March 25, 1998 - A state senator has withdrawn a proposed ban on so-called partial birth abortions, after he says opponents hobbled it with an unfriendly amendment today on the Senate floor.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 - State's attorneys in Minnesota's tobacco trial are expected to begin cross-examining a historian who testified yesterday that Minnesotans have long known about the health risks of smoking. University of Minnesota history professor Hy Berman told jurors the public has known cigarettes were hazardous more than 100 years ago. Minnesota public radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports: The tobacco companies are trying to poke holes in the State's contention they lied, covered-up and deceived the public about the dangers of smoking. History professor Hy Berman told jurors Minnesotans have known smoking is hazardous to health for decades from their schoolbooks, teachers and press coverage. He said Minnesota school teachers have taught students about the h
March 26, 1998 - MPR’s Bob Collins reports on a Ramsey County judge considering whether to order the Minnesota Twins and Major League Baseball to submit over 30 years of documents to Attorney General Skip Humphrey, whose office is investigating whether a threatened move of the Minnesota Twins to North Carolina violates federal anti-trust laws.
March 26, 1998 - Residents of the southeastern Minnesota community of Spring Valley are trying to make sense of the news that one of the boys accused of shooting and killing five people in a Jonesboro, Arkansas school yard comes from their town. Residents find themselves dodging televisions crews and reporters while trying to understand how someone they knew could be involved in such a grisly incident. Minnesota Public Radios Brent Wolfe reports. Mitchell Johnson went to school at Kingsland Elementary school and belonged to a cub scout pack with Debbie Biers son.
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 26, 1998 - The first defense witness in Minnesota's tobacco trial today underwent vigorous cross-examination from the state. Minnesota historian Hy Berman testified Minnesotans have long been aware of the health risks of smoking, but lead plaintiff attorney pointed out gaps in his research. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports... Tobacco companies are using their first witness to argue they aren't liable for the health care costs of smoking - as the state and Blue Cross Blue Shield claim - because smokers choose to smoke knowing the health risks. Over the past two days, history professor Hy Berman cited massive media coverage and public education in the 50s and 60s to conclude Minnesotans have been a
March 26, 1998 - Minnesota Opera Artistic Director Dale Johnson discusses Un bel di Puccini's "Madame Butterfly" as one of four operas selected as part of the 1999 Minnesota Opera season. The company will also perform Gounod's "Faust", Verdi's "Otello," and Britten's "Turn of the Screw."
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 - The recovery from last spring's flooding is going faster in Breckenridge, Minnesota, than anywhere else in the Red River Valley. Dikes already line the river banks of two rivers in the city. The Army Corps of Engineers is studying the city's need for further dike protection. But city officials are concerned the community could experience spring floods for years while they wait for the study to be completed. Minnesota Public Radio's Hope Deutscher reports. In the middle of downtown Breckenridge, the Bois De Sioux River and the Ottertail River converge to form the Red River. This spring the rivers look peaceful...the water is slowing moving through the channel. It's a much