November 8, 1999 - The record warmth we've been enjoying is also raising concerns this may the early stages of a drought. The eastern U.S. experienced a drought this summer, and some climatologists say dry cycles tend to start in the east before moving into the midwest. So far southwest Minnesota has seen the driest conditions, where many areas have received less than two inches of rain since July.
November 9, 1999 - The past decade has seen the rise of enormous chain bookstores in the malls and on the web, and the resulting demise of many small independent book-sellers. But the big shadows of Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble haven't blotted out small, independent publishers, and in some cases the large operations have been an asset. In Duluth's tightly knit publishing community, small presses are using technology and marketing savvy to carve out their own niches. They say it's a good time to be in the business.... or at least as good as it ever gets doing business on a shoestring.
November 9, 1999 - In a few hours, it will be Wednesday morning in Japan, the day Governor Ventura returns to Minnesota. Ventura spent the last day and half finising up business in Tokyo, then riding the Bullet Train to the industrial city of Osaka for an overnight visit on his way home. As Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports, the Governor seems to be very satisfied with the way his Japan trip has gone.
November 9, 1999 - Busloads of protesters are in Madison today, rallying against a proposed high-voltage power line that would slice across North Western and Central Wisconsin. The transmission line from the Twin Ports to Wassau is the biggest utility project proposed for Wisconsin in memory, but it's hit a wall of opposition from concerned residents.
November 9, 1999 - Plans to build a new Minnesota Twins ballpark in downtown St. Paul collapsed last week when capital city voters overwhelmingly rejected the idea. Rather than settle the issue, however, the ballot verdict raises questions about the future of the Twins. Many opponents of publically-subsidized sports facilities argue the team should follow the lead of the San Francisco Giants -- and build a new ballpark with private money.
November 9, 1999 - It's one of the most dangerous of professions, surpassed only by mining. Police work? Firefighting? Construction work? No it's farming. Each year it seems as the crops come in, so do the headlines about farmers dying on the job. In Clay county in Northwest Minnesota four farmers died in seperate accidents this fall. Minnesota Public Radio's Bob Reha reports efforts to raise awareness of the issue are hamstrung by lack of funding.
November 9, 1999 - One of the largest window and door makers in the world is located in the small town of Warroad in Northern Minnesota. Marvin Windows provides about three thousand jobs, many to farmers who have left the land or need a second income. A growing number of the workers are Laotians, attracted to Warroad by relatively good paying jobs and small town life.
November 10, 1999 - A "Minnesota Century" broadcast featuring special reports from the turn of the century, 100 years ago. Program contains pledge drive segments.
November 10, 1999 - A Former North Dakota Governor is starting an organization to protect people who's rights are violated by organized religion. George Sinner says he's concerned some religious bodies are willing to sacrifice individual rights to protect their own power and interests. The Council for the Rights of Church Members holds its first meeting tonight in Fargo.
November 10, 1999 - Federal energy officials and experts from across the country gathered in Grand Forks today to discuss ways for North Dakota to tap into wind energy. Advocates of wind power say today's meeting could have historic signifcance in the development of North Dakota as what they are calling the "Saudia Arabia of wind power".