Eric and Cathy



Almanac


Welcome to Almanac, TPT's weekly public affairs program
with your hosts Eric Eskola and Cathy Wurzer.   


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1998 (Jan. to March)


Entire Almanac for January 2, 1998

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Little Alfie Logging
Friday in federal court the group Earth Protector filed suit against the U. S. Forest Service in an effort to block the logging of old red pine in the "Little Alfie" section of the Superior National Forest near Orr. Our guest is Leslie Davis with Earth Protector.

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1997 Show Highlights with J. G. Preston
J. G. introduces us to the winners in the Almanac Fight of the Year category.

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Legislative Leader Preview
It's a new year and that means a new legislative session. A session awash in money. Hear the leaders of the Minnesota House preview the upcoming session. Our guests are Speaker of the House Phil Carutthers and House Minority Leader Sviggum.

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Minnesota Bluegrass
The Christensen Sisters --named Minnesota's Bluegrass band of the year-- fiddle around live in our studio.


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The Race for Governor
Reporter Mike Mulcahy tells us about what will undoubtedly be one of the biggest political stories of 1998... the republican race for governor.


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The First Annual Almanac Legislative Survey
Hear the results of our first-ever survey of legislators as they tell us who they support for governor, what they think the big issue will be this year over at the legislature. Plus their answers to some fun questions. The full survey results can be found on Almanac BackStage.

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Minneapolis' Theater History
The fight to save Minneapolis' historic Shubert Theater is the starting point for us to examine the history of theater entertainment in the Mill City. Walking us down memory lane is historian David Wiggins.

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Almanac's 1997 Highlights and Lowlights
J. G. Preston shows us some things that all of us would just as soon forget.


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The Political Panel Looks to 1998
Tonight's panel kicks around what might happen in the political year to come. Panelists are Wy Spano, Sarah Stoesz, Cyndy Brucato and Sarah Janecek.


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Our Very First Wrapup in 1998
Learn a bit about history and a lot about life. With a sprinkling of viewer calls mixed in. And we end the show with more live blue grass music.


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Entire Almanac for January 9, 1998

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Tonight's Monolog
Courtesy of Carol Falkowski.

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Mayor Norm Coleman
Friday afternoon House Minority Leader Steve Sviggum announced his support for Norm Coleman for governor. Mayor Coleman will join us in our studio to talk gubernatorial and city politics.

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Battling Crime Agendas
Today Republicans announced their 1998 Legislative Anti-crime agenda. What new laws are needed this year? Find out from guests Rep. Charlie Weaver (R-Anoka) and Rep. Wes. Skoglund (DFL-Minneapolis).

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It was Twenty Years Ago Next Week
That Hubert Humphrey died in his adopted hometown of Waverly. We'll look at rare clips of HHH with the help of former WCCO Radio reporter Dick Chapman. Chapman will emcee a Saturday night tribute to Humphrey in Waverly.

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Twins, Twins, and More Twins
Lotta Twins news this week. We'll get reaction from team president Jerry Bell.

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Another Year, Another Flooding Forecast
What is the future of flooding in the Minnesota River Valley? That will be the subject of a televised town meeting next Thursday night in Appleton. One of folks who will be at that town meeting will join us. He's Gary McDevitt, flood forecaster for the National Weather Service.

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Our All-Star Defense Attorney Team
It's been a big week of legal news what with the dramatic developments in the Theodore Kaczynski and Terry Nichols cases. Our panel tonight will feature attorneys Joe Friedberg, Ron Meshbesher and Andrea George.

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The Index File Section
Last week's question... this week's question... and some Grammy-nominated music by Minnesota gospel legends "Sounds of Blackness".

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Entire Almanac for January 16, 1998

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Monolog by Otis Rabbit and Friends
Puppeteer Wayne Krefting and friends poke a little fun at the news of the week.

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Tobacco Trials
The apparent settlement in the Texas Tobacco case raises many questions about the Minnesota trial set to begin next Tuesday. Star Tribune reporter Dave Phelps has been following this story and is our guest.

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ATM Banking Fees
Mad about those ATM surcharges? A group of legislators will try to change that this session. Hear the great ATM debate between Wes Ehrecke of the Minnesota Bankers Association and Kevin Chandler with the Minnesota Credit Union Network.

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Senator Rod Grams
Minnesota's Republican Senator talks tobacco, environment and the big federal budget.

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Peter Ostroushko and Friends
Twin Citian Peter Ostroushko has a new CD out. "Pilgrims on the Heart Road" on Rounder Records. Peter joins us live and plays a tune on his famous mandolin.

