March 29, 1999 - Senate Democrats and House Republicans called on each other today to give in and break the deadlock over tax rebates before the Easter break. Each side accuses the other of being inflexible, and neither shows signs of giving in.
March 30, 1999 -
March 30, 1999 - For Tuesday A legislative change gives Governor Jesse Ventura a chance to put a new face on the Metropolitan Council by naming up to sixteen new members at once. The speculation is that he make announce the names as early as today. The council is in charge of such mundane metropolitan matters as treating sewage and making sure the buses run on time. But it is also has the power to regulate Twin Cities development. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson talked to three people who have ideas for how the reconstituted Council should do it's job.
March 31, 1999 - Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura spent much of the day in East Grand Forks. The Governor heard about the destruction caused by the flood of 1997, and saw the rebuilding still underway. The Governor left a trail of one liners, and a ray of hope for residents looking for financial help from the state.
March 31, 1999 - Minnesota U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone and attorney general Mike Hatch held roundtables in Rochester, St. Paul, and Duluth today to push proposals that would give patients more abilitiy to fight their health maintenance organizations. The two Democrats say they're responding to horror stories of people who've been denied treatment or doctors who are paid not to refer patients to specialty care. However business groups contend the proposals will lead to higher health insurance costs and less coverage for people who need it.
April 1, 1999 - The University of Minnesota library is 12,500 books larger than it was yesterday. Former governor and University Regent Elmer Andersen contributed four truckloads of books to the U. An article in today's Minneapolis Star Tribune says Andersen has a history of donating rare and valuable books to his alma mater. Thomas Shaughnessy is University librarian.
April 1, 1999 - On this special date, MPR’s Amy Radil reports that the Duluth Port Authority is scrambling to respond to unconfirmed reports of whale sightings in the Duluth Ship Canal. Biologists speculate a scarce food supply has driven a whale far inland during the spring breeding season. Authorities are trying to determine whether the whale poses a shipping hazard and how the marine mammal made its lengthy journey.
April 2, 1999 - This is a significant week in the religious world: tonight is the third night of Passover, when Jews around the world celebrate the Israelites' escape from slavery in Ancient Egypt. And today is Good Friday, the day most western Christians mark the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The Holy Week leading up to Easter is a celebration of resurrection and new life. For Minneapolis author Margaret Wurtele, the occasion was a chance to reflect on the small gains she experienced from a devastating loss.
April 2, 1999 - Black leaders of dozens of organizations and churches are calling upon people to participate in a planned March for Freedom, Justice and Equality tomorrow. The march was planned out of concern over Governor Jesse Ventura's recent cabinet appointments. Critics say the state's top administration officials fail to represent the diversity of Minnesota's population. Black leaders are ESPECIALLY concerned over the lack of any African American appointments.
April 6, 1999 - MPR’s William Wilcoxen reports the Minnesota Twins roster for 1999 season feature several unproven players who are new to Major League Baseball…the consequence of owner Carl Pohlad’s decision to slash the Twins' payroll over the winter. The move puts Twins management in the position of trying to raise interest in the team amid low expectations.