January 29, 1998 - At a ceremony today, two of the largest low-income housing providers in Minnesota signed an agreement to work together on promoting fair housing. Officials with the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development office say they're targeting housing discrimination in a part of the state often overlooked: the rural communities. Minnesota Public Radio's Gretchen Lehmann (lay-mun) reports. The Schoolview Manor apartment complex sits in the center of Big Lake. It houses many of the disabled and elderly residents in this town of just over 2,000 people. The complex was chosen for today's announcement because offi
February 2, 1998 - MPR’s Mary Stucky matches up the content of the State-of-the-State addresses through Governor Arne Carlson’s tenure. His speeches over the years reflect the changing fortunes of the state and ups and downs in Carlson’s relationship with state lawmakers.
February 3, 1998 - The Twins stadium is alive again at the State Legislature…just two months after lawmakers killed it. The stadium's chief cheerleader this time around is State Senator and gubernatorial candidate Roy Terwilliger, who says he has a plan Minnesotans will like a lot better than anything the Twins proposed last year.
February 3, 1998 - This year's race for Governor could be the most expensive in the state's history. Its the first time since 1982 the seat has been open. A field of big name democrats is leading the race for campaign contributions. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports...
February 3, 1998 - Governor Arne Carlson delivers his 8th and final State of the State address tomorrow (Wednesday). He has touched on a lot of themes in those speeches.... but perhaps the most constant theme has been education This year Carlson is proposing 252-million dollars for construction at the University of Minnesota and 168-million for the state colleges and universities system. He's expected to dwell on how Minnesota's colleges and universities can help prepare students to fill gaps in the states workforce, and on his proposal for boarding schools to help troubled youth. Some observers say it's the Republican Governor's last effort to leave an education legacy... But for many, that legacy is already in place. Carlson's big education battles are behind him, and the state's public education system has changed substancially since 1991. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports...
February 3, 1998 - Midday previews the State of the State address and looks back in history to previous addresses. Guests Al Quie, former Republican governor; and Bob Vanasek, former DFL Speaker of the House share their reflections and listeners call in with questions.
February 5, 1998 - An expert witness in Minnesota's tobacco trial told jurors at least one cigarette company genetically altered tobacco plants so they'd produce twice the amount of nicotine. Minnesota public radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports.
February 6, 1998 - A new state report to be released this morning says all the studies of Twin Cities transit options done so far do not make a convincing case for the expensive proposals before lawmakers this session. The report from the Legislative Auditor raises questions about the predictions of car congestion on Twin Cities roadways. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson has more. The Legislative Auditor's report won't be public until it's released to lawmakers. State officials who've seen the document say the report finds that for all the analysis over the past 30 years, especially of light rail transit, crucial information has not been looked at. The report says there's no analysis of what taxpayers will get in the way of
February 6, 1998 - use this edited version Republican gubernatorial candidates made their pitch for the environmentalist vote last night (THURS). State Senator Roy Terwilliger and former State Representative Allen Quist took questions from the League of Conservation Voters, a group that's trying to get all the candidates on the record on issues ranging from nuclear waste storage to wetlands. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports: If last night's League of Conservation Voters forum is any indication, urban sprawl and the transportation problems that go with it has become a top-priority issue for Minnesota environmentalists. The audience peppered the candidates with questions about land use planning, mass transit and gridlock -- and the two Republicans offered some surprising
February 9, 1998 - Minnesota's tobacco trial enters its third week today, with more questioning of a spokesman for the tobacco industry's trade association. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.