July 12, 1999 - The Guthrie Theater's 1998-99 season broke attendence and subscription records, drawing 360-thousand people last year. With nearly 28-thousand subscribers, it's got one of the largest subscription bases of any non-profit theater in the country. Following the Guthrie's annual meeting today, Artistic Director Joe Dowling told Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Roberts the success reflects the community's investment in the Guthrie.
July 12, 1999 - The Minnesota Twins' pledge to deal with St. Paul only hasn't stopped Minneapolis leaders from working on plans to build the baseball team a new stadium in their city. They claim their plan is much more likely to win state approval, if they can get local constituents -- and their council colleagues -- to buy it.
July 14, 1999 - Dakota Indians held a ceremony today on an old pioneer farm in Falcon Heights near the State Fairgrounds. The Gibbs farm has long been a historic site, but today's ceremony marked an expansion of the Jane Gibbs' story, to include her relationship with the nearby Dakota indians. Gibbs was born in New York, but at the age of 6 she was kidnapped by missionaries who brought her to Minnesota. The missionaries worked near Lake Harriet and there Jane met Dakota indian children, many of whom became her friends. Priscilla Farnham is the executive director of the Ramsey County Historical Society. She says when Jane grew up and became a pioneer farm wife, she rekindled her friendship with the Dakota.
July 15, 1999 - The Grand Opening of the new Science Museum of Minnesota adjacent to the Mississippi River in downtown St. Paul is just five months away. Construction crews and museum employees are busy finishing the building and installing exhibits. Members of the media got a chance, yesterday, to see inside the building.
July 15, 1999 - Thirty years ago when Minneapolis was clearing land for downtown office buildings and parking lots it seemed like science fiction to predict that people would one day want to live downtown. But that's what is happening. Young professionals and an aging population of empty nesters are fueling housing demand in neighborhoods around downtown. One result is the cheap housing many low income residents rely on is disappearing.
July 27, 1999 - St. Paul business leaders today announced a campaign to build public support for a new downtown ballpark for the Minnesota Twins. Meanwhile, leaders in the west metro area have faced continuing difficulties getting a proposal out of the starting gates. But today, at least, Hennepin County avoided having the brakes put on development of a ballpark proposal. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports on the latest developments in the stadium debate.
July 30, 1999 - Thousands of people of Icelandic heritage are gathering this weekend in Mountain, a tiny town located in the hills and valleys of northeastern North Dakota. Even the president of Iceland will be there. The party of the century will mark the 100th year Icelanders in Mountain have celebrated the Icelandic holiday known as August the Deuce.
July 30, 1999 - Thousands of people of Icelandic heritage are gathering this weekend in Mountain, a tiny town located in the hills and valleys of northeastern North Dakota. Even the president of Iceland will be there. The party of the century will mark the 100th year Icelanders in Mountain have celebrated the Icelandic holiday known as August the Deuce.
August 2, 1999 - On the day of the Northern League All-Star Game, Neal Karlen, author of "Slouching Towards Fargo," a book about the St. Paul Saints, takes questions from listeners.
August 3, 1999 - St Paul mayor Norm Coleman's stadium plan is running into a wall of skepticism at the state capitol. Late last night, Coleman announced he'd struck a deal with the owners of the Twins to build a stadium in downtown St Paul, splitting the $325 Million dollar cost between the team, the city and the state. The state and city contributions would have to be approved by the Legislature next year, but the initial reaction from legislative leaders suggests that's not likely to happen.