November 11, 1999 - Today, in a special Veterans Day program at Fort Snelling, University of Michigan History Professor Gerald Linderman will speak about combat and moral responsibility. A new book about a Minnesota man deals with that subject as well. "Reflections of Courage on D-Day and the Days that Followed" is the story of Charles "Ace" Parker of the elite infantry unit known as the Rangers. The book was put together by Parker's nieces, Marcia Moen and Margo Heinen. Moen says she knew virtually nothing about her uncle's war experiences until she started working on the book. Charles Parker lives in Anoka now. As part of the Rangers Fifth Battalion he fought in many battles in World War II. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions on D-Day and the days that followed. He spoke with Minnesota Public Radio's Jim Bickal about what it was like the night before the D-Day invasion.
November 12, 1999 - Concordia college in Moorhead is going into the coffee business in a big way. The college hopes to sell seven tons of African coffee beans to help support a girls school in Tanzania.
November 12, 1999 - Delegates to Minnesota's Reform Party convention this weekend will decide whether to take the fledgling, but stronger than average, third party into new directions. The agenda includes a speech from Governor Ventura and debate over whether to change the party's name. But the main purpose is revising the party platform. Proposed changes broaden the party's emphasis beyond fiscal responsibility and government reform - some of the more controversial planks support legalizing marijuana, providing health care to all and preserving the family farm. The party's state chairman fears an expanded platform will turn into an unwieldy litmus test for candidates - something Reformers have criticized the two OTHER major parties for creating.
November 12, 1999 - The Minnesota Department of Children, Families and Learning has unveiled a crisis management plan it's offering all school districts across the state. The plan comes as response to requirements set out by the legislature. But it's also a reaction to the worst school shooting in the nations's history.
November 15, 1999 - Representatives from Three midwestern states are joining with their counterparts from two Canadian provinces to try to improve trade relations in agriculture. Officials from Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Manitoba and Saskatchewan are holding a conference today through Wednesday in Fargo to try to solve problems facing farmers in all those areas. Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Gene Hugoson is heading the Minnesota delegation. He says 250 farmers will join in the discussion, in the hopes of coming up with solutions at the grassroots, rather than federal level.
November 15, 1999 - Activist members of the Minnesota Reform Party spent the day Saturday discussing their political identity -- and rewriting their party's platform, one plank at a time. There were indications that the party's members are beginning to polarize into right and left wing camps.
November 15, 1999 - Dakota County authorities will investigate whether Republican Senator Rod Grams' son got special treatment from law enforcement during a July traffic stop. Grams had asked the Anoka County Sheriff to track down his 21-year-old son Morgan, who had failed to return a borrowed rental car. When deputies found Morgan Grams, they also discovered ten small bags of marijuana in the car. A juvenile was charged and later pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance. Grams was not charged and was escorted home. One of Senator Grams' DFL opponents says the case raises questions about equal justice under the law, but the chairman of the Minnesota Republican Party calls the story a political attack.
November 15, 1999 - People interested in the design of proposed light rail stations in downtown Minneapolis have a chance tonight to add their two cents to the conversation. Participants at the Minneapolis Central Library meeting will also see how the three stations planned for South Fifth Street will change one of downtown's busiest thoroughfares.
November 15, 1999 - This week, Minnesota Public Radio is looking at the erosion of privacy in America. In this installment of "The Surveillance Society," Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki examines the trade-offs you make when you give up a little privacy. The courtrooms of Minnesota weigh those trade-offs all the time. Judges have to strike a balance between the rights of the individual and the rights of society. When it comes to public safety, "privacy" loses out; especially since it's not guaranteed by either the Minnesota or U.S. Constitution.
November 15, 1999 - Rochester leaders announced a plan this morning to bring in 105 million dollars to help low and moderate income families afford homes. Rochester has the highest job growth and the most severe housing shortage of any area in the state outside the Twin Cities. Business leaders fear if they don't ease the housing crunch, employers will stop expanding OR won't move to Rochester at all. Minnesota Public Radio's Brent Wolfe reports from Rochester.