January 8, 1999 -
January 11, 1999 - The snowmobile-stud ban enacted by the 98 legislature is likely to be repealed in 1999. The measure was meant to protect asphalt trails and roadways, which are damaged by carbide-tipped studs on some machines. Snowmobilers say the studs are important for safety, and moreover if they can't use them here, many will take their sleds and go somewhere else.
January 11, 1999 - As most Minnesotans know by now, The Minnesota Vikings have moved into the NFC title game after dumping the Arizona Cardinals 41-to-21 yesterday at the Metrodome. Randall Cunningham tossed three touchdowns. Robert Smith ran for 124 yards and his cohort Leroy Hoard scored three touchdowns. The Vikings host the Atlanta Falcons Sunday. After the game, the consensus was the Vikings have yet to play their best game, and football analyst Jeff Agrest, associate editor of Pro Football Weekly, says Minnesota's win over the Cardinals certainly wasn't turnover-free.
January 11, 1999 -
January 11, 1999 - The cold weather is creating fast conditions for mushers competing in this year's John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon. The 330-mile race got underway yesterday in Duluth. One team dropped out after a dog died just beyond the first checkpoint. Dee Janis is volunteering at Beargrease Headquarters. She has been keeping a close eye on the race and says its shaping up to be tight finish.
January 11, 1999 - Poor crop yields and poor prices are forcing some farmers off the land and into new careers. For a few there's a stop-off in the classroom....two programs -- one in northwestern Minnesota and another in northeastern North Dakota are helping retrain farmers for new jobs.
January 11, 1999 - Senator Paul Wellstone is leading the charge in congress to open the entire impeachment trial of President Clinton to the public. Under the current Senate rules, some key testimony could come behind closed doors. Wellstone and Iowa Senator Tom Harkin plan to introduce what they're calling a "sunshine motion." Wellstone says its important the process be fully accountable to the American public.
January 11, 1999 - Next week Northwest Airlines will release it's final year end financial numbers for 1998. Northwest will be posting a loss expected to exceed 100 million dollars mainly because of labor turmoil. In 1997 the airline earned profits of almost 600 million dollars. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik spoke with Northwest CEO John Dasburg about the airline's problems last year and what lies ahead.
January 12, 1999 - The Walker Art Center in Minneapolis has announced plans to purchase property next door, allowing it to potentially double in size. But the expansion won't happen for at least three years.
January 12, 1999 - On MPR and Public Television last night, Governor Ventura declared the state should use SALES taxes as the guideline for returning the budget surplus to taxpayers. As Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports, the Governor's comment has had an immediate effect at the state capitol.