Tuesday, February 2, 1999

Emission Remission

Up at the State Capitol, there's a proposal on the table to end statewide auto emissions testing as of July 1, 2000. Political reporter Mary Lahammer looks into this controversial (though popular) idea as she presents her wrap-up of the day's events in the Legislature.

Should the Cabinet be Refinished?

Governor Ventura has endured some critical brickbats recently for his new all-white cabinet. He's defended it by saying he selected the most-qualified people and some say that non-white applicants simply weren't there. Tonight, we'll talk to former Ventura transition team member Peter Bell and state Senator Sandy Pappas to find out what kind of impact the cabinet's diversity (or lack thereof) will have on the citizens of Minnesota.

Plus...

Minnesota gets a 'B' in financial management, Duluth's Bayfront Park is stalled, the Somali job fair, a live performance from the Walker and more. NewsNight - it's not your father's newscast.

Wednesday, February 03, 1999

News from around Minnesota

Tune in for... the future of the IRRRB... the real scoop on school class size reduction, do kids learn better in smaller classes?... and an update on snowmobile studs, cash strapped Polk County and taxes.

Thursday, February 4, 1999

A Crisis of the First Water...

Last December, NewsNight producer Fred de Sam Lazaro traveled to Bangladesh to investigate a situation that promises to become one of the first major health crises of the new millennium. It turns out that up to 80% of that nation's ground water could be contaminated with highly toxic, naturally-occurring arsenic. With 4 million Bangladeshi wells tapping into that now-poisoned reservoir, the potential impact on the citizens could be catastrophic. Tonight, we'll present Fred's report, after which he'll join us on the set to share what he discovered about Bangladesh, its' people and the world's response to this beleaguered nation.

Plus...

Headlines, a one-on-one with the Executive Director of the Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans, new Title IX turmoil, two new developments for the BWCA, a live ragtime performance and more! NewsNight - your news, our way.

Monday, February 8, 1999

A Plethora of Stories

Archbishop Desmond Tutu addresses the Westminster Town Forum, Gov. Ventura starts investigating the disbursement of tobacco settlement money, two incredibly different Minnesota communities with more in common than they ever realized, a live discussion on the use of restraints in nursing homes, headlines, a live pianist in the studio and more! NewsNight - just try to find this stuff on any other newscast in town.

Tuesday, February 9, 1999

Savings Sputtering?

It's become an old story that fewer people are putting less money aside in savings accounts every year. Is this a harbinger of an economic crisis or just a hiccup in the nation's financial future? Piper Jaffray's Ron Reuss and Art Rolnick of the Federal Reserve will be on tonight's show to talk about the impact of America's declining savings.

Building a Bridge

Last night we showed you what citizens of North Minneapolis and Crookston, MN thought about each other. Tonight, we'll give you a look at what happened this morning at Lucille's Kitchen when a live teleconference line connected these two divergent, but oddly similar, communities.

Plus...

Headlines, a debate on the foundering Profiles of Learning, a live report from the State Capitol, the archeological dig that will be Highway 55, a live performance from the a capella group Streetsounds and more! NewsNight - your news, our way.

Wednesday, February 10, 1999

You're Never Too Old...

...to have a substance abuse problem. People often think of this as a young person's issue, but as the number of senior citizens increases, so does their use of drugs and alcohol. A few statistics: half the residents of nursing homes have alcohol-relate d problems; 3 million Americans over age 60 have drinking problems; the elderly are hospitalized for alcoholism as often as for heart attacks. NewsNight's Lou Harvin has been investigating this often-overlooked health issue and will bring us his report.

Councils of Color

As part of our continuing profiles of minority councils in the Twin Cities, tonight we feature a live one-on-one with Irene Gomez-Bethke, Executive Director of the Chicano Latino Affairs council.

What's All This About Violins on Television? Oh.......Never Mind

Tonight's live performance will be a special treat featuring Grammy-nominated classical violinist Maxim Vengerov.

Plus...

