November 2, 1999 - MPR’s Lynette Nyman reports on the 5th National Hmong Conference being held in downtown Minneapolis, where social service advocates look to prevent violence by keeping Hmong kids out of gangs. They say parents are the key and want to them more involved in their kids lives. But for some Hmong teens, independence from families is the attraction of a gang --especially for girls.
November 3, 1999 - Frequently at this time, we bring you an interview with an author, many of whom are giving readings at the Hungry Mind bookstore in St. Paul. Soon you won't be hearing that name anymore. The bookstore, which also publishes a literary review and runs a small press, is selling its name to a new cyber-university based in San Francisco for an undisclosed amount.
November 3, 1999 - MPR’s Michael Khoo reports that St. Paul residents overwhelmingly rejected a sales tax increase to pay for a new Minnesota Twins ballpark in the city's downtown. After a summer of sometimes contentious debate, voters defeated the proposal 58% to 42%.
November 3, 1999 - Governor Ventura is just starting his second full day of his ten day trade mission to Japan. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste is in Tokyo with the Governor and has more on today's itenerary.
November 3, 1999 - Saint Cloud area residents said no yesterday to a half percent sales tax increase for a proposed regional events center. The referendum was also tied to other regional amenties like park improvements and a remodeled regional library. Officials say they're now looking for ways to fund the library and parks.
November 3, 1999 - Election results in Duluth brought significant turnover among city council and school board members, with both bodies likely taking on a more labor-friendly and liberal tone. But labor-endorsed candidates did not sweep either body, and some extremely close votes had candidates pondering the mixed messages voters sent. Voters' intentions were clearer in races for mayor and state legislature were more sweeping: Mayor Gary Doty easily won a third term, and D-F-Ler Dale Swapinski won Willard Munger Senior's former legislative seat by a wide margin.
November 4, 1999 - As thousands of Minnesotans lock up their lake cabins for winter, many wonder whether everything will be intact when they return. Seasonal homes are favorite targets for burglars, and protection against property crime has been a high-profile subject since a Minnesota man set a booby trap in his cabin and wounded an intruder. In the Brainerd lakes area, summer homes provide a challenge for law enforcement; and big returns for home-security companies.
November 4, 1999 - Twin Cities Theatergoers were joined by a distinguished guest at the Guthrie Theater lab last night. Pulitzer prize-winning playwright Arthur Miller attended the opening of his latest play "Mr Peter's Connections", in its first performance outside New York.
November 4, 1999 - MPR’s Lorna Benson interviews gay poet Mark Doty about his book “Firebird: A Memoir.” Doty reads a selection from the book, recalling how the lyrics to Petula Clark's song "Downtown" gave him hope.
November 4, 1999 - Over 200 mandolin players from North America and Europe are in Minneapolis to attend annual convention of the Classical Mandolin Society of America. Jack El-Hai formed the Minnesota Mandolin Orchestra in 1991, and talks with MPR’s Bob Potter about mandolins.