October 28, 1999 - To close out the millennium, Minnesota Public Radio's All Things Considered presents a look back at Minnesota life in 1900 via a 12-part series, entitled “A Minnesota Century.” This segment is the the story the notorious outlaw Cole Younger.
October 26, 1999 - Strong-willed, eccentric, passionate women are the driving force behind first-time novelist Linn Ullmann's new book "Before You Sleep." The story is set in present-day Norway and Brooklyn of the 1930s. Ullmann has experience with both places. She was born in Oslo and at age 15 moved to New York with her mother, actress Liv Ullmann, where she quickly absorbed the English language and American culture. Ullmann, who is also the daughter of director Ingmar Bergman, eventually moved back to Norway and became a journalist. When her love for writing spawned the beginnings of her novel, Ullmann wondered whether to write it in English or Norwegian.
October 14, 1999 - The nation's good economy has helped revitalize many American cities, including St. Paul which is enjoying a building boom. But Minnesota's capital still faces challenges, including a downtown that's virtually empty after 6pm. Today, the former mayor of Indianapolis William Hudnut toured St. Paul as an invited guest of the St. Paul Foundation. Hudnut is credited with transforming the nation's 12th largest city from "Naptown" to what Newsweek magazine called "The Cinderella of the Rust Belt.
October 11, 1999 - The Vixens and the Vikings may be off to a bleak start, but for local cheeseheads it looks like a promising season. The Green Bay Packers are now 3-and-1 after yesterday's victory over Tampa Bay. But is another SuperBowl victory possible? Pulitzer Prize winning author David Maraniss says as much as today's fans are hoping to rival the 2 SuperBowl vicories of legendary Coach Vince Lombardi in the 60s, he is a tough act to follow. In the new biography "When Pride Still Mattered: A Life of Vince Lombardi" Maraniss says the coach was so great there is a whole culture of myth about him.
October 1, 1999 - Minnesota Korean war veterans are stunned over allegations that U.S. troops may have massacred hundreds of Korean women and children hiding under a railroad bridge in 1950. Ed Valle is President of the 400-member Korean War Veterans of Minnesota Chapter 1. He says if the allegations are true, it's a terrible stain on American troops who were sent to Korea. But he says he's holding out hope it's not true because it would hurt the efforts Minnesota veterans who have fought a long battle for recognition.
September 27, 1999 - To close out the millennium, Minnesota Public Radio's All Things Considered presents a look back at Minnesota life in 1900 via a 12-part series, entitled “A Minnesota Century.” This segment is the the story of a woman who had mixed success as a novelist but eventually found her voice in the character of Betsy, whose antics and adventures mirrored Maud's real-life childhood in Mankato at the turn of the century.
September 22, 1999 - With the arrival of a new century, many of us may be taking stock of where we are now compared with a hundred years ago. The latest issue of The Old Farmer's Almanac makes such comparisons easy. In addition to it's bigger-than-usual Special Millenium Issue, editors reprinted the black-and-white 56-page edition printed in 1900. Managing Editor Susan Peery says while the old Almanac focused on the traditional farmer's calendar, it also contained poems, riddles and bits of homespun advice.
September 21, 1999 - MPR’s Lorna Benson talks with nature photographer Jim Brandenburg about the the Boundary Waters after the massive blowdown. Brandenburg discusses the unknown long-term effects to the forest and animals.
September 16, 1999 - A new report says rainfall in the upper midwest is loaded with mercury, which is polluting the region's lakes and streams. The National Wildlife Federation report says rainfall in the Duluth area holds about six times the amount of mercury considered safe for people. Readings in some urban areas like Detroit are about 65-times the safe level. Bill Grant is Director of the Midwest Energy Program at the Isaac Walton League. He says mercury is a naturally occurring metal, but in this case the problem is the result of human action.
September 15, 1999 - Presidential hopeful Bill Bradley is in Minneapolis this afternoon to attend a campaign organizing meeting at the Sabathani Center. His opponent, Vice President Al Gore is considered the front runner in the race for the Democratic ticket. But Bradley appears to be close behind. In a statewide poll of New York voters released today Bradley is now in a virtual tie with Gore. The same poll in July had Gore leading Bradley by 18 points. MPR political commentator Sara Stoesz is a democrat who hasn't made up her mind yet about whether to support Bradley or Gore...but she says it's clear Bradley has made big inroads in Minnesota.