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New Thinking About SIDS
A conference this week sheds new light on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome which might mean a new investigative approach by law enforcement officials. Our guest is Hennepin County Judge John Stanoch.

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Tonight's Political Panel
Talking tobacco and looking ahead to the start of the legislative session next Tuesday. Tonight's panelists are Republicans Kris Sanda and Tom Horner and DFLers Ruth Stanoch and Tom Horner. And yes, Ruth Stanoch is related to earlier guest John Stanoch.

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The Index File Section
Last week's question... this week's question... some viewer feedback... and a show-ending performance by Red House recording artist Peter Ostroushko.

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Entire Almanac for January 23, 1998

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Tonight's Monolog
A flu update from tonight's guest monologist Dr. Mark DePaolis. Yes, he's a real doctor.

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Educational Accountability
"Deconstitution" is the new education buzz word. What it means is that --at some point-- the state has a responsibility to step in and take over failing school districts. Will we ever get to that point in Minnesota? Rep. Becky Kelso (DFL-Shakopee) is our guest.

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DWI Reform
Should Minnesota lower the legal blood alcohol limit from .10 to .08? Here's a debate between .08 supporter Rep. Matt Entenza (DFL-St. Paul) and .08 opponent Rep. Dave Bishop (R-Rochester).

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The St. Paul Carousel Rides Again
The St. Paul carousel has found a new home in that city's Como Park. Find out when you can catch a ride. Our guest is Peter Boehm with the "Our Fair Carousel" group.

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St. Paul Hockey Status Report
Almanac reporter Mike Mulcahy fills us in on the still-shaky status of state funding for the St. Paul Civic Arena.

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Fore!!!!!!
There are plans to put an indoor golf facility in the long-abandoned Minneapolis Armory. Find out how it might all work.

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The Capitol Circular File
Mike Mulcahy has a little fun. But who is that other guy?

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Iron Range Lungs
The state announced plans this week for a 300 thousand dollar study of high lung cancer rates in Northeastern Minnesota. It's a problem the state has known about for more than a decade. Alan Bender with the Minnesota Department of Health is our guest.

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Tonight's Political Panel
The focus will be on the Clinton scandal in Washington. Tonight's panelists are Democrats Timothy Rose and Bert Black and Republicans Lynn Kenagy and Todd Hill.

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The Wrapup
Last week's history question... this week's effort (What infamous American couple --featuring a one-time Minnesotan-- was married on January 20, 1990?).... and a bit of historic Minnesota music courtesy of Eddie Cochran.

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Entire Almanac for January 30, 1998

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Tonight's Monolog
James Lileks remembers Dave Moore.

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White Bear Lake Tickets
The community of White Bear Lake has started to issue its own traffic tickets with their own fine schedule. Should other cities do the same? Our guest is White Bear Lake City Manager Mark Sather.

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St. Paul Hockey
Should the owners of the Minnesota Wild release their finances to the state? We hope to have a lively exchange between state senators Doug Johnson and Randy Kelley.

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World Champ Pizza Tosser
Where do you become the world's best tosser of pizza dough? I mean, is there an Olympics for this? J. G. Preston asks these and other probing questions. Oh yeah, we'll also get a demonstration of this culinary sport.

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Winter Carnival History
The author of the new book "Icy Pleasures" (Afton Historical Society Press) talks about the history of winter festivals in Minnesota. Historian Paul Larson is our guest.

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Farewell to Dave Moore
Back in December of 1991 Dave Moore did his last WCCO newscast. After reading the news for the last time Dave came over to join us at the Almanac table. The interview we did that night was quintessential Dave Moore... witty, pointed, self-deprecating and charming. We bring you extended highlights from that interview.

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Weather with Paul Douglas
Friday night viewers can ask their weather questions to Paul on line as he tries to make sense of this warm and wet winter.

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Political Puppet Theatre
What can we say? We get these anonymously in the mail from an underground production facility in the Nevada Desert.

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The Almanac Quote of the Week
It belongs to Roger Moe.

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Tonight's Political Panel
We cover the world of politics from Washington to St. Paul. Panelists are Republicans Cyndy Brucato and John Ainley and Democrats Wy Spano and Sarah Stoesz.

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The Wrapup
Index File Questions, viewer comments and weekly historic music. Not to mention a plug to watch online Arne Carlson's State of the State Address next Wednesday February 4. Just set your browser next Wednesday afternoon to www.ktca.org.

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Entire Almanac for February 6, 1998

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The Monolog
Jim Ragsdale and Dr. Harley Stewart of Lake Elmo.

