March 18, 1999 - In the Hollywood world of perfect families and happy endings, not many openly gay stars find acceptance or a steady income. But in 1930, the top box office draw was gay, and he refused to take any of the usual steps to hide his sexuality. Billy Haines' unusual sucess is the subject of the book Wisecraker, by William Mann, just out in paperback. Mann told Minnesota Public Radio's Stephanie Curtis Haines wasn't a great actor, but he had something the audience loved.
March 29, 1999 - To close out the millennium, Minnesota Public Radio's All Things Considered presents a look back at Minnesota life in 1900 via a 12-part series, entitled “A Minnesota Century.” In this segment…the story of Lincoln Fey.
March 30, 1999 - The state's longest-serving legislator returned to the Minnesota House on Monday member returned to the Legislature after nearly a two-month absence. Eighty-eight-year-old DFL Representative Willard Munger is recuperating from surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from his colon. Munger will start chemotherapy Tuesday. In a speech marking his return, Munger took friendly shots at lawmakers. He says he was keeping tabs on House members by watching them on television. Munger has held office in the House, representing a portion of Duluth, almost continuously since first being elected in 1954. Despite his health problems, Munger isn't ready yet to discuss retirement.
April 22, 1999 - Edward Kennedy 'Duke' Ellington wanted to be known as more than a jazz composer. Ellington is remembered by many for his hundreds of jazz hits. But he also composed longer works for the concert hall and sacred music as well. Saturday evening at Hamline University in St. Paul the Leigh Morris Chorale pays tribute to Duke Ellington who was born one hundred years ago this month. Leigh Morris Chorale founder and director Robert Leigh Morris talked with Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson about the time he met Duke Ellington. Morris has arranged Ellington's 'Come Sunday' and his Chorale will perform it Saturday evening at Hamline.
April 26, 1999 - To close out the millennium, Minnesota Public Radio's All Things Considered presents a look back at Minnesota life in 1900 via a 12-part series, entitled “A Minnesota Century.” In this segment, the story of Maude Baumann and her family's pioneer trek through the state in 1900.
May 31, 1999 - To close out the millennium, Minnesota Public Radio's All Things Considered presents a look back at Minnesota life in 1900 via a 12-part series, entitled “A Minnesota Century.” This segment profiles the Merritt brothers and their Minnesota ore discovery.
June 21, 1999 - To close out the millennium, Minnesota Public Radio's All Things Considered presents a look back at Minnesota life in 1900 via a 12-part series, entitled “A Minnesota Century.” This segment is the story of journalist Eva McDonald. Her work exposing the harsh conditions endured by women in the new factories propelled her into the forefront of the very male world of labor politics.
July 6, 1999 - One of the most respected lawyers in Minnesota has died. Solly Robins practiced law for more than 60 years in the state. He founded the firm that won the six-point-six billion dollar settlement in Minnesota's tobacco trial. Robins died yesterday, at the age of 86, from complications caused by a massive stroke he suffered earlier this year. He came from a poor immigrant family in St. Paul but went on to graduate from the University of Minnesota law school. In 1938, he formed the world-famous law firm now called Robins, Kaplan, Miller and Ciresi. Today, the firm has more than 250 lawyers in Minneapolis and six other major metropolitan areas. In 1995, Robins told Minnesota Public Radio's Eric Freisen why he chose to specialize in civil law.
July 12, 1999 - Minnesota's oldest serving lawmaker died Sunday. Eighty-eight-year-old Duluth DFLer Willard Munger was diagnosed with liver cancer this spring, in the middle of his 43rd year in the Minnesota House. No House member has ever served longer. Widely acknowledged as a leading state and national environmental leader, Munger was also deeply respected for his support of people and social issues.
July 26, 1999 - To close out the millennium, Minnesota Public Radio's All Things Considered presents a look back at Minnesota life in 1900 via a 12-part series, entitled “A Minnesota Century.” This segment is a profile of the Mayo brothers.