Digitization made possible by the State of Minnesota Legacy Amendment’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, approved by voters in 2008.
February 7, 1997 - Shelia Wellstone, wife of Minnesota Democratic Senator Paul Wellstone, testified before a state senate committee today. She's calling on lawmakers to temporarily waive welfare work requirements for victims of domestic violence. Minnesota Public Radio's Karen Louise Boothe reports: When lawmakers, social activists and welfare recipients alike talk about the details of federal and state welfare reform.. .they often speak in disheartening tones. But Shelia Wellstone testified, that if they so choose, state lawmakers can find at least ONE glimmer of hope in the federal bill...and they could implement it here in Minnesota. It's in a federal welfare bill amendment championed in Washington by her and her husband, Democrat Senator Paul Wellstone. The provision gives states the
February 7, 1997 - The Minnesota House has given preliminary approval to legislation meant to curb teen smoking. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports.
February 7, 1997 - Within the next several weeks the local telephone market will be opening up to free market competition just as the long distance monopoly was broken apart in the early 1980's. Throughout the country, companies that control local phone lines are scrambling to protect themselves as regulators welcome outside competitors into what's been their territory. In Minnesota US West says it's being forced to offer newcomers an unfair advantage that could lead to a deterioration of the local phone network. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports.
February 7, 1997 - The Clinton administration wants to take over some TV frequencies but broadcasters warn that will be bad for the consumer. The proposal is part of the administration's new budget. Attorney General Janet Reno says the government wants to use the frequencies now assigned for broadcast channels 60 through 69. The president hasn't decided how to use most of the frequencies, but forty percent would be ded
February 7, 1997 - MPR’s Dan Olson reports on a University of Minnesota Symphony Orchestra performance of the music of Roy Harris, Rimsky-Korsakov… and “Beijing Drum,” a piece of new music by a Chinese composer Zhou Long written for the pipa, an instrument similar to a lute.
February 7, 1997 - Supporters say the tobacco bill was weakened by an amendment from Rush City DFL'er Loren Jennings who proposed eliminating a provision that would ban shelf displays of cigarettes in stores and move cigarettes to behind the counter. That touched off a floor debate on how much access kids should have to cigarettes in stores. Here's an edited sample of some of the debate.
February 7, 1997 - MPR’s Chris Roberts profile sisters Julia and Irina Elkina, one of Russia's more prominent duo-piano teams. The immigrated to Minnesota, and now call Minneapolis their home. One advantage they may have over other piano duos, is they also happen to be identical twins.
February 10, 1997 - Midday looks at drunk driving and the proposal to reduce the legal blood alcohol limit for driving to .08 with Steve Simon, University of Minnesota law professor and director of the MN Criminal Justice System DWI Task Force; and Lynn Goughler, public liaison and legislative chair of the organization Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).
February 10, 1997 - Leaders of the Star Tribune newspaper had their day at the Capitol when they appeared before the Senate Elections Law Committee. They explained how a photograph of failed Minneapolis Senate candidate John Derus appeared next to an article about charity fraud. Derus says the mistake, which was published the day of the primary last September, cost him the election against Senator Linda Higgins. Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe reports.
February 10, 1997 - Minneapolis officials are considering opening up the city's private trash hauling contract to competitive bids for the first time in 25 years. At least one council member thinks the city could save several million dollars a year by seeking other bidders. The consortium of haulers that now handles the waste admits the city might be able to save some money -- but contends small haulers would likely go out of business in the process. Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Wareham reports.