi Funk, Crow Wing County United Way executive director, rode the bucket truck Monday as the company set the pace for the kickoff of the United Way Fund Drive, which begins Sept. 19 with a chili cook-off at the Westgate Mall. Co-chairs of the United Way drive this year are Mike and Pat Boen. (Dispatch Photo by Steve Kohls)
A definite no
Lindsay Gooch, sophomore at Nevis High School, gave the thumbs-down signal to her mother on a sweater while trying on back-to-school clothes at Herberger's Monday. (Dispatch Photo by Steve Kohls)
CLC students go back to school
Danielle Blanchard of Backus stuffed her books into her bookbag after buying all the necessary materials for her classes at the Brainerd campus bookstore at Central Lakes College. Today was the first day of classes at CLC.
COMING WEDNESDAY
Crosby area teen-agers are trying to raise funds to help build a city skate park. Look for the story Wednesday in Neighbors.
Two die in weekend accidents
One person is dead and seven others injured in a three-vehicle accident on Highway 169, one mile north of Grand Casino in Onamia.
Survey suggests 1 in 20 teen-age boys, 1 in 10 girls, suffer abuse on dates
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- One in 10 girls and nearly one in 20 boys reported being raped or physically abused on dates, a broad survey of high school students found.
Road rage leads to injury, arrest
A 44-year-old Colorado man was arrested Saturday following a road rage incident in north Brainerd.
CORRECTION
In Jodie Tweed's Page 1A column Monday, Anna Haney's name was misspelled.
Corrections
Baxter city officials said today that information it supplied to The Brainerd Dispatch for Sunday's newspaper advertisement about a special meeting to review the Inglewood Drive North project and other business contained an incorrect date.
Quick police work foils car thief
Unlucky might not be the word for this car thief.
Local briefs
The League of Women Voters, a non-partisan political organization, is hosting a bag lunch event starting at 11:30 a.m. Sept. 13 at the Brainerd Public Library.
This was Brainerd
20 years ago (1981)-The Brainerd School District will have some extra money in its budgetary pocket next year, as voters last night approved a 2.25 mill local tax levy.
Jump in gas prices blamed on refinery fire
The summerlong decrease in gas prices is over.
Nisswa police search for suspects
NISSWA -- Suspects are being sought for a string of burglaries at several Nisswa merchants early Friday morning.
Corrections/clarifications
The Dispatch incorrectly listed the number of the legislative district where a special election will be conducted Nov. 6 and primary is set for Sept. 11. The election is in District 12B. The error was in Sunday's editorial.
Report: One in 32 U.S. adults in corrections system
WASHINGTON -- The number of adults behind bars, on parole or on probation reached a record 6.47 million in 2000 -- or one in 32 American adults, the government reported Sunday.
State Powerball winner still a mystery
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- A divorced father whose unemployment benefits were about to run out headed to Kentucky Lottery headquarters today to claim a quarter of the $294.8 million Powerball jackpot.
Consumer confidence drops for second straight month
NEW YORK (AP) -- Consumer confidence dropped for the second consecutive month in August, a sign of growing concern about a lack of jobs and unemployment, a private research group said Tuesday.
Union interns spend summer learning to organize workers
HARTFORD, Conn. -- The wake-up call comes too early, but the eight interns have to be at the dump before dawn if they're going to catch the trash haulers.
FBI supervision faulted in internal critique of investigation
WASHINGTON (AP) -- An unreleased portion of a classified Justice Department report suggests the FBI's investigation of Wen Ho Lee was more seriously bungled than officials have previously disclosed, The Washington Post reported.
American Foods recalls 500,000 pounds of beef that may be contaminated with E. coli
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) -- American Foods Group is recalling more than 530,000 pounds of ground beef in 17 states because the food may be contaminated with a strain of the deadly E. coli bacteria.
Dwindling surplus
WASHINGTON -- A new budget estimate, which says the government will need to use $9 billion of Social Security reserves to make ends meet, foreshadows a difficult fall for Congress as it struggles to pass spending bills for next year.
