October 5, 1998 - Tonight the Green Bay Packers host the Minnesota Vikings in a nationally broadcast game. Both teams are undefeated this year and tonight's game will produce a new leader in the NFC Central Division. As Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports, the long running rivalry between Vikings and Packers fans is adding to interest in the game.
October 5, 1998 - The DFL and Republican candidates for governor are trading accusations over private school vouchers. DFLer Skip Humphrey says Republican Norm Coleman is trying to hide his plans to siphon off public money to private schools through--what he calls -- a "voucher scheme." Coleman says Humphrey is ignoring his real position in to gain political mileage.
October 5, 1998 - Northwest Airlines resumed full operations two weeks ago following the pilots strike, and many travel agents predicted a major fare sale would be in full swing by now. But so far, Northwest has stopped short of a big sale, leaving many observers wondering why. On the other hand, travel agents say the airline that dominates Twin Cities air traffic has reduced many fares, even if the company is not promoting the cuts.
October 5, 1998 - Minneapols is the site of an historic trade conference today and tomorrow as officials from fourteen Southern African countries meet with representatives of more than eighty U-S companies. As Minnesota Public Radio's John Rabe reports, the countries are trying to counteract negative images of Africa that stifle American investment in the region.
October 6, 1998 - A new production at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis brings a bit of Minnesota's Iron Range to 18th-century Italy, or perhaps its the other way around. "The Venetian Twins" is a classic Italian farce relying on the age-old formula of two twin siblings who are constantly mistaken for one another. In the Guthrie production, an internationally known director of Shakespeare and a popular Minnesota writer have teamed up to give the play a truly regional flavor.
October 6, 1998 - Minnesota Republican Senator Rod Grams introduced a plan today to phase out Social Security over the next 40 years, and replace it with IRA-style personal retirement accounts. Grams says IF his "Personal Security and Wealth in Retirement Act" becomes law, the plan would be mandatory for people under 25, but optional for those 25 and older.
October 6, 1998 - Tomorrow marks the beginning of a major public service campaign on the Internet, designed to help people find information about the fall elections. The project, called "Web White and Blue",indexes more than 45 web sites that provide political information to voters. As Minnesota Public Radio's Jon Gordon reports, "Web White and Blue" offers more proof the 'Net is maturing as a medium for politics.
October 6, 1998 - Norm Coleman says he's the ONLY gubernatorial candidate capable of reining in state spending and lowering taxes -- and today he brought in the Veto-King, Governor Arne Carlson, to back him up.
October 6, 1998 - Lawyers for the Minneapolis NAACP were in court today seeking class action status for their education lawsuit against the state. They say the move is appropriate because the state's largest school district is short-changing most of its students. The state argues most families are satisfied with education opportunities in Minneapolis schools.
October 6, 1998 - One of the biggest obstacles in making the transition from welfare to work is the lack of adequate childcare, and Minnesota businesses are being encouraged to provide that service to their employees. But it's not as simple as it sounds, as one business in Blackduck has found.