January 27, 1999 - A Wisconsin Senator offered two suprise votes in President Clinton's impeachment trial today. Democrat Russ Feingold voted with the Republicans not to dismiss the case and to allow prosecutors to question three witnesses. He was the only senator to vote across party lines today. In a statement, Feingold said if the Senate were to dismiss the case before hearing from witnesses, it would improperly short-circuit the trial. But he said his votes should not be construed as a sign he's decided to convict Clinton. Feingold's action came as a shock to Wisconsin Democrats. Bill Dixon is a Madison attorney who's known as an elderstatesman of Wisconsin politics.
January 26, 1999 - When new Minneapolis Park Superintendent Mary Merrill Anderson was a child growing up in the Phillips neighborhood, she spent summer days swimming in the pool in Peavey Park. She had just a few months each year to make the most of her park adventures since it was common practice to close parks in the winter. These days millions of people use Minneapolis ' 170 parks year-round. It's a tranformation Anderson has watched first-hand in her career with the Minneapolis parks. Anderson says the parks have changed along with Minneapolis ' people.
January 25, 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.” In this segment, a look back at the Battle of Sugar Point…a fight between the U.S. Government and Chippewa Tribe over timber.
January 22, 1999 - The Mayor of East Grand Forks Minnesota is proposing his city change its name. Lynn Stauss says his city is always confused with its larger neighbor to the west, Grand Forks, North Dakota. Stauss says the confusion became a real problem during the disastrous floods of 1997.
January 21, 1999 - Governor Ventura named two more commissioners today. Sheryl Ramstad Hvass, a Minneapolis attorney and former Hennepin County judge will be the new head the Corrections department. Hvass lost a tight race for Hennepin County attorney in November. Michael O'Keefe will become the new commissioner of Human Services. O'Keefe had recently announced plans to step down from his position as chief executive of the McKnight Foundation. Through his foundation work, O'Keefe worked hard on welfare reform, something he'll now head up for the state.
January 18, 1999 - In addition to their superbowl hopes, the Vikings have been pining for a new stadium. Owner Red McCombs has said while there's nothing physically wrong with the Metrodome, the team need a more profitable stadium to remain competitive. McCombs and Vikings management have been holding meetings in recent weeks with business leaders and lawmakers to cultivate support for a new facility. Minneapolis Star-Tribune sports writer Jay Weiner is writing a book on the history of Minnesota's stadium struggles. He says the Vikings loss may have a silver lining.
January 12, 1999 - Arguments in the senate trial of President Clinton begin Thursday. We've been hearing from politicians, pundits, pollsters and the public about the trial, so we decided to put the question to a few prominent Minnesotans: Financier Irwin Jacobs says he's disgusted with the situation, and he wants Clinton removed from office.
January 12, 1999 - In this sampling of opinion on the Senate impeachment trial of President Clinton, which starts Thursday, we hear from some prominent Minnesotans: writer Bill Holm, former Senator Dave Durenberger, playwright Kim Hines and financier Irwin Jacobs.
January 11, 1999 - Senator Paul Wellstone is leading the charge in congress to open the entire impeachment trial of President Clinton to the public. Under the current Senate rules, some key testimony could come behind closed doors. Wellstone and Iowa Senator Tom Harkin plan to introduce what they're calling a "sunshine motion." Wellstone says its important the process be fully accountable to the American public.
January 7, 1999 - Minnesota's senators reflect the partisan split heading into the senate trial of President Clinton beginning today. The senators will take their oath as jurors later today. A full trial could take as long as six months. Some senators have proposed a limited trial, followed by a test-vote to see if there are the votes needed to remove the president from office. Democrats like Paul Wellstone say there's no way Republicans have the 67 votes needed to convict the president. Wellstone says the senate should limit the process to a two-week period.