April 13, 1999 - A new Minnesota Public Radio/St. Paul Pioneer Press poll shows most Minnesotans still think highly of Governor Ventura after his first 100 days in office. His approval rating has dipped significantly from the last poll taken before he took office, but he still gets high marks from a majority of voters. Most like his plain spoken style and agree with him that people should rely on themselves--not government--to solve their problems. But a significant number of people also say it's too soon to judge the governor's performance, and they'll wait before they make up their minds about Ventura.
April 13, 1999 - Governor Jesse Ventura went head-to-head with critics of his transportation programs earlier today. During a speech in downtown Minneapolis , members of the Libertarian party heckled the governor for his support of light-rail transit in the Twin Cities.
April 13, 1999 - Governor Ventura has warned legislators that he has no intention of calling a special legislative session if they don't finish major tax and spending bills by the May 17 adjournment date. Ventura is especially concerned with the fate of his tax rebate legislation, which has been stuck in a conference committee for two months.
April 12, 1999 - This week marks Governor Jesse Ventura's 100th day in office. The former wrestler is arguably the country's most well-known governor, and so far he's riding high in the opinion polls.
April 2, 1999 - Black leaders of dozens of organizations and churches are calling upon people to participate in a planned March for Freedom, Justice and Equality tomorrow. The march was planned out of concern over Governor Jesse Ventura's recent cabinet appointments. Critics say the state's top administration officials fail to represent the diversity of Minnesota's population. Black leaders are ESPECIALLY concerned over the lack of any African American appointments.
March 31, 1999 - Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura spent much of the day in East Grand Forks. The Governor heard about the destruction caused by the flood of 1997, and saw the rebuilding still underway. The Governor left a trail of one liners, and a ray of hope for residents looking for financial help from the state.
March 30, 1999 - For Tuesday A legislative change gives Governor Jesse Ventura a chance to put a new face on the Metropolitan Council by naming up to sixteen new members at once. The speculation is that he make announce the names as early as today. The council is in charge of such mundane metropolitan matters as treating sewage and making sure the buses run on time. But it is also has the power to regulate Twin Cities development. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson talked to three people who have ideas for how the reconstituted Council should do it's job.
March 29, 1999 - Governor Ventura spent part of the weekend back on the campaign trail, barn-storming through south-central Minnesota in support of senate candidate Terry Anderson. Anderson is the Reform Party candidate in the special election in district 26, and the party's leaders consider this their first realistic chance at winning a legislative election. As Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports, the party wants to prove Ventura's upset victory in November was NOT an isolated event.
March 19, 1999 - Today Governor Jesse Ventura told teenage boys at the Minnesota Correctional facility in Red Wing, they need to make better decisions to avoid getting caught up in the adult prison system. Juvenile justice officials say the Red Wing facility plays an important role but some want more emphasis on community-based programs.
March 19, 1999 - The Academy Awards ceremony takes place this weekend, and Governor Jesse Ventura is heading to hollywood to lure more movie production to Minnesota. Minnesota landscapes and crew members have played a supporting role in a number of successful hollywood productions, and Jack Nicholson and Sean Penn recently met with the governor as part of a scouting trip to Minnesota. But some of the 5 thousand people who work in the industry here say Minnesota's film business is in a downward spiral.