Fuel additive leaks threaten drinking water
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- The gasoline additive MTBE has leaked into 48 wells in public water systems serving hundreds of thousands of people throughout the state, state records show.
National briefs
HOPLAND, Calif. (AP) -- Two air tankers collided while dumping fire retardant on a Northern California wildfire, killing both pilots.
Drug company under scrutiny as pharmacist faces charges
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- As a pharmacist battles federal charges that he adulterated cancer drugs, drug maker Eli Lilly and Co. faces increasing scrutiny amid allegations it missed an opportunity to stop him.
Employers restrict use of cell phones in cars
NEW YORK -- Attorney Jane Wagner was
U.S. unmanned reconnaissance aircraft lost over Iraq
WASHINGTON -- A U.S. Air Force unmanned reconnaissance aircraft failed to return from a mission over southern Iraq and may have been shot down by Iraqi air defense forces, a U.S. official said Monday.
Authorities step up efforts to have kinder, gentler schools
WASHINGTON -- At Columbine High School this fall, teachers can look forward to emergency response drills and crisis management guides. In a few weeks, a "threat assessment manual" prepared by the Secret Service arrives.
Send money, not things, to help in disaster
WASHINGTON -- Some Americans must think hurricane victims need high heels or that people facing famine due to drought might appreciate a parka.
Loss of unmanned plane illustrates dangers to pilots in Iraq
WASHINGTON -- The loss of a U.S. Air Force reconnaissance drone in Iraq underscored the dangers facing American and British pilots monitoring the airspace over northern and southern Iraq.
Dollar's strength giving U.S. industry and Bush team headaches
WASHINGTON -- Blame the high-flying dollar for the prolonged economic slump that has cost 800,000 manufacturing jobs in the past year, company chiefs say.
A pipeline to the East opens up
It might be a coincidence that Japan won the Little League World Series. Or it might be a sign of things to come.
Rookie leads Cowboys to win
MEXICO CITY (AP) -- Quincy Carter is already getting philosophical about life in the NFL.
Bonds hits No. 56
Barry Bonds got a rare pitch to hit, and he didn't miss it. It seems like he never does.
Japan claims Little League title
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (AP) -- Before coming to the Little League World Series, members of the Tokyo Kitasuna team wrote the words "sei kai ichi" -- "No. 1 in the world" -- inside their caps.
Martinez makes successful return
The Boston Red Sox couldn't have had a more encouraging loss.
Baseball weekend
East Division
Was Bronx pitcher too old to be playing?
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (AP) -- Little League officials might have to travel to the Dominican Republic to resolve a dispute about the age of Bronx pitcher Danny Almonte.
Wonder boys of Little League Major leaguers offer their views
BALTIMORE -- The Little League World Series is much discussed these days. In all, 27 tournament games have been nationally televised and President Bush, a Little Leaguer himself, attended Sunday night's world championship game.
Sosa hits homers No. 50 and 51, joins club with McGwire and Ruth
Another day, another two home runs for Sammy Sosa.
Ex-champs start fast
NEW YORK -- For identical twins, the 23-year-old Bryan brothers of Stanford University started the U.S. Open in quite opposite fashion, even though the outcome for both turned out to be, well, identical.
NFL ready to go with replacement referees
DALLAS (AP) -- The NFL is one step closer to using replacement referees.
Edwin Gustafson
LITTLE FALLS -- Edwin Gustafson, 84, Little Falls, died Sunday, Aug. 26, 2001, at St. Otto's Care Center in Little Falls.
Roy H. Seideman
STAPLES -- Roy H. Seideman, 79, rural Staples, died Friday, Aug. 24, 2001, at St. Cloud Medical Center.
Buck Thompson
GARRISON -- Buck Thompson, 76, Garrison, died Friday, Aug. 24, 2001, in Branson, Mo., while attending his Army reunion.
