December 2, 1998 - Tensions between US and Canadian farmers are risning rise again, and may erupt this weekend. Plans are being laid to repeat -- and expand -- September's border blockade of Canadian agricultural goods to market in the US. But Canada is not backing down saying such protests will do nothing to resolve longstanding conflicts between the US and Canada. Yesterday in Washington, the Canadian minister of Agriculture told farm representatives the border delays, and indeed much of US farmers' antagonism toward Canada are based on misperceptions. From Washington, Emily Harris reports. TRXX 1: Canadian Agriculture Minister Lyle Vanklief says US farmer complaints of Canadian trade obstacles are BASED ON RUMOUR not facts -- and are being MADE loudly now due to worldwide low prices for
December 2, 1998 - If all goes as planned, the space shuttle Endeavour will lift off from the Kennedy Space Center in Flordia early tomorrow morning carrying a key component of the new International Space Station. Minnesota has some interesting connections to the first of what will be dozens of shuttle flights associated with construction of the space station. Native son Bob Cabana is commanding the shuttle mission, making his fourth trip to space. And Minnesota-based Honeywell is one of the top contractors that's helping to build the research facility. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports...
December 3, 1998 - MPR's Brent Wolfe has this Mainstreet report on the study of tundra swans. The Upper Mississippi River between Wabasha and La Crosse is a temporary home to as many as 15,000 tundra swans, as they stop off here each winter enroute from their breeding grounds along Alaska's north slope to their wintering grounds on the Chesapeake Bay.
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 3, 1998 - (UPDATE TO REFLECT LAUNCH SCRUB ETC!) TOP WITH LAUNCH TAPE!!!! The space shuttle Endeavour will lifted of early this morning from the Kennedy Space Center in Flordia carrying a key component of the new International Space Station. Minnesota has some interesting connections to the first of what will be dozens of shuttle flights associated with construction of the space station. Native son Bob Cabana is commanding the shuttle mission, making his fourth trip to space. And Minnesota-based Honeywell is one of the top contractors that's helping to build the research facility. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports...
December 4, 1998 - Farmers are planning a blockade at the Canadian border this weekend. Some of the dozens of border crossings from Minnesota to Seattle will be closed. Loggers in Maine say they will shut down a border crossing in solidarity with Midwestern farmers. Protest organizers say Canadian ag products are flooding the U-S market, driving down prices. They want more restrictions on Canadian trade. But some trade experts say farmers are fighting the wrong battle. Minnesota Public Radios Dan Gunderson reports... For Curt Trulson the issue is fairly simple. Canadian wheat is pouring into the U-S, and wheat prices are at rock bottom.
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.
December 4, 1998 - Minnesota charities say Minnesota's unusually warm weather is threatening their bottom lines. Many agencies say most folk don't get into the giving mood until cold and snow let them know the holidays have arrived. Minnesota Public Radio's Eric Jansen reports: With temperatures reaching into the 50s and 60s for more than a week, it feels more like spring than fall or winter. And non-profits say that's causing them problems: 1:10 "People are enjoying the nice weather outside, and are just grabbing those golf clubs, not reaching for their wallets,