September 8, 2000 - Gunhus=GUN us An affadavit released by the Anoka County attorneys office shows what may be a link between Republican Senator Rod Grams' reelection campain and some e-mails critical of one of his D-F-L rivals, Michael Ciresi. The affadavit says the e-mail account used to send the e-mails was used in the home of one of Grams' campaign advisors, Christine Gunhus. Last weekend Grams emphatically denied that his campaign was involved in creating the e-mails, in which the sender posed as a D-F-L activist. Minnesota Public Radio's Amy Radil reports.
September 7, 2000 - Today in New York, Governor Jesse Ventura begins a 9-city tour promoting his new book entitled "Do I Stand Alone?," in which he talks about "going to the mat," as he puts it, against politicians and media types. A year ago Ventura was caught up in a storm of criticism from politicians and watchdog groups over his money-making activities outside the governor's office. But as he begins his latest book tour, Ventura's determination to shake up the system, and pursue his own projects, seems to have prevailed. Minnesota Public Radio's Amy Radil reports.
September 4, 2000 - As of Sunday, attendance was up by about 50,000 people over last year and organizers say the great Minnesota get-together has gone smoothly. In a festival that celebrates sameness and tradition, fairgoers gave thumbs up to some of this year's new, adventurous culinary offerings. Meanwhile, some merchants blamed this year's cool weather for throwing off sales of thirst-quenching treats. Minnesota Public Radio's Amy Radil has this report.
September 1, 2000 - Minneapolis resident Jose Filonel Mendoza lost a 12-year legal battle with the Immigration and Naturalization Service, which last week notified him that barring an act of Congress he's being deported to his native Philippines in September. The agency says Mendoza engaged in a sham marriage to evade immigration law in the early 1980's. Since that time, however, Mendoza has remarried, had two children, and -- he says -- been a model citizen. Members of his family's church in Plymouth held a prayer vigil Thursday, protesting his planned deportation. Minnesota Public Radio's Amy Radil reports.
September 1, 2000 - Governor Jesse Ventura made what he says will be his only visit to this year's State Fair, in contrast to his nonstop campaigning there during the governor's race in 1998. But in addition to extolling the virtues of footlong hotdogs and lemonade, Ventura does some campaigning for his party in endorsing U.S. senate candidate Jim Gibson, and uses his “Lunch With the Governor" radio show to lay out his upcoming political agenda and to poke fun at the other politicians glad-handing at the fair.
August 28, 2000 - When Minnesota's Reform Party broke away to become the Independence party last spring, self-employed software developer and political newcomer Jim Gibson seemed assured of being its lone candidate for U.S. Senate. But in the meantime a more competitive primary race materialized within the party. Environmental activist Leslie Davis has joined the fray, as has Buford Johnson, a former party official and military veteran. And while the candidates in the D-F-L have similar views on many of the issues, the Independence party candidates have run more idiosyncratic -- if low-profile -- campaigns. Minnesota Public Radio's Amy Radil has this report.
August 23, 2000 - Opponents are to condemn the proposal. Minnesota Public Radio's Amy Radil reports.
August 22, 2000 - Members of the Minnesota Women's Political Caucus gathered Monday to discuss strategies for electing more women to higher office this fall. The group has endorsed Rebecca Yanisch for U.S. Senate and Betty McCollum for the Fourth Congressional District. The two candidates have different attitudes about using gender as a campaign issue. Yanisch says her life experience, including her experience as a woman and mother, makes her a better candidate than the men in the field. But McCollum, who faces several other female candidates, says people shouldn't vote for her because she's a woman but because she's a hard worker with a good understanding of the issues. Minnesota Public Radio's Amy Radil reports.
August 21, 2000 - A plant genetics conference in Minneapolis this week has drawn protesters who oppose the use of genetically modified foods. The conference, sponsored by the Cambridge Healthtech Institute at the Marriott downtown, addresses uses of genetics in crop production. But neither the Minneapolis police department nor the protesters are looking to repeat the confrontations that occurred at an animal genetics conference in July. Those face-offs resulted in arrests for demonstrators and criticism of police tactics. Minneapolis Public Radio's Amy Radil reports.
August 17, 2000 - The location of a proposed Hiawatha light rail station in Minneapolis' Cedar-Riverside neighborhood has placed business owners at odds with residents, and public housing dwellers at odds with their neighbors. Originally the station would have been located some distance from Cedar Avenue, farther from businesses and bus connections. A new redesign places the station closer to pedestrians and commerce, but residents of a nearby public housing complex say the station would be right in their front yard. Wednesday's public hearing gave residents a chance to try and influence the final choice. Minnesota Public Radio's Amy Radil reports.