Edwin 'Gus' A. Gustafson
LITTLE FALLS -- Edwin "Gus" A. Gustafson, 84, Little Falls, died Sunday, Aug. 26, 2001, at St. Otto's Care Center in Little Falls.
Nickolas 'Nick' Rassier
PALISADE -- Nickolas "Nick" Rassier, 18, Northwood, N.D., and Palisade, died Saturday, Aug. 25, 2001, as a result of injuries from a car accident near Wadena.
Dick C. Sherrick
McGREGOR -- Dick C. Sherrick, 72, McGregor, died Sunday, Aug. 26, 2001, at home.
Oliver A. Virnig
PIERZ -- Oliver A. Virnig, 89, Pierz, died Sunday, Aug. 26, 2001, at St. Gabriel's Hospital in Little Falls.
Mary Tedford
LITTLE FALLS -- Mary Tedford, 85, Little Falls, died Sunday, Aug. 26, 2001, at Lutheran Care Center in Little Falls.
Ernest R. Nelson
CLINTON, Iowa -- Ernest R. Nelson, 79, Clinton, Iowa, formerly of Brainerd, died Friday, Aug. 24, 2001, at Mercy Medical Center North.
Ruth E. Nelson
HILL CITY -- Ruth E. Nelson, 102, Hill City, formerly of Milaca, died Friday, Aug. 24, 2001, at the Aicota Health Care Center in Aitkin.
Oliver A. Virnig
PIERZ -- Oliver A. Virnig, 89, Pierz, died Sunday, Aug. 26, 2001, at St. Gabriel's Hospital in Little Falls.
Sister Noella Wappes
DULUTH -- Sister Noella Wappes, 86, OSB, St. Scholastica Monastery, died Saturday, Aug. 25, 2001, at the monastery.
Dick C. Sherrick
McGREGOR -- Dick C. Sherrick, 72, McGregor, died Sunday, Aug. 26, 2001, at his home.
Dolores B. Clark
BENEDICT -- Dolores B. Clark, 86, died Saturday, 25, 2001, at her son's home in Prior Lake after an extended illness.
Mary Ringwelski
LITTLE FALLS -- Mary Ringwelski, 80, Little Falls, died Saturday, Aug. 25, 2001, at St. Gabriel's Hospital in Little Falls.
No horse sense
Confirming the theory that fools can ruin even the best of occasions, some dim-witted people at the Minnesota State Fair deliberately punched a horse and were responsible for 11 people being injured Saturday night.
The school fix
The following editorial appeared in Sunday's Washington Post:
Open Forum
Racism divides the human family. And groups motivated by racism only contribute to the growing culture of violence that grips our society. The only way for our society to grow in peace and serve the common good is through unity and solidarity.
Iraq - Dispatch Editorial
One day it's going to happen. Assuming America's military presence in Iraq continues, Iraqi anti-aircraft artillery or an Iraqi surface-to-air missile will one day shoot down a U.S. plane and America's little-publicized war with Iraq will move to the forefront of the national consciousness.
Are we losing the drug war?
WASHINGTON--The high esteem in which former Rep. Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas is held by his colleagues was demonstrated by the 98-1 Senate vote confirming him last month as the new director of the Drug Enforcement Administration. Even more telling was the fact that Rep. John Conyers of Michigan, the senior Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee and an ardent opponent of the impeachment of President Clinton, appeared at the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing to praise Hutchinson, who had been one of the Republican House managers presenting the case against Clinton to the full Senate.
Open Forum
Is there something foul in River City? Could be!
Jillson wins NCMS title
Chad Jillson, Chuck Olson, Shawn Wageman and Dave Mass won feature events Saturday at North Central Motor Speedway in Barrows.
Unser wins battle of ages
MADISON, Ill. -- It was the battle the Indy Racing League has been waiting for -- the leader of the old guard against the young lion.
Stewart forgives and forgets his way to victory
BRISTOL, Tenn. (AP) -- The situation had the potential for disaster: Jeff Gordon leading lap after lap around the tight turns of Bristol with hotheaded Tony Stewart right on his bumper.
