December 10, 1999 - In December 1998, a massive blast resulted in four deaths, about a dozen injuries and the displacement of several downtown St. Cloud businesses. Mainstreet Radio's Marisa Helms reports on the varied potential plans for developing site of the explosion that became an empty square piece of land in the heart of the city's downtown business district.
November 3, 1999 - Saint Cloud area residents said no yesterday to a half percent sales tax increase for a proposed regional events center. The referendum was also tied to other regional amenties like park improvements and a remodeled regional library. Officials say they're now looking for ways to fund the library and parks.
November 2, 1999 - While Twin Cities residents have been debating stadium issues for months, Saint Cloud area residents have been quietly grappling with a similar issue. Today residents will vote for or against a half cent sales tax increase to fund an events center and other amenities. Supporters call it a once in a lifetime opportunity. Opponents of the measure say Central Minnesotans are already overtaxed.
October 29, 1999 - Two young men from Minnesota will start a year-long bicycle journey through Africa today.
October 15, 1999 - Earlier this year, Saint John's University in Collegeville commissioned the a hand-illuminated bible. The man in charge of this six year project was on The Saint's Johns' campus today to talk about how his work is coming along.
September 3, 1999 - Bison burgers, Buff dogs…bison's becoming the 'other' red meat for health conscious Americans. Mainstreet Radio's Marisa Helms reports that cattle ranchers across Minnesota are starting to raise the nearly once extinct animal in increasing numbers. Some of these new bison ranchers try to mimic the natural prairie setting, grazing their herds on native grasses.
August 25, 1999 - Discussions about y2k are everywhere. The talk ranges from big fears like airplanes falling from the sky, to the inevitable irritations we're bound to experience if the power goes out or there are fewer choices at the grocery story for a few days. But for some people, there's something else to worry about; pre-engraved cemetery markers. As Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports, people who already purchased and engraved their headstones --thinking they'd die before the roll over to 2000, may have a consumer headache in their future.
August 6, 1999 - Mainstreet Radio’s Marissa Helms reports on two brothers in central Minnesota that are taking the family dairy farm in a new direction.
July 16, 1999 - Governor Jesse Ventura reiterated familiar themes during his "Lunch with the Governor" broadcast from the St. Cloud State University campus today.
June 17, 1999 - Some regional legislators say they're feeling betrayed by Governor Jesse Ventura's liberal use of line-item vetoes for rural projects. Items receiving a gubernatorial veto include a new boiler at Winona State; and money for the flood control project near Willmar that's already received one million dollars in federal matching funds. And then there's the veto of a little-known adult education program in central Minnesota that helps rural immigrants get their high school equivalency degree or GED.