August 23, 1997 - There's something different in your St. Paul Pioneer Press. This week the paper began an 11-part newspaper novel called "Murder on a Stick." Each chapter of the novel is written by a different reporter--kind of like a long group chain letter. The project is the brainchild of Editor Walker Lundy--his inspiration came from the Miami Herald's "Naked Came the Manatee" and Newsday's "Naked Came the Stranger" series. The initial title for THIS project also included a "naked" reference. But the reporters thought "Naked Came the Corn Dog"--might overstep the boundaries of good taste. "Murder on a Stick" includes references to Corn Dogs, butter sculptures and other state fair traditions. Here now are reporters Larry Millett, Linda McDonald and Jim Ragsdale reading part of their contributions.
August 16, 1997 - A St. Paul author is vying to become the next Tom Clancy. Vince Flynn's new book "Term Limits" is an espionage thriller set in Washington, DC. This self-published book is receiving a lot of attention--not bad for a guy who tended bar at O'Gara's by night so he could write by day.
August 9, 1997 - Outside, inside or on a couch...wherever you find yourself--Weekend Edition film critic Rob Nelson says a movie should be showing nearby. First on Rob Nelson's list is The Uptown Rooftop Cinema--this event salutes Minnesota filmmakers The Coen Brothers.
August 9, 1997 - In sports news: The Minnesota Twins have stepped up pressure on lawmakers in the team's bid to get a new stadium. The Twins said yesterday they've hired a national company to help pursue options in case the Twins don't get a new ballpark. The other Twins news this week came from owner Carl Pohlad. He says he likes the idea of publicly selling shares in his team. But Major League baseball would first have to approve the plan. Pohlad says the team could sell voting and non-voting shares, but he says he would keep his voting stake. The Twins open a four-game series with the New York Yankees tonight as they begin the big celebration honoring the 1987 World Series championship team.
July 12, 1997 - In sports news: Alison Nicholas leads the US Women's Open at the halfway mark. The British golfer stands at 6-under-par after shooting a 5-under 66 on Friday. Larry Gilbert leads Jack Nicklaus by one stroke halfway through the Senior Players Championship. Nicklaus shot a 5-under 67 to move into contention. John Jacobs is two off the lead. Golf is a sport that's perhaps more known for it's players---rather than it's fans. (After all--when was the last time you saw a fan wearing a foam cheese wedge on their heads on a fairway!?)
July 6, 1997 - This long holiday weekend is the perfect time to head up to the cabin with a good book. If you like stories set in Minnesota--you may want to consider packing Lorna Landvik's latest novel "Your Oasis on Flame Lake". The book is set in a small Minnesota town as two best friends from High School approach 40 and reassess their lives.
July 5, 1997 - It was the bite felt 'round the world. You've probably seen the gruesome video of boxer Mike Tyson taking bites out Evander Holyfield's ears. Mike Tyson is under temporary suspension from the Nevada State Athletic Commission and faces a more permanent ban when the commission meets next week.
June 24, 1997 - Minnesota's 8th District DFL Congressman Jim Oberstar says airline officials should "clean-up their act" or the Congress will act. Oberstar is pushing legislation called the Airline passenger's bill of rights. Under the plan, airlines would be required to disclose their flight delay and cancellation policies. They would have to provide food and bathrooms during lengthy delays. The plan also calls for the airlines to double the payments passengers receive for lost luggage or for being bumped from a flight. Oberstar says he's encouraged by moves Northwest Airlines is making to respond to passenger complaints.
June 15, 1997 - The Minnesota Twins defeated the Astros 8-to-1 in Houston last night. Twins owner Carl Pohlad has the go-ahead to start shopping his team to other cities. This week Baseball owners gave Pohlad their approval to possibly move the team to another city. This move gives the Twins more leverage in their negotiations with state lawmakers over funding for a new stadium. Weekend Edition Sports Commentator Jay Weiner attended the baseball talks in Philidelphia this week.
June 14, 1997 - MPR’s Greta Cunningham interviews Phil Gotsch and Scott Wolter, two ‘rockhounds’ who discuss their fascination with Lake Superior agates, which are among the oldest and most colorful agates in the world.