August 18, 1999 - Call it an obsession. This morning book afficionados in Duluth are lining up outside the doors of the downtown public library for what has become an institution as well as a library fund-raiser: the annual book sale. They are prepared to mow people down or elbow them aside, all in the interests of finding the perfect cheap summer reading.
August 18, 1999 - Minnesota's community banks told U-S Senator Paul Wellstone in no uncertain terms today they want the farm crisis addressed because their own businesses are at stake.
August 18, 1999 - The watchdog group Common Cause Minnesota today filed a complaint against Governor Jesse Ventura, alleging the Governor violated state conflict of interest laws by agreeing to guest referee a pay-per-view wrestling match. The law prohibits state employees from profiting from their positions. Some estimates say Ventura could make a million dollars in fees and royalties from the World Wrestling Federation event this weekend, which is raising eyebrows among many political leaders.
August 18, 1999 - A federal jury in Minneapolis has cleared WCCO TV and Anoka County in a defamation lawsuit that attracted national interest. A former Minnesota woman sued WCCO after she was named as a suspect in her husbands 1993 murder..but was never charged. The case raised the question of how far a news organization must go to ensure that public officials comments are true.
August 18, 1999 - Huge white pines once covered the Great Lakes region. But turn of the century logging wiped out almost all the old growth pines and new diseases have taken a toll on the white pine grown in their place. Now foresters with the DNR have stepped up their efforts to replant white pine in large numbers. And as Kathryn Herzog reports, researchers are going to great lengths to ensure the trees will survive for centuries to come.
August 19, 1999 - Some Minnesotans are giving their two-cents worth to a stadium fund -- and not a penny more. Governor Jesse Ventura suggested the fund as a way for stadium backers to contribute all or part of their state sales-tax rebate to the cause. So far the response has been fairly mixed with some contributors expressing scorn for a publicly-financed stadium.... but the fund is slowly building up. Finance Director for the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission Roger Simonson is opening the mail.
August 19, 1999 - A judge today cleared the way for Governor Ventura to referee a pay-per-view wrestling match this weekend. Two complaints accuse the Governor of violating state conflict of interest laws, alleging Ventura is profiting from his office - some estimates say the event could earn the Governor a million dollars in royalties. But Ramsey County Judge Kathleen Gearin refused to stop the Governor from participating in the World Wrestling Federation event, and said elected officials don't have to give up their private interests.
August 19, 1999 - Politicians have been popping up in rural Minnesota like weeds this week- holding forums and meetings on the farm crisis. Senator Paul Wellstone stopped at three south central Minnesota farms today. Senator Rod Grams holds meetings of his own tomorrow in Moorhead, Alexandria, and St. Cloud. They're looking for ideas and backing for their farm proposals, but Congress is unlikely to make significant changes in farm policy without support from folks in town. Minnesota Public Radio's Brent Wolfe reports this farm crisis isn't translating well, in the city.
August 19, 1999 - The Swing craze has brought a second wave of fame to musicians and dancers from the earlier era. This week, the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis has gathered some of the legendary dancers for a week of worshops, culminating in a discussion and performance this weekend. One of the stars is Norma Miller. Known as "The Queen of Swing" Miller began her career in Harlem at age 14. She and her dance partner Frankie Manning spent decades touring the U-S and Europe with all the great big bands of the 1930's, forties and fifties. In her second career, she turned to stand-up comedy. By the early 80's, Miller returned to Harlem and was dismayed to find the Savoy, the dance hall where it all began, torn down.
August 19, 1999 - With Judge Gearin's ruling, Governor Ventura apparently has free rein to take a side job in the wrestling ring -- or in almost any other entrepeneurial activity. Most legislators watching this case agree with the court that Ventura is within his legal rights... but some of them are starting to think it's time to change those rights.