September 15, 1998 - The polls opened at seven on this primary morning, when only twenty-percent of the electorate was expected to show up to exercise the franchise. Minnesota Public Radio's John Rabe spoke with voters outside three polling places this morning: a library in Uptown Minneapolis, an apartment building in North Minneapolis, and a fire station at Snelling and Selby in Saint Paul. John asked them WHO they voted for, IF they're thinking of the Clinton scandal, and WHY they came to the polls in the first place. Twin Cities voters speaking with Minnesota Public Radio's John Rabe this morning. Sun 28-MAY 08:56:39 MPR NewsPro Archive - Wed 04/11/2001
September 15, 1998 - The farm crisis is about to enter a new phase as Minnesota farmers begin their corn and soybean harvests....the states largest cash crops. The price of those grains is so low most farmers plan to store the crop until prices improve. Farmers and grain elevators are scrambling to find enough space to hold the crop. Mainstreet Radio's Mark Steil reports: traffic sounds up Along highway 14 in Walnut Grove is an example of how one farmer beat the grain storage problem. On a corner is a turn of the century grain elevator. Along with some steel bins added later, the complex once was
September 15, 1998 - (FOR TUES M.E.) It's primary election day in Minnesota. The biggest prize at stake today is the DFL nomination for Governor, a five-way race that still seems very much up-for-grabs. But there are other races on the party ballots, some of them just as hard to call as the DFL gubernatorial nomination. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports: A strategist on one of the leading gubernatorial campaigns recently complained that he's had a tough time getting the public to pay attention to his candidate. He says people seem too distracted by the Clinton scandal, the Northwest airlines strike and baseball's homerun record to pay attention to politics. But if a big-name candidate for gove
September 15, 1998 - Farm groups met with President Clinton today to urge quick action on what they're calling a crisis in the country's farm economy. Farm income is falling due to low prices as well as losses from drought, storms and plant diseases. Lawmakers want to provide a bail-out but have been unable to agree on how much to spend or how to distribute it. The House did vote today to use the budget surplus for farm aid rather than requiring politically impossible cuts in other government programs. Minnesota Farmers Union President Dave Frederickson flew to Washington today to urge the president and lawmakers to free up more money for loans: Minnesota Farmers Union President Dave Frederickso
September 15, 1998 - In Minnesota Public Radio's Mississippi River series, we've reported on Twin Cities' efforts to re-integrate the riverfront into city planning, and we've looked at efforts to balance commercial and recreational uses of the river. We've also looked at the environmental impact of using the river as an industrial thoroughfare. In this final segment, we'll focus on the geology of the river, and in particular, its waterfalls. The only waterfalls along the 23-hundred miles of the MIssissippi are all clustered in the Twin Cities. Author Richard Arey recently published a limited edition book called Waterfalls of the Mississippi that tells their story. Arey says the biggest falls, River Warren Falls, in what is now downtown St. Paul were once the largest in North America:
September 15, 1998 - As part of a series of stories following the path of the "Father of Waters,” aka the Mississippi River, Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes has this Mainstreet report on the he U.S. Army Corps, which vigorously controls the river in the southeastern part of Minnesota. That has come at a environmental cost…a loss of diversity.
September 15, 1998 - On this Midday, two former governors and two former chiefs of staff talk to Gary Eichten about the role of governor. Topics include the skills required, administration staff, understanding of state budget, and developing agenda. The guests also answer listener questions.
September 16, 1998 - After an exceptionally long primary campaign with an unusually large number of contenders, the DFL party has narrowed its field of gubernatorial candidates to one: Attorney General Skip Humphrey. Strategists for the Republican candidate, St Paul Mayor Norm Coleman, say now that they know who the opposition is, their campaign will intensify. Minnesota Public Radio's reports: Campaign workers say they've had a hard time focusing the voters' attention in the last few months, with seven major candidates vying for column-inches and air time. Now that it's down to three, Coleman strategist Chris Georgacas says the REAL campaign begins:
September 16, 1998 - Minnesota's race for Governor is now down to three major party candidates. Recent polls had predicted Skip Humphrey would win yesterday's five-way D-F-L primary. Humphrey, who has consistently had the highest name recognition, captured about 38-percent of the vote. Not surprisingly, Republican Norm Coleman - who faced token opposition - won his primary, and the Reform Party's Jesse Ventura - who had no opponent at all - also goes on to the November general election. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports... The man with Minnesota's most famous political name called his primary victory a very special night. In a race of the sons of favorite sons, however, the highlight of the evening may have been a
September 16, 1998 - The election primary for the State's top lawyer--Attorney General now sets the stage for a November race between a former commerce commissioner who wants to investigate the health insurance industry and an Anoka State representative who wants to fight juvenile crime. Both winners have different plans for the office that's largely fought consumer fraud under Skip Humphrey's direction for the past 16 years. Minnesota public radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports.