August 3, 2000 - As Republicans wrap up their national convention in Philadelphia and Democrats prepare to hold theirs in another week, Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura ratcheted up his criticism of the two major parties. During a call-in show on Minnesota Public Radio, Ventura blasted Republicans for inviting a pro-wrestler to address the convention, and attacked the corporate-sponsored festivities found at both events. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
August 3, 2000 -
August 4, 2000 - Presidential candidate George W. Bush speaks at the Republican Convention and uses Minnesotan Mary Jo Copeland as an anecdote. Interviews with Minnesota delegates are included.
August 4, 2000 - Mary Jo Copeland, director of Sharing and Caring Hands in Minneapolis, got a dose of nationwide attention in Governor Bush's nomination acceptance speech last night at the Republican National Convention in Philadelphia.
August 7, 2000 - Minnesota has never elected a woman to the United States Senate -- but that will change this year if Rebecca Yanisch has her way. The Minneapolis D-F-Ler is the only female major party candidate seeking to challenge incumbent Republican Rod Grams. Although she's never held elected office, Yanisch is counting on her experiences growing up in the Red River Valley and her time as Minneapolis' top development official to propel her through the D-F-L primary to a match-up with Grams in November. In the second in our series of candidate profiles, Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo takes a look at Rebecca Yanisch.
August 7, 2000 - About six hundred state legislators from across the midwest will be in Minneapolis this week to talk about issues that concern them all. They're in town for an annual meeting of the Midwestern Legislative Conference. The bipartisan group will discuss issues like education and the future of farming in an attempt to improve state government and cooperation between states. Minnesota state senator John Hottinger (HOT-in-jer) is the chair of the M-L-C. He's on the line now.
August 7, 2000 - Minnesota Democrats are generally applauding Vice President Al Gore's selection of Conneticut Senator Joseph Lieberman as his running mate. But some say Lieberman won't do much to help the ticket in Minnesota because of his relatively conservative positons on some issues including school vouchers and the privatization of social security. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports...
August 8, 2000 - A Minnesota Supreme Court candidate WILL be allowed to use his wife's maiden name on the ballot. Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer today (TUESDAY) ruled that Greg Wersal can use Carlson as his middle name. Wersal's opponent - Justice James Gilbert - complained that Wersal's use of a well-known Scandinavian name could give Wersal an unfair advantage. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports...
August 9, 2000 - Citizens in Rochester are gearing up for the expected release of a key environmental document regarding the Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern Railroad's expansion plan. It's the most important event so far in the contentious fight over plans to expand rail lines in Wyoming, South Dakota and southern Minnesota for coal trains. Rochester leaders are bitterly opposed to the plan and have formed a new group dedicated to stop it. Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes reports the renewed opposition effort has considerable political might which sparks concerns from many rural residents who aren't included.
August 9, 2000 - Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura has been selected to serve on a U-S Surgeon General's committee to eliminate the disparities in racial and ethnic health. While Minnesota is one of the healthiest states in the country, Ventura says there's a huge difference between the health care of white Minnesotans and people of color in the state. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...