November 30, 1998 - MPR’s Dan Olson reports on the varied opinions on the war on drugs…no where is the difference more striking than on the front lines. There's a rising tide of voices saying we're not winning the war on drugs so we should legalize all or most of them.
November 30, 1998 - Governor-elect Jesse Ventura told Minnesota farmers today his wife - who raises horses - will be a voice for agriculture. Ventura addressed the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation's annual meeting, and although he was short on specifics, he got an enthusiastic response. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports... Ventura told farmers his wife Terry - who grew up in rural Minnesota and now breeds show horses on their 32-acre farm in Maple Grove - will be receptive to their concerns... ("She will probably be the best ear you have!" applause "Because one of her main focuses will be the farm industry as the firs
December 1, 1998 - In about a year, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service is expected to take gray wolves in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan off the endangered species list. The return of the wolf is seen by some as a high profile success for the Endangered Species Act. The purpose of the Endangered Species Act is to protect endangered animals and plants until their populations recover and they can be taken off the endangered species list.
December 1, 1998 - MPR’s Karen Louise Boothe reports that Governor Arne Carlson has presented a plan to spend another $51 million on three "quality of life" initiatives. the proposal calls for aid for homeless children, more funding for the arts, and money to clean up and maintain Minnesota lakes.
December 2, 1998 - ONE OF MINNESOTA'S MOST DIVISIVE DISPUTES NOW RESTS WITH THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT. THE 9 JUSTICES PEPPERED ATTORNEYS WITH QUESTIONS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) TODAY ON WHETHER THE MILLE LACS BAND OF OJIBWE HAS RETAINED RIGHTS TO HUNT AND FISH OFF ITS RESERVATION FREE FROM STATE REGULATION. AT THE HEART OF THE DISPUTE IS WHETHER THE BAND HAS THE RIGHT TO SPEARFISH ON THE STATE'S PREMIER WALLEYE LAKE: LAKE MILLE LACS. MINNESOTA PUBLIC RADIO'S ELIZABETH STAWICKI REPORTS... Sun 28-MAY 07:42:32 MPR NewsPro Archive - Wed 04/11/2001
December 2, 1998 - The U-S Supreme Court hears arguments on a Minnesota treaty rights case this week (December 2nd) that could have wide-ranging implications for tribal rights throughout the country. The Court will decide whether the Mille Lacs (mill-LAKS') Band of Chippewa has retained rights to spearfish off its reservation free from State regulation. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports: The Chippewa say they need to carry on their centuries-old practice of spearfishing to keep their culture alive. But that tradition has enraged sportsfishermen and resort owners. They say the chippewa are depleting the lakes of the highly prized game fish--walleye. Spearing is an efficient way to fish and can result in a catch of hundreds of walleye in a few hours. During the 1980's violence erupted over this conflict in Wisconsin; a
December 3, 1998 - Governor Arne Carlson released the final budget forecast of his administration today, and the state's economic picture is rosy. It shows a surplus of one-and-a-half billion dollars for the bienium ending in June. Republicans, D-F-L'ers and Governor-elect Jesse Ventura all support giving some of the surplus back to taxpayers, but the debate is over when to return the money. It's a political minefield for Ventura who swept into office on the strength of promises to cut taxes. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports... Governor Carlson was gleeful as he announced he's leaving the state in a much better financial condition than when he arrived in office. He says a combination of spending cuts, a healthy economy and the state's tobacco settlement have led to higher than expected revenues...
December 3, 1998 - MPR’s Mary Losure reports on Governor-elect Jesse Ventura touring the state’s Department of Natural Resources and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Hundreds of state employees gave an enthusiastic welcome to Ventura as he visited the two state agencies that oversee Minnesota's environment.
December 3, 1998 - One of the people Governor-elect Ventura turned to for advice on the surplus was Wells Fargo Bank chief economist Dr. Sung Won Sohn. Sohn says he advised the new governor to be cautious: Wells Fargo Bank Senior Vice President and chief economist Dr. Sung Won Sohn. Sun 28-MAY 07:41:51 MPR NewsPro Archive - Wed 04/11/2001
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.