November 17, 1998 - Some well-known political figures signed up as volunteer advisers to Governor-elect Jesse Ventura today (TUES). The eight-person advisory committee includes outgoing Lieutenant Governor Joanne Benson, Republican state representative Charlie Weaver and former Congressman Tim Penny. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste has this report on Ventura's growing circle of advisers -- and their role in the future administration. Jesse Ventura's new advisers come from a variety of political backgrounds, but as far as the Governor-elect is concerned, they have a common pragmatic approach to politics: ((VENTURA: committee members were chosen for their independent thinking, and their ability to work in a non-partisan manner.))
November 17, 1998 - MPR’s Dan Olson reports on how some Minnesota farmers are putting a few extra dollars in their pocket by selling what they usually plow under. A St. Peter company is making building materials as strong as wood from the straw left after farmers harvest soybeans and wheat.
November 18, 1998 - As part of the Our State, Our Forests series, a Mainstreet Radio special broadcast from MPR studios in Duluth, highlighting the Minnesota Northwoods. In this hour, MPR’s Rachel Reabe presents stories by reporters Leif Enger and Mary Losure which portray the timber industry past and present and describe its impact on the environment and economy of Northern Minnesota.
November 18, 1998 - As part of the Our State, Our Forests series, a Mainstreet Radio special broadcast from MPR studios in Duluth, highlighting the Minnesota Northwoods. Rachel Reabe hosts a discussion/debate on forestry in Minnesota with Jim Sanders, forest supervisor for the Superior National Forest; Betsy Daub, forest program director for the Minnesota office of the National Audubon Society; and Wayne Brandt, executive vice-president for Forest Industries.
November 18, 1998 - As Ventura prepares to take office, he is sure to remember the political experts and lobbyists who gave him little respect before the election. Now some of those same people are flocking to his office asking for jobs. Morning Show humorist Dale Connelly imagined how those ‘career politicians’ are feeling about now with the song creation "Governor Body"...(with apologies to Leonard Bernstein and his "Officer Krupky" from West Side Story).
November 18, 1998 - The interim chancellor of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system is getting a big raise and some added job security. The MnSCU board voted today (Wednesday) to offer a new contract to Morrie Anderson, who's served as chancellor for 15 months. MnSCU officials hope the move pays off in the legislature as they seek a big funding increase. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports... Morrie Anderson took over as head of the newly merged system of state universities, technical colleges and community colleges in July 1997. He replaced Judith Eaton, who resigned after getting on the wrong side of many legislators. Anderson served as Governor Carlson's chief of staff, and his state capitol know-how, helped repair a lot of the damage. Mn
November 18, 1998 - MPR’s Martin Kaste reports on the first meeting of Governor-elect Jesse Ventura and Senate Majority Leader Roger Moe, who met privately to discuss legislative priorities for 1999. Despite what Ventura calls "philosophical differences" between the two men, their respective "to-do" lists appear to have a lot in common.
November 18, 1998 - The Minnesota Environmental Quality board today gave the green light to a new north/south runway at Twin Cities International Airport. The Board unanimously approved an environmental impact statement for the runway, over the objections of the city of Richfield. But Richfield officials said the decision was a partial victory. Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Catlin reports. Richfield's primary complaint has been that the Metropolitan Airports commission environmental impact statement gives short shrift to problems caused by low frequency noise ... the dull Rumbling from jets that can cause vibration in walls windows and doors. Richfield residents packed the basement hearing room in the State office building, hefting signs tha
November 18, 1998 - In less than an hour yesterday, the Childrens Theater Company sold out tickets for a performance of "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas." It was the latest in a new CTC program "Pay what You Can", which allows buyers to decide how much to pay for tickets. The program is one of the innovations brought by the CTC's artistic Director of a year... Peter Brosius (BRO-sious.) This season is the first selected by Brosius, and to some degree it signals a move away from adaptations of childrens' classics to new works and plays that deal with modern issues. Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Roberts reports.
November 18, 1998 - The University of Minneosta has reached an out-of-court settlement with the federal government over charges relating to its ALG drug research program. The university has agreed to pay $32 million dollars in damages to resolve the case. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.