September 29, 1999 - Eight people will be awarded the 1999 National Humanities Medal by President and Mrs. Clinton today at a special ceremony at the White House. Two of the medal winners are Garrison Keillor and August Wilson. Wilson now lives in Seattle, Washington, but he began his career as a playwright in St. Paul. At an event yesterday sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities, Wilson talked about what has inspired him as a writer. Garrison Keillor also spoke at yesterday's event. He talked about the difference between being a writer and hosting A Prairie Home Companion.
September 29, 1999 - Its a good time to be a non-profit in Minnesota. A new study shows foundations and companies in the state increased their charitable giving by 57 percent between 1994 and 1997. That rate is nearly double the national average. Jakie Reis is the President of the Minnesota Council on Foundations, the organization that released the report. She says its not surprising Minnesotans are so eagar to give.
September 29, 1999 - It's been six months since state and federal fisheries experts signed a historic agreement with the Red Lake Indian Reservation to collaborate on a long-term recovery plan for walleye on the upper and lower Red Lakes. Now, biologists say the stocking program on the Red Lakes appears to be working, even as new possibilities are explored.
September 29, 1999 - There's an urban forest just minutes from downtown St Paul -- where a group of teens have been working to restore the native ecosystem. In addition to its natural beauty, the area ---called Swede Hollow--- has historical importance as home to a succession of immigrants. The teens worked with enviornmental artist Chris Baumler.
September 29, 1999 - The nurture vs. nature question is not new... but a study at California State University has found a different way to try to get at the answer. Twins researcher Nancy Segal, known locally for her work on the Minnesota Study of Twins Reared Apart, has turned her attention to Psuedo twins. Segal says siblings that share exactly the same environment but none of their genes can help us understand how humans develop.
September 29, 1999 - A Minnesota Senate panel today considered the problem of illegal cigarette sales to minors. Minnesota stands to lose more than eight-million dollars in federal funding for failing to reduce underage tobacco sales. There's plenty of blame to go around - some officials say retailers, law enforcement and local communities are at fault.
September 29, 1999 - You've heard the stories and seen the pictures. Devasation, misery, water everywhere. Two years ago East Grand Forks Demers Avenue was underwater. Boats, not cars made there way down mainstreet. But now that all seems in the distant past, as the city celebrates the reopening of downtown and what some are calling a new economic boom.
September 30, 1999 - Tomorrow is the deadline for identifying new owners for the Minnesota Twins. Finding new investors is part of an agremeent negotiated between the team and St. Paul Mayor Norm Coleman to bring the Twins across the river. It appears a deal could be close which would bring three Twin Cities sports teams under one ownership group.
September 30, 1999 - The Northstar Corridor is a 77 mile transportation route that runs from Downtown Minneapolis to just north of Saint Cloud. It runs next to a state highway and existing rail track in one of the fastest growing areas of the state. Now there's talk of building a commuter rail line along the corridor to fight increasing traffic. But not everyone thinks the idea will work.
September 30, 1999 - Sun Country Airlines and the Metropolitan Airports Commission are planning a ground breaking ceremony for a new terminal at the Minneapolis St. Paul Airport today. The facility will replace the Humphrey Charter Terminal. Airport officials say the additional gate space will help them attract more airlines to Minneapolis -St. Paul.