Headlines, a Highway 55 update, Gophers, teachers and the latest from the Capitol. NewsNight - the violins may be at the end, but you might like to string along with us from the beginning.

Thursday, February 11, 1999

A Morning Guy Comes Out in the Evening

KSGS-AM's Freddie Bell, one of the Twin Cities' most popular drive-time personalities, recently sat down with Ken Stone to discuss his career, his awards and the Winter Carnival's recent efforts at inclusion.

Councils of Color Continued

As part of our continuing series profiling local minority councils, tonight we present a conversation with the Council of Black Minnesotans' Lester Collins

Plus...

Headlines, black farmers, big changes at Fingerhut, an HIV conference in Eveleth, a live performance from pianist Don Irwin and more. NewsNight - if you're gonna be snowed in tonight, let us keep you company.

Monday, February 15, 1999

A Very Special One-Hour NewsNight

As part of our continuing partnership with the Star Tribune, tonight's show features Governor Ventura live in our studio, fielding education questions from citizens around the state. Connected by video conference lines, folks in Minneapolis, Duluth and Windom will be able to ask the Governor about schools, class size, the Profiles of Learning and whatever else they'd like to know about the state of education in Minnesota. Joining the Governor here in the studio will be MPR political reporter Martin Kaste, Speaker of the House Steve Sviggum, Senate Majority Leader Roger Moe and Commissioner of Education Christine Jax. Don't miss it.

Tuesday, February 16, 1999

Airport Extravaganza

Tonight, we're devoting most of our show to a look at recent developments at the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport. First, Ken Stone reports on Sun Country's shift from charter airline to regularly scheduled flights; do they have what it takes to survive in a market where 80% of flights are handled by one carrier? Then, we'll present a one-on-one interview with Sun Country CEO Bill LaMacchia Jr., followed by a live, free-wheeling discussion among representatives from Northwest Airlines and MAC, as well as Airfare Report editor Terry Trippler and Rep. James Oberstar.

Plus...

Headlines, Mary Lahammer's live Capitol report on tax rebates, Piper Jaffray v. the SEC and more! NewsNight - this ain't your father's newscast.

Wednesday, February 17, 1999

Your Chance to be Heard by the New DNR Commissioner

Newly appointed DNR Commissioner Allen Garber joins us tonight to talk about anything and everything related to his new post. Not only will he be fielding questions from host Ken Stone, the viewing public (that means you) will have an opportunity to both telephone and e-mail comments directly to the commissioner. We like to think of it as interactive democracy...

Fallout from the Bail-out

It's been 8 years since Northwest Airlines was rescued by the State of Minnesota. It was a controversial decision then, and one that hasn't yet been forgotten. NewsNight's Mary Lahammer tonight brings us a report on what the state's gotten for its' money from the carrier, especially since last year's crippling strike.

Plus...

Headlines, a union vote at Northwest, a sneak preview of the Minneapolis Institute of Arts' latest exhibit, a live folk guitar performance from Jerry Rau and more. NewsNight - you just won't find this kind of stuff anywhere else.

Thursday, February 18, 1999

Why Go To Sweden?

This weekend brings the 4th annual Minnesota Peace Prize Festival, an event that brings Nobel Peace Prize winners to Augsburg College to join local students in a day of sharing ideas, music, dance and art. First, we'll profile Lynn Elling, the man behind the Festival, then we'll chat live with a Woodbury teacher whose students are participating in this year's event.

Plus...

Headlines, Governor Ventura's appearances in Delano this morning and on Tom Snyder's show last night, Rod Grams' new tax plan, the latest on the IRRRB, a look at the man behind Tires Plus stores, a discussion on the difference between archaeology and grave robbing, a live jazz performance and more.

NewsNight - you'll love what it does for your TV.

Monday, February 22, 1999

Part-time Police Force

For eight hours a day, Buhl MN (pop. 1000) is effectively a town without a police force. The town's lawmakers recently cut police coverage back from 24 hours a day to 16 and the move has polarized the citizens. NewsNight's Jim Neumann brings us his report about a community choosing between increased property taxes and their own safety.

Sparks Fly in Fireworks Flare-up

Minnesotans in need of a pyrotechnic fix are forced to travel out-of-state to acquire their fiery fun. Some say that's as it should be, while others argue that Minnesota should take advantage of this untapped source of revenue. Tonight, we've scheduled a debate between Fire Chief Nyle Zikmund and Rep. Tom Rukavina to hash out the issue, live.

Minnesota's Very Own Mr. Smith

Okay, his name is Ventura instead of Smith, and he isn't played by Jimmy Stewart, but he is a movie star. Well, sort of. Anyway, our new governor has been in the nation's capital for the last several days, and he's made a big splash wherever he's appeared. Mary Lahammer tonight shows us what the governor has been up to, and just what he talked about today during his address to the National Press Club.

Plus...

Headlines, a discussion about the efficacy of medical treatment in rural MN, a not-quite settled strike in Thief River Falls, a blast from the past and yet another show-closing live performance.

NewsNight - if you like what we do, let a friend in on the secret.

Tuesday, February 23, 1999

Maybe They Should Call it Social Insecurity

Everybody knows that Social Security needs rescuing, but, so far, it hasn't happened. Just what's going to become of this beleaguered fund? Tonight, we'll be joined by U of M economist V. V. Chari to discuss proposed plans to save Social Security, and their chances of succeeding.

Street of Dreams?

For more than a year now, a KTCA crew has been preparing a documentary on the past, present and future of Minneapolis' Lake Street. While it isn't quite done yet, we thought it deserved a sneak preview, so tonight we decided to run an excerpt of this intriguing production.

Plus...

Headlines, Mary Lahammer live from the Capitol, Gustafson resigns from the IRRRB, more trouble ahead for farmers, a live guitar performance and more.

NewsNight - you'll love what it does for your TV.

Wednesday, February 24, 1999

How Much is Too Much?

Centerville, MN schools are participating in a three-year study to determine optimum class sizes. How does 15 students to one teacher work as a target ratio? Too much? Too small? How can anyone tell, anyway? Lou Harvin takes a look at this experiment to explain how it works and what's expected from the outcome.

...said Ronald Reagan to Jimmy Carter and, now, Minnesotans might well be saying the same thing to Governor Ventura after his appearance on David Letterman's show last night. The governor's comments about the Irish and their drinking habits have incensed Irish-Americans, drinkers and other Minnesotans. Tonight, Mary Lahammer presents her report on just what he said, and how others are taking it.

Plus...

Headlines, a tribute to the legendary Paul Robeson, 200 Minnesota farms quarantined, millions for frog research, Buhl, MN citizens vote to raise taxes or cut their police force, yet another live musical performance and more.

NewsNight - your daily requirement of news, arts and information in an easy-to-swallow form. Chock full of vitamins and minerals, too!

Thursday, February 25, 1999

The Legendary Filmmaker You've Probably Never Heard Of

Maverick experimental filmmaker Stan Brakhage has, over the years, achieved something of a godlike status among serious students of the motion picture arts. This weekend, he will be conducting a master class at the Walker, so we've invited him to sit with arts producer Patty Hegman tonight to discuss his body of work and to share a film clip or two.

Fulani One-on-One

Two-time Independence Party presidential candidate Dr. Lenora Fulani will be the keynote speaker at this week's Pan-African Student Leadership Conference in Mankato, but before that, she'll join us live to discuss her previous campaigns and the black community's impact on local politics.

Even More Live Music

Russian baritone Dimitri Hvorostovsky will be our show-closing performer this evening.

Plus...

Headlines, Mary Lahammer takes a look at Gov. Ventura's latest commissioner appointments, high school wrestlers grapple with herpes, a new stamp honors Malcolm X, NewsNight's Grammy connections and more!

NewsNight - just try to find this kind of stuff on one of those other shows.

NewsNight Minnesota is a TPT production.

[NewsNight Home] [Local Broadcast Times] [Write us!]