November 24, 1999 - Duluth's three Edison Schools will keep their charter for three more years. Last night the Duluth school board narrowly voted to renew the contract after more than two hours of contentious debate. Critics -- and even some allies -- of Edison Schools, Inc., a for-profit company based in New York, said the vote was premature because the contract does not expire until next summer. New school board members set to take office in January are known to oppose the Edisons schools. But Edison proponents said they need to know where they stand with the Duluth board in order to properly plan for the next school year.
November 24, 1999 - Twin cities based Excelsior Henderson ... the financially troubled motorcycle maker ... says it is down to its last one million dollars of cash. Company officials say they are looking for further financing, and and have not ruled out filing for bankruptcy.
November 24, 1999 - Thousands of maroon-and-gold-clad Minnesotans will ring in the new millenium in El Paso, Texas, where the University of Minnesota football team will play in the Sun Bowl. The University announced today it accepted the invitation to play Pacific Ten Conference runner up Oregon in the New Years Eve game.
November 25, 1999 - For the past few months, we've had a guest from German at Minnesota Public Radio. Torsten Teichmann, a journalist from Bavarian Public Radio. Torsten got a bit homesick during his visit, so we sent him to New Ulm, for the ultimate German experience in Minnesota.
November 25, 1999 - In a period when the amount of low income housing is declining, one community agency in Minneapolis is creating places for people to live. Minnesota Public Radio's Patty Marsicano reports on the work of the Central Community Housing Trust and two of the lives it's profoundly changed.
November 25, 1999 - Residents of the small town of Houston in southeastern Minnesota had to drive 10 to 15 miles to get their Thanksgiving turkeys this week. The only grocery store in this town of one thousand closed its doors a little over a year ago. A group of residents has formed a co-op to try to re-open the store.
November 26, 1999 - It's time once again for Holidazzle. The nightly parades begin their eighth season tonight along Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis . But as the floats and performers gear up for another month of festivities, memories of last year's fatal parade accident linger.
November 26, 1999 - Ham radio enthusiasts take their hobby seriously. They surround themselves with hundreds, maybe thousands of dollars worth of equipment, so they can talk to people across the state, the country and the world. They also perform a community service by watching the weather and relaying wireless messages during emergencies. As the internet changes what we can expect from our communication systems, some radio amateurs are trying to recruit new members to the hobby, so there is a next generation to take over.
November 26, 1999 - Competition is increasing in the telecommunications business and its reaching all corners of the state. One of the most heated battles is underway in southwest Minnesota where McLeod USA is about to go head to head with several established phone and cable television companies.
November 26, 1999 - Bargain hunters with access to the Internet are finding a shoppers paradise as e-retailers battle for business in the new marketplace. Many online shops offer first time customers free merchandise or dramatic discounts with the hope they'll return. Retail analysts say the fight to win over the trust of customers new to e-commerce will only intensify this holiday season.