April 13, 1999 - The time between snowmelt and spring growth is Minnesota's most dangerous fire season. Every year thousands of acres burn, and tens of thousands of dollars are spent controlling the flames. But this year, an agreement between three midwest states and two Canadian provinces could mean better firefighting for all and a strange new sight on Minnesota lakes.
April 13, 1999 - MPR’s Eric Jansen reports on community complaints regarding Minneapolis Police Department’s CODEFOR program. Minneapolis’ mayor and police chief say CODEFOR has dramatically reduced crime in the city. Critics and civil rights groups claim the computer-assisted program that targets neighborhoods based on crime patterns encourages police harassment and makes some residents feel like prisoners in their own homes.
April 13, 1999 - Governor Ventura has warned legislators that he has no intention of calling a special legislative session if they don't finish major tax and spending bills by the May 17 adjournment date. Ventura is especially concerned with the fate of his tax rebate legislation, which has been stuck in a conference committee for two months.
April 13, 1999 - Governor Jesse Ventura went head-to-head with critics of his transportation programs earlier today. During a speech in downtown Minneapolis , members of the Libertarian party heckled the governor for his support of light-rail transit in the Twin Cities.
April 13, 1999 - A new Minnesota Public Radio/St. Paul Pioneer Press poll shows most Minnesotans still think highly of Governor Ventura after his first 100 days in office. His approval rating has dipped significantly from the last poll taken before he took office, but he still gets high marks from a majority of voters. Most like his plain spoken style and agree with him that people should rely on themselves--not government--to solve their problems. But a significant number of people also say it's too soon to judge the governor's performance, and they'll wait before they make up their minds about Ventura.
April 13, 1999 - Republican presidential candidate Gary Bauer says he thinks Minnesotans are hungry for the type of leadership he'd bring to the White House. The conservative activist brought his exploratory campaign to Bloomington this afternoon. Bauer, who bills himself as a Ronald Reagan-Republican, also named a 12-member state steering committee headed by former legislator Allen Quist.
April 13, 1999 - Diplomat Richard Holbrooke said in Minneapolis today he believes NATO ground troops, including U. S. forces, will be sent to Kosovo. Holbrooke is President Clinton's envoy to the region. He told the Minnesota International Center members at the Hyatt Regency hotel this afternoon failure to solve the Kosovo crisis threatens to engulf neighboring nations in war.
April 13, 1999 - Midwest farmers have had a decades long love affair with two crops: corn and soybeans. But rising chemical and fertilizer costs coupled with sinking grain prices have soured the attraction. As the corn/soybean profit engine runs out of gas farmers are scrambling for alternatives. As they get ready for another year of economic uncertainty, the battle cry "get big or get out" is being stood on its head by a third alternative, "get small".
April 14, 1999 - MPR’s Eric Jansen reports on Minneapolis’ Amazon Bookstore Collective taking internet giant Amazon.com to court, claiming trademark infringement and deceptive practices. Jansen interviews book shop owner and an Amazon.com spokesman.
April 14, 1999 - The Koch Petroleum Group has announced plans to cut emissions at its Rosemount Refinery by 50 percent over the next 5 years. Koch officials say the voluntary effort is designed to polish the company's environmental image and help it compete in the long haul. Koch also announced a Minnesota environmental group will help monitor the company's emmissions.