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 CIA 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.
December 6, 2000 - MPR’s Lynette Nyman reports that leaders in Minnesota's Southeast Asian community are calling on government officials to assist them in addressing the issue of domestic violence. They're also asking Hmong people with domestic problems to seek help from neighbors, elders, and counselors before tragedies happen.
December 7, 2000 - A tenative settlement has been reached in a class action sex discrimination lawsuit against St. Cloud State University. The suit had alleged the school paid women less money than men, denied them valid promotions, and allowed sexual harassment to occur. The proposed settlement would affect between 200 and 250 female faculty members and ends more than four years of litigation. Minnesota Public Radio's Patty Marsicano reports:
December 7, 2000 - MPR’s Brandt Williams reports on local Kwanzaa event, where hundreds of proud parents, children and friends gathered at Sabathani Community Center in Minneapolis, to watch a student-led Kwanzaa program.
December 8, 2000 - MPR’s Cathy Wurzer visits the Stillwater home of Dick & Lois Kohns, serious fans of Santa Claus.
December 8, 2000 - Rod Grams and Mark Dayton on how they want to spend the state budget.
December 12, 2000 - On this Word of Mouth report, Chris Roberts interviews Stan Hill, the artistic director of the Twin Cities Gay Men's Chorus. In a region brimming over with choral groups, choirs, chorales and oratorial societies, the Twin Cities Gay Men's Chorus has been a relatively well-kept secret, but the group is determined to raise its profile as it celebrates a 20-year anniversary.
December 12, 2000 - Tease Cut. Congressman Minge-Florida is a circus, nothing like Minnesota . Congressman Kennedy-Minnesotans can be proud of our process . There are no hanging chads in Minnesota--but as the Minge-Kennedy race makes clear, we do have some very close elections. Yet when elections are tight, the Minnesota experience is far different than events unfolding in Florida. Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Buzenberg has been watching the post-election contests in both states, and takes a look at how these two extremely close elections have been sorted out:
December 12, 2000 - Newly elected Minnesota Senator Mark Dayton made one of his first public appearances today in Rochester. Last week the freshman Democrat was in Washington for senate orientation. Minnesota Public Radio's Erin Galbally reports.
December 12, 2000 - MPR’s Laura McCallum reports that the commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Employee Relations says Governor Ventura's new job as an XFL analyst is NOT a conflict of interest. The Governor's office says the decision confirms what Ventura has argued all along, while critics of the Governor's outside earnings say the decision lacks credibility, because it was made by a Ventura appointee.