Monday, October 5, 1998

Tomorrow's News Tonight

According to Tobacco Institute documents, as recently as 1990, the cigarette industry considered using high-profile celebrities such as actors Mel Gibson, Whoopi Goldberg and Bill Cosby, author Tom Clancy and photographer Fran Lebowitz to speak out in defense of smoking. St. Paul Pioneer Press staff writer David Hanners looked into this risky and high-cost proposal and the results will be published in tomorrow's edition of the newspaper. Tonight, however, David Hanners will sit down with Lou Harvin to give us a sneak preview of this intriguing article.

A Look Inside the Supreme Court

University of Minnesota law professor Suzanna Sherry will join us this evening to share her thoughts on pending cases before the U.S. Supreme Court on this first Monday in October, 1998.

A Little Light Music

Direct from the Ordway's production of "A Little Night Music", vocalist Beth McVey joins us to close out our show with a live performance of 'Send in the Clowns'.

Plus...

The Titanic to surface at St. Paul's Union Depot, Judge LaJune Lange and the Rev. Absalom Dlamini of Swaziland discuss U.S. investment in S. Africa, politically-minded bikers, our ever-so-brief weather forecast and more. NewsNight - eclectic doesn't begin to describe it.

Tobacco $ Distributed

Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi, the controversial law firm that handled Minnesota's case against the tobacco industry, today announced a $30 million gift to the Minneapolis Foundation. Joining us tonight to discuss the settlement-based donation will be attorney Michael Ciresi and Emmett Carson of the foundation.

Turning Up the H.E.A.T.

St. Paul Police's H.E.A.T. program has been called CODEFOR with a new name, referring to Minneapolis' program of computer-assisted crime fighting. Many derided CODEFOR as sanctioned harassment, but other community members praised it for a reduction in crime and increased police presence. To discuss St. Paul's program, we've invited Rev. Oliver White of Grace Community U.C.C. and Thomas-Dale Block Club's Johnny Howard.

Plus...

One-on-one with the Grassroots Party gubernatorial candidate, a Ken Stone report on the Center for Victims of Torture, the Schubert theatre on the move, the Nobel Conference in St. Peter, Red McCombs' psychic ability and, as always, our pocket-sized weather forecast. NewsNight - the newscast for people who expect more from their TV set.

Wednesday, October 7, 1998

Secretary of State Debate

While much of the attention in this election year has been focused on the gubernatorial campaigns, there are other significant state races as well. Tonight, Ken Stone moderates a four-way debate with the Secretary of State candidates from the DFL, Republican, Libertarian and Reform parties.

Meanwhile, Back at the Governor's Race...

As a part of NewsNight's continuing series of interviews with the minor-party gubernatorial hopefuls, Green Party candidate Ken Pentel will join us on the set for a discussion of his candidacy and his party's stands on the environment and violence prevention.

Plus...

Headlines, highlights from the debate in Hibbing, doctors vs. HMOs, Mental Health Awareness Week and, as always, the Twin Cities' most succinct weather forecast. NewsNight - nobody does news the way we do.

Thursday, October 8, 1998

Farm Aid Countdown

This week, a bill to aid financially strapped farmers landed on President Clinton's desk and there could be action on it as soon as tomorrow. Tom Rothman of the Minnesota Farm Network will be joining us to explain the bill and what it can do to help beleaguered Minnesota farmers.

Lockout!

Why are $120 million dollar players being locked out of the NBA? For some answers, we've invited the Star Tribune's NBA reporter Steve Aschburner to sit down with Ken Stone to discuss the whys and wherefores of this action.

Anders Widmark Live

Pianist Anders Widmark has been called "the best that has happened to Swedish piano jazz in the last two decades". To find out why, all you have to do is tune in to his live performance as he closes out tonight's show.

Plus...

Headlines, a look at the Guthrie's latest comedy, Alliantech protests, KQRS's Morning Show loses more sponsors, the opening of a new kind of charter school, the latest on the impeachment process and our usual short 'n snappy weather forecast. NewsNight - the jazziest newscast you'll see tonight.

Monday, October 12, 1998

Dying To Come Out?

