June 11, 1999 - Hog farmers are still struggling to regain their financial footing after the last year's record low prices. Many say the price crash was a result of consolidation in the meat packing industry and the closing of slaughter plants leading to an over-supply of hogs. An increasing number of livestock farmers believe the best way to stay in business is to take control of their product and market it directly to consumers themselves.
June 14, 1999 - A campaign oversight panel says the company selling Jesse Ventura merchandise will be allowed to operate as a private corporation instead of a political committee. The company, "Ventura For Minnesota Incorporated" has said the money will be used to fund charitable activities and constituent services for the governor. The board's ruling means V-M-I won't have to report what it earns or how it spends the money, which political committees must do.
June 14, 1999 - Delegates to the Minnesota Reform Party's annual convention elected Mankato businessman Rick McCluhan as their new party chairman on Saturday. McCluhan says the insurgent third party is at a turning point in its history, and has to prove to voters that it's more than a "one-trick pony," as he puts it.
June 14, 1999 - Developers on Block E in downtown Minneapolis may get several more months to secure a hotel as part of a major entertainment complex. Brookfield Properties told a council committee today it has a signed lease for an 18-screen movie theater, letters of intent from retailers and restaurants, but still needs a hotel. A council committee agreed to let the full council vote next week whether to grant the developers more time. Councilmember Lisa Goodman represents Loring park and part of downtown. She says although she'd prefer to see green space on the block across the street from the Target Center, the plan for an entertainment complex is moving forward.
June 14, 1999 - Governor Ventura will discuss farm policy with Minnesotans during a statewide radio and t-v forum tonight. Joining Ventura will be Agriculture Commissioner Gene Hugoson and Tracy Beckman, state director of the federal Farm Service Agency. They'll respond to citizens in St. Paul, Crookston and Worthington. In addition, more than one-thousand citizens are expected to watch the forum with Minnesota Extension Service staff at some 50 sites across the state. Blue Earth County Ag Extension agent Kent Thiesse, says alot of rural Minnesotans are interested in what's going on because they are affected too. Thiesse says ag problems are so widespread now, in some ways it's worse than the farm crisis of the mid-80s.
June 14, 1999 - Honeywell's takeover by Allied Signal ... announced a week ago, brought to 5 the number of major corporate headquarters Minnesota has lost in the last year and a half. So, who's next? Speculation has buzzed around several local firms, but it's anybody's guess who will be next. As Minnesotasota Public Radio's Bill Catlin reports, the forces driving takeovers are unrelenting.
June 14, 1999 - Affordable housing advocates have won a skirmish in Minneapolis where officials are temporarily delaying demolition of units in the Glenwood Lyndale public housing project. Earlier, advocates won a major battle when Minnesota lawmakers approved spending more money than ever before on affordable housing. But the victories don't add up to winning the war. In Minnesota and across the country, the supply of affordable housing is shrinking by the day.
June 15, 1999 - V-shaped formations of migrating geese often herald the beginnings of spring or fall for many Minnesotans. Other bird watchers notice the return of robins or the exodus of orioles on their way to another winter in the tropics. In his new book "Living on the Wind: Across the Hemisphere with Migratory Birds" ornithologist Scott Weidensaul says the journey many birds make is nothing short of miraculous. Equally amazing is the short time they have to rest, raise a family AND bulk up for their next big flight.
June 15, 1999 - Volunteers armed with petitions fanned out in the city's skyways today, part of an effort to acquire some 5000 signatures to put a Minnesota Twins ballpark proposal on the November ballot. The petition drive comes as a new poll indicates stadium proponents may face an uphill battle.
June 15, 1999 - The Minnesota Department of Revenue is advising Governor Ventura against repealing the state inheritance tax because it wouldn't save taxpayers money. Ventura said at a farm forum yesterday he's considering repealing the tax as a way to help farmers.