November 3, 1999 - Two-hundred-three of the state's 344 public school districts held elections Tuesday for school board seats, bond issues or tax levies. Voters made changes to the school boards in Minneapolis and Saint Paul. And the state's third largest school district approved a huge bond issue for more school space.
November 3, 1999 - People from countries along Africa's north east coast make up one of Minnesota's fastest growing populations. Most are from Somalia, but a small percentage is from Ethiopia. The newcomers depend on Ethiopians who've been here for a while for traditional goods and services. One place they often go first is a grocery store on Cedar Avenue in Minneapolis.
November 3, 1999 - Governor Ventura is just starting his second full day of his ten day trade mission to Japan. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste is in Tokyo with the Governor and has more on today's itenerary.
November 3, 1999 - Saint Cloud area residents said no yesterday to a half percent sales tax increase for a proposed regional events center. The referendum was also tied to other regional amenties like park improvements and a remodeled regional library. Officials say they're now looking for ways to fund the library and parks.
November 3, 1999 - Election results in Duluth brought significant turnover among city council and school board members, with both bodies likely taking on a more labor-friendly and liberal tone. But labor-endorsed candidates did not sweep either body, and some extremely close votes had candidates pondering the mixed messages voters sent. Voters' intentions were clearer in races for mayor and state legislature were more sweeping: Mayor Gary Doty easily won a third term, and D-F-Ler Dale Swapinski won Willard Munger Senior's former legislative seat by a wide margin.
November 3, 1999 - A report on teen prostitution released today says the state needs to spend more money on shelter beds and law enforcement to tackle the problem. The report was prompted by the August arrest of members of the Minneapolis -based Evans family for running a juvenile prostitution ring.
November 4, 1999 - As thousands of Minnesotans lock up their lake cabins for winter, many wonder whether everything will be intact when they return. Seasonal homes are favorite targets for burglars, and protection against property crime has been a high-profile subject since a Minnesota man set a booby trap in his cabin and wounded an intruder. In the Brainerd lakes area, summer homes provide a challenge for law enforcement; and big returns for home-security companies.
November 4, 1999 - Twin Cities Theatergoers were joined by a distinguished guest at the Guthrie Theater lab last night. Pulitzer prize-winning playwright Arthur Miller attended the opening of his latest play "Mr Peter's Connections", in its first performance outside New York.
November 4, 1999 - The City of Burnsville and the Minnesota Wild hockey team have announced plans to build an amphitheater along the Minnesota River. The Black Dog Amphitheater is one of four proposed amphitheaters in the metro area. Burnsville and Minnesota Wild officials say, if approved, their amphitheater might be the first to open in the Twin Cities area.
November 4, 1999 - Some state lawmakers say changing the way teachers are paid in Minnesota could ease a teacher shortage and improve student achievement. Members of a House subcommittee heard testimony today on the touchy issue of linking teacher pay to job performance, rather than years of service.