Last week's savage beating of openly gay student Matthew Shepard in Wyoming resulted this morning in that young man's death and a wave of public outrage and cries for new, tougher hate crimes laws. Others insist this incident isn't about hate crimes or sexual orientation and public figures are already beginning to spin the story to their advantage. Tommie Seidel, coordinator of anti-violence programs for OutFront Minnesota, will join us tonight to talk about how this national story has galvanized the local gay, lesbian, bisexual & transgender communities.

Vice-President Gore Swings Through Minnesota

Officially in town for an international telecommunications conference, V. P. Al Gore is also using his time in the Twin Cities to stump for several DFL candidates, including Skip Humphrey and Bruce Vento. NewsNight's Mary Lahammer spent the day following the Veep and will bring us a behind-the-scenes report.

Fiske for Governor

As part of our continuing series of interviews with minor-party candidates, Socialist Workers Party gubernatorial candidate Thomas Fiske will sit down with Ken Stone for a live one-on-one.

Plus...

A live interview with the Teacher of the Year, a preview of tonight's "Skid Row" documentary, nurses in Lake City take a vote, the latest at the 'U' as well as our offbeat-as-usual weather forecast. NewsNight - jam-packed with tasty and nutritious news and information.

Tuesday, October 13, 1998

What's Next in High Tech

This week, 2000 delegates from 188 countries have converged on the Minneapolis Convention Center for the International Telecommunications Conference. This forum, not held in the Twin Cities for over a half-century, determines the future of telecommunications technology. NewsNight's Mary Lahammer has been covering the conference and will bring us a report on what's in store for our high-tech future.

Not Your Usual Gubernatorial Debate

As part of our ongoing "Citizens Forum" partnership with the Star Tribune, last Thursday evening saw a live debate among the minor-party gubernatorial candidates. Lou Harvin was there and will give us a look at some of the hopefuls whose names aren't household words.

Right, Privilege or None of the Above?

As the fur flies in the battle surrounding a proposed amendment that would declare hunting and fishing a constitutional privilege for Minnesotans, we've invited Howard Goldman of Friends of Animals and Their Environment (F.A.T.E.) and Jim Klatt, president of the Outdoor Heritage Alliance to join us and share their sides of this issue.

Plus...

Governor Carlson speaks up on steel exports, millions are donated to the 'U', Lake City nurses ratify their contract and folk singer Charlie Maguire closes out our show with a live performance. NewsNight - where else but right here?

Wednesday, October 14, 1998

Candidates on Parade

As often happens in an election year, the major races tend to overshadow the lesser-know, but equally vital contests. To shed some light into one of these darker corners of politics, we've invited five candidates for State Auditor - representing the Republican, DFL, Progressive Minnesota, Minnesota Taxpayers and Libertarian parties - to be on tonight's show for a live, freewheeling discussion.

Fancy Ray One-on-One

In our continuing effort to present a forum for minor-party candidates, People's Champion gubernatorial candidate Fancy Ray McCloney will sit down with Lou Harvin for a conversation on the issues and his colorful candidacy.

Plus...

The Urban Coalition takes on the INS, trouble brewing for Target and Mervyns, a disturbing discovery at St. Cloud State, the pacemaker turns 40 and a farewell to polka king Frankie Yankovic. NewsNight - the newscast for thoughtful Minnesotans.

Thursday, October 15, 1998

Truancy is Only the Beginning

A study of prison inmates reveals that 70% of all prisoners did not finish high school. This alarming statistic has not gone unnoticed in Ramsey County, which has established the Truancy Intervention Program (TIP). TIP is modeled after a similar program in Los Angeles created by L.A. County District Attorney Gil Garcetti. We'll have Mr. Garcetti live in the studio where he and Assistant Ramsey County Attorney Frank Miley will discuss this innovative program and the successes that Los Angeles has had with it.

A Candidate You Probably Haven't Heard Of...

As part of our continuing effort to spotlight minor-party candidates this election season, we've invited Frank Germann, the Libertarian Party candidate for Governor, to sit down with Lou Harvin for a one-on-one interview.

John Gorka Live!

The New York Times said, "Mr. Gorka mesmerizes", Rolling Stone called him "the pre-eminent male singer/songwriter of the New Folk movement" and NewsNight is happy to feature a live, show-ending performance by this Minnesota performer.

Plus...

Headlines, a recent election poll comes under fire, KQRS loses U.S. West Dex and, as ever, our bite-sized weather forecast. NewsNight - the show you didn't know you couldn't live without.

Monday, October 19, 1998

Religion & the Media

At a conference today at the College of St. Thomas, journalists conducted a wide-ranging dialogue on the role of religion in media. Topics ranged from moral outrage over the Clinton/Lewinsky matter to science coverage from a theological point of view. Ken Stone was there and tonight he'll moderate a live three-way conversation featuring theology professor Joan Timmerman and local religion writers Maja Beckstrom and Tom Di Nanni.

Africans in America

Tonight marks the premiere of PBS' highly anticipated six-hour series, "Africans in America". Recently, NewsNight's Daniel Bergin sat down with the series' executive producer Orlando Bagwell for a thought-provoking and informative interview that we'll be airing tonight in addition to a sneak preview of the program.

Talented Youth

Richard Hitchler, artistic director of Steppingstone Theatre for Youth Development will join Lou Harvin for a discussion of the theatre's current production, "Mighty Mississippi: The Great River Race". Following that, we'll be treated to a live performance of one of the show's musical numbers by some of the young stars.

Plus...

Headlines, Northwest under fire again, a rally in Hibbing, doing business with Northern Ireland, Coleman gets endorsed, the closing of the Newman Center and our one-of-a-kind weather forecast. NewsNight - you won't find this kind of stuff anywhere else.

Tuesday, October 20, 1998

For Whom the Poll Tolls

This morning, the Minneapolis Star Tribune published the results of a poll that upended the assumption that Jesse Ventura would serve only as a spoiler in the upcoming gubernatorial election, siphoning votes away from Norm Coleman. According to the poll, however, Coleman and presumed front-runner Skip Humphrey are in a virtual dead heat and Ventura is showing surprising strength. For some background into the science of polling and specifics behind this one, we've invited Rob Daves, Director of Minnesota Poll, to join us for a live one-on-one.

...is a film and discussion series on racial perceptions in film being presented as a joint venture by the Hungry Mind Review and The Loft. NewsNight's Lou Harvin will sit down with representatives of both for an inside look at this challenging and thought-provoking series.

A Life in Art

Awarded 2 Guggenheim Fellowships, founder of the U of M's print department and friend of de Kooning, Malcolm Myers has taught at the 'U' for over 40 years. In recognition of the opening of his new exhibit, NewsNight arts producer Patty Hegman talked with Myers about his life, his work and the three things he's got on his mind.

Plus...

Headlines, the battle over a new high-speed railway in Southern Minnesota, a media circus greets Paula Jones' case in St. Paul, Sharon Sayles Belton steps into the ring and, as ever, our short 'n snappy weather forecast. NewsNight - the newscast for thoughtful Minnesotans

Wednesday, October 21, 1998

Sexual Violence Prevention

The Minnesota Department of Health today held a press conference announcing a new initiative to treat sexual violence as a public health issue. In addition to airing an excerpt from that press conference, Minnesota Commissioner of Health Anne M. Barry will join us to talk about the public and personal costs of sexual violence and MDH's plans to combat what they call "one of the most insidious forms of violence."
Related Link:
MN Department of Health Sexual Violence Prevention

Summer Camp, It's Not

It's been several months now, and Camp Coldwater, the site of protests against the proposed Highway 55 reroute, hasn't gone away. Who are these people? Is it really the location of an ancient burial site? Have the protests accomplished anything? News Night's Lou Harvin went looking for some answers and will bring us the latest on this determined band of activists.

NewsNight Gets the Blues

Blues guitarist/singer/songwriter/storyteller Paul Geramia has been called "one of the best country blues finger-pickers ever" and we've got him for a live performance to wrap up tonight's show.

Plus...

Headlines, a preview of tonight's PBS special on a local Native American artist, "Sturgeon General" caught, Duluth teachers in the news as well as our compact, fits-in-pocket-or-purse weather forecast. NewsNight - the newscast for viewers who expect more from their TV set.

Thursday, October 22, 1998

All this week, Channel 2 has been airing "Africans in America", and, tonight, NewsNight producer Daniel Bergin brings us his companion report, "Africans in Minnesota". In this piece, Bergin looks at the lives of Blacks in this state during the 19th Century.

Related Links:
Literature and Life
Africans in America

The Future of Movies?

