January 9, 1998 - Minnesota's lawsuit against the tobacco companies goes to trial in a little more than a week, but right now, all eyes are on Texas, where that state is now negotiating a settlement with the tobacco industry. Texas' case had been set to go to trial Monday, but it it may instead follow in the footsteps of Mississippi and Florida which settled their suits last year. Doug Cogan directs the Tobacco Information Service for the Investors Responsibility Research Center based in Washington D.C. He tracks the tobacco cases to provide impartial information to investors on the subject. Cogan says the tobacco companies are pushing for settlements to convince congress to pass the national settlement.
January 9, 1998 - On Sunday, two National Football League games will be played to decide who will appear in this year's Super Bowl. Earlier this season, the Minnesota Vikings harbored hopes of making it back to the Super Bowl for the first time in nearly two decades. But, the season ended on another disappointing note, and the team now finds itself facing critical questions about the future ownership and who will lead Vikings on the field.
January 9, 1998 - In their struggle to find a place in American society, Blacks and Jews share a unique history. At times, the two communities have fought alongside each other, but lately, tension, fear and distrust have caused them to grow apart. A group of local organizations are sponsoring what they call a seven week cultural dialogue to mend wounds and rekindle old relationships between Blacks and Jews in the twin cities. The festival is called Intersecting Rhythms, and Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Roberts has more.
January 9, 1998 - The news this week that a maverick Chicago researcher intends to defy President Clinton's request for a voluntary moratorium on human cloning may accelerate Congressional efforts to make cloning illegal. Infertility specialists warn that bills now before Congress might go beyond cloning to stifle research on important new infertility therapies. Minnesota Public Radio's Stephen Smith has more as part of our on-going series, The Fertility Race.
January 9, 1998 -
January 9, 1998 - Daycare issues were the focus of a number of people this week from President Clinton to a group of Minnesota lawmakers. Clinton unveiled what he calls the largest national commitment to child care in the nation's history, and DFL state legislators announced a 12-million dollar plan that includes expanding the number of on-site workplace child care centers. Some churches in north Minneapolis are hoping to set up daycare services this year, but are facing some roadblocks. Under law, the churches must conform to state building codes and pass other inspections before offering daycare. Church leaders say the neccessary improvements are too costly and the process is too laborious at a time when more families are making the transition from welfare to work and need daycare close to their homes.
January 11, 1998 - Twenty mushers expect a good trail and cold temperatures today as the 15th annual John Beargrease Sled Dog Race gets underway at 1:00. A snowfall of 4 to 6 inches on Friday was too little too late for race officials. A lack of snow earlier forced race officials to move the start and finish of the race north to Grand Portage. Officials also shortened the course by about 200 miles. Vicki Trauba is the Executive Director of the Race.
January 12, 1998 - The president of the state Board of Education concedes there's little hope of saving the controversial diversity rule for Minnesota schools. Board members are expected to kill the rule at a meeting today. The proposed rule aims to improve test scores of minority students in schools where they've fallen behind their white classmates. But opponents say the rule tries to do too much and would impose cumbersome mandates on schools. Governor Carlson opposes the rule, and his recent appointment of three new board members appears to ensure its death.
January 12, 1998 - It's been twenty years since that man from Minnesota, Hubert H. Humphrey the Second, died at the age of 66 on a bitterly cold January 13th. The former Senator and Vice President was an unabashed liberal, proud of his work on legislation establishing civil rights, Medicare, and the Peace Corps - programs and policies still in place today. As Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports, historians say the anniversary of Humphrey's death is a chance to look back on his legacy.
January 12, 1998 - St. Paul School Superintendent Curman Gaines is leaving his post and taking a job in the private sector. Gaines made his announcement today, but will remain on the job through June.