April 1, 1998 - Midday broadcast of Richard Boucher, U.S. consul general to Hong Kong, speaking at Minnesota Meeting. Address is entitled "Advancing U.S. Interests in Hong Kong and Asia: Beyond Transition and Crisis." Topics of speech include current status of Hong Kong under China rule and the Asian economic crisis.
April 1, 1998 - MPR's Bob Kelleher reports from Duluth, where one of the Ojibwe Bands that had staked its fortunes on a casino at Hudson, Wisconsin is now struggling under a new financial crisis. Northern Wisconsin's Red Cliff Band was one of three whose joint application to build a new Casino near Minnesota's border was rejected by Interior Department Secretary Bruce Babbitt, triggering a federal investigation. The Red Cliff Band has declared a state of emergency after discovering a huge shortfall of cash intended to support social programs. Now it is trying to keep services in place.
April 2, 1998 - Steven Schier, Carleton College political science professor, and employment lawyer/sexual harassment expert Ellen Sampson, of the Minneapolis law firm Leonard, Street and Deinard, discuss the implications of the Paula Jones lawsuit being thrown out of court. Schier and Sampson also answer listener questions.
April 3, 1998 - State attorneys in Minnesota's tobacco trial showed industry memos that suggest companies knew low-tar cigarettes could be as dangerous as full-flavored cigarettes but never told the public. Attorneys introduced the memos during cross-examination of defense witness--David Townsend. Townsend is vice president of product development at the nation's second largest cigarette maker--R-J Reynolds. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports: A 1990 RJR memo said low-tar cigarettes aren't what they claim to be; and advertising ultra low-tar is misleading. It said smokers tend to smoke until they reach their individual requirement for nicotine by inhaling low tar cigarettes more deeply or subconsciously blocking vents on filters with their fingers or mouth.
April 3, 1998 - ST. PAUL Friday morning.edition. A comprehensive tobacco bill, which a U.S. Senate committee approved this week, could go to the senate floor next month. The action underscores the tobacco industry's eroding political influence--and hints at the national importance of information being released during the Minnesota trial against big tobacco industries. Minnesota Public Radio's Karen Louise boothe reports: The legislation would force tobacco companies to pay 506-Billion dollars over 25 years and curb their marketing practices. The bill grants fewer legal protections by allowing all lawsuits against tobacco companies, including class actions. It's legislation that supporters and opponents ALIKE say could kill the industry.
April 3, 1998 - The federal government this week released its first audit of itself, and the results are not good. You would expect that an operation the size of the U. S. government - $1.6 trillion a year - would lose track of a few transactions. But the General Accounting Office report finds the government doesn't know what it owns, or what it owes and doesn't have the record keeping system in place to find the answers. The good news is state government, at least in Minnesota, appears to have a much better handle on its affairs. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports.
April 3, 1998 - (THIS ONE... a little long for news, maybe drop-in for ATC as "leg update") House negotiators may block $87 million in state money for the Minneapolis Convention Center unless the Senate relaxes its opposition to the Saint Paul hockey arena. Minnesota Public Radio's Maritn Kaste reports: The deadlock over the Saint Paul hockey arena is beginning to put other projects at risk. The Senate opposes the arena, so House negotiators are now saying they'll block the Minneapolis project, too. The threat is probably a bargaining tactic, but it worried Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton enough for her to rush over to the capitol earlier this afternoon to do damage control. House Speaker Phil Carruthers says he does not necessarily endorse his negotiators' tactics, but he thinks the Senate should be more fair to Saint Paul:
April 6, 1998 - House Speaker Phil Carruthers discusses the ending of the legislative session. Topics include tax rebate, St. Paul arena, education, and Health and Human Services bill. Carruthers also answers listener questions.
April 6, 1998 - Midday presents a broadcast of Grand Forks Mayor Pat Owens speaking to St. Peter residents at First Lutheran Church. Owens empathizes with St. Peter’s tornado disaster by reflecting on the devastating flooding that impacted Grand Forks the prior year. Program then turns to Vincent Harding speech on Martin Luther King, presented as part of coverage on 30th anniversary of King’s assassination, and his legacy.
April 6, 1998 - (For Monday M.E. 4/6) *REVISED* Tobacco attorneys hope the U-S supreme court will block the release of nearly 40-thousand secret industry documents today (Monday). The tobacco industry will have to release those files to the state by 4 pm unless the high court intervenes. The state of minnesota and blue cross blue shield want the files for use in the state's lawsuit against the tobacco industry. Minnesota public radio's elizabeth stawicki reports: The tobacco companies had asked Justice Scalia to delay indefinately an order they turn over the secret files. Scalia then turned the matter over to the full court. those files are expected to include industry research relating to smoking and health, underage smokers, and tobacco companies' pr