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.
January 12, 1999 - The Republican tax rebate bill starts its journey through the Legislature today in the House and Senate Tax committees. The promise of a big rebate helped the Republicans take the majority in the House last fall, and they're trying to make sure they "own" the issue now that the legislative session has begun.
January 12, 1999 - A conflict of interest allegation against a state Senator today focused on taped phone conversations. A Senate ethics panel is looking into whether a consulting fee the University of Minnesota paid DFL Senator Dallas Sams of Staples amounted to a "kickback".
January 12, 1999 - Many Minnesotans may not notice much of a difference in the size of their rebate checks no matter how the Legislature and Governor decide to return the budget surplus. But hundreds of dollars is at stake for thousands of other Minnesotans.