August 24, 2000 - Are you ready to climb aboard something called the Slingshot? How about the Power Surge, Extreme or the Storm? These rides debut as the Minnesota State Fair opens. Such rides are usually safe, but things have been known to go wrong. Last year, almost 10,000 people were injured on amusement park rides. Bob Johnson, executive director of Outdoor Amusement Business Association, says there are plenty protections in place to make sure the rides are safe.
August 25, 2000 - Before the homemade bread-and-butter pickles, patchwork quilts and gooseberry jams are exhibited at the Minnesota State Fair, some stiff competition has already taken place at the county level. For northern Minnesota resident Dorothy Coyle, Fair time is the time to harvest blue ribbons.
August 25, 2000 - ** Note host outcue ** D-F-L Senate candidate Mark Dayton has developed a solid lead over his primary opponents, according to a statewide poll for Minnesota Public Radio, the St. Paul Pioneer Press and KARE TV. Dayton continues to have the highest name recognition of the D-F-L candidates, and is as well known as Republican Senator Rod Grams. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports...
August 25, 2000 - It used to be that schools only had to concern themselves with the three "R's." But academics have made way for a list of new 'subjects;' and avoiding school violence is now a standard instruction area. In northwest Minnesota a coalition of educators, law enforcement, and health and human service providers have come together to ensure their schools are safe and students healthy. Mainstreet Radio's Bob Reha reports that the coalition believes there are indications that preventive action is needed.
August 25, 2000 - A new poll finds Mark Dayton leading the pack of DFL US Senate candidates. Dayton was favored by 27 percent of likely primary voters responding to the Saint Paul Pioneer Press, KARE11, and Minnesota Public Radio poll. Mike Ciresi had 18-percent, Jerry Janezich had 17-percent and Rebecca Yanisch had 13-percent. About one-fourth of the respondents were undecided. MPR political analyst Chris Gilbert says Dayton's nine point lead is not massive, given the poll's five point margin of error. But he says in a crowded field it's good to have any lead.
August 25, 2000 - MPR’s Michael Khoo reports on the “art” of politics at the State Fair. Khoo interviews stops by various campaign booths and interviews various candidates, staffers and fairgoers. Includes excerpts from Mark Dayton, Mike Ciresi, and Rod Grams among others.
August 28, 2000 - The four major DFL Senate candidates squared off at the State Fair in one of the few remaining opportunities for them to try to distinguish themselves before the September 12th primary. Only a handful of differences emerged, and the four seem more willing to attack Republican Senator Rod Grams than each other, despite the fact that one of them has emerged as the leader in the race.
August 28, 2000 - Twin Cities-based Coffeehouse House Press just released a new book of poetry by Tenaya Darlington. It was chosen for the prestigious National Poetry Series. Minneapolis freelance writer Josie Rawson has this review of "Madame Deluxe".
August 29, 2000 - MPR’s Brandt Williams gets a tour of “The Electric Bus,” a portable sampler of Seattle's 240 million dollar interactive museum called the Experience Music Project. Inside the exhibit visitors can get a history lesson or play around with some high-tech toys.
August 29, 2000 - A state-sponsored task force presented a report to governor Jesse Ventura today on the state of Minnesota's minority businesses. The group says minority and immigrant entrepreneurs have a tougher time obtaining financing and other assistance, and suggests several ways the state government can help. Minnesota Public Radio's Andrew Haeg reports.