Scoreboard
Sunday
Loose horse injures several at State Fair
FALCON HEIGHTS (AP) -- Several fairgoers were recovering Sunday after they were slightly injured by a loose horse at the Minnesota State Fair the night before.
State briefs
CHANHASSEN, Minn. (AP) -- Jazz musician John Nelson, the father of pop star Prince, has died. Nelson was 85.
Man charged in kidnapping turns himself in
ANOKOA (AP) -- The man accused of kidnapping a 4-year-old girl from her bedroom and returning her less than an hour later has turned himself in.
500,000 pounds of beef recalled
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) -- American Foods Group is recalling more than 530,000 pounds of ground beef in 17 states because the food may be contaminated with a deadly strain of E. coli bacteria.
NLRB says metro hospitals broke law during nurses strike
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The National Labor Relations Board has ruled more than a half-dozen hospitals and one nursing services company in the Twin Cities violated labor law by refusing to hire striking nurses.
Dayton joins effort to save Thief River Falls mail sorting
BEMIDJI (AP) -- The U.S. Postal Service wants to move mail sorting service out of Thief River Falls as a cost-cutting measure, but local businesses and residents say it would cause a disastrous delay in service.
Officer charged with having sex with minors
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- A 31-year-old Minneapolis police officer was charged with three counts of criminal sexual conduct Monday after admitting to having sex with a 13-year-old girl in June, court records show.
Welcome to Minnesota Visiting athletes get taxed just for showing up here
ST. PAUL (AP) -- Minnesota rakes in big money when visiting athletes come to town to play the Minnesota Twins, the Vikings and the Timberwolves.
Two killed in car crash near Thief River Falls
THIEF RIVER FALLS (AP) -- Authorities have identified the two people killed Saturday morning after a one-vehicle crash in northwestern Minnesota.
Honeywell to lay off nearly 700 in Minnesota
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Honeywell International Inc. plans to lay off about 690 workers and close circuit-board plants in Hopkins and Minnetonka by Oct. 31, according to documents filed with the state.
Xcel begins moving underground power lines
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Xcel Energy has begun moving underground utilities to make way for light rail here, despite an ongoing challenge to the conditions state officials imposed when they granted the construction permits.
245 underage drinkers cited
MANKATO (AP) -- A weekend sweep resulted in 245 tickets for underage drinking near Minnesota State University, Mankato, last weekend.
Explosives stolen from a granite quarry near St. Cloud
ST. CLOUD (AP) -- Authorities are investigating the theft of an undisclosed amount of explosives from a granite quarry in the former St. Cloud Township area.
Minneapolis woman wins
A woman who decided to buy $5 worth of Powerball tickets while she was picking up a wedding card became the second player to step forward for a share of a $295 million jackpot.
Cross country teams to have one head coach
After functioning as virtually separate programs the last eight years, the Brainerd Warriors boys' and girls' cross country teams become one entity this fall.
Scoreboard
Boys Soccer
Wolverines have new cross country coach
A new era in Wadena-Deer Creek cross country begins this fall despite the fact the team returns two state meet participants from last season.
Local shorts
The Brainerd Sports Boosters Club has scheduled two season-opening functions this week.
Sam Anderson one of top returning C-I boy runners
Sam Anderson earned all-Mid-State Conference honors last year as a junior and returns this season with the entire Crosby-Ironton Rangers boys' cross country team.
Pillager football team could be better than last season
Like the Dallas Cowboys are designated America's team, last year the Pillager Huskies were the Brainerd lakes area's team.
Flyer girls first, boys second at Milaca meet
MILACA -- The Little Falls girls' cross country team won the Milaca Invitational Monday while the Flyer boys finished second.
S-M state tennis team returns nearly intact
The Staples-Motley Cardinals girls' tennis team soared to some lofty heights during the 2000 season.
