December 6, 1999 - Four people were arrested today in connection with two suspected methamphetamine labs. Police discovered one in St. Paul last night following a fire at a building on West Seventh Street. And in Wright County today, two men were arrested after a hunter came across their meth lab. The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension estimates most of the meth consumed in Minnesota is imported from the southwestern United States and Mexico. But the number of local labs is growing, and the number of busts has roughly doubled every year since the mid-1990's. Tim O'Malley is a special agent in charge at the BCA. He says a disproportionate number of labs are still found in rural areas, where it's generally easier to conceal the smells and toxic waste associated with a lab.
December 6, 1999 - An advisory committee to the U-S Commission on Civil Rights is in South Dakota today to investigate complaints of injustice toward American Indians. Commission members will hear testimony and reports from law enforcement officials, prosecutors, tribal representatives and community leaders at a day long meeting in Rapid City.
December 6, 1999 - The Mayo Clinic in Rochester is developing a for-profit Internet company to compete in the growing electronic health information market. Clinic leaders say the new venture's website will start up next spring and will expande the online tools available for people wanting to learn more about personal health.
December 6, 1999 - Minnesota lawmakers from both parties say they want to spend more money on transportation next session, particularly now that state officials are projecting a one-point-six billion dollar budget surplus by the end of the bienium. There's no shortage of road projects seeking funding, as members of the House transportation policy and finance committees heard today in Woodbury. As lawmakers try to placate frustrated commuters, the issue is likely to become a campaign issue next year.
December 7, 1999 - The Minnesota State Board of Education officially disolves at the end of the month after 80 years of shaping public school policies. The nine-member citizen panel holds its final regular meeting today, and as Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports the board is not leaving quietly.
December 7, 1999 - A Black Bear sow named WhiteHeart is nestling into a Den in the Superior National Forest near Ely, preparing to snooze away the winter months. There's a good chance that Whiteheart will give birth to cubs this winter, and if she does, there's a good chance you'll be able to watch the event on the world wide web.
December 7, 1999 - The State Board of Education went out of business today without making threatened changes to Minnesota's new graduation standards. Members rejected an attempt to revise the most contentious portion of the standards -- the so-called Profile of Learning -- during the board's final meeting. Education Commissioner Christine Jax had urged the board to leave the Profile alone.
December 7, 1999 - There's a plan afoot to expand Twin Cities bus service. The Metropolitan Council wants money to build two exclusive bus lanes and to buy the vehicles to run on them. The goal is to double ridership. Planners say expanded transit service is needed to cope with congestion on the region's roads. The first of six public meetings on the plan is set for Fridley City Hall at 4:30 this afternoon.
December 8, 1999 - Layoffs at four of IBM's US plants were announced today....including nearly 150 workers at the company's Rochester plant. Nation-wide about three percent of workers in IBM's business computer section have been laid off. Company officials say the cutbacks are at the low end in terms of expected numbers.
December 8, 1999 - DFL State Senator Jerry Janezich is formally entering the race for U.S. Senate today. Janezich plans to make the announcement in his home town of Chisholm, emphasizing his strong base among organized labor and especially steelworkers. The Iron Ranger's entry brings the number of Democrats in the race to six -- with two more likely to join them in January. Some Democratic strategists think that's too many -- and there's already talk of another divisive, expensive primary fight.