February 24, 1999 - While few people would automatically come out against environmentally-conscious design... the rainforest-friendly rubber often meets the cash-conscious road when the bills come due. Despite this, "Green" architecture is gathering steam in Minnesota. A new building opening in St. Paul next month showcases green design options, while Hennepin County is developing what architects hope will be a model for other government bodies across the country.
February 24, 1999 - Brooklyn Park's planning commission holds a public hearing tonight on whether to let the Minnesota Orchestra build an outdoor amphitheater. Some Brooklyn Park residents say the amphitheatre would be a boon to the city and enhance its image; but many neighbors fear it will be a noisy boondoggle, disturbing their tranquility.
February 24, 1999 - The Saint Paul school board has officially named its finalist for superintendent. A public interview of Patricia Harvey, a former Chicago school administrator, is scheduled Monday night. Board members say they're ready to offer her the job.
February 24, 1999 - Members of St. Paul's Irish community say Governor Ventura must apologize for his comments on "The Late Show with David Letterman" last night. The Governor took this swipe at St. Paul as he explained why he preferred Minneapolis , the city where he was born.
February 24, 1999 - A Minneapolis judge has taken the rare step of ordering juror names to remain secret in a gang-related murder trial. It's the second time in state history a judge has decided there's a risk to jurors if their identities are known. The case involves 25 year old Keith Henderson of Minneapolis who's accused of killing a man who informed on fellow members of the Chicago-based Mickey Cobras gang. The state's first case with an anonymous jury was the Haaf murder trial in 1993. In that case, four gang members were convicted in connection with the murder of Minneapolis police officer Jerry Haaf. Arthur Martinez represented one of the defendants, Mwati "Pepi" McKenzie who was convicted of conspiracy and acquitted of murder. Martinez says there's no doubt having an anonymous jury affected his client's trial.
February 24, 1999 - The Dayton Hudson Corporation is facing a minor setback in its plans to build a new Target headquarters in downtown Minneapolis . Yesterday, the city's Zoning and Planning Committee recommended the city council rescind a 1997 zoning decision that had cleared the way for the development.
February 24, 1999 - The recent discovery of human bones and artifacts on the campus of St. Cloud State University has caused excitement and curiosity in Minnesota. The findings promise to reveal a great deal about the state's early settlers. But cases like this also raise unsettling questions about how we treat the remains, and whether we are willing to delay 'progress' to learn from history.
February 25, 1999 -
February 25, 1999 - Governor Ventura offered an apology of sorts today for joking on national television that drunken Irishmen laid out the streets in St.Paul -- but he also accused the media of blowing the situation out of proportion. At the same time, some of Ventura's aides are hinting that other politicians are trying to use Ventura's gaffe for political gain.
February 25, 1999 - A bill repealing a residency requirements for city employees is on its way to Governor Ventura. The senate joined the house this morning in eliminating the power of cities to require new employees to live in the city where they work. St. Paul's residency requirement affected only 40 people, Minneapolis ' significantly more. Minneapolis City council president Jackie Cherryhomes says she's disappointed lawmakers have done away with the residency requirement, and Minneapolis will still try to provide incentives for employees to choose to live in the city.