December 4, 1998 - Governor-elect Jesse Ventura's visited the University of Minnesota and the offices of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. While talking to U of M administrators about his preparation for taking office, Ventura acknowledged college students played a big part in the Reform Party candidate's election.
December 8, 1998 - MPR’s Laura McCallum reports that the first poll since the election gives Governor-elect Jesse Ventura high marks for his performance so far. Nearly half the people polled for Minnesota Public Radio and the St. Paul Pioneer Press consider Ventura a needed breath of fresh air in state government, although the other half say it's too soon to judge.
December 8, 1998 - MPR’s Lynette Nyman talks with Ilean Her, director of the state’s Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans, about Hmong community leaders release of a proposal seeking state dollars to help Minnesota's South-East Asians population. Several recent tragedies in the Hmong community prompted the initiative which will be presented to the legislature. It calls for mental health, education, violence prevention, and self-sufficiency programs.
December 10, 1998 - It has taken 7 years but a former pornographic bookshop in Minneapolis, is now a community theater..... opening it's first holiday show. Some of the actors now performing were once outside on the sidewalk protesting against the store. The Central City Theater-- on the corner of 4th and Lake was once known as the Lake Street Bookstore-- but it's now part of what the city hopes will be a turnaround of troubled Lake Street. Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Stucky reports.
December 10, 1998 - An advisory panel is expected to tell lawmakers today to scale back the state's high school graduation requirements. The committee of educators and business people has been studying ways to imrpove the controversial "Profile of Learning"...and subjects like art, music and physical education might not make the cut. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire... The state's plan for helping Minnesota students succeed after high school was simple: set up statewide testing to make sure students were learning the basic skills...then create a system to measure how well students could demonstrate what they've learned. These higher standards, known as the Profile of Learning, ignited a firestorm of controversy. Complaints range from
December 11, 1998 - An advisory panel is asking legislators for a major overhaul of the state's high school graduation standards. The committee of business people and educators wants to scale back the controversial Profile of Learning...eliminate state performance guidelines...and require 11th graders to pass a test before earning a dimploma. But some members of the committee say it slashed the program without knowing whether it was working. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports... The Profile of Learning is the state's system to measure how well students apply what they've learned. Students are required to meet 24 performance standards in 10 broad subject areas. Critics call it a bureaucratic mess that's difficult to understand. The committee that's been stud
December 12, 1998 - Our Voices of Minnesota series features Minneapolis astronaut Colonel Bob Cabana who is commanding the Space Shuttle Endeavor, which is set for launch Thursday morning to begin building the International Space Station. He speaks with MPR’s Mark Zdechlik. Program begins with NPR report on the mission of International Space Station.
December 15, 1998 - Duluth and the Iron Range are attempting to shed their dependence on heavy industry. They're putting tax dollars behind efforts to revamp the economy and attract technology-related jobs. In the past the DFL-dominated area enjoyed considerable power and influence at the Capitol, and put it to good economic development use. But the incoming Ventura administration, as well as the newly Republican House legislature, mean changes in the balance of power, and some are concerned that may effect the region's ability to remake itself. Minnesota Public Radio's Amy Radil reports. The head of the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board says the writing is on the wall for northern Minnesota's traditional industries including taconite and logging. IRRRB Commissioner Jim Gustafson says as a result the agency has ambitious plans to retool the Iron Ran
December 15, 1998 - Students who say they're concerned about cuts in financial aid, cheered as Governor-elect Jesse Ventura told them they should pay for college themselves. Ventura told students at North Hennepin Community College in Brooklyn Park that they'll enjoy their education more if they earn it. MPR’s Tim Pugmire interviews a couple students after event to get their take.
December 24, 1998 - Minnesota's older teenagers are supposed to be hitting the books, at least if they want to legally ride a snowmobile. A new law requires all teenagers to pass a safety course before operating a snowmobile on public land. But few of the older teens have signed up for training, and public safety officials fear many are unaware of the law, or intend to ignore it. Minnesota Public Radio's Bob Kelleher reports ..... The snowmobile season got off to a slow start this winter.... SFX: (vroom - ratta tat ratta tatta tatta - vroom) For two days in November at the annual Snowcross races just outside Duluth