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Traffic and More Traffic
Today the Minnesota Legislative Auditor released a report on Mass Transportation in our state. And the results aren't pretty. Our guest is Legislative Auditor Jim Nobles.

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Jet Ski Legislation
Should Minnesota restrict personal watercraft use? We'll continue the debate begun this week in the legislature with guests Senator Janet Johnson (DFL-North Branch), Rep. Kris Hasskamp (DFL-Crosby) and Artic Cat lobbyist Bert McKasy.

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New St. Paul Riverfront Plans
On Friday St. Paul unveiled news plans for Harriet Island. Find out what they are.

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Valentine's Day Cooking
Chef Eric Scherwinski of the Mall of America's Napa Valley Grille joins J. G. Preston to cook up some Valentine's Day creations. Eric cooks live in the studio. The recipes are available at "Almanac BackStage".

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Black Philanthropy
Emmett Carson is the head of the Minneapolis Foundation. He is also arguably the nation's leading authority on Black Giving. Carson will talk about a conference held in Minneapolis this week on the subject.

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More Valentine's Day Cooking
"Poppyseed Biscuits with Balsamic Strawberry Flambe" with chef Eric Scherwinski and J. G.

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Elected Met Council?
What can be done to make the Met Council more responsive to Metro area residents? One plan is to have Met Council members elected. That idea was proposed this week by Minneapolis DFL legislator Myron Orfield.

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Low Income Housing
There are changes in HUD housing that will result in many Minnesotans losing their subsidized homes and apartments. Mike Mulcahy brings you their stories and what lawmakers are willing to do about the problem.

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Tonight's Political Panel
Can't get enough politics? Then get a load of this group. Republicans Tom Horner and Lynn Kenagy will be joined by DFLers Pam Neary and Sen. John Hottinger of Mankato.

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The Wrapup
Last week's index file question... this week's effort... some viewer reaction to the late Dave Moore... and more music by the Andrews Sisters.

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Entire Almanac for February 13, 1998

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Tonight's Monologue
Courtesy of David Brauer. The topic is the Olympics. Sort of.

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Tobacco Trial Update
This week it was big tobacco's turn to take the stand. Find out the latest from this week's and today's testimony with David Phelps who is covering the trial for the Star Tribune.

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Feed Lots
Does the state of Minnesota need to act now to cut down on the size of our feed lot operations? It's a big issue at the legislature and it's become a big issue on our couch. Our guests are State Senator Steve Dille (R-Dassel) and State Representative Doug Peterson (DFL-Madison).

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Sid Hartman
In person. The dean of Minnesota sports writers gives us the latest on the Minnesota Vikings mess. Not to mention Todd Steussie's 22 million dollar contract. And because he's Sid... we'll undoubtedly talk about some other things.

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A Wee Bit of Scottish Music
Only in Minnesota would you see a guy in a kilt named Charles Knutson. He'll play the tin whistle and preview this weekend's 15th Annual Scottish Ramble at St. Paul's Landmark Center.

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Sharon Sayles Belton
Her Honor is live in our studio in the wake of Thursday's State of the City address.

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Campaign Finance Reform
Mike Mulcahy takes a look at growing concern about spending limits for Minnesota's constitutional officer campaigns.

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The Political Panel
Friday is committee deadline day over at the capitol. You'll hear from this week's politicos: Democrats D. J. Leary and Bert Black and Republicans Sarah Janecek and State Senator Sheila Kiscaden of Rochester.

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The Wrapup
A pair of Minnesota history questions, viewer comments and special piece of music in commemoration of the first visit to Minnesota this week in 1931 by famed baritone Paul Robeson.

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Entire Almanac for February 20, 1998

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Tonight's Monologue
Courtesy of Carol Falkowski. The theme is legislative spending. Sort of.

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Iraq versus the U. S.
U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan is in Bagdad tonight and earlier today America's Ambassador to the U.N. Bill Richardson was heckled during a speech at the U of M. We'll get the latest on the Iraq crisis from U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone who joins us live in the studio.

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The Right to Hunt and Fish
Does Minnesota need a constitutional right to hunt and fish? We discuss this and other big environmental issues making news this week at the capitol with lawmakers Bob Lessard and Steve Morse.

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Gordon Parks
Former St. Paulite Gordon Parks' photography is on exhibit at the Minnesota Museum of American Art in St. Paul beginning this Sunday. We feature an encore presentation of a recent interview with Parks which ran on the NewsHour with Jim Lehrer.

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Is It Hot Enough For Ya?
This could turn out to be among the warmest Minnesota winters ever. Find out why as J.G. Preston chats with WCCO-TV Meteorolgist Paul Douglas. And just for fun check out a weather-related website or two.

