June 23, 1999 - Thousands of Kosovars are leaving refugee camps in Macedonia to return home. Meanwhile, some refugees are still arriving in the United States. About 45 Albanians who have come to Fargo in the past two weeks, are now trying to decide if they should return home.
June 23, 1999 - The Richfield man arrested for Katie Poirier's disappearance in Moose Lake will be released today unless lab tests provide enough evidence to charge him with kidnapping. Authorities say the man was in Moose Lake without his family when Poirier disappeared from the convenience store where she worked. But no evidence was found at his Moose Lake cabin or his Richfield home linking him directly to Poirier. News that the man has a record of criminal sexual assault and kidnapping, however, has done nothing to ease the fears of area residents.
June 24, 1999 - University of Minnesota men's basketball coach Clem Haskins may soon end his 13 year tenture at the school. A copyright report published in today's Star Tribune newspaper quotes two sources close to the university who say they expect Haskins to resign or be dismissed within three days. Haskins is at the center of a university investigation into allegations of academic fraud and mishandling of sexual harassment complaints against players. Dave Mona is president of the University's AluMinnesotai Association. He says reaction to the allegations has grown more intense in recent days.
June 24, 1999 - Noel Kjesbo is a grain farmer in west central Minnesota who's been following Governor Ventura's trip to Washington with interest.
June 24, 1999 - Governor Jesse Ventura will testify before a congressional subcommittee in Washington today in support of a Clinton administration-backed plan to change dairy farm price payments. Ventura arrived in Washington yesterday for a two-day lobbying effort on behalf of Minnesota farmers.
June 24, 1999 - Governor Jesse Ventura today appealed to Congress for changes in the nation's dairy pricing system. Ventura arrived in Washington, D.C. yesterday for two days of lobbying he hopes will improve conditions for Minnesota farmers.
June 24, 1999 - Medtronic held a ground breaking ceremony today for the medical technology company's new 250 million dollar world headquarters in Fridley. The 42 acre campus will house facilities involved in research and development, education, and the headquarters for the company's neurological business.
June 24, 1999 - University of Minnesota President Mark Yudof says the university will probably impose sanctions on its men's basketball program. He is considering banning the team from post season competition. Keith Lee is the Director of the Western Region Consortium for Academics and Sports. Lee says self-imposed sanctions are a good way for universities to prove they are concerned about the integrity of their athletic programs, but they can be costly.
June 24, 1999 - Carlton County prosecutors formally charged Donald Albin Blom yesterday in the kidnapping of 19-year-old Katie Poirier from the Moose Lake convenience store where she worked. The felony charge carries a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison or a $50,000 fine. At Wednesday's arraignment the Carlton County prosecutors also described the evidence gathered against Blom so far, including his conflicting stories of where he was when Poirier disappeared.
June 24, 1999 -