August 23, 1999 - Governor Jesse Ventura climbed back into the ring last night -- and for a few fleeting moments, he actually did a little wrestling. Ventura's appearance as a "guest referee" at the World Wrestling FEderation's "Summerslam" event has caused weeks of speculation and some criticism from the state's political establishment, and as Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports, the Governor's actual performance was somewhat anticlimactic.
August 24, 1999 - Minnesota author Steve Thayer's new mystery "Silent Snow" takes readers on a bizzare re-creation of one the century's most notorious crimes--the Lindbergh kidnapping. As "Silent Snow" opens, investigative reporter Rick Beanblossom--the hero of Thayer's previous best-selling book the "Weatherman"--is faced with the kidnapping of his own infant son. Beanblossom tries to solve the crime with the help of his wife--a popular Twin Cities news anchor. Through a series of clues they determine the kidnappers are trying to recreate the Lindbergh kidnapping.
August 24, 1999 - A unique display is planned for the new Gateway alumni visitors center being built at the University of Minnesota. One room will feature a wall of books - 5,000 of them stacked in columns, row upon row, from floor to ceiling. All were written by or about university alumni, students and staff and were donated by current and former members of the University community. The alumni association expects to begin constructing the wall this week. I spoke with Margaret Carlson of the U of M alumni association, at a warehouse where the books are being sorted and catalogued. She says the wall will be part of a 2,600-square-foot room called the Heritage Gallery.
August 24, 1999 - MPR’s Lorna Benson interviews Janet Harvey of Elk River, who has submitted a “Jesse” quilt in the Fine Arts Competition at the Minneosta State Fair. Harvey explains her reason behind the full-size fabric portrait of Governor Ventura.
August 24, 1999 - Last summer, some Minnesotans found themselves waiting up to three months to schedule a drivers license road test. Now, Governor Jesse Ventura and officials from the Department of Public Safety say the wait is over. Ventura says it's all part of a new focus on customer service.
August 26, 1999 - Minneapolis Star Tribune business writer Jill Barshay, a native New Yorker, decribes her attempt at winning a Minnesota State Fair blue ribbon by submitting a fried sauerkraut dessert.
August 27, 1999 - Research on rape tells us that survivors suffer long after their physical wounds are healed. In her new book "Telling: A Memoir of Rape and Recovery" Minneapolis author Patricia Weaver Francisco shares her struggle to regain her life.
August 30, 1999 - MPR’s Gary Eichten talks with Mike Mulcahy, MPR’s political editor; Sara Janacek, republican analyst; Bob Meek, DFL commentator; and Julie Shortridge, reform party activist, about politics at a live broadcast from the Minnesota State Fair. Topics include Governor Ventura, Minnesota senate race, and 2000 presidential race. Program begins with news from MPR’s Greta Cunningham.
August 30, 1999 - Midday presents a Minnesota Citizens’ Forum on the future of rural Minnesota, held at the Minnesota State Fair. Panelists Paul Wellstone, Minnesota U.S. senator; Bob Ness, Minnesota state representative and chair of the Agriculture and Rural Development Finance committee; and Colleen Landkamer, Blue Earth County commissioner, discuss issues and solutions of the rural farm community.
August 30, 1999 - To close out the millennium, Minnesota Public Radio's All Things Considered presents a look back at Minnesota life in 1900 via a 12-part series, entitled “A Minnesota Century.” This segment is the the story of Rhoda Emery, a young woman who thought she would never make it as a schoolteacher, but ended up dedicating 50 years to the profession.