February 1, 1999 - Republicans and DFLers aren't the only ones rethinking their strategies in the wake of Governor Jesse Ventura's upset victory last November. Thanks to Ventura's success, the Minnesota Reform Party is enjoying new visibility and hopes to capitalize on the governor's popularity.
January 28, 1999 - Minnesota's telecommunications laws were written well before today's world of wireless phones, satellite communications, and Internet access. Now, legislators and telecom experts say the laws should be re-written to bring them up-to-date.
January 27, 1999 - The Minnesota Department of Economic Security predicts the state's economy will need to fill one million jobs by 2006. Some businesses are already reporting a "worker shortage" -- not enough skilled employees to fuel the economy's continued expansion. And policy experts expect the problem to grow.
January 26, 1999 - The Maplewood City Council has voted to approve a new family homeless shelter in the St. Paul suburb. The decision was welcomed by advocates for the homeless, but came amid strong opposition from some local businesses and residents.
January 8, 1999 - A deal reached between NBA players and team owners means the Minnesota Timberwolves should be back in action next month. The next few weeks will be busy ones as the franchise prepares for a season many thought would never materialize.
January 8, 1999 - Red McCombs, Minnesota Vikings owner, talks about Vikings highly successful season, the prospects for the Superbowl, and much more. McCombs also answered listener questions. After McCombs interview , MPR’s Michael Coo presents a brief report on the end of NBA labor dispute and lockout, and what the Minnesota Timberwolves are doing to mend relationship with fans. Program closes with Britt Robson, City Pages sports reporter, discussing the NBA settlement and creation of shortened season. Robson also answered listener questions.
January 1, 1999 - Minnesotans celebrated the New Year last night at Firstar's Capital New Year. The event drew tens of thousands to clown shows, jazz performances, swing dancing, and hay rides. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo sampled opinion about the changing of the year. He began by asking celebrants to rate the year 1998.
December 31, 1998 - MPR's Michael Khoo reports on Governor-elect Jesse Ventura meeting with "disenchanted voters." Ventura met with thirteen randomly selected Minnesotans who voted for the first time, or for the first time in several years, to understand what worked to draw voters out this year and what would keep them engaged in the future.
December 18, 1998 - Peace activists in the Twin Cities are calling for an end to U-S air strikes against Iraq. Protesters rallied in downtown Minneapolis last night NARRATION: Roughly 150 to 200 people gathered in front of the Federal Courthouse in Minneapolis to oppose U-S and British attacks against Iraq. Alan Dale, an organizer and member of the Iraq Peace Coalition, says U-S policy is guided by economic interests.
December 15, 1998 - St. Paul-based U-S Satellite Broadcasting is being sold to Hughes Electronics -- the owners of DirecT-V -- for approximately one-and-a-quarter billion dollars. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more. NARRATION: Hubbard Broadcasting, owner of the K-S-T-P television and radio stations in the Twin Cities formed U-S-S-B, at a time when many doubted consumer interest in the technology. Programming is delivered through satellite dishes the size of a pizza box. U-S-S-B has not shown a profit since going public in 1996 even thought the satellite T-V industry now serves millions of subscribers. But chairman Stanley Hubbard says that will change once the deal is complete.