October 5, 1999 - Minnesotas black bear population continues to confound biologists. Once thought stable at about ten-thousand, the most recent survey estimated a total of almost three times that in the state.
October 5, 1999 - Curt Johnson is a veteran of the Carlson administration, where he served as Chief of Staff and later Chair of the Met Council. He's familiar with sweeping policy agendas like the one unveiled by the governor today. Johnson says on first glance, it seems like the "Big Plan" is more a collection of priorities, than a specific list of goals.
October 5, 1999 - MPR’s Mark Steil reports on the complicated nature of grain storage during the fall harvest, especially with the boom in genetically modified crops.
October 6, 1999 - Governor Ventura took his cabinet to Mankato yesterday for the official roll-out of what he calls his "Big Plan." The Plan is the Governor's comprehensive vision for the rest of his term in office, and it emphasizes his philosophy of governing, rather than offering specific new policy proposals. The few legislators who attended the speech reacted with caution, and at least one lawmaker says he has a hard time taking Ventura's policy statements seriously, in light of Ventura's Playboy interview.
October 7, 1999 - It's a delicious thought: somewhere, tucked away in a closet, or a store room near you, is something hugely valuable. A vase, an old coin, or even a picture, which could propel you to the front pages, or bankroll you through retirement, if only you can find it. The central character in the new comic novel "Headlong' makes such a discovery: a long lost masterpiece by the Flemish artist Breughel. He realizes the painting will make him a national hero if he can get it into a big museum, and probably quite rich too. The only problem: he finds it in his neighbours house. The resulting moral and artistic dilemmas spin increasingly out of control.
October 7, 1999 - The joys, the struggles and the comfort of an enduring relationship are explored in Minnesota author Warren Hanson's new book "Older Love." The book is sort of a picture book for adults. Hanson's previous book "The Next Place" struck a chord with people aross the country. The book is a poem about dying and heaven--and it's been read at funerals and in grief-support groups around the country.
October 7, 1999 - Real Estate developer Donald Trump announced today he's formed an exploratory committee for a Presidential run. He's having dinner in New York tonight with Governor Ventura, who's urged him to consider running on the Reform Party ticket. Dean Barkley who ran Governor Ventura's successful campaign and is now Ventura's Planning commissioner has been mentioned as a possible Trump campaign manager. Barkley says neither he nor his boss have made ANY committment to Trump yet.
October 8, 1999 - On this hour of Midday, a discussion about Minnesota Twins owner Carl Pohlad signing a letter of intent to sell the team, pending approval of a new ballpark in downtown St. Paul. If the deal goes through, sports moguls Glen Taylor and Robert Naegele will head up the new ownership group.
October 8, 1999 - Polling done this week by Minnesota Public Radio and the St. Paul Pioneer Press supports the notion that Governor Jesse Ventura's popularity has taken a hit in the wake of his Playboy magazine interview.
October 11, 1999 - MPR’s Bob Kelleher reports that an Ohio man is recovering in an Upper Michigan hospital, after falling overboard from a lake freighter and having to swim five miles in the frigid waters of Lake Superior.