Aitkin spikers expect productivity
With five returning starters, the Aitkin Gobblers volleyball team should improve on its 9-18 overall record and its 5-9 Great River Conference record from last year.
First-year LF coach has veteran team
First-year Little Falls Flyers swimming and diving coach Marge Brutscher won't have the luxury of talking about a rebuilding process that is part of what so many first-year coaches have to deal with.
Raiders use tourney as a learning experience
GLEN ELLYN, ILL. -- The Central Lakes College Raiders women's volleyball team may have sacrificed some momentum by playing in a large tournament in Illinois but what they gained over the weekend was invaluable.
Boys' soccer program has arrived
The Brainerd Warriors boys' soccer program enjoyed the best season in its four-year history last fall.
PR-B hopes to continue winning football tradition
For the second year in a row the Pine River-Backus Tigers football team won the North Star Conference with a perfect 7-0 record last fall.
New Pioneers coaches build toward future
A year ago, Pierz Pioneers volleyball coach Sheryl Wesenberg was looking to rebuild a Central Minnesota Conference champion on the strength of four returning starters.
Warriors return skill at key positions
Throughout the Ron Stolski era, the Brainerd Warriors football program has produced a bevy of skill position players. Standouts like Tony Veith, Sandy Smith, Mike Musty, Justin Kieffer and Brian Day made headlines and brought thousands of fans to their feet on Friday nights.
Rocori joins CLC for tennis
High school tennis teams are permitted 16 competition dates, even though more than one meet may be played on the same day.
Scoreboard
Cross country running
Girls hope summer soccer success carries over
The Lakes Area Youth Soccer Association 16-under girls' team won the Minnesota Youth Soccer Association Northwest District championship this summer.
Huskies hoping for another banner season
The taste of success can't be described, but it never lasts as long as teams would like.
Five section runners return for boys' team
With five runners returning from its Section 8AA team the Brainerd Warriors boys' cross country team is expecting to stride into contention this season.
Verndale hopes to continue football dynasty
The Verndale Pirates football team and head coach Mike Mahlen hope to continue the dynasty they have developed through the years.
DL girls beat LF
BELLE PRAIRIE -- The Little Falls Flyers girls' soccer team started out strong by scoring two goals in the first half to take a 2-1 lead over the Detroit Lakes Lakers Saturday in non-conference action.
Patriots have new football coach
One score will be cemented in the minds of every Pequot Lakes Patriots football player this fall.
The Whipple Wave
Pamela Stevens of Sartell smiled at friends and volunteers as she rode past the transition area from swimming to the bicycle race during the first Whipple Wave Triathlon at Whipple Beach on Sunday.
Transfers help BHS replace graduates
Even though the Brainerd Warriors volleyball team will undergo a facelift this season three of the new faces will be familiar.
Raiders open with 46-7 loss
DULUTH -- The Central Lakes College Raiders opened their season with a 46-7 loss to the Mesabi Range Norsemen Saturday in the Minnesota Community College Conference Kick Off Classic at Minnesota-Duluth.
Five state swimmers return
In 2000, the Brainerd Warriors swimming and diving team qualified seven performers for the Class AA state meet.
Buckman advances in Class C tournament
RED WING -- Joel Hendrickson is the hero for a week as he shut down the St. Francis offense in the bottom of the ninth and helped the Buckman Billygoats advance in the Class C state amateur baseball tournament Sunday with a 9-7 win in 13 innings.
Aitkin tennis team off to winning start
AITKIN -- With a 6-1 win over the Greenway Raiders Monday, the Aitkin Gobblers tennis team is enjoying a winning start for the first time in years.
Twins hope they are back on track
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- If any team knows about streaks, it's the Minnesota Twins.
Vikings release six, have one to go
EDEN PRAIRIE (AP) -- The Minnesota Vikings released six players Monday, including veterans Carl Kidd and Joey Kent, to leave them within one of Tuesday's mandatory roster limit.
State forecast for south dakota
Today...Considerable clouds south with scattered morning showers and thunderstorms...And a chance of afternoon thunderstorms west and south central. Sunny skies becoming partly cloudy in the east. Highs in the 80s to around 90.
