Minnesota Public Radio
Basic Appropriation Request 2001

Provided by MPR Public Affairs
Updated May 16, 2001

EAS and the MPR commitment to Minnesota safety
At the request of MnEAST (Minnesota Emergency Alert System Team), Minnesota Public Radio agreed to carry the signal for the statewide Emergency Alert System signal. This occurred as the result of a federal mandate requiring states to have such a signal broadcast. In the event of a national or state emergency or disaster, either natural or technological, posing a threat to the public, MPR transmits the signal statewide. Other television and radio stations must pick up the signal from the MPR transmission.

We feel that this is not a cost our listeners alone should be asked to bear, but a cost that should be borne by the entire state. For that reason, we are asking the state to appropriate funding for backup generators and transmitters.

MPR and the threat to service in Bemidji
MPR is committed providing radio service to even the most remote parts of Minnesota. MPR is asking the state for funds to help make this possible. We would be able to build towers in places like Bemidji with $200,000. In that city, MPR currently serves a large area with a diverse population. By serving all or part of the three major Indian reservations: Leech Lake Indian Reservation, White Earth Indian Reservation, and Red Lake Indian Reservation. The radio signal is currently broadcast from the local public television station. As a result of the federally mandated transition to Digital television, MPR will no longer be able to broadcast from the TV tower. If public radio service is to continue to broadcast in Clearwater County, Hubbard County, Cass County, and Itasca County, a new tower must be built.

Minnesota Public Radio
Special Appropriation Request 2001

Audio Archives at MPR
For almost 30 years, MPR has been the chief chronicler of life in the upper Midwest. The MPR news archives contain three decades' worth of political debates, election night coverage, and speeches by notable Minnesotans, national leaders, and international figures. MPR also holds the audio archives for the leading musical organizations in the area, including the Minnesota Orchestra, the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and many other smaller ensembles.

We think that it is critical to Minnesota history that the broadcasts such as the early Prairie Home Companion and all of the political, electoral, and rural reporting coverage should be saved. Much of that material is on tape that is rapidly deteriorating.

MPR has begun the process of creating an archive of these broadcasts. In order to make this invaluable legacy available to the public, MPR is requesting $500,000 to fund public educational access components of the archive project.