October 15, 1999 - Fall is filled with traditions. The warm days and cool nights seem to energize Minnesotans to get their work done before winter. Lawn mowers get put into storage and the rakes come out. But in St. Cloud, part of the fall tradition - the smell of burning leaves - has fallen by the wayside. St. Cloud was one of the few cities left in Minnesota where residents could burn leaves, that is until the city council banned it recently. People who didn't like the smoke are happy, but not everyone is cheering the action.
October 15, 1999 - A Minnesota federal judge heard arguments in a St. Paul courtroom today on whether a small Minnesota lawsuit against the tobacco industry should be changed into a large class action case. The three plaintiffs want to add more than a half-million current and former smokers to their lawsuit.
October 18, 1999 - Governor Ventura does NOT have to worry about facing a recall election in the near future. The Chief Justice of the State Supreme Court today struck down a petition by an environtmental activist to have Ventura recalled, saying the petition didn't make allegations serious enough to justify a recall election.
October 18, 1999 - Seed companies first introduced genetically engineered corn and soybeans to the midwest just four years ago. Farmers welcomed the new technology. This year around half the soybean crop and a third of the corn crop came from genetically altered seed. But now, some midwest farmers are having second thoughts about the high-tech seed..and biotechnology companies are scrambling to contain a backlash in what was once a stronghold of bioengineering.
October 18, 1999 - For the second year in a row a great Minnesota corn and soybean crop is being spoiled by low prices. The grain market slump means many farmers will either lose money or eke out a minimum wage profit this year. Off farm employment and government aid has kept them going but that could change if the poor prices continue into next year.
October 18, 1999 - A federal lawsuit filed in Minnesota seeks to eliminate federal subsidies for Christian Science nursing homes. Today a federal appeals court hears arguments in the case.
October 19, 1999 - The November 2nd election could result in a turnover of half of the Minneapolis school board. Four school board seats are up for grabs in the state's largest school district, and only one incumbent is seeking re-election.
October 19, 1999 - Governor Jesse Ventura unveiled Phase Three of his Big Plan today at an electronics firm in Pequot Lakes. The focus of phase three, called "Service Not Systems" is on symplifying government, promoting more citizen involvement, and reforming the tax system.
October 19, 1999 - The city of St. Cloud is moving forward with a proposal to further regulate digging crews. City officials decided to get tough after workers hit dozens of natural gas lines this year. Last December a crew working for cable provider Seren Innovations hit a gas line in downtown St. Cloud, causing an explosion that killed four people and damaged several buildings. Other Minnesota cities are watching St. Cloud's effort. The proposal to keep closer tab on crews could become a statewide model.
October 21, 1999 - MPR’s William Wilcoxen profiles Calvin Griffith, former owner of the Minnesota, who passed away on October 20th, 1999. Report presents various remembrances from players and family.