February 4, 1999 - Folks in Devil's Lake North Dakota read in their morning paper that they'd be part of a space experiment today. The Mir space station was planning to shine a mirror on them at 7:30 tonight and illuminate the town. Space officials hoped the operation would prove it is possible to use to moon to give extra light to sun-starved cities. But the experiment hit a snag when the mirror got caught on the cargo ship's antenna. Fred Bott is the Mayor of Devil's lake. We asked him how it felt to find out he'd be part of an experiment, and then NOT.
February 4, 1999 - A new opinion poll published today shows a majority of Minnesotans polled think Governor Jesse Ventura is doing a good job. Ventura's 72 percent approval rating in the Star Tribune/KMSP-TV Minnesota Poll is the highest ever measured for a new governor in the half century of the poll. Ventura says he's encouraged by the results and predicts it will help him in dealing with the Legislature. Political Scientist Chris Gilbert agrees. Gilbert says lawmakers should try extra hard to appear tri-partisan.
February 4, 1999 - The Senate Tax Committee has approved a version of Governor Ventura's sales tax rebate plan -- setting the stage for a confrontation with the Republican-controlled House.
February 4, 1999 - The Minnesota Supreme Court heard arguments today on whether the State can force a man to reimburse his victim for a Hmong spiritual ceremony that includes slaughtering animals. The offender says he should not have to pay for what he calls a religious ceremony he opposes.
February 4, 1999 - King Hussein is returning to Jordan after a little over a week of treatment for a re-lapse of lymphatic cancer at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. The monarch's plane left Rochester early this afternoon... the King's private physician says the 63 year old monarch suffered internal organ failure and is in critical condition. Hussein has been a regular visitor to the clinic since 1992. His visits can push Rochester onto the international stage. But while the King's presence has an impact on some businesses and city departments, most Rochester residents who've come in contact with the royal family seem determined to help guard their privacy.
February 5, 1999 - Snowmobiling is big business in Minnesota. About 70 percent of the 200-thousand snowmobiles sold last year were made in Minnesota. The sleds are sleek and fast with hi-tech suspension and built in handwarmers. It's a long ways from the humble roots of the snowmobile industry. Thirty years ago snowmobiles were little more than a motorized metal sled. Those early machines are now in great demand. Collecting and restoring antique snowmobiles is becoming an industry all its own.
February 5, 1999 - One of the Twin Cities smallest venues for theater has gotten significantly larger. The Jungle Theater is moving from its somewhat cramped quarters on Lake Street a half block away to a new, renovated building it purchased last year. While The new Jungle will be able to accomodate more people and mount grander more lavish productions, its founder says the ambience and intimacy of the old Jungle will remain.
February 5, 1999 - The Minnesota House has approved a Republican-sponsored plan to send $1-point-5 Billion dollars worth of rebates to Minnesota taxpayers. The plan bases the rebates primarily on a person's income level -- an approach bitterly opposed by the Democrats.
February 5, 1999 - Sam Costa is an arts instructor in the Minneapolis public schools and a dance choreographer. When his students learned he'd been diagnosed with terminal cancer, they wanted to do something to assist him. Last night, they organized a benefit dinner for Costa and invited a special guest.
February 5, 1999 - Minnesota Attorney General Mike Hatch today unveiled what he calls the "Fairness in Health Care" act, designed to give patients and doctors more control over treatment. Hatch's bill would allow doctors to decide whether treatment is medically necessary, and let patients sue insurance companies for damages if coverage is denied. But health insurers argue the legislation will drive up premiums.