This weekend, the 'U' Film Society takes part in an historic presentation - the first-ever theatrical movie distributed via satellite and digital video projection. Former KTCA staffer Esther Robinson, one of the women responsible for the screening, will join us on the set to talk about the movie (which, incidentally, concerns the murder of a couple of Public TV personalities) and the implications of this technology for the future.

Dylan in Duluth

A Duluth native, Bob Dylan, has never returned to that city until now. Tonight, he's performing his first Duluth concert and the locals are pretty excited. NewsNight's Northern correspondent, Jim Neumann, is filing a report that looks at Duluth's Dylan delerium.

Plus...

Headlines, highlights from the Media Accountability Conference, a preview of Sunday night's "Health Diary", teachers, students, 3M, the Sierra Club and our one-and-only weather forecast. NewsNight - it's not your father's newscast.

Monday, October 26, 1998

District 2 Debate

The District 2 Congressional race is one of the most hotly contested in the state and, tonight, NewsNight will present a live debate featuring the three contenders: DFL incumbent Rep. David Minge, Republican Craig Duehring and Reform Party candidate Stan Bentz.

A Question of Endorsement

Every election year, local newspapers announce which candidates they'll be endorsing; this year the Pioneer Press is backing Coleman, the Star Tribune, Humphrey. This is a long-standing practice, but what kind of impact do these pronouncements have? How are these decisions made? Do they affect the outcome of the election? What about journalistic credibility and objectivity - can a paper publicly support one candidate and still offer fair coverage of the opponent? We thought these were pretty good questions, so we've invited Jim Boyd, Editorial Page Deputy Editor for the Star Tribune, to help us with the answers.

Cloggin' the Night Away

What do you get when you combine one banjo, a fiddle and four clog dancers on the NewsNight set? Why Girl Germs, of course, and they're going to help us close out tonight's show with a rousing live performance.

Plus...

Headlines, the Minnesota Peace Prize, a second look at last week's contentious Gubernatorial debate, an update on the proposed high-speed railroad for Southern Minnesota plus our one-of-a-kind weather forecast. NewsNight - more bang for your news-watching buck.

Tuesday, October 27, 1998

Minnesota Supplying the World

High-tech exports form Minnesota are nothing new, but consider this: a while back, some IBM employees decided to branch out on their own. Now, five years later, their company, Pemstar, not only employs 800 workers in their Rochester plant, but they now have operations in Singapore, China, Thailand and Mexico. Tonight, Ken Stone files a report on this growing company and the impact it's having on the state's economy.

Campaign Cash

Political campaigns cost a lot of money - just ask Jesse Ventura, whose ad campaign has, so far, been limited to radio spots. But now, Jesse's rolling out his first TV commercial and we'll give you a peek at it.

Related Link:
KTCA's Election 98 features RealVideo of many political ads in the AdWatch section.

Miss Richfield Live!

What can we say? We'd tell you what she's going to do, but one never knows what Miss Richfield is going to do next, so you'll just have to tune in and find out along with the rest of us.

Plus...

Headlines, the "Weed & Seed" crime prevention program, business news, a look at last week's Media Accountability Conference, a plethora of flu shots and, as always, our inimitable weather forecast. NewsNight - the news, arts and information program for thoughtful Minnesotans.

Wednesday, October 28, 1998

The Race For Hennepin County Attorney

For the first time, the new Hennepin County Attorney will be a woman. We feature a debate between the candidates for the office. Sheryl Ramstad Hvass takes on Amy Klobuchar.

The Rape of Nanking

NewsNight's Fred de Sam Lazaro talks with Chinese-American writer Iris Chang. Chang's book, "The Rape of Nanking" tells the story of the Japanese Army's assault on the city of Nanking during World War II.

A Musical Reprieve

We end the show tonight with music from Neal and Leandra, who are having a CD release party Monday, November 2 at the Guthrie.

Thursday, October 29, 1998

Sentencing Study

Are minorities who are arrested less likely to get released on bail than whites? Yes. Judge Michael Davis, U.S. District Court tells Ken why.

Political Ads

TV ad analyst John Forde and Dean Alger of Minnesota Compact view the current crop of governor TV spots.

Ramsey Co. Attourney candidates

Susan Gaertner, current Ramsey County Attorney faces off with challenger Jim Farrell.

NewsNight Minnesota is a TPT production.

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