August 17, 1999 - A plutonium-powered NASA spacecraft is hurtling toward a close encounter with Earth tonight to use the planet's gravity to sling it toward Saturn. The Cassini probe is scheduled to fly within 725 miles of Earth. Anti-nuclear activists fear some kind of error could cause the spacecraft to plunge into the Earth's atmosphere and shower the planet with deadly radioactive debris. But NASA officials said there was only a 1-in-1.2 million chance of accidental re-entry. As a child growing up in Cocoa, Florida, Jesse Lee Kercheval experienced the shock of space experiments gone awry along with the intense national pride associated with the Apollo missions and lunar landing. In her memoir "SPACE", Kercheval recounts a time when all of America was riveted by rockets, astronauts and outer space.
August 17, 1999 -
August 17, 1999 - Governor Jesse Ventura toured the state today to promote a plan to cut the size of the legislature from two houses to one. Ventura says a one house, or unicameral, system will make government more accessible to citizens by simplifying the legislative process. Opponents say the state needs two houses to maintain a system of checks and balances.
August 18, 1999 - The watchdog group Common Cause Minnesota today filed a complaint against Governor Jesse Ventura, alleging the Governor violated state conflict of interest laws by agreeing to guest referee a pay-per-view wrestling match. The law prohibits state employees from profiting from their positions. Some estimates say Ventura could make a million dollars in fees and royalties from the World Wrestling Federation event this weekend, which is raising eyebrows among many political leaders.
August 19, 1999 - Governor Jesse Ventura's speech on the state’s role in dealing with the farm crisis, held at the Minnesota Rural Summit in Duluth.
August 19, 1999 - A judge today cleared the way for Governor Ventura to referee a pay-per-view wrestling match this weekend. Two complaints accuse the Governor of violating state conflict of interest laws, alleging Ventura is profiting from his office - some estimates say the event could earn the Governor a million dollars in royalties. But Ramsey County Judge Kathleen Gearin refused to stop the Governor from participating in the World Wrestling Federation event, and said elected officials don't have to give up their private interests.
August 19, 1999 - Politicians have been popping up in rural Minnesota like weeds this week- holding forums and meetings on the farm crisis. Senator Paul Wellstone stopped at three south central Minnesota farms today. Senator Rod Grams holds meetings of his own tomorrow in Moorhead, Alexandria, and St. Cloud. They're looking for ideas and backing for their farm proposals, but Congress is unlikely to make significant changes in farm policy without support from folks in town. Minnesota Public Radio's Brent Wolfe reports this farm crisis isn't translating well, in the city.
August 20, 1999 - Senator Rod Grams told farmers today in Moorhead, Alexandria and St. Cloud he supports short term aid to help them weather the current farm crisis. But the GOP lawmaker says a free market system is still better than government subsidies. Grams criticized democrats for politicizing the farm crisis by blaming the Republican Freedom to Farm Act for problems in the ag economy.
August 20, 1999 - Governor Ventura says he feels vindicated by a Ramsey Court ruling this week that upheld his right to work for the World Wrestling Federation this Sunday night. Ventura says the court reaffirmed his conviction that his side projects do NOT represent a conflict of interest -- and he turned the tables on his critics, accusing THEM of having conflicts of interest.
August 23, 1999 - Back on his day job today, Governor Ventura is facing some criticism at the capitol. Senate Majority Leader Roger Moe says Ventura's performance as a referee in the main event of last night's Summer Slam wrestling show was demeaning and distasteful. Ventura got better reviews from wrestling fans. Wade Keller edits and publishes the Pro-Wrestling Torch Newsletter in Minneapolis . He was at last night's event.