September 12, 2000 - In Bemidji author Kevin McColley's new novel "The Other Side", a civil war era farm boy flees after killing a local bully in a fight . After drifting for a while, he ends up in Missouri with Quantrill's Raiders, a rag-tag guerilla army involved in brutal attacks against northern civilians. McColley says he'd wanted to write a Civil War novel for a long tine, but only felt he'd found a subject that hadn't been done to death when he ran across accounts of the raiders. His novel, which has now been nominated for a National Book Award, examines how ordinary people can do horrible things. He told Minnesota Public Radio's Euan Kerr he actually finished the book four years ago, but it has taken that long for him to get over the experience of dealing with the subject matter. Kevin McColley's novel "The Other Side" is published by Simon and Schuster. He will read from his book at St Olaf College in Northfield October 11th.
September 12, 2000 - In Bemidji author Kevin McColley's new novel "The Other Side", a Civil War era farm boy flees after killing a local bully in a fight . After drifting for a while, he ends up in Missouri with Quantrill's Raiders, a rag-tag guerilla army involved in brutal attacks against northern civilians. McColley says he'd wanted to write a Civil War novel for a long tine, but only felt he'd found a subject that hadn't been done to death when he ran across accounts of the raiders. His novel, which has now been nominated for a National Book Award, examines how ordinary people can do horrible things.
September 13, 2000 - A high profile D-F-L senate race wasn't enough to bring voters to the polls for last night's primary. An estimated 16-point-two percent of eligible voters turned out to cast ballots. Joan Growe was Minnesota's Secretary of State for more than two decades. She says the figure is about average for a presidential election year:
September 13, 2000 - Software developer Jim Gibson says as the Independence party candidate for U.S. Senate, he can chart a centrist path between incumbent Republican Rod Grams and the winner of Tuesday's D-F-L primary, Mark Dayton. Gibson, the Indpendence party's endorsed candidate for the senate, easily beat his opponents to clinch his party's nomination. But Gibson says he faces an uphill challenge both in raising the money he needs to compete, and in getting equal treatment among Republicans and Democrats. Minnesota Public Radio's Amy Radil reports.
September 14, 2000 - The price of prescription drugs has emerged as a big issue in this year's political races. Senate candidate Mark Dayton has even taken groups of seniors on a ride to Canada, where they can buy drugs at cheaper prices than they can get here. Those price differences are the topic of a news conference later today in Washington D-C where Senator Paul Wellstone, a Democrat, and congressman Gil Gutknecht, a Republican, will call for the passage of the Prescription Drug RE-importation bill. Joining us on the line is Minnesota's first district congressman, Gil Gutknecht.
September 15, 2000 - Governor Jesse Ventura plunged wholeheartedly into the fall campaign season Thursday, making good on his pledge to help build the Independence Party after the primary election. Ventura stumped for the party's congressional candidates in the morning, and by evening he was working a crowd in Fridley, trying to help the city's D-F-L mayor become an Independence Party legislator. The governor will make appearances on behalf of three MORE Independence Party candidates this weekend, as part of his effort to get some legislative allies at the state Capitol. Minnesota Public Radio's Amy Radil reports.
September 20, 2000 - Famed classical pianist Fou Ts'ong visits the Minnesota Public Radio studios to play and to talk to MPR Classical Music Host Tom Crann. Fou Ts'ong discusses his touring program, entitled "Chinese Poetry, Western Music," and the connection between music and words in his work.
September 21, 2000 - Governor Perpich died of cancer five years before. Former First Lady Lola Perpich and Rudy Perpich Jr. discuss the governor's legacy.
September 21, 2000 - In Minnesota, Xcel Energy, formerly known as NSP, says customers can expect to pay as much as 50 percent more for natural gas heat this winter. Last month, the company was projecting a 20 percent rise in winter heating bills, but a surge in natural gas prices forced Xcel to revise its forecast. Scott Holtz, a gas supply manager for Xcel Energy, says the world's oil producers are responsible for the rate increase. Both Senator Paul Wellstone and Senator Rod Grams are asking the President to set aside 500 million dollars to help low income families pay for heat this winter. But they don't agree on who's to blame for the sharp increase.
September 21, 2000 - A Westminster Town Hall Forum broadcast with Dr. Christine Cassel, chairman of the Department of Geriatrics and Adult Development at Mount Sinai Medical Center and author of a number of books including A Practical Guide to Aging and Ethical Dimensions in the Health Profession. She talks about successful aging - how to grow old and live a full, productive life.