November 29, 2000 - The Mayflower church in southwest Minneapolis has sponsored boy scout troop 187 for over 70 years, almost as long as the church has been in existence. The church also has one of the most liberal policies toward welcoming gay and lesbian members, and ordaining gay clergy. So in the months since the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed the right of the Boy Scouts of America to ban gay scoutmasters, church members and others involved with the troop say their values are in conflict, and they're wondering how best to seek changes in the policy. Minnesota Public Radio's Amy Radil reports.
November 29, 2000 - Margaret Atwood's latest novel "The Blind Assassin" focuses on an octegenarian looking back on the events leading to the death of her younger sister. But the book-- which recently won Britain's prestigious Booker prize- also contains a novel-within-the-novel and yet another science fiction tale within THAT. One of the Booker judges said the novel "demonstrates Atwood's immense emotional range, as well as her poet's eye for both telling detail and psychological truth." Atwood told Minnesota Public Radio's Stephanie Curtis many of the moments in the novel came from the experiences of her mother and grandmother.
November 29, 2000 - Former Vice President Walter Mondale addressed a symposium on US-Japan relations. The event at Macalester College was one of a series of Mondale Lectures on Public Service, a look back at the former Vice President's 50-year career.
November 29, 2000 - Best-selling author Scott Turow, speaking at the Pen Pals Lecture Series, sponsored by the Library Foundation of Hennepin County.
November 30, 2000 - Independence party member James Gibson says he's considering a run for governor in 2002, even if the race would pit him against his party's most popular politician, Governor Jesse Ventura. Gibson, a software developer who failed in his bid for the U.S. Senate this year, says running against Ventura in the party primary would allow for a vigorous campaign including debates and other events to bring voters to the party. Minnesota Public Radio's Amy Radil reports.
November 30, 2000 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer talks with Minnesota House Majority Leader Tim Pawlenty, a Republican from Eagan, about his thoughts about state surplus and what should happen going forward. Pawlenty is concerned about Governor Ventura’s idea of lowering state sales tax, but raising in other areas.
November 30, 2000 - Mark Dayton spent more than his budget allowed. He will do what he can in order to serve the public but can also try build back his finances.
November 30, 2000 - Marisa Helms reports on a survey looking at aspects of Governor Ventura from the public’s view. The results sow ratings are high in all categories. One way he is so popular is through his bold moves, writing books, and connecting with citizens through unusual mediums, such as Playboy interviews.
December 5, 2000 - A Lutheran church in St. Paul voted this week to ordain a lesbian pastoral minister who has been with the congregation since 1983. The decision by St. Paul-Reformation Lutheran Church defies a rule by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America that prohibits the ordination of gay or lesbian pastors living in committed relationships. Pastor Paul Tiedaman says the congregation took the action after many years of waiting for the ELCA to change its position. But he says ELCA officials finally ruled last month that they would not approve Anita Hill's ordination.
December 6, 2000 - Minnesota author Vince Flynn is out with his third political thriller called THE THIRD OPTION. Flynn's previous two books TERM LIMITS and TRANSFER OF POWER were both on the New York Times Best-sellers list. THE THIRD OPTION opens with the President trying to battle terrorism in Libya and Iraq. Since diplomacy and military intervention--are not working, the President and his security advisors are forced to employ "the third option"-- covert action. Flynn's expert C-I-A spyman Mitch Rapp--known by the code name "Iron Man" reappears to save the day. Flynn says he realizes critics have complained that Rapp is the perfect spy--maybe too perfect---but Flynn says that's all part of his job as an author.