December 22, 1999 - Two families today sued the Minnesota Department of Human Services. The lawsuit filed in federal court claims the state is not fulfilling its federally mandated responsiblity to provide state assistance services to everyone.
December 22, 1999 - If you think you've got a lot to do before the end of the year, people who run charities might have you beat. Many of the major charities collect anywhere from forty to 100-percent of their revenue during the month of December. It's an anxious time right now as they wait to see if they've raised enough money to feed the hungry, clothe the poor and shelter the homeless all next year. Some of the major charities are reporting the good economic times have made fundraising easier. Bill Fredell is the Development director for Lutheran Social Services.
December 22, 1999 - Law enforcement agencies around the region are targeting alcohol related offenses over the holidays. Fargo police and city leaders say alcohol abuse is such a pervasive problem it needs more than an occasional appearance in the spotlight. They are developing a long term comprehensive plan to change community attitudes toward alcohol.
December 22, 1999 - MPR’s Marisa Helms reports on Kinpride, a cable-access show in St. Cloud that takes a closer look at homosexuality. The show's creator and host says the program is designed to educate people and, hopefully, lead to a greater acceptance of a wider range of lifestyles in Minnesota.
December 23, 1999 - Roughly 200 demonstrators turned out for yesterday's St. Paul City Council meeting to register their complaints about a plan to link Ayd Mill Road with Interstates 35-E and 94 in southwestern St. Paul. The Council took no action on the matter, but supporters of the proposal say it will relieve congestion on residential streets. Opponents say it will only encourage MORE traffic.
December 23, 1999 - This is a tough time of year for goats. Sheep dominate nativity scenes everywhere. And here in Minnesota cows have a lock on the dairy market. But goats are making a stand. Their milk, cheese and meat are gaining in popularity. And in the wider world of dairy consumption goats rule.
December 23, 1999 - Northwest Airlines says today will be its busiest travel day of the holiday season with about two hundred thousand people boarding its planes throughout the world. Tens of thousands of people will pass through Northwest's Minneapolis -St. Paul hub ... all of them hoping for safe ON-TIME flights. But some flight attendants have been talking about interfering with the flight schedule this Christmas to protest stalled contract talks.
December 24, 1999 - MPR's Andrew Haeg went out on St. Paul's Grand Avenue this afternoon to witness this years gift finding frenzy.
December 24, 1999 - Despite a booming economy the problem of homeless and hunger continue to grow. Especially in rural areas. Minnesota Public Radio's Bob Reha reports about the situation in the Red River Valley.
December 27, 1999 - To close out the millennium, Minnesota Public Radio's All Things Considered presents a look back at Minnesota life in 1900 via a 12-part series, entitled “A Minnesota Century.” This segment, a look back at what was the news at the turn of the last century.