January 6, 1998 - Twin Cities officials are doing their best to mix business with politics! It's their attempt to propose hosting the Democratic National Convention in the year two-thousand. As Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe reports, Twin Cities officials face a January 16th deadline and find themselves up against some stiff competition. A number of OTHER U.S. cities are making similar bids.
December 12, 1997 - Capitol DFL Legislative leaders today, accused Governor Carlson of threatening to undermine the state's lawsuit against tobacco companies. Senator Majority Leader Roger Moe and House Speaker Phil Carruthers reject Carlson's call for a settlement in the case.
October 3, 1997 - A ruling by the state Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board may pave the way for a big wave of spending by candidates for governor in Minnesota over the next year. Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe reports.
October 1, 1997 - capitol Supporters of a new baseball stadium are getting little solace from a meeting of Members of the Minnesota House D-F-L Caucus the prospects of public funding package. With time running out before a proposed special session, and with an offer to move the Twins out of state expected soon, the DFL-ers could not agree on what to do. Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe reports: Democrats in the House met for about two hours in a CLOSED caucus meeting that was reportedly but diversely opinionated. House Speaker Phil Carruthers says the issue has created a sharp divide within the DFL House caucus. BITE: "we've said it's unlikely...so that could
September 23, 1997 - Members of the Minnesota House Judiciary Committee heard testimony today on weaknesses in Minnesota's child protection system and where it can be strengthened with new laws. Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe reports.
September 22, 1997 - bemidji for monday m.e. State Republican delegates gathered for their state convention in Bemidji over the weekend. Their straw polls on candidates for Governor and Attorney General resulted in a surprise upset by ONE candidate...and a predictable victory for another. Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe was there, and has this report: Lieutenant Governor Joanne Benson beat former state Representative Allen Quist in the straw poll for gubernatorial candidates. Benson garnered 37 percent of the votes compared with Quist's 30-percent. Benson says the results should discourage OTHERS, such as St. Paul Mayor Norm Coleman, from entering the field. She ALSO believes she;s the most ELECTABLE: BITE:ever since i've been in politics when people have needed an urban vote or rural
September 20, 1997 - Republican state party delegates have gathered in Bemidji today for their state convention. Delegates are casting a straw ballot for candidates running for governor and attorney general. MPR's political reporter Karen-Louise Boothe is in Bemidji this morning. She says the results of today's straw poll are not terribly significant.
September 19, 1997 - capitol for Morning Edition/ATC Friday Die Hard Republican party activists will gather in Bemidji tomorrow (saturday) for an off-year state convention. few voters are as interested in the gubernatorial campaign as THESE delegates are, but their straw poll on the race CAN either add some energy to, OR deflate a candidate's campaign. Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe reports: Party leaders project a low turnout even among the most fervent party loyalists. Among some 21-hundred republican delegates statewide...between 700 and 800 are expected. And if the old adage "politics belongs to those who show up" is TRUE, which candidate belongs to the delegates? Republican political analyist, Tom Horner says among the FOUR candidates in the race so far...Alan Quist could very well have his day in the sun again. Somethi
September 15, 1997 - Minneapolis homelessness is said to be on the rise, especially among families headed by women. As Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe reports, the re-opening of a homeless shelter and transitional housing program in Minneapolis will now help ease the burdens of other shelters, filled to capacity each night.
August 20, 1997 - capitol Lawmakers completed their work of the special session in one day...and sent three major pieces of legislation to the Governor. Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe reports: Lawmakers in BOTH houses quickly passed the main bill BEHIND the special session...a 124-million dollar flood relief package that frees up money for home buyouts, flood prevention projects and economic development strategies aimed at keeping Minnesota businessness in the state. Governor Carlson calls the aid package, "unprecedented" while Republican Representative Tim Finseth says it gives flood victims a Hand UP not a hand OUT. BITE: green one Finseth, whose district in the northwestern corner of the state was hit h