October 13, 1999 - Republican incumbent Rod Grams WAS the candidate with the most money in the bank for the 2000 U.S. Senate race -- that is, until today. That title now goes to Democrat Michael Ciresi, who officially entered the race this morning, and brought with him the millions of dollars he earned on Minnesota's landmark tobacco lawsuit last year. That case produced a $6 Billion dollar settlement for the state -- and $566 Million dollars in fees for Ciresi's law firm. Republicans say Ciresi's financial clout is formidable -- but not insurmountable. And before he can use his money against Grams he must win the DFL nomination.
October 13, 1999 - The state House Crime Prevention Committee is again exploring options for changing Minnesota's law on concealed handguns. Last night, the committee took public testimony on a proposal that would make it easier for some Minnesotans to carry concealed weapons.
October 14, 1999 - Governor Ventura's chief spokesperson says he's trying to repair the bad relations between the local news media and the Governor. Speaking today before journalism students in Saint Paul, John Wodele said there is friction, but still believes Minnesotans are getting the information they need to stay informed about Ventura's policy positions.
October 14, 1999 - Willem Breuker has been a fixture on the European jazz scene for thirty years, He's also written symphonies, film scores and music for theater. It's all likely to fly from the stage tonight as he brings his 11-piece band, the Willem Breuker Kollektief, to the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis tonight. Brueker, who's Dutch, dropped by our studios this afternoon with Lorre Trytten, the Kollektief's American violinist to talk about his particular brand of jazz.
October 14, 1999 - The nation's good economy has helped revitalize many American cities, including St. Paul which is enjoying a building boom. But Minnesota's capital still faces challenges, including a downtown that's virtually empty after 6pm. Today, the former mayor of Indianapolis William Hudnut toured St. Paul as an invited guest of the St. Paul Foundation. Hudnut is credited with transforming the nation's 12th largest city from "Naptown" to what Newsweek magazine called "The Cinderella of the Rust Belt.
October 14, 1999 - Duluth's Young at Heart record store has been described as a popular music mecca, a time machine, and a Valentine to vinyl. Duluth resident Richard Wozniak dedicated his life to the store, serving up pop music platters to the youngsters of the city since the late 50's. But Wozniak is in declining health and has moved to a senior citizens' home. After 43 years the store is closed and Wozniak's niece is seeking buyers for the massive record collection. Grateful customers and friends say Young at Heart was a place like no other, and will be sorely missed.
October 15, 1999 - Earlier this year, Saint John's University in Collegeville commissioned the a hand-illuminated bible. The man in charge of this six year project was on The Saint's Johns' campus today to talk about how his work is coming along.
October 15, 1999 - In a little over one-year, Minnesota's Ann Bancroft and a Norwegian will attempt to become the first female team to cross Antarctica. Bancroft, a 43-year old former schoolteacher, is the first woman to both poles, she led the aborted All Women's Expedition to Antarctica in 1993, and she's fairly well-known to our listeners. But we haven't yet met her partner in the endeavor, Liv Arneson. Arneson is a 45-year old Norwegian schoolteacher who in 1994 skied alone and unsupported to Antarctica. She wrote a book about that trip that has just recently been translated into English. It's called Good Girls Don't Ski to the South Pole. Arneson says the Bancroft Arneson Expedition will be their toughest challenge.
October 15, 1999 - The debate over a baseball stadium in St Paul is grabbing attention these days ---- but it's only one of many projects proposed for the city. There's everything from improvements to major thoroughfares like Payne Avenue to plans for the defunct Hamms Brewery to a park promoting poetry. 80 of these projects are on view through Saturday as part of the Mayor's Design Forum at the National Guard Armory in St. Paul. They may not have lawnsigns like those promoting the stadium, but as Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Stucky reports, there's no less passion about these projects.
October 15, 1999 - Cleaning up crime starts with picking up the trash. That's one of the motivations behind a work day tomorrow in three north Minneapolis neighborhoods. Residents say they're making progress in their years-long fight against crime and housing decay. They'll celebrate their achievements Saturday at Farview Park in the Hawthorne neighborhood which is where some of the most dramatic improvements have been made.