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Legislative Update
Today is a big deadline day over at the capitol. Our Mike Mulchay tells us what's dead and what's still breathing.

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All Six DFL Candidates For Governor
Cathy and Eric mix it up with all six formally declared and semi-formally declared Democratic candidates for governor. Mark Dayton, Mike Freeman, Doug Johnson (who filed papers today), John Marty and Ted Mondale joins us live in the studio. Skip Humphrey will be with us by phone from Austin. Just for the record, we'll have Republican candidates on next week.

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(we ran long - no Index File)
You'll have to tune in (or surf in) next week for the Index File answer. We did manage to include a bit of show-ending music by jazz great Dizzy Gillespie.

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Entire Almanac for February 27, 1998

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Tonight's Monologue
Courtesy of Mark DePaolis who in real life is a real doctor.

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The St. Paul Hockey Arena
Will the state kick in money to help pay for St. Paul's new hockey arena? We'll have a debate between State Senators Randy Kelly (DFL-St. Paul) and Tracy Beckman (DFL-Bricelyn).

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Business Versus Labor
What sort of legislative session has it been when it comes to business/labor issues? Hear two very different perspectives from David Olson with the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce and Bernie Brommer with the AFL-CIO.

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A Guy Who Can Talk Very, Very Fast
The champion auctioneer of the Midwest struts his stuff. He's Gerry Webster of Zumbrota.

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The Silicon Valley of the Unsalted Seas?
The city of Duluth is serious about attracting high-tech jobs to its downtown. Mike McNamara with the group "Team Duluth" talks about his city's ambitious plans for a "technology village".

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That's a Lotta New Cash
Our Mike Mulcahy has today's hot news about nearly 600 million more dollars in the state budget surplus. You'll hear who wants to do what.

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The Republican Candidates For Governor
For the first time all the Republican candidates sit down together to debate the issues. Appearing live for a good chunk of time will be Norm Coleman, Joanne Benson, Allen Quist and Dick Borrell.

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Wrapup
A couple of history questions... some viewer comments about the right to hunt and fish... and some show closing music by Josephine Baker who appeared in the Twin Cities this week back in 1922.

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Entire Almanac for March 6, 1998

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Tonight's Monologue
James Lileks of the Star Tribune does the honors.

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No-Wait Rebate?
How much? and when? are the questions tax payers want to know concerning if they are going to get money back from the state budget surplus. We debate the various tax plans.

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Jesse Ventura
Minnesota's other major political party had caucuses this week too. The Reform Party has just one candidate for governor and he's Jesse Ventura. Jesse joins us live in the studio.

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Airport Parking Expansion
The Metropolitan Airport Commission got some bad news about the cost to expand parking at Twin Cities International. Bad news to the tune of 70 million extra dollars. Our guest is Airport Commission member John Himle.

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How Much Do You Have to Drink to Reach .08?
That was the story today at the capitol when a group of 120 pound women drank alcohol and had their blood levels checked. Our Mike Mulcahy reports.

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Same-Sex Harassment
Suzanna Sherry of the U of M Law School fills us in on this week's U. S. Supreme Court decision. She also looks ahead to what we can expect from the court in the next few months.

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Tonight's Political Panel
This week we had the caucuses... the U.S.S. Des Moines vote... and a lot shakin' over at the state capitol. Find out the latest from Democrats Wy Spano and Ruth Stanoch and Republicans Todd Hill and State Senator Dave Knutson.

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The Wrapup
Just what did happen in Boston on February 26, 1981? Surf in and find out. Also... this week's Index File question... your viewer comments... and some show ending music from the annals Minnesota music history.

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Entire Almanac for March 13, 1998

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Vote for me?
Jim Ragsdale kicks off his campaign to be Minnestota's next Lt. Governor.

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Michael Ciresi
The state's lead attorney in the big tobacco trial joins us live in our studio with what happened today in the court room. We also take the opportunity to look back over the past few weeks of testimony.

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More Tobacco
Star Tribune reporter Dave Phelps joins us for a different take on the Big Tobacco trial.

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Minnesota's Legislative Gift Ban
Gifts to our legislators are banned right now. But there is a move to allow citizens and lobbyists to give a legislator a gift with a value up to five dollars. Should the state worry when someone buys a lawmaker a sandwich? State House member Tom Rukavina (DFL-Virginia) thinks some gifts are just fine. State Senator John Marty (DFL-Roseville) wants to keep the total gift ban.

