February 26, 1999 - St. Paul business leaders welcomed Governor Ventura into their midst today. Ventura offended some St. Paul residents and Irish-Americans this week by joking on the David Letterman show that drunk Irishmen must have designed the streets in St. Paul. But Mayor Norm Coleman calls Ventura a huge asset to the city.
February 25, 1999 - Governor Ventura offered an apology of sorts today for joking on national television that drunken Irishmen laid out the streets in St.Paul -- but he also accused the media of blowing the situation out of proportion. At the same time, some of Ventura's aides are hinting that other politicians are trying to use Ventura's gaffe for political gain.
February 24, 1999 - Members of St. Paul's Irish community say Governor Ventura must apologize for his comments on "The Late Show with David Letterman" last night. The Governor took this swipe at St. Paul as he explained why he preferred Minneapolis , the city where he was born.
February 23, 1999 - Governor Ventura finished his visit to Washington D.C. today after by meeting over lunch with Minnesota's congressional delegation. The Minnesota members of congress say they got along well with Ventura, but they disagreed over the federal governments' role in funding public schools.
February 22, 1999 - A small cut in the state's 23-billion-dollar budget has business people and organized labor concerned. Governor Jesse Ventura's budget removes funding for a 60-year old apprentice training program that turns out thousands of new trade workers each year. Some worry the ranks of skilled workers are already at risk, and the shortage will be exacerbated by the cut.
February 22, 1999 - Governor Ventura brought his particular brand of populism to a national political audience in Washington D.C. today. Ventura spoke to a sold-out crowd at the National Press Club. In a half-hour speech, he told the story of his surprise election, from the initial conference in his barn where he decided to run, to the shock of his victory last November. After his speech, Ventura answered reporters questions about whether other independent candidates who don't have his name recognition and celebrity status can do what he did.
February 18, 1999 - Governor Ventura took a break from the state capitol today and took his show on the road to the small town of Delano, about half an hour west of Minneapolis . Ventura says he's beginning to feel isolated from the people who elected hi,m and he made the trip to get back in touch with the grassroots.
February 16, 1999 - Two weeks ago, Governor Ventura got permission to carry a concealed weapon at the capitol. Ventura said he wanted the gun permit because his state security guards can't be with him at all times. The decision continues to generate a lot of local discussion. Here's a sampling of opinion gathered at one St. Paul gas station.
February 16, 1999 - Under most circumstances, weapons are banned in state buildings. But the governor obtained the permission to carry a concealed weapon at the capitol from Charlie Weaver, the commissioner of public safety. Republican Senator Gary Laidig is critical of that decision and has asked for a legislative hearing this Friday to look into the matter. We invited Laidig and Commissioner Weaver into our studios to discuss the Governor's safety. Laidig says he supports gun rights, but not at the state capitol, where school children frequently fill the corridors.
February 10, 1999 - An encounter between Governor Ventura and a group of college students turned into a shouting match at the state capitol today.