State forecast for north dakota
Today...Mostly sunny. Highs from 80 northeast to around 90 west.
Iowa state forecast
Today...Partly to mostly sunny. Isolated showers and thunderstorms east this morning...And a chance of showers and storms south during the afternoon. Highs mainly in the 80s.
State forecast for north dakota
T0day...Partly to mostly sunny. Highs from the lower 80s east to the lower 90s west.
Dwindling days of summer
Weather drawing by Joe Haeg in the Nisswa School second-grade class of Mrs. Minerich.
Regional Weather
HighLowPR
Minnesota state forecast
Today...Patchy early morning fog northeast...Then sunny to partly cloudy. Highs in the middle 70s to middle 80s.
State forecast for south dakota
Today...Mostly sunny. Isolated afternoon thunderstorms in the black hills. Much less humid southeast. Highs from around 80 northeast to near 95 southwest.
King of the hill
Weather drawing by Jacob Jones in the Lincoln School first-grade class of Mrs. Swanson.
Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Scattered showers and thunderstorms south and east. Partly sunny northwest. Highs in the mid 70s to middle 80s.
Minnesota state forecast
Today...Partly to mostly sunny. Highs in the middle 70s to lower 80s.
The Weather Elsewhere
By The Associated Press
Iowa state forecast
Today...Mostly sunny east. Becoming partly cloudy west with a slight chance of thunderstorms southwest. Highs from the upper 70s to upper 80s.
Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Partly to mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 70s north... To lower 80s southwest.
Research could lead to insulin pills instead of shots
CHICAGO -- Purdue University scientists believe they've found a way to make insulin for diabetics available in pills instead of daily shots.
Names and faces
OPELOUSAS, La. (AP) -- Fans stood on chairs to snap pictures and staked out places to get autographs when "Big Brother 2" evictee Krista Stegal returned to the diner where she had been a waitress.
Farmers' Almanac: Another 'old-fashioned' winter on tap
LEWISTON, Maine -- Those who remember jammed airports, slippery sidewalks, potholes and mounds of snow last winter won't like what the latest Farmers' Almanac has to say about the coming winter.
Actress-singer Aaliyah dies in plane crash
NEW YORK (AP) -- From the moment the 15-year-old Aaliyah burst onto the scene in 1994 -- an R&B singer whose sultry voice, striking good looks and sexy attitude belied her young age -- it seemed as if everything she touched became a success.
Report: Minorities face larger hurdles toward mental health care than whites
SAN FRANCISCO -- Discrimination, stigma and poverty often contribute to minorities not receiving treatment for mental disorders, according to a report presented by U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher.
Names and faces
NEW YORK (AP) -- Russell Watson's success on the music charts has earned the British tenor the attention of his nation's tabloids -- attention he says he can do without.
Early detection and treatment prevent diabetic eye disease
DEAR ABBY: I am an ophthalmologist who specializes in the treatment of diseases of the retina -- which is the "seeing tissue" of the eye. You cannot imagine how frustrating, disheartening and sad it is to see patients on a daily basis who have vision loss from the effects of their diabetes. In many instances, I am the person who must inform them that they may not get their vision back and eventually they will become legally blind.
Foreign briefs
RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) -- Israeli helicopters fired two rockets at the office of a senior PLO leader Monday, killing him in what Israel said was retaliation for several bombings. Palestinians warned the attack could unleash "all-out war."
U.S. asks Palestinians to halt terrorism, Israel to stop humiliation of Palestinians
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Palestinian leaders must pre-empt terrorists and Israel must halt the humiliation of the Palestinian people if calm is to be restored in the Middle East, the State Department says.
Foreign briefs
LIMA, Peru (AP) -- Prosecutors were given the green light by Peru's Congress to charge former President Alberto Fujimori with crimes against humanity, a move officials hope will step up pressure on Japan to force the exiled leader to face justice.