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Clairseach
By the way, that's pronounced klar-shuck. And it's the Irish word for harp. Clairseach is also the name of a popular local Irish band who will perform live in our studio as a preview to next week's St. Paddy's Day celebrations. For more information on Clairseach go to Almanac BackStage.

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Judge J. Thomas Mott
This week Ramsey County District Court Judge J. Thomas Mott sentenced William Michael Stack to 25 years in prison for killing his father. William Stack suffers from mental illness and Judge Mott used the occasion to raise questions about how the judicial system treats the mentally ill. Judge J. Thomas Mott joins us live.

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The end?
Are bills in this years Legislative Session winding into conference committee, or is that asteroid 1997 XF 11?

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Tonight's Political Panel
Picks apart the busy week at the legislature. Our panelists include Republicans Cyndy Brucato and Darrell McKigney and Democrats Pam Neary and Speaker of the House Phil Carruthers.

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Wrapup
We ran out of time. You'll have to wait for the answer to the index file question....... Irish music courtesy of Clairseach closes our show.

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Entire Almanac for March 20, 1998

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Big Tobacco
Last week we heard from the lead attorney for the state in the tobacco trial. This week our guest is David Bernick, lead attorney for the Brown and Williamson Tobacco Company. We'll talk about this week's developments including the fight to release 39,000 tobacco documents.

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The St. Paul Hockey Arena
There is a big fight brewing over the deal between the Minnesota Wild and the M. A. Mortenson Co. Legislators at the capitol are worried about possible conflict of interest. Mike Mulcahy brings us the latest. The we discuss the developments with guests Tom Fabel, Deputy St. Paul Mayor and State Senator Sandy Pappas (DFL-St. Paul).

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Cooking with Eleanor Ostman
Pioneer Press columnist Eleanor Ostman has written a book "Always on Sunday". Eleanor chats with J. G. Preston about three decades of writing about Minnesota food. Find out more about her book and tonight's recipe on "Almanac BackStage".

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Duluth Aquarium
Duluth is trying to build a 34 million dollar aquarium along the Duluth waterfront. After ten years of talk, will it actually happen? Paula Davidson is with the Great Lakes Aquarium at the Lake Superior Center.

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More Cooking with Eleanor Ostman
J.G. Preston and Eleanor Ostman return for more cooking and stories.

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It's Spring!!
Spring has sprung. Will it be a season of sun? Or might April be the cruelest month? We treat you to the wisdom of independent meteorologist Bruce Watson.

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Tonight's Political Panel
It was a big week at the capitol. How big? Find out from tonight's panelists... Democrats Wy Spano and Mark Andrew... and Republicans Sarah Janecek and Dick Day.

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The Wrapup
Two Minnesota history questions... four viewer comments... and a letter posted on "Almanac BackStage" Plus our show ending music featuring Johnny Cash.

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Entire Almanac for March 27, 1998

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Tonight's Monologue
Carol Falkowski has a different take on the fish camera debate over at the capitol.

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City Jobs for Welfare Workers?
The Minneapolis city council today debated whether to offer city jobs to a small group of hard-to-employ welfare reipients. Our guest is Minneapolis City Council President Jackie Cherryhomes who supports the plan.

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Late Term Abortions
There's a fight in the Senate over whether the state should ban so-called "partial birth abortions". Our guests are State Senators Tom Neuville (R-Northfield) and John Hottinger (DFL-Mankato).

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U of M President Yudof
Mark Yudof was testifying at the capitol Friday and tonight he's on our show.

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Music by Brenda Weiler
Richie Havens has called her "the little girl with the big voice". Brenda Weiler is a young folk-rock singer-songwriter from Fargo who has just released her debut CD "Trickle Down". She performs that tune live for us. For more information on Weiler check out Almanac BackStage.

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Sports
Larry Fitzgerald with the Spokesman/Recorder talks Gopher Basketball, NCAA hoops, Vikings and Twins.

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St. Paul Hockey
St. Paul's plans for a new hockey arena got a bit messier Friday when four St. Paul city council members said they want to reexamine the team's lease. Our Mike Mulcahy has the latest.

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Bonding
It's a boring word. But an important subject at this point in the legislative session. Two members of the House/Senate Bonding conference committee join us. Rep. Dave Bishop (R-Rochester) and Sen. Dick Cohen (DFL-St. Paul) join us live to talk about --among other things-- hockey.

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Tonight's Political Panel
Covering a lot of ground tonight will be Republicans Kris Sanda and Peter Bell and Democrats D. J. Leary and State Senator Ellen Anderson.

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Another tune by Brenda Weiler
We close the show with another tune by the folk-rock singer-songwriter from Fargo.

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