December 14, 1999 - The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities board of trustees must soon decide the future of an aging technical college. MinnesotaSCU officials say the Anoka-Hennepin Technical College needs at least 30-million dollars in repairs, which they cannot afford to make. A plan to close the school and relocate its programs is angering students, faculty and local residents.
December 16, 1999 - MPR’s Annie Feidt tests out the snow with a few cross-country skiers as they hit the trails at Trollhaugen and hope for more snow.
December 17, 1999 - The National Audobon Society will kick off its 100th annual Christmas bird count tomorrow. The first year, only 27 people showed up to count. This year, the Audobon Society expects 50,000 volunteers worldwide to participate. In Minnesota, about 30 groups across the state will form count circles. They'll record every bird they see in a 15 mile radius. Don Arnosty is the Minnesota Director of the National Audobon Society. He says the count started as a way to promote protecting birds instead of hunting them.
December 17, 1999 - The Plains Art Museum in Fargo is claimin a national first. Its the only museum in the United States to house a fine art printmaking studio.
December 17, 1999 - A recent layoff at IBM in Rochester is providing an experienced pool of applicants for other worker-hungry high-tech firms. The unemployment rate in Rochester is a slim 1.7 percent--even lower for skilled technology workers. Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes reports the layoffs aren't bad news for everyone.
December 20, 1999 - Mainstreet Radio's Leif Enger shipped aboard a Bulgarian tramp freighter as it departed for Italy with a load of North Dakota wheat. As the last ship of the season departed Duluth early in the morning, the St. Lawrence Seaway's 40th season draws to a close.
December 20, 1999 - Central High School in Pipestone, is one of the worst school buildings in the state. Several classrooms and the auditorium are closed by order of the fire marshal. In theory, everyone agrees the school is in bad shape and the consolidated district needs a new one. What they can't agree on is a plan for the new school, and if the town's agricultural-based economy can afford it. Residents vote tomorrow on a 20 million dollar bond referendum. Minnesota Public Radio's Cara Hetland says the issue that's divided the town, has also left students at Central thinking about the future.
December 21, 1999 - It's being billed as the final full moon of the 1900's--bigger and brighter than anything we've seen in 133 years. Tonight and tomorrow's full moon coincides with the winter solstice and happens when the moon is at its closest point to earth, but astronomers aren't hyping this celestial event. John Dickey is a professor of astronomy at the University of Minnesota. He says he's not sure what all the fuss is about.
December 21, 1999 - MPR’s Brent Wolfe reports on health experts at the Mayo Clinic embarking on an effort to cutting the fat in Olmsted County. They want to prove they can change the lifestyle of an entire community and decrease the rate of heart disease in the county.
December 22, 1999 - Two families today sued the Minnesota Department of Human Services. The lawsuit filed in federal court claims the state is not fulfilling its federally mandated responsiblity to provide state assistance services to everyone.