May 6, 1999 - An MPR Special report on Kosovo, highlighting various reports on potential peace settlement and status of refugees from war. Program also contains interview with Nick Hayes, chair of history department at Hamline University, and comments from President Clinton.
May 6, 1999 - This week, our Mainstreet reporting team looks at Minnesota's 'hidden' population -- rural minorities. In some Minnesota counties, all the residents are white. In some cities and towns, the minority population has just begun to grow. It's a change that enriches life for some, and threatens others. The recent Supreme Court treaty affirmation capped a decade of friction between American Indians and their non-Indian neighbors. We're now left to digest not only the impact of the decision, but also the shouting, defensiveness and political manuevering it followed.
May 6, 1999 - Governor Ventura today turned to history to help him make his case against the Republican tax cut plan. Ventura's staff organized what might be called a "teach-in" at the Minnesota History Center, with former Governor Al Quie and other veteran politicians reminiscing about the great state budget crisis of 20 years ago. The Governor believes the Republican tax cuts could cause that scenario to repeat itself; Republicans say Ventura is being too pessimistic. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports.
May 6, 1999 - A new newspaper has been stirring things up in Duluth, among city officals and developers, and possibly some journalistic ghosts. The RIPSAW has been harshly critical of Duluth's latest economic development project, and its developers have threatened a libel suit against the paper. It's all reminiscent of the LAST Duluth Ripsaw, a 1920's scandal sheet shut down by the state legislature after blasting one too many public officials.
May 13, 1999 -
May 19, 1999 - On this Midday, a look ahead to light rail transit in the Twin Cities. With the legislature having approved funding, what will we see, and when? Guests Peter McLaughlin, the chair of the Metropolitan LRT Joint Powers Board; and John Byrd, assistant general manager for Rail Operations at Metro Transit provide details on plans.
May 20, 1999 - Saint John's Abbey and University sits alone off 1-94, just west of Saint Cloud --- isolated from nearby towns. After a big campus fire in the late 1930's, it became clear that Saint Johns needed a fire department of its own to respond to campus emergencies fast. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Saint John's Firemonks.
May 20, 1999 - Inaction by the state legislature on the controversial Profile of Learning means it returns intact next fall for a second school year. Teachers throughout the state have struggled with the new graduation standards.
May 20, 1999 - In about 18 months the Metro-area will have two more area codes.
May 20, 1999 - The Red River between Minnesota and North Dakota flows north into Canada through what was once a vast wetland. For generations, farmers in the valley built dams and straightened rivers to protect their land from flooding. Now, such flood control projects are languishing, unable to get permits or funding. Environmental groups and government agencies are trying to convince farmers to try new, more environmentally friendly tactics in their decades-long battle against water.