May 26, 1998 - MPR’s Lynette Nyman reports on the fourth Citizen's Forum on the Governor's Race, held in four locations around the state on Friday, May 22, 1998. The subject of forum was crime. People from across the state gathered in Duluth, Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Mankato to discuss and develop questions for the candidates running for Governor of Minnesota.
May 26, 1998 - Critics unleashed a new round of attacks today on Attorney General Skip Humphrey for letting private lawyers earn half a billion dollars from the state's tobacco lawsuit. Republican gubernatorial candidate Allen Quist says not only is the law firm's $566 Million dollar fee too big, it's also ILLEGAL under Minnesota statutes. But a non-partisan law professor says Quist does NOT have much of a case against Humphrey. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste has the story: Allen Quist never liked Skip Humphrey's tobacco lawsuit. He thinks the lawsuit is the wrong way to fight youth smoking, and he doesn't like the state's contingency-fee arrangement with the private
May 26, 1998 - The federal government has awarded more than $21 million dollars to the city of Minneapolis for housing and community development. Federal officials say Minneapolis is an example of what they want cities to do to get federal housing money. Minnesota Public Radio's Eric Jansen reports.
May 26, 1998 - Four tenth graders at a St. Cloud High school were suspended today for allegedly making death threats against students, staff, and teachers. Ed Johnson, Principal at Technical Senior High School, says three of the boys posted a so-called "kill list" of potential targets on the internet. A fourth student allegedy made threats against students and teachers while in a school cafeteria. There have been similar incidents at other Minnesota schools recently, and after last week's shooting in Springfield Oregon, schools aren't taking any chances with threats like these. Worried principals have been calling Robert Schmidt all day today. Schmidt heads the Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals:
May 27, 1998 - With the announcement of the U's Cancer Center winning a prestigious designation from the National Cancer Institute, Dr. John Kersey, Director of the University of Minnesota Cancer Center talks about the latest developments in cancer research and treatment. Dr. Kersey answers listener questions.
May 27, 1998 - School administrators throughout Minnesota are telling students they'll no longer tolerate threats of violence. There's been a rash of suspensions throughout the state this month of students suspected of threatening teachers or other students. School officials admit some of these these incidents might have been ignored in the past...but the recent school shootings in Oregon, Arkansas and Kentucky have hightened safety concerns in classrooms. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports... The reports are disturbing. Two students at Woodbury Junior High accused of threatening to kill a teacher. Four tenth-graders in Saint Cloud suspended for allegedly making death threats. Three of the boys posted a list of the people they wanted to see killed on the Internet. Students in at least
May 27, 1998 - There's word today the federal transporation bill contains money to help build LRT along the Hiawatha corridor in Minneapolis. The prospect of a shiney new light rail line has stolen the transit spotlight the last few months. But the man credited with playing a key role in securing the LRT dollars told an audience at Minneapolis transit forum today buses must play a bigger role in Twin Cities transit. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports. Dozens of North American cities have a head start over Minneapolis on light rail transit projects. But Congressman Martin Sabo says the effort to win federal funds for the Hiawatha avenue line is a turning point. He says it shows interest groups are once again thinking about the future. But Sabo cautions while Light rail is glamorous says bus
May 27, 1998 - The federal government has awarded more than $21 million dollars to the city of Minneapolis for housing and community development. Federal officials cite Minneapolis as an example of what they want cities to do to get federal housing money. Minnesota Public Radio's Eric Jansen reports: The Federal Housing and Urban Development Department made the public announcement via speaker-phone in a conversation with Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton. HUD Secretary Andrew Cuomo told Sayles Belton Minneapolis is a great example of what HUD wants cities to do under a consolidated planning process started during President Clinton's first term:
May 27, 1998 - Negotiations between Northwest Airlnes and its two most powerful unions are resuming this week under the direction of two of the three members of the presidential appointed National Mediation Board. Pilots returned to negotiations on Sunday in Washington State. The Machinsits are to be back at the table this morning in Washington D.C. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports...
May 28, 1998 - As part of our "Meet the Candidates" series, the DFL candidates for Attorney General, State Senator Ember Reichgott Junge; former Commerce Commissioner Mike Hatch, and former U.S. Attorney David Lillehaug, answer questions from listeners about various topics, including gun laws, HMOs, and death penalty. Program begins with a Minnesota attorney general report.