March 25, 1998 - SAINT PAUL MAYOR NORM COLEMAN USED YESTERDAY'S STATE OF THE CITY SPEECH TO HIGHLIGHT SOME WAYS THE CITY CAN HELP RESIDENTS WHO ARE STRUGGLING WITH POVERTY DURING THESE COMPARATIVELY PROSPEROUS ECONOMIC TIMES. PREVENTING TEEN PREGNANCY AND OVERCOMING DRUG ADDICTION WERE AMONG THE THEMES INCLUDED IN COLEMAN'S SPEECH. MINNESOTA PUBLIC RADIO'S WILLIAM WILCOXEN REPORTS... COLEMAN, WHO WAS RE-ELECTED MAYOR IN NOVEMBER, IS NOW CAMPAIGNING FOR THE REPUBLICAN GUBERNATORIAL NOMINATION. HE OPENED HIS STATE OF THE CITY SPEECH BY REVIEWING SOME OF THE MEASURES BY WHICH SAINT PAUL IS SUCCEEDING: RECORD-LOW UNEMPLOYMENT, A RESURGENT TAX BASE DOWNTOWN, MORE BUILDING PERMITS BEING ISSUED, AND MORE MONEY IN THE CITY'S BANK ACCOUNT. LATER HE ACKN
March 25, 1998 - A state senator has withdrawn a proposed ban on so-called partial birth abortions, after he says opponents hobbled it with an unfriendly amendment today on the Senate floor. Minnesota Public Radios Eric Jansen reports from the state capitol: The author, Republican Senator Tom Neuville, says he withdrew his proposal to ban what are commonly called partial-birth abortions because an amendment by another senator changed it so drastically it would have been ineffective: "I dont want to put anything on the books any laws
March 25, 1998 - Today, in the first full day of defense testimony, the tobacco companies' witness in the state's trial discussed the volume of information on smoking and health available to Minnesotans. A key defense argument is that the dangers of smoking were well-known, therefore tobacco companies didn't mislead the public about health risks...as the state and Blue Cross Blue Shield claim. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports... Yesterday, University of Minnesota historian Hy Berman ended his testimoney with a Christopher Columbus' quote on the vice of tobacco. Today, he picked up his history lesson where he left off, moving int
March 26, 1998 - The Minnesota House has approved legislation to put a new constitutional right to hunt and fish on the ballot in November. The legislation passed with overwhelming support, but there seems to be some confusion over what it means. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports: The House spent at least an hour today wrangling over whether "taking game and fish" should be enshrined in the state constitution as a "right" or a "privilege." After a couple of close votes, House members settled on "privilege." The Minnesota Deer Hunters Association had been lobbying for "right," which they think might carry more clout in court. They want to counter what they perceive as growing hostility to their hobby from animal rights groups and some environmentalists. Anoka Republican -- and Attorney General candidate -- Charlie Weaver told House members that hunters have a right to feel worried:
March 27, 1998 - The Minnesota Supreme Court has let stand a lower court ruling requiring tobacco companies to turn over more internal documents in the state's tobacco case. The state's high court has given the companies until five p.m. next Wednesday to turn over 39-thousand secret documents to the state's attorneys. Hamline University Law Professor Joseph Daly says big tobacco has just one avenue left for appeal--the U-S Supreme Court: Hamline University Law professor Joseph Daly has been a frequent observer of Minnesota's tobacco trial. Sun 28-MAY 11:53:04 MPR NewsPro Archive - Wed 04/11/2001
March 27, 1998 - Both sides in Minnesota's tobacco trial claimed a University of Minnesota history professor boosted THEIR case. Defense witness Historian Hy Berman repeated a tobacco company theme that Minnesotans have long known about the health risks of smoking. But Berman also supported evidence that showed the industry misled the public. Minnesota public radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports: At times it was hard to know just who Hy Berman was testifying for. The tobacco attorneys had hired him but when Berman stepped down from the witness stand he gave a thumbs up and a warm handshake to state's attorney Mike Ciresi. Even after court Berman refused to take sides:
March 30, 1998 - Midday presents a special report on the tornadoes that destroyed large parts of St. Peter and Comfrey. MPR’s reporters detail the massive destruction in the Minnesota towns and provide updates on aftermath. Program also includes various interviews and accounts from listeners.
March 31, 1998 - Midday presents a special report on the tornadoes that went through southern Minnesota and destroyed large parts of St. Peter and Comfrey. MPR reporters give updates on aftermath, followed by various interviews and accounts from listeners.
March 31, 1998 - The U-S House today takes up a massive highway funding bill that over the next six years will direct billions of dollars to the states. The bill would provide Minnesota 140-million dollars for special projects like roads, buses and trails. Of that amount, more than half is earmarked for projects in the 8th Congressional District, the District represented by Jim Oberstar, the ranking Democrat on the House Transportation Committee. Constituents credit Oberstar with bringing home the bacon; while critics say he's handing out pork. Minnesota Public Radio's Bob Kelleher reports from Duluth....
April 1, 1998 - DFL Senator Larry Pogemiller and Republican Representative Alice Seagren discuss education funding and issues. “Profile of Learning” standard is part of discussion. Pogemiller and Seagren also answer listener questions.