March 4, 1999 - Former Supreme Court Justice Harry Blackmun died today at the age of ninety. He was one of two sons of Minnesota who served on the nation's highest court. Blackmun served with Warren Burger, in fact the two even attended elementary school together on St. Paul's East Side. Blackmun retired in 1994, after 24 years on the bench. He's best remembered for writing the decision on the landmark case Roe v. Wade, which guaranteed a woman's right to abortion, although Blackmun didn't want that to be his legacy. The decision changed his life, making him the target of death threats and thousands of pieces of hate mail. Sandy Keith, retired chief justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court, was hired by Blackmun to work as an attorney in Mayo Clinic's legal department.
March 12, 1999 - MPR’s Vaughn Ormseth takes a look at Einojuhani Rautavaara, one of Finland’s best-loved composers. Rautavaara has come to Minnesota with new work, "Finlands Spirit: Rautavaara." The premiere is sponsored by the Plymouth Music series, in collaboration with the University of Minnesota and St. Olaf College.
March 17, 1999 - A profile of St. Paul composer Eric Stokes, who died in a car accident at the age of 68. Report includes a portion of Composer’s Voice 1993 interview with Stokes.
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.