December 29, 1999 - A state representative from Crookston wants to radically change the way the state raises money for road improvements. Crookston Democrat Bernie Lieder says because more motorists are avoiding the gas tax by driving cars that run on alternative fuels or electricity, it's time to replace the gas tax with a mileage tax.
December 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, a look back at what was the news at the turn of the last century.
December 24, 1999 - This weekend, Christians around the world will once again hear the story of the Virgin Mary...a humble peasant woman who became the mother of God. Mary is perhaps one of the best-known figures in the Bible. But for many Christians, she is nearly invisible the rest of the liturgical year. That was the case for Kathleen Norris, who grew up in Methodist and Congregational churches. Norris, who is a poet from South Dakota, rediscovered Mary during a visit to a Benedictine abby 15 years ago. Mary's image seemed to be present everywhere. Norris, found the experience comforting and peaceful. In her new book "Meditations on Mary", Norris re-examines our assumptions about Mary in a series of personal essays.
December 22, 1999 - If you think you've got a lot to do before the end of the year, people who run charities might have you beat. Many of the major charities collect anywhere from forty to 100-percent of their revenue during the month of December. It's an anxious time right now as they wait to see if they've raised enough money to feed the hungry, clothe the poor and shelter the homeless all next year. Some of the major charities are reporting the good economic times have made fundraising easier. Bill Fredell is the Development director for Lutheran Social Services.
December 16, 1999 - It's been nearly a year and a half since nature photographer Nadine Blacklock and her dog Paddles were killed in a head-on car crash along the North Shore. Before she died, Nadine had been working with her husband Craig to re-issue their popular collection of photographs of the Quetico-Superior wilderness called, Border Country. The Blacklocks wanted to re-work their photos using new digital technology to make them sharper, brighter and more colorful. After Nadine's death, Craig took over the project and has just released the new, improved Border Country. He says looking over the old photos brought back many memories.
December 15, 1999 - It's been nearly a year and a half since nature photographer Nadine Blacklock and her dog Paddles were killed in a head-on car crash along the North Shore. Before she died, Nadine had been working with her husband Craig to re-issue their popular collection of photographs of the Quetico-Superior wilderness called, Border Country. The Blacklocks wanted to re-work their photos using new digital technology to make them sharper, brighter and more colorful. After Nadine's death, Craig took over the project and has just released the new, improved Border Country. He says looking over the old photos brought back many memories.
December 13, 1999 - For patients sitting through hours of chemotherapy or family members waiting for a loved one to come out of radiation, there are the usual distractions - old magazines, the newspaper or television. But there isn't much to feed the soul, especially for those who haven't come to terms with the disease. Karin Miller is hoping to change that. Two years ago, her husband Thom was diagnosed with cancer. He was 36 and had a tumor the size of a football in his abdomen. Karen began writing poetry to get through the difficult months of his treatment. She suspected others touched by cancer might be doing the same thing, so she founded the Cancer Poetry Project. Through a Web site and other publicity, Miller is soliciting poetry for an anthology that she hopes will be published next year.
December 6, 1999 - Four people were arrested today in connection with two suspected methamphetamine labs. Police discovered one in St. Paul last night following a fire at a building on West Seventh Street. And in Wright County today, two men were arrested after a hunter came across their meth lab. The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension estimates most of the meth consumed in Minnesota is imported from the southwestern United States and Mexico. But the number of local labs is growing, and the number of busts has roughly doubled every year since the mid-1990's. Tim O'Malley is a special agent in charge at the BCA. He says a disproportionate number of labs are still found in rural areas, where it's generally easier to conceal the smells and toxic waste associated with a lab.
December 3, 1999 - Minnesota author Frederick Manfred was so dedicated to his creative calling that despite writing 33 books, he was frequently broke. The critically acclaimed author of Lord Grizzly, The Golden Bowl, and This is the Year died in 1994. While he was good at getting his books published, he was not as adept at negotiating his pay. In her new memoir, Frederick Manfred: A Daughter Remembers, Freya Manfred says her father didn't have a lot growing up and in some ways it's surprising he went on to become a respected literary force.
November 29, 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 story of Fredrick McGhee, a civil-rights advocate and Minnesota's first black lawyer